Rail trails

Given my upcoming ride to Ithaca and back, I wanted to get out on my bike and keep up my riding fitness. I decided a 4hour/100km afternoon ride would be good — and the weather obliged: i ended up doing 120km in 4hrs 45 minutes.
I rode up the Niagara escarpment via the short Cheridoke rail trail from Dundurn (Hamilton). From there I made it onto Highcrest Rd and followed it to it to its end. I then ended up on Mud Road/Fly road, which I followed all the way to Mountain road. Nearing 50km I decided to head down the mountain and turn back. I had made it to Lincoln.
The riding, especially the last half, was mice, being on low-traffic roads. The only off-putting aspects (understatement) was the smell of death trucks and the occasional 'broiler' hen farm.

After days of strong winds alongside the intermittent rain, I was quite antsy to get on my bike. That the ride to Tobermory is looking like having a Wednesday start (the forecast is nice) I also wanted to get some kms behind me. So I went for a bit of a ride this afternoon!
The weather was still pretty shitty this morning, with a 20km/hr wind as well. I set myself a deadline to leave around one — and was glad I did after a few minutes on the bike. I rode along the Hamilton-Brantford rail trail again, this time going to distance to Brantford. I didn't push myself super hard, but still tried to make good time. After I hit the 50km mark somewhere near/in waterworks park, I turned and headed back the same way. Before doing so, I took a pic of me (looking the part, ashamedly with my jacket being the same colour as/matching my bike) - another example of my poor photogrpahy skills...

I went for a short and fast ride yesterday — about 35km. I went without the trailer as it was unpacked (the ride to Tobermory has been delayed until late next week) and as it was late in the day, i tried to ride with some speed.

I ventured along the Hamilton — Brantford Rail Trail again, making the same distance as my previous ride with the trailer loaded. I pushed my speed for the 12km of steady incline, trying to stay above 25km/hr (on the ride with the trailer, my speed was closer to 19km/hr or less). It was an enjoyable ride up to Summit Bog as it is known, where the trail flattens out near the peak of the Niagara Escarpment.

I had remembered my camera on this ride and took a couple shots when I stopped for a few minutes at the bog before the descent. Bad light and my poor photography skills (a focus on the tree's, rather than a pre-focus on the bike) are clear in these pics.

It might be official — I (think I am) a gear h0r! After picking up what I hope is the last of my gear four touring/distance trial riding the bill is something I do not want to think on at all. Today I added a new (summer) sleeping bag as my other was too warm, too heavy and too large to fit in my dry sack. I was set on picking up a rear rack and Arkel trail rider trunk bag, and I thought I was going to pick up a pair of Keen Newport H2 sandals to ride. Yesterday at MEC I saw decent clipless peddles for around $60 and it got me think that instead of the sandals peddles and shoe might be a good option for a only a little amount more.