I was almost here before, at Ferris campground. It was October 2015 on my first multi day ride. Karen and I met at Sandbanks for Thanksgiving (dear Americans, Canada has its own thanksgiving in early October). I rode there in 3 days and then to Oshawa to get the train on the way back home. Apparently I wasn’t satisfied with staying on the obvious route along Lake Ontario, probably *too short*, so I veered north towards Campbellford and this park.
I was riding an 8 speed aluminum commuter, a Kona Dr Fine, and my gear wasn’t very good. I bought cycling gloves, padded shorts and some other junk off Amazon because I thought that’s what you did. My panniers were weather resistant, not waterproof.
I was SO. FUCKING. EXCITED. I will spend the rest of my life chasing that dragon.
On the way to the park it got dark. And then it started snowing. I think I got honked at on the side of a highway, probably because my lights were shit, and it rattled me. I got to town and promptly found hot food (Italian) and a hotel. Never made it to my reservation at Ferris. But the rest of the ride was amazing and clearly I was hooked.

But I digress. The first 40 or so kms today were amazing. Beautiful trails, gorgeous raw Ontario outdoors, overcast skies and total solitude. Had second breakfast on an iron bridge near a lake.

Then the trail degraded to what I remember of other sections of the Trans Canada. Mushy, rocky surfaces suited to ATVs, not bikes. And very bumpy, like a line of speed bumps for kilometers on end. Fortunately, my bike made it more tolerable than I recall, but not by much. The trail is not bad enough to be fun, and not good enough to be pleasant. Which is a shame.
It was a very stormy day in the region, and I got pretty lucky all things considered. Literally 2 minutes into the first downpour I arrived in Tweed and found shelter under an awning of some sort of factory. For the next deluge I just happened to be having lunch under a very rare roofed shelter at the junction of the Trans Canada and the Trail of Two Lakes.


The rest of the riding was not the best. The trail never improved, the threat of rain makes riding a little stressful (Europe PTSD) and it was pretty muddy. Everything is covered in a layer of wet grit.

And then there is the fact that tomorrow I arrive home! Per my tradition of going for broke on the last day of these rides, I’m going to try to ride from here all the way home. I do have the train option though if ~220 kms becomes too much. But I figure not being bound by sunlight and the need to set up camp and everything, I should be fine, at least to try, if a little spent should I succeed.
It’s fairly rare that these rides end at home, so that’s fun. I know I have some ladies that I want to see, and that’s pretty motivating. And at least one of them anxiously awaits my return.

If anyone in Toronto wants to meet me somewhere on the waterfront trail around 9 pm (optimistic?) please bring a tow rope to pull me to the finish line. Wish me clear skies and tailwind (ya, right).

You’re crazy. 220 k in one day. You’ll need to be up before dawn and be riding after dark, neither is safe. I’m blaming this on you needing sleep and tomorrow morning you’ll come to your senses! You’ve had a great ride. I’m proud of you and your determination. Sleep well. Wishing you dry weather and a tail wind plus good friends that will meet you with a tow rope. Love you, Ma.
In anticipation of this reaction, I have proof that 220 km is not particularly outrageous. Check out Lael’s current quest for a world record. She’s doing 250 to 500 km a day for about 90 consecutive days. https://www.laelwilcox.net/around-the-world
Definitely confirmed it, you’re crazy.
Enjoyed following along this trip with you, Chad. Hope the last day is the best one. Take care.
Floyd kind looks like what Summer would look like if she doubled her weight. Anyway, such a cool ride and I love the new-to-me term (chasing that dragon)- it’s what I’ve tried explaining about my first trip to Africa in 2002. Not sure I’ll ever have that feeling again; now I have a term I can use. In any event, do ride safe tomorrow, pls.
Wow chad, 220? I thought you might be sensible and hop on a GO train in Oshawa at least. But what fun would that be. Safe riding on the last stretch! Maybe I’ll come find you on the soggy trail!
I didn’t mean to reply to jeremy! But I don’t think I can delete posts, so here it stays!
Another great trip. Be safe and enjoy the last day and getting home to Karen.
Wow. Such a cool Ride this one was. So glad you had such beautiful countryside to ride through and once again, kind people along the way. Excited for you to get home and have a great exhale as you think back on this trip.
Wondering…which version of the doughnut did you like more and how were they different?
Wishing you a great ride tomorrow.
TBH, neither donut was amazing. One was cakey and the other donuty. Kinda same same.
220km! – I would need a week, a downhill grade and a strong wind at my back my friend. Why don’t you break that in half – another day of stormy weather is going to be swirling around. I’ll be going to sleep now with Suga Boom Boom’s chasing dragons on a loop in my head. Hope you enjoy this last leg .. and midweek you can start planning the next one.
ps They say that there’s lots of dragons in both Iceland and Scotland
lol
Bravo!!! I look forward to seeing you tonight, but if you have to stay another night because you’ll be riding in the dark and rain – go for it! I’ll give Floyd extra cuddles. Fantastic trip!
It’s been a fabulous trek, Chad! Well done! I’m hoping the fire hose on / off style rain we had yesterday will not impact your trail conditions as you ride home! Safe travels 🙂
Iain
P.S. It sounds like your ladies will greet you with affection! What’s the secret? My grumpy old man greets me with cricket worthy silence, interspliced with hisses and the 10,000 death stare….
Belly rubs. Lots of them
Are you intending to ride the Martin Goodman Trail all the way across the city to Jameson? Be aware that the CNE is on. And some parts may be a little bit submerged from the rain. Consider riding up to Richmond.
Do keep us updated on your progress. Two hundred and twenty kilometres – wow!
I rode the MGT from Jamison to Cherry Street this afternoon: it’s fine at the moment other than the rough temporary paving by Ontario Place and a bit of a puddle at the bottom of Sherbourne.
That said, it looks like rain is inevitable this evening.