Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Oct 21 2015 - Bewdley to Camborne

On a cold wet miserable fall day Robin Maughan led 7 Dudes on a 28 km ride thru the gorgeous Northumberland section of the Oakridge Moraine . The route is rolling all the way but avoids any steep climbs. It was drizzling as we left the parking lot in Bewdley just after 10:00, cycling east on Cavan Rd across Cty Rd 9  to Cty  Rd 18 in Plainsville. The only steady rain occurred on this section which has several “easy” uphill climbs. Cycled south on Cty Rd 18 up a long but gradual gradient to Upper Coldsprings before a welcome long downhill ride thru Lower Coldsprings to Kennedy Rd in Camborne. Cty Rd 18 has paved shoulders dedicated to cyclists. Cycled north-west on Kennedy Rd for several moderate climbs, to Vimy Ridge Rd then west to Little Rd & north for a spectacular view of Rice Lk before a downhill descent to Cavan Rd into Bewdley. Enjoyed lunch at Darby’s Place (289-829-0618) beside Rhino’s which is being restored, delicious soup. Robin had given us an option of cycling a 10 km longer route, continuing past Camborne downhill to Dale Rd, west to Williamson Rd then north to Vimy Ridge Rd & Little Rd but the weather dictated the shorter route.
                Upper Coldsprings break - note the wet pavement!
                                    Camborne from Cty Rd 18
                                   Kennedy Rd in Camborne
                          Kennedy Rd vista towards Lake Ontario
Rice Lk view from Little Rd

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Warsaw Ride Oct 14 2015

We had 20 cyclists turn out for this ride on a sunny but cool & breezy fall day. From the ballpark Barry Diceman led us east on Rock Rd past Douglas Rd to an access trail into the ORCA picnic site & a spectacular view overlooking the Indian R. Continued east on Rock Rd to Cooper Rd & east to Dummer 4th Line then south to Centre Dummer Line & east for 3 km to the start of the Dummer 6th Line bush trail for a 2 km ride to the 6th Line & south to Cty Rd 8 where Conrad led 5 cyclists back to Warsaw, a 26 km ride, cycling west on Cty Rd 8 to the 4th line at Cottlesloe, north on the 4th to Clifford Rd while Barry led the others south on the 6th to Cty Rd 2 & east to the 8th Line then north across Cty Rd 8 to another road allowance bush trail. This very rough trail has a downhill section where we had to get off our bikes but we still had 3 spills! The trail exits at Centre Line & a ride west to the 4th Line taking a short jog to Douglas Rd to continue east for a 3 km ride into Warsaw for lunch at Kylies (652-9600). In the future we should consider avoiding the 8th Line bush trail by cycling east on Cty Rd 8 to the 8th Line, south to Cty Rd 2 then west to the 6th Line or continuing to the 4th Line at Cottelsloe. Left click to enlarge photos
                                    Indian R viewpoint
                                  Dummer 4th Line
                                  6th Line bush trail
                     Mike Steele & George Post on 6th Line bush trail
Douglas Rd view towards Warsaw
Jim Pare’s group photo beside the bush trail

Wednesday, October 07, 2015

Robin’s Cavan-South Monaghan Ride

18 cyclists met Robin Maughan at 9:30 in the Baxter Creek Golf Club parking lot for a 40 Km ride on a new route thru the Cavan South Monaghan countryside. From the golf club we cycled west on Cedar Valley Rd to Hutchison Dr, south to Cty Rd 21, east on Cty Rd 21 across Hgw 28 to Fourth Line continuing east before turning south on to Scriven Rd for a long uphill climb followed by a downhill run to Third Line then east to Cty Rd 2 for a 7 km ride with another long but gradual hill climb before a downhill ride into Baileboro & a short jog across Hgw 28 to Carmel line then east to Brackenbridge Dr & an uphill ride north to Hutchison Dr with one last hill climb before crossing Cty Rd 2 to reach Cedar Valley Rd & a return to the golf club for lunch where we met Bob Penny, Frank Marett & Mike Steele. They had cycled from Peterborough & somehow missed the group start. Conrad Hill & Keith Buchanan decided to take a shorter route & headed north on Hutchison for a 23 km ride. This scenic ride has a few rollers + 2 long hill climbs on paved & gravel surfaces but is worth the extra effort. My thanks to Robin & Barry for leading rides over the past 4 weeks in my absence
                                  Scriven Rd hill climb
                                   Rice Lake view on Cty Rd 2

                              Cty Rd 2 approaching Baileboro
                      Robin returning to the Baxter Creek clubhouse