(Day 8 – September 13) Dressel’s to Home

(Day 7 – September 12) Adam’s Basin to Dressel’s Jordan Valley Camp

(Day 6 – September 11) Selkirk to Adam’s Basin inn

(Day 5 – September 10) Kingston Mills to Selkirk Shores State Park

(Day 4 – September 9) Sandbanks to Kingston Mills Locks

Camping at Kingston Mills Locks

(Day 3 – September 8) Darlington to Sandbanks Provincial Park

The moon woke me up. It was exceptionally bright at 4:30 am. It was bright enough while I was in waking that I had first thought it was the sun. It was so bright that I didn’t need the headlamps that I had forgotten.

We were packed and on our bikes around 5:30 am traveling along, what is now, a familiar route; past the Darlington Power Plant, along a mix of trails, single track, crushed gravel and asphalt paths, and gravel and asphalt roads. Some of the single track are especially beautiful in the morning sunshine.

There are no places to eat breakfast near Darlington. As with previous trips it seems like forever before we ate our breakfast and as with previous trips we stopped at the best deli the world in Port Hope (Basil’s Market and Deli) at 10 am. After eating our fill we stocked up on as much banana bread and carrot cake as we could pack. Just before we left the nice girl sold us one whole frozen banana bread sealed nicely in aluminum and cardboard. “It will serve as a nice treat later” we thought.

The trip from Port Hope to Sandbanks is a long haul following mostly roads. The weather held out – partly sunny with a slight north wind. Aside for the historical significance of Prince Edward County cycling treasures are sparse and somewhat unmemorable. On the way through Wellington we picked up a couple of pretty good headlamps and two pairs of reading glasses (amazing glasses for $2).

We had supper at The Hub and Angelia’s Inn just as it started to sprinkle rain. We arrived at Sandbanks Provincial Park just after 7pm…..‎

“The Horse” near Wellington in Prince Edward County.

(Day 2 – September 7) Dundas to Darlington Provincial Park

Unlike the last “round the lake” trip in June we managed to follow a very good bike route through Hamiltonfrom Dundas Conservation Area. I think this was the route that George Robb had mentioned. It ran through the park trails, along well marked bike lines and down “Heart Break Hill” an aptly named section of Hamilton’s annual’Round the Bay’ run. I think we got it right this time.

We ate breakfast (and I think lunch too) at McDonald’s and had supper at a pretentiously trendy restaurant in Frenchman’s Bay. Somehow the location justifies the high price because they don’t pay for chefs. My pasta had cold spots and Ben’s was way too hot.

It was a long day. The wind was from the Noth by north-west; mostly crosswinds and we didn’t benefit. We arrived in Darlington Provincial Park in the dark at around 8:30pm after the registration was closed. I cycled to the registration office anyway only to have my suspicion confirmed. I lost track of Ben in the dark. I cicled the registration building several times. “Ben must be on the other side” I though. But I after reversing my direction, and calling his name tp no avail, I had to revert to calling him on his cell phone to discover, like any sane person he had rightly assumed registration had closed, I as on a fool’s errand, and he was saving energy waiting for me near camp.

At the campsite we struggled setting up our tents with inadequate lighting when we discovered neither of us had remembered head lamps. There are benefits to reading check lists!‎

“The Horse” near Wellington in Prince Edward County.

(Day 1 – September 6) Home – Dundas Valley Conservation Area

It took longer to get ready than anticipated – it always happens.
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Last minute stuff…replacing the seat post, fastening the water bottle cages, adjustments, pumping tires, attaching handle bags, and a last minute snack of toast with jam.

We were on our way about 11:40 am.

Lunch at Harvey’s in Paris at 1:47 pm.

Although the route is familiar sharing it makes me appreciate in a new and different way. Cambridge to Brantford long the Grand passing the occasional hiker and biker. Brantford with all its paths; the old trestles, the dike beside the river. Brantford to Dundas through farms and woods. I imagine this geography is unique to Southern Ontario and is there to be appreciated.

We arrived at the campsite at Dundas Conservation Area just after 5 pm. Unfortunately we didn’t find something to eat on the way and had to bike 5 km off the route to find a suitable restaurant with an outdoor patio. The additional 10 km (there and back) is significant but the restaurant was worth it … beer and pasta. It was nice to sit and wind down.