1st Ride 2023 Season

The week after Easter (April 10) produced summer like conditions ranging from the low 20's to the almost 29C. I would have liked to get my bike out sooner but unfortunately we had torrential rain that flooded my basement just before Easter, so I had to work on fixing that first.

I was finally done by Saturday (April 15) and was able to take advantage of the unusually warm temperature for this time of year. 

Whenever I do a 1st ride of the season I like to keep it closer to home and somewhat short. After not riding for 6 months I tend to be a little rusty, although this year I didn't feel rusty at all. I decided on a little tour along Champlain Rd (Penetanguishene)

I stopped on Champlain Rd and snapped a pic, then I spied something in the water.

I then took a pic of what I thought were two ducks - one tail up and one just sitting next to him, I zoomed in took the pic then realized that they were only buoys LOL

I continued along Champlain Rd. which was a pleasant ride with hardly any traffic at all. It will take you all the way into Awenda Park. 

Awenda Park

I then took a ride around Fairlain Lake. Even though it is a housing development, it is a nice windy road that is very woodsy. 

Fairlain Lake

I headed out to Thunder Beach along the concessions and then I went along Tiny Beaches Rd, nice if you like a leisurely ride  at 40 clicks, winding your way along the waterfront. There are plenty of places to stop for photo ops at the end of the concessions. 

I stopped at Balm Beach, not much action happening yet. 

It was great finally getting back on two wheels and getting my much needed wind therapy. I plan on going out tomorrow and squeezing in one more ride before the weather turns to crap again. The long range forecast calls for single digits and a rainy snow mix for the week. I can't complain, April is very early to be riding around these parts, so I will take what I can get.

Until next time... keep

Cruising through life and enjoying the ride 

Where did the time go?

 Hi Everyone! or at least the couple people who still follow me - remember me? LOL

It has been quite awhile since I wrote anything. It just seems that time is running faster than ever, or at least faster than me. I wanted to keep up with my riding adventures, but then one thing leads to another and it gets pushed off into a corner to collect dust. I know, excuses. At least I mostly kept up with my riding adventures on my social media accounts on Twitter and Facebook. It was less time consuming to post a condensed version than to write something somewhat intelligent here. (or I was just too lazy) But if I really think about it, I was also a little burned out with writing. I never thought that would happen, but it did.

Well, today seemed to be the perfect wintery (sub zero) snow day to clear the cobwebs and flex my fingers again. It was about time to let you guys know what has been happing the last two years. 

~~ 2020 ~~

I can't believe my last post was May 16 of 2020! I actually rode quite a lot that year, in fact it was one of the rare years that I  was able to ride until November 10. I did 60 rides and rode a total of 12,738km that year! I explored all kinds of back roads from Penetanguishene to Parry Sound and then ventured towards Haliburton.

My first ride of the season I actually wrote about, it was April 25 and I took a little scoot to Lafontaine 

So, I will tell you about one of my adventures that I didn't write about. August 31st I headed towards Kawartha Lakes and checked out Lake Dalrymple and Head Lake. When all was said and done I had road 308 km that day. You can check out the route here

Lake Dalrymple - Aug 31, 2020

Head Lake Kawartha Lakes (Monck Rd 45) Aug 31, 2020

My last ride of the season was November 10th, yes I was in total shock at how warm it was. It was a balmy 23C and November!!  It was a little 132 km ride that brought me along one of my favorite local loops. You can check out the route here.

Bidwell Rd - Oro-Medonte November 10, 2020

~~ 2021 ~~

In 2021 my riding season started on March 30th.  I didn't do as many rides in 2021, having broken ribs put a bit of a dent in my riding adventures. For the record, my broken ribs had nothing to do with motorcycling. Even though I missed a month of riding I still managed to get in 35 rides and rode a total of 6,684 km. I spent the summer in the Algonquin Highlands with my BF and found plenty of fun twisty roads to ride. 

My first ride on March 30th  was a very crisp day at 10C and the wind gusts were quite strong at times making the 10C feel like 0. There were still some patches of snow still holding on, Ole man winter didn't want to give up his icy grasp. Suffice to say I only did 82km that day.

Hummingbird Rd - Oro-Medonte March 30th, 2021

Maple Island (520)

I really liked a ride I took through Burk's Falls to Parry Sound on Sept 13th. 

