24.05.06 | Caledonia...

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!
On arrival at Caledonia I had a good chat with people at the Douglas Creek blockade and learnt a great deal about what is going on and the intricacies of it all. Need I say colonialisms!
I completed the 60km ride in under 3 hours, probably a good indication of average speed for touring with a load given the climb up the escarpment and moderate undulations (not any other significant climbs) along the route. The short ride down the escarpment was enjoyable, and I easily hit 60km/hr on the descent. That is my fastest clocked speed with the trailer to date and it was quite comfortable. A good run out is needed for stopping given the extra weight pushing down the hill!
Musings
To those drivers who felt 'that the 4 seconds of their day lost as a result of my presence was something worth croaking about', rather than getting frustrated and upset with me, why not think about why these seconds are valuable to you and the reasons that you lose most of them? Your 'jobj and the f*ked up socio-economic system we apparently vote for/support might be a good starting point!