Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Rice Lake Ride - May 27 2015

14 cyclists turned out for this 35 km undulating ride led by Robin Maughan.  The weather cooperated & apart from a strong westerly headwind was a pleasant day for cycling. Bill Ingram arrived late & although we had a leisurely ride only caught up to us in the Bewdley Municipal parking lot at the end of the ride! From the parking lot we cycled out Cavan Rd to Cty Rd 9 to an uphill climb east to Lander Rd. The climb divides into 3 sections with 2 level stretches in between which eases the strain. Lander Rd has spectacular views overlooking Rice Lake as you ride downhill into Gores Landing. After a break on the lakesore we rode east on Rice Lake Scenic Dr beside the lake into Harwood where some of us stopped at the artesian well to refill our water bottles then headed to the lakeshore & the railway bed of the Bellville-Peterborough Railway that was built in 1858. We then cycled into a brisk headwind south on Harwood Rd up a gradual gradient across Cty Rd 9 to Beavermeadow Rd. Turned west on Beavermeadow to Cty Rd 18 (Burnham St N) for a short jog north thru Plainsville to Cavan Rd which eventually takes you back into Bewdley. This part of the ride is beside the northern slopes of the Oakridge Moraine. After the ride enjoyed lunch on the patio at Rhinos (1-905-797-2744). Note that you must park in the large municipal parking lot south of Rhinos to avoid being fined
 Lander Rd with Rice Lk in the background
                      Gores Landing photo
                      Harwood artesian well
                Cavan Rd at Plainsville

Conrad led 7 cyclists today on a windy 23 km ride thru the city from Beavermeade, followed by lunch at The Porch & Pint. I now have 9 orders for cycling shirts so it’s a go.

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

May 20 2015 - Colborne Apple Blossom Ride

We met in the commuter parking lot off Television Rd (across from Burnham Mansion) to carpool for a 9:00 departure for an hour drive to Colborne. From Televison Rd we drove the scenic route to Colborne, thru Hastings to Warkworth continuing  south on Cty Rd 25 thru Castleton into Colborne driving across King St (city square) down Percy St to the Keeler arena parking lot. On the other hand Bob Penny drove to Hastings then cycled to Colborne, a route that has many serious hill climbs, but that’s our Bob ! A more direct route from Peterborough is south on Hgw 28 then east on the 401 to the Colborne exit. From the Keeler arena 16 cyclists headed west on Park St, south (left) on Ontario St to Lakeport Rd following the Waterfront Trail signs into Lakeport where we did a short loop down to the lake & back to the Waterfront Trail (Lakeport Rd), continuing west to Wicklow Harbour then up to Orchard Grove Rd past the apple orchards that were in full bloom. Continued west across Station Rd (which goes into Grafton) past the Nawantin Conservation Park to Archer Rd, where Lakeport Rd ends. On the return trip we rode into Nawantin on Lake Ontario before cycling back into Colborne for lunch at Vitos (905-355-3222). Today’s route was 36 km with gentle gradients on a clear sunny that proved ideal for cycling after waking up to a temperature of 3 C.
                                        
                                George Post at Wicklow Harbour
                                 Nawantin beach
                      Arndt & Hendrik skipping stones at Nawantin
                                    group photo

May 13 2015-Heart & Stroke Big Bike ride

 Pete Gardner asked me to thank everyone who participated in  the The Heart & Stroke Big Bike Ride. The Cycling Dudes team raised over $2000. We clambered on to the Big Bike at 10:00 for a fun tour of the downtown to cheers from many onlookers. After the ride Pete MacLoghlin led 25 cyclists on a 28 km ride thru the south area of the city. From Peterborough Sq we cycled down Charlotte St to the Millennium Trail, cycling south beside the Otonabee R. thru Del Carey Pk to Lock St across Landsdowne St to Braidwood Ave then west across Park St to Monaghan Rd, cycling on the Crawford Rail Trail south to Crawford Dr then west across The Parkway to Harper Rd & Harper Pk an ecological sensitive wetland habitat owned by the city where we took 15 minutes exploring the Patterson farm section of the park (the only dry area). We then continued the ride returning to Crawford Dr cycling across Sir Sanford Fleming Dr to Fisher Dr & west to Airport Rd. South on Airport Rd over Hgw 115 to Beardsmore Dr winding our way back into the city for a sumptuous lunch at the Ashburnham Ale House in East City

                                      Cycling Dudes team
                                       Big Bike Ride start line
                                     Harper Park tour
Brian Healey & Burton McCelland - Ashnurnham Ale House

Wednesday, May 06, 2015

May 6 2015-Ride into Douro Twp

28 Dudes met at Beavermeade on another gorgeous spring day. From Beavermeade we cycled north on Ashburnham Dr cycling uphill from the Liftlock to the Old Norwood Rd then east across TV Rd up  2 short but steep hills to Harold Town Conservation Area. We then split up into 2 groups with Pat Towns leading a longer ride (38km) thru Douro & Pete MacLoghlin leading a shorter ride ( 27 km as planned). However after Pat’s group left it became apparent that Keith Buchanan was in trouble feeling light headed & weak. It was obvious thst Keith would not be able to cycle so Geroge Post cycled back to his car to return & pick up Keith. Once Keith was safely in the car we continued our ride after a 45 minute delay, cycling east on the Old Nowood Rd up & down a few hills to Sweeney Line & north to Division Rd. Pat's group had cycled east uphill on Division across Hyw 28 to the 4th Line & north into Douro returning east on Cty Rd 8 to Cty Rd 6 & east to  Pioneer Rd. Pete’s group continued on the 7th line from Division Rd crossing Cty Rd 6 to Pioneer Rd. Both groups cycled east on Pioneer Rd to Nassau Rd at Trent U across the pedestrian bridge retuning on the RGWT where everyone met for lunch at the Porch & Pint. Keith did recover & Jim Pare drove him back to Norwood. Keith sent me a note on Wed that he has recovered & is feeling well. He also extended his thanks to George, Jim McIntosh, myself, & Jim Pare for our assistance. He plans to take a break from the Dudes rides while he builds up his strength & endurance
                     Harold Town Conservation Area
              Conrad on the 7th Line approaching Warsaw Rd (Cty Rd 6)
              Pioneer Rd facing east towards Peterborough
Pioneer Rd