Tiring Ride to Peterborough

I left Newmarket at about 9 heading for Uxbridge. I took Vivian side road on Daves recommendation and it was a good choice I think. Not much traffic and a paved shoulder for half the 30 klm to Uxbridge.  It did have the hills I was warned about but in hindsight they were nothing compared to later in the day.

I picked up up the Trans Canada trail at Uxbridge and headed to Lakeview.  The first couple klm were rough and I was considering switching to a road route but it drastically improved at Lakeridge Rd. Then it was a very nice 45 klm on a hard and smooth cinder trail all the way to Lakefield.  Lots of swamp and forest. I saw 3 Sand Hill Cranes as well as many of the more common species of wildlife.

  I stuck with the trail with some difficulty as it twisted and turned through town before straightening out for the 30 klm to Peterborough.  Unfortunately this section was brutal for my loaded street bike and really only suitable for a mountain bike; bumpy and soft with big loose gravel. I worked very hard riding it for a couple hours hoping it would improve but gave up and picked up a road route. Unfortunately this added 10 klm to the distance and included a lot of hills, 2 of which I had to walk up. Getting old I guess. I arrived in Peterborough about 4:30 having ridden 122 klm. I had a good chat and dinner with Tanys and Gord and am looking forward to sleep in this luxuriously soft bed.

Trans Canada Trail on the way to Lakefield