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.