Ride Summary

Distance: 62mi
Climbing: 1624 feet
Descending: less
Difficulty: medium
Link to workout in Strava

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The hotel I stayed at Sunday night wasn't restful (worst I've stayed in this trip) but I still managed to get a late start after dashing down some oatmeal. I hadn't intended to leave early or anything, just surprised I managed not to since I was up by 6 or so. But, rolled out around 9, hit the rail trail, and went south for the next 8 hours. The trail was great!

It was gravel, so I moved a little slower - it was long day timewise/ridingwise despite normal mileage. But the surface was in general great (worse at the very beginning and end; recently resurfaced for probably the middle 50 miles and nearly uniformly great - even when wet - in that section. Views varied, and other trail users were few (maybe 15? 8 on ATV's, which are allowed on this trail. couple other non-touring cyclists, and a few walkers, canine and human. Also, the weather stayed nice - windy (from behind!) cool, cloudy all morning and sunny in the afternoon. There were swans!

I'm not sure I enjoyed the all-gravel-trail day of riding enough to do exactly that again; paved trails are less effort to ride for sure and it was 7+ hours on the bike yesterday for a normal length trip with no steep climbs. But the no-traffic allll day - I rode without my helmet and without concern - were great! More of that today so we'll see how it goes, but half on the road too. And a friend at the end! (Staying with former-riding-buddy Albert, at his parents' in Guelph tonight).

When the wind towers are pointing at you, the wind will be in your favor. This was the closest one to the trail.