I discovered Bunny Trail (520) road that was super fun to ride, was even paved and had next to no traffic. It helped that I did this ride in September when tourist season was over.  If you would like to check out the entire route you can see it here.

Bunny Trail Rd - Sept 13, 2021

My last ride of the 2021 season was on October 19th riding from Emsdale to Penetang. It wasn't the most scenic of rides going along highway 11. It was more of  "On a mission" kind of ride. It was time to get my bike home to Penetang and put it in storage. I did stop along highway 11 at a day picnic area by the Kahshe River. 

Kashe River - Hwy 11 October 19, 2021

~~ 2022 ~~

My first ride of 2022 was April 2.  How sad looking back, I noticed my riding time is cut almost in half with each passing year. This year I left my bike in Penetang because I had to split my time between Almaguin Highlands and Penetang.  I only took 20 rides with a sad total of 3,776 km for the season. 

April 2nd was actually a beautiful day for so early in the season. It was a perfect kind of day to just jump on the bike with no where in particular to go. I ended up heading towards Barrie along the back roads. I rode 158 km that day, it sure was nice to get back on two wheels again. 

Penetang Rotary Park - April 2, 2022

On one particular adventure on May 5th, my ride took me to Kinmount and Felon Falls. It was a fun ride as it turned out to be a "stop at little attractions" kind of ride that day. If you would like to check out the route you can see it here.

I stopped at Heritage Park in Kinmount to see the Burnt River, what a quaint little town.

This little shack proclaimed that it is the World's Smallest Bookstore. It convinced me.

Took in the view at Felon Falls

On my way back along Monck Rd I just had to snap a pic of this yellow moose. Not sure why he is there or what it means, but it piqued my interest. 

My last ride of the 2022 season was October 5th. I hadn't been riding since August when the BF left for Florida to bring back our Harley's. You heard me right, my Harley! Oh how I missed my Sporty,  but I digress, I will share that story in a little bit. It was a gorgeous day, 20C and sunny. Took the back roads into Barrie and scooted along Ridge Road. It was a pleasant 160 km ride. Too bad it was my last for the season. If you would like to check out some of this route, you can see it here  When I do this route I sometimes take an alternative long way back, you can check that one here.

Line 1 - Oro Medonte Rail Trail

You are probably still wondering about my Harley. It is very exciting, at least for me. If you are not an avid reader of my blog I will explain briefly so not to bore you all too much.

The BF and I were spending our winters in Florida after buying a house there in 2010. We were trailering our bikes, me a Yamaha V-star and him a Honda Shadow. I was a fairly new rider back then, had just got my license in May of 2009. Anyway, it was in 2013 when we were in Florida that we decided to trade in our bikes and buy Harley's. We then just left them there at our vacation house when we came back to Canada. It did mean no motorcycling in Canada for the summer, but the BF was working and so was I so there wasn't much time for it anyway. 

We came back home in April of 2019 and life was getting a little complicated with our aging parents. My mom in Penetang, his mom in Germany. We decided to sell the house in October and to our surprise it sold close to Christmas, the BF drove down with a trailer and got the stuff we wanted to keep out of the house, however we didn't have the time to get the bikes imported to Canada. Besides, the trailer was full and there would not have been room for them. So the plan was to keep them at our friends house in Florida and get them later.  How were we to know the world would go to hell and Covid would kill travel for the next couple of years.

Fast forward to October 2022, finally travel restrictions were lifted and we were ready to bring the Harley's to Canada. There was quite a bit of paperwork and the BF had to fly to Florida to meet the driver and give him the Titles. We used Mackie Transport and I highly recommend them. Although a word of warning, importing is not cheap.

Harley's getting ready to go on the truck

Big Truck! Thanks Cecil!

Released from Toronto and heading home

Tucked away in the garage 

The next thing we have to do is get them certified and then we can get them plated. It was too late in the season to bother with that, so that is the plan for this spring. I can hardly wait to ride my Sporty again. I like my Honda Rebel and it is a great bike, but there is just something about my Sporty that revs my engine. 

Well that brings you all up to date, if you visit my social media pages you will see my riding adventures just condensed. I am planning on trying to get a little more writing in this riding season. But I won't promise, just in case. 

Until next time, keep
 




Cruising Through Life & Enjoying the Ride…

Riding the Beaches to Collingwood

Sat May 16, 2020 - The long weekend

My travels today took me along Tiny Beaches Road heading towards Collingwood. I started off at Balm Beach this time. I usually stop more on my rides for photo ops, but today seemed more for riding and clearing my head. (hence my sore butt)

There still wasn’t much open, because of Covid-19, but that didn’t stop people from being out and about. (Me included) Mostly walking or riding bicycles, so it was nice there was little traffic on this route. It was a beauty day, however riding along the water still had a sharp chill in the air. 

I made an unintentional stop at Bluewater Beach on Trew Ave. I thought I was still on Tiny Beaches Road. The boardwalk to the beach was closed, as most municipalities around here chose not to open up the beaches on this long weekend.  A father and son were on bicycles and they stopped. The father was pissed off because the boardwalk was closed and hopped over the yellow tape. Claiming that Ford had opened up the provincial parks and “these small municipalities” were always slow to follow. (Tsk, Tsk on him! It was obvious that he wasn’t from around here.) He beckoned for his son to follow as he wanted to take a photo. The son refused. Kudos kid! At least he had the sense his father did not as to why things were still closed. 

Route: Tiny Beaches Road to Collingwood


Once I got to Collingwood, I wasn’t sure what direction I wanted to go. I never have been there so I kind of let my bike choose the way. I ended up going through Nottawa and Duntroon. I found myself out in the middle of farmland and not really sure where I would end up. All I knew is that I would be completely lost if I headed towards the posted signs to Shelburne or even Stayner. (I like the adventure of not using maps lol) I made a couple of left turns and found my way back to the 124. When I got back to Collingwood my instinct told me to turn onto Poplar Side Road. (My instinct was a little off as Sideroad 33 & 34 Nottawasaga would have brought me back to Mosely St. sooner, as I later found out) 

I didn’t quite go back the same way sticking to River Rd. out of Wasaga Beach. It was getting late and I was getting thirsty for my glass of wine LOL. It was kind of blind luck that I decided turn down 29 as it brought me directly back onto Tiny Beaches Rd and into Balm Beach. I finally was familiar with the roads again!

You can follow my "lost route back" here: Collingwood, Nottawa, Duntroon and back

Until next time keep...

Cruising Through Life & Enjoying The Ride...

Champlain Rd. through Awenda Park Ride

Sunday May 3, 2020

Lately the weather has been hit and miss. We get one nice sunny day in the low double digits followed by four rainy dreary ones or it snows. When the sun decided to show its glowing rays on Sunday, I didn’t hesitate and took advantage of it, even though there is still an arctic chill in the air. 

My tour took me along Champlain Road with its the scenic views of Georgian Bay. (At least you could see the view when there was a break in the buildings.) There are some nice twisties on this road and I was happy that traffic was pretty much non-existent. I travelled along until I got to Awenda Park Drive. Just be careful as you get to the park as there are some sketchy parts along this road with part gravelly surfaces.  

With no leaves on the trees yet this ride was reminiscent of a late fall ride, at least the chilly air currents were minimal as the trees (albeit naked ones) offered a wind break.  I was thinking I will have to come through here when the landscape looks more alive.

I was just leisurely motoring along and this route just took me 37 min. to ride. When I left the park, I was still wanting more so I took off toward Cedar Point Rd./Tiny Beaches Rd. I stopped on Concession 12 to take in the view and to warm up in the sunshine.

I continued to follow Tiny Beaches Rd until it dumped me out at Balm Beach. That place was buzzing with activity, so I opted not to stop. (besides, I had gotten a photo op there on my last ride)  I continued on into Midland and explored Midland Point Rd. a ways and cut across Curry Road that merged into Tinney Dr. where I found St. Andrews Lake. 

You can see St. Andrews Lake in the back ground behind the swampy overflow.
It is such a shame that a housing development will ruin this little piece of paradise for the animals.

I rode the loop around Gilwood Park Dr. that ended back onto Sand Bay Rd. then onto the main road to Fuller. The chilly air was getting to me and I finally decided it was time to head home. 

It wasn’t the longest ride, but it was so worth it to get on my two wheels and feel the wind upon my face. It is so true that I am my most happiest when I ride and any stress of late just drifts off in the wind. 

Route Champlain Rd. – Awenda Park


Until next time, keep

 Cruising Through Life & Enjoy The Ride

Riding Tiny Beaches

Seems like if we get one nice day, it will surely be followed by four or five crappy ones, so I took advantage of the sunny day on Monday. Temps were mild with just a bit of chill to remind me that we are still a little way off from summer. 

I didn’t mean to take a tour through Thunder Beach on my way to see Cedar Point, although it was a pleasant little side trip meandering through a section of summer cottages and rentals, mixed with immense mansions that overpowered the small quaint community.

I wanted to see the fairy on Cedar Point Rd. that goes over to Christian Island, however, due to covid-19 I was not allowed down the road or anywhere near it. A large lighted sign stated “Residents Only”.  Oh well, I stopped by the Cedar Point Store for a photo op. I am pretty sure that store has seen better days and has been closed for quite some time. 

I continued along Tiny Beaches Rd. Of course, leave it to me to find a little stretch of gravel. At least it wasn’t too bad and only lasted a couple of kilometers.

I wound my way along Tiny Beaches Rd. until it dumped me out at Balm Beach. I pulled along the shore for a photo op and headed home. 

Another time I plan to continue to explore Tiny Beaches Rd. which will lead me to Wasaga Beach.

I admit I had a few turn arounds (ones that I omitted on the route map) and went down a few roads that had me looping back along Champlain Rd to try a second time at getting to Cedar Point. But there is never a wrong road when you are enjoying a ride on a motorcycle. Note to self, Champlain Rd is very twisty, a good one to explore next time.

Motorcycle Route: Cedar Point to Balm Beach along Tiny Beaches Rd. 

Until next time keep,

Cruising Through Life & Enjoying The Ride...

1st Ride of the Season

Oh, what a feeling!

Lafontaine Beach Park – riding along the concessions

After what seemed like a winter that would never end, I finally got out for some much-needed wind therapy. It is hard to believe that just a day ago we were still having snow showers!  Mother Nature finally decided to lighten up and the sun came out warming the air just enough to have a pleasant ride to Lafontaine. 

On my first ride of the season I always like to choose a route that is somewhat short and simple to ease myself back into riding. It is amazing how the ole body isn’t used to it after being dormant all winter. I even got a leg cramp! 

The wind was still is a bit nippy if having to ride at higher speeds, I think the temp got up to 11C (51F) today (Sat April 25). Riding out by the beaches in Tiny it is only 50km (31mph), then on the concessions 80km (50mph).  

The perfect way to social distance while we continue to live through an episode of the Twilight Zone.

My route to Lafontaine via Penetanguishene, ON



Until next time, keep...

Cruising Through Life & Enjoy The Ride...

Life threw me a curve ball

I just realized my last post to my blog was in June of 2019! I do apologize for not keeping up with my writing. I had a blast all summer exploring the road less travelled, I just never kept up my writing, and sharing my adventures with you, my bad. 

Better late than never, I will catch you up on my travels from last summer.  After all it is still a tad too chilly to ride, even though it is supposed to be Spring!

Here are some highlights:

June 22, 2019:  I took the road less travelled to Severn Bridge. I always manage to find gravel when I am out and about, but my Li’l Rebel handles these types of roads with ease.

July 12, 2019: I got lost on the back roads off of Pickerel & Jack Lake Rd. in Burk’s Falls.  I found this nice little lake for the perfect photo op.

July 25, 2019: I took a tour around Lake Bernard in Sundridge. It was a nice relaxing ride and the views were spectacular.

August 25, 2019: I explored South River and happened upon the cutest church in the middle of nowhere.

I may have not gotten out as much as I had wanted to, but I made the most of each ride and was happy just to get in a little wind therapy now and again.  So now you are all caught up, well sort of…

You probably were also waiting to see my adventures in Florida over the winter. Well, life threw me a curve ball and we never went to Florida this year. I know, it was horrible spending the entire winter in Canada! You feel sorry for me, right? I didn’t think so.  We actually ended up selling the house just before Christmas. Sad but true. But now with all that is going on with the Coronavirus maybe it was a blessing in disguise.

I also moved from Emsdale to Midