Brule Rd/ Almost Odessa Ride

After work decided to revisit a ride from last year. This was the quad track out to Odessa that crosses Brule Rd. This goes under the hydroline heading to Napanee. Unlike last year I was running late so no clipless. Had to go with flats which in the end worked out.

 So after grabbing and Ice Capp headed down Highway 2 to Westbrooke Rd to get to the quad track.

 Turning onto the quad track and heading east towards Odessa. On the way towards Brule there was a wee bit of mud so there was the small chance that the quad track was turning back to swamp. To do this route past Brule is only doable around late summer when it has dried out.

 Just after crossing Nell Rd begins the full long section towards Odessa. As one can see in the pic it tends to get ruts from people mud bogging their quads.

 This year the going was a little slower as it was so much more overgrown then last year.  Quite a few times had to do the hike -a-bike type thing as it was hard to see the ruts with all the overgrowth.

 The fence line I came to last year was reached after about 35 minutes of effort from Brule Rd. I would guess I was faster last year as the foliage was less thanks to a milder year. And sadly there is no sign of a way to get closer to Odessa. Kind of sucks as this would make a route but can't win them all.  Especially since the last route recce was a success.

On the way back was to focused on riding to remember to check out this track that seems to be new. It wasn't there last year.

 After crossing Nell Rd it was soon to be a little fun on the bit of rock drops on the way towards Brule. Sadly no pic's as still need to get a small tripod. Though judging from the hazy edges on photo's in the last month and a half may also need to replace the digital camera.

 Paused after Brule in the farmers field to kind of relax before the inevitable rejoining of the world. Though I could hear the 401 and a swell as traffic on Highway 2. It is still nice to just have you while riding.

 As I headed to Tim's for a earned Ice Capp was thinking of Paul's Dirty Enduro. Specifically have an offer from Barry a rider I know to ride the 100k instead of the 30k with me. Kind of nervous to accept...he is faster and a XC racer of the endurance type. I am slow and need to lose some more weight, losing 2 inches is good don't get me wrong. the other issue that has me humming and hawwing is in 2009 doing the 60k caused my knees to start hurting and seizing about 10k out.

 Have some ideas on that but will share that tomorrow.

Hydro Line- Unity to Highway 38

Friday just before heading to the trails it started raining. So while sitting in Tim's thought now would be a good time to ride an area that I would not cause much damage when wet..the Hydroline north of the 401.  And keep in mind after the last attempt  which seems impassable. This ride would be a combination.

First part would be to try heading south from Unity and see how it goes. Then head north to try and get to Highway 38.

 Unfortunately reached a point where I could no longer move forward. As you can tell from the pic's it was simply just to over grown. The grass was higher then my bike and was just a headache to make forward progress.

 Again instead of flailing around blindly I will come back later in the fall to have a look again. Hopefully with everything dying off will be able to see a path.

 After back tracking to Unity headed north up towards where the hydro line crosses over Highway 38.  And after driving by the area before I suspect that this is possible.

 As I had suspected it was over grown but still passable. I also noticed I wasn't the only one who has used this path. Had a bit of horse hoof vibration and dodged a bit of horse manure. after a bit of effort was able to see Highway 38 in the distance.

 The last bit was on what was definitely quad track so another area that was used by others. On the way back stopped to have a snack...baked egg. But lacking bacon so not as good as it could have been.

 Before turning back though had a look on the other side of Highway 38 to see if there is any sign of track to keep going. Though with all the overgrowth this again seems to be another wait till fall trip.

 I did spot some quad track heading off away from the Hydro Line but that would have to wait for another trip to explore. So headed back to the car as had somewhere to be. Of course the return is always faster then the ride out.

 Will have to come back out again to see where that quad track goes next time. Maybe when there is no bugs and with a beer in pack.

Hydro Swamp

3 weeks ago finally got around to trying to ride the Hydroline north of the 401. It has been one of those things I have been wanting to do but kept putting it off for whatever reason. And finally got around to it after many times looking at the area on Google Earth.  And I have to admit that at times it can be frustrating with the lack of detail in some areas on Google.

 Unfortunately getting to the entrance is a bit of a road grind. But at least can cut through part of the CB trails to Westbrook Rd.

 

 After the buzz of knobbies on tarmac it was finally up the double track under the hydro line.  And in the beginning like all beginnings do they where matching up to Google Earth's view. There was a double track heading north.  I was hoping to be able to ride up to Unity Rd on this bit of track as if it would work out it had the potential to create a route

 Unfortunately ran into a bit of a impassable section. Impassable as it was a swamp to which I could see  no way forward.  And since I have yet to invest in GPS I have no idea how far up I had come. And with all the over growth this year it would be a waste of effort flailing around looking for a route.

 There might be a way round this to connect it all. But I will have to wait for the fall when all this greenery dies off to get a better look at the ground. And will make the ground more visible.

 So it was back the way I came. And none to soon as about 45 minutes later a storm came in incredibly fast.  So the next attempt will be from up on Unity to enter this area and see if there is any options.

Saturday Don Bake

Been a while since I have been in the Don. So on Saturday went in for a bit. Of course it had to be the hottest day in recent times.


 Some one was busy cutting a new trails since last year

                         Should be on a golf course.

Been many months since I visited the Dubitorium.

The Divorce

After years of using Shimano SPD's and the East Cup Kingston Mud trot it came to a head that enough was enough. No longer could the barely working in claggy mud that would be better described as something a potter would use to make a clay bowl. It comes to that point that it becomes self abuse to continue using something that just simply after being carefully measure to be found wanting.

I mean if you look at the pic just of the front chain ring you get a picture of the situation.

 The pedals barely held the cleats. The clay is still in there days later. Sorry, Shimano you are out of time. You may work great in the rain forests of Cascadia with it's mud of decayed leaves and such. But when confronted by clay you leave much to be desired. And coming up short is no longer acceptable.

 So you have been dumped from the Mistress as no longer do we feel the love for Shimano SPD's. You have become like that moment of waking up and sobriety has finally arrived and you can't get outta there fast enough.

Time has shown that they will not come up wanting when it comes to Ontario Claggy Mud. And are now on the Cross bike as well as the Mistress. No longer will I be cursing Shimano for the failures in the mud.

 Shimano..good bye and good riddance. Don't let the door hit your ass on the way out.

Clunk Salad

Today managed to get in two trail rides as things worked out to that benefit. So both where out at CB trails. No pictures from this mornings ride.

Finally Crappy Post delivered my second Tulbag though it is not to be used for tools. It is so I can carry all those other important things like ID's, bank card, and money. And not spend time digging for it. Plus I never really have used a wallet.

 Later it was time for the second ride out at CB. I wanted to finish checking out a couple of new sections of trail that I didn't have time for during the morning session.

 Nature has walled in the Beeratorium with foliage so it almost hides one from the dog walkers around you.

 During the ride I kept hearing a weird faint almost clunking noise from my rear hub. So  let's pull it all apart to fix so I can get a ride in tomorrow.

Hmm..bearings are still good but it seems there is a bit of play in the drive side. Easily fixed.

 Back together and on the bike. All done in about half an hour. Yep workshops are good.

East Cup Cornwall May 11th

Saturday was the Cornwall edition of the East Cup put on by Dan Marshall of Substance Projects.

 And those of us in the Comp race, the three of us car pooled up to Charlottenburgh Forest. The drive up wasn't looking promising as it alternated between heavy rain and no rain. So it kind of felt like heading into a repeat of the Kingston race...mud festivus. But when we arrived it was just wet grass and instead of mud we would be having fun with wet roots. Being a BC raised rider wet roots are fun.

  After Dan's usual low key call up. It was off for the 3 laps of 5k.  First first bit up the quad track and small hill went well. Actually started out a little faster this time and by the hill was clear further up the field. Then into the singletrack which was fun and had some good flow. Pace was good and despite the usual small hiccups as those who get squirrelly in the tech cause the accordian effect. Unfortunately one of these incidents at about the 10% through the course cased me to get my bar caught in a tree. Which caused my left brake lever to pop off.

 Discovered this on a bit of downhill and stopped to fiddle for 15 seconds. Gave up and tried to catch back up to what turned out to be the 3rd place guy. Which became a chore as I found it challenging to find the flow with only a rear brake. Mental block. Took the rest of the 1st and second laps to finally get it.

  Negative split the 3rd lap. Even caught the third place guy but lost him again as we lapped a 12 year old kid still on his second lap as he got hung up on some roots and went down hard. Made sure he was okay then tried to catch back up. Never did and it turns out missed the podium by 15 seconds. Ironically the same amount of time I fiddled on the first lap with my brake.

This is small mechanical cost 15 seconds.

Zee Beaver

Just another weekend of spring and sunshine. And trying out a new pedal system as I have officially filed for divorce from Shimano when it comes clip pedals.

 Saturday rest stop at the Beeratorium post work on Saturday. Bit of lunch and sunshine.

 A buddy lent me his Time Alium pedals to try out as I decided it was time to dump the Shimano of fail. After they clagged up nicely in the East Cup I decided it is time for a change as they came up a bit wanting.

Sunday ride out at the farm with nothing but trails and sunshine.

And the company of the local eager Beaver .