In The Beginning..
My first order of business was a plan, but nothing solid as any rider knows
regardless of what any map says, something is going to be askew.
Since I am a 48 year old woman, there was some of that "Are You Crazy!?
to which I would state that even if I am, doesn't change the fact that
I am doing it. No ones opinion mattered, if it was a negative one. I packed
lightly and simply and had bike tools as well as a tube. I also knew which
towns had bike shops and air is readily available, especially Port Hope and
on. The total carry was 1 backpack.
Monday - 9 hours
Tuesday - 14 hours (stops for photo opportunities)
Wednesday - 8 hours with large gravel
I worked it out to be a 3 day cycle, with an overnight stop-over in Picton to
see my Family, then home by train as I had to work on the weekend.
My plan was simple, follow the Waterfront Trail.
http://www.waterfronttrail.org/trail.html
This map is pretty straight-forward and I did find a couple areas that need
to be addressed, but overall very helpful. Many of the areas on the map are
just deviations around hills on the most part Hwy #2. If your a reasonably
experienced rider, just take the hill. There were a couple dead ends that I did
not see on the map, one was at Darlington Nuclear Power Plant, the fence was
at least 10ft and *metal*.
From Toronto to Oshawa was uneventful and I had left at 2pm which I knew
was late so I had to move fairly quickly. Once I passed through Oshawa the
ride started to be what I had hoped for and below is the pictures of some of the
sites alongs the way.
In The Middle..
At this point it was getting dark, but due to some areas that were dead ends
and having to backtrack etc, I decided since the road was deserted, I'd just
push on. I road till about 11:30pm and at this point had to give up on making
it to Port Hope and knew I needed a place to *camp*. As I rode along I saw a
very bright light and it was a farm house with a huge light that was bright
enough to offer me a little refuge till the sun rose. I hunkered down and
snoozed. When the sun was just peeking out I was up and ready to go
..........find coffee..haha, so I got organised and then heard a car coming
down the driveway. The farmer asked if I was okay, to which I stated
perfectly fine and thanks for the tree. I explained what had happened. We
chatted and off I went in search of Port Hope, which as it turned out, was
less than 20-minutes from my sleeping tree location.
I found this Fabulous Deli that opens at 6am, I was there at 6:15.
276 Redout St, Port Hope Ontario http://www.basilsmarket.com/
My goal was now Trenton for Tuesday night. Below are a few of my pics of the
travel through to Trenton. Below is a Gazebo dedicated, just east in Port Hope.
Below is deserted beach I found, it was about 5 miles or so of nobody, nothing
but sunshine and sand. I walked this for most of the way, then detoured
through the brush to the road.
This is Colborne and not much to see in this particular town but I
found a pub open and got a fresh sandwich and more coffee.
These 2 deer below were by the water polishing area just west of Trenton, off the
Murray Canal.
These are the Markers for the WR Trail. Helpful, but if you on the most
part follow the lake, you'll find the markers.
Spent the night at a small clean quiet motel in eastern Trenton just off
Hwy #2.It was next to a McDonalds, a grocery and any number of food outlets.
Outstanding shower and bed!
The last part of my journey was to get to Picton. Since I was in eastern Trenton
I decided not to double back to Hwy #33, instead I would take Hwy#2 all the
way through Belleville, to the Bridge leading to Picton, which is Hwy #62.
Everything was fine until the 62 Hwy, which has large gravel on the shoulder.
Impossible to ride on and heavy large vehicle traffic. I walked a good
portion until I reached County Rd # 14 and took it. A longer route into
Picton, but at least I'm riding solid ground.
This little gem below is in Rossmore just over the bridge out of Belleville.
Fabulous breakfast and a great way to finish up my cycle. Mother is the server and the daughter does the cooking. Great Combo!
In The End.. I'm in Picton, just in time to watch a storm shower and see this
Gorgeous Rainbow!!
I'm Ready To Go Again!
