ride archive: May, 2006

I arose early, packed and was on my bike around 7:15. With no one in the office at the camp ground (Durham Conservation area) it was a free nights stay. I could already feel that today was going to be very very warm (this was in fact quite an understatement).
With little real choice of route, I headed south on Highway 6. The flattening out of the route and quick shift, whilst still undulating (not a great deal), to predominately downhill came quick. This was very welcome given the rising heat. I had plans to meet up with a friend in Guelph, so I pushed on most of the morning, stopping only for refills my water bottles.

We set off before 7:30am for the last 20km into the ferry terminal at Tobermory. We rode the predominately downhill run in well under an hour, with the arrival at our destination being both sweet and sobering. After having a chat with one of the workers at the ferry — a retiree from Hamilton — we had about 10 minutes before Gwen had to board. I managed to get one last shot of Gwen and I together. It was perhaps fitting the camera lens was fogged!
After a big hug and some parting thanks — I clearly had not given anywhere near enough thought to this moment — Gwen had board. I indicated for her to head up onto the deck for a last shot or two... as I was waiting for her I could feel tears well in my eyes!

We sat around, having the luxury of a cooked breakfast, whilst waiting for our gear to dry (dew and the impacts of the previous night/early morning rain) — starting off again at 11am. At the other side of Clifford we had our water bottles filled with water and ice at a local store (thankyou!). In the car park we had a conversation with a life-long local who knew someone who had moved from Clifford to Australia (via Japan) — he mentioned this on the off chance I might know them!
We headed North on Road 10 and deviated onto an unmarked (on our maps) side road which another local pointed out would takes us into downtown Chesley. It was a great road for riding — no centre line and minimal vehicle use. On the other side of Chesly(?), we stopped for a photo with a not-so-big (by Australian standards) cow!

Relocating our gear to the large picnic shelter a little after 8am, adjacent to the Beverly Community Centre Building, we waited out the weather until 11am. We rode through the consistent rain for over an hour — I noticed that my front splash-guard directs all water (when there is a substantial amount on the road) straight onto my shoes. Needless to say my shoes filled up with water and where wet for the rest of the day. My shoes performed well, going from saturated to damp within 2-hours of riding (I was very happy!).
We followed Highway 8 making our first quick stop at Preston. We rode on the same route through St Jacobs, Alma, Parker and Teviotdale (a little round-a-bout). Being in Mennonite territory was interesting — we received a number of friendly waves. We also met some very friendly folk along the way.

Barring any unforseen arisings, I will be departing on the oft-referred-to ride to Tobermory this afternoon. The late start is due to circumstance and it will make for around 90km today I guess (or less) and I expect to be camping somewhere around Elora.
The forecast keeps changing with the most recent (after predictions of sunny weather) being thunder-showers for this afternoon/tomorrow. Might lead to an interesting ride and evening. I can't wait to be outside in a big storm if it does come. I am excited to be finally heading off — and also to camp after so long! I was last in my tent in Cathedral Grove on Vancouver Island in October!
Last minute checks on gear, cleaning my bike, getting some dried fruits, checking routes, thinking back later on how I forgot something so important!
The prelude:

With the Tobermory ride put back again, I had the time to ride out to Caledonia, see what was happening first hand, talk to people and indicate my support for Six Nations. It was my first rode-only ride of any distance of late — 30km each way. I decided to attach my fully loaded trailer to give it a good run over some distance and with the necessary direct climb up the Niagara escarpment it would give me a good indication of how I would travel with it.
For a road ride, it was not too bad. I had a small handful of cars come too close and a couple drivers feel that the 4 seconds of their day lost as a result of my presence was
something worth croaking about. I was very thankful for the trucks that gave me a nice and wide berth. As has seemed the norm of late, there was a head wind on the way out — and as often is the case it changed directions to be a headwind on the way back as well!

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.

Yesterday i rode to the city and back (approx. 175 km) with Gwen which was my biggest single day ride by far. he forecast was ominous and the night before was raining solidly.
The morning was dry and conditions seemed pretty nice - that is except for the predicted 24 knot headwind that did arrived as predicted. It made for slower and more energy draining riding. We stocked up on some essential gear at MEC, had a good feed and left the city a little late...

After spending a few hours in my office (to make up for some of the time i will be riding over the next week), i hitched the trailer, loaded it up a went on a short ride of a little over 20km. This was my first time out with it loaded - i hitched it up (empty) yesterday for a trip around the block to see what the feel was like.
At first i could notice the extra weight, but not for long. Acceleration was not as quick, and it still had a little bounce (far less than when empty). Once going the momentum was quite good and a good cruising speed was easy enough to obtain. Handling wise, it is somewhat unnoticeable... I had read some reviews so was aware of the implications for breaking. A u-turn requires a bit more room too!

I picked my bike up from one of the lbs today. Instead of replacing the faulty seal in the headshok, they replaced the entire front end (fork and headshok) - all of this under warranty so FREE!

After riding the 14km back home, Gwen came by and we rode to a couple other lbs to pick up some gear. Gwen is one of my positive influences. We met a little over two weeks ago at the local Critical Mass ride in April. It was then i found out about her plans to ride to BC. Another fantastic vegan doing great thigns in the world! We hit it off well and she invited me to join the ride...

When Gwen arrived today she told me she is leaving for BC this Thursday! So all plans have been moved forward. My riding fiteness is not up to speed, so it will be a challenge trying to keep up with her on the first 2-3 days of the ride that i am venturing on with her. I will then be turning back. It would be so nice to keep going... if only i could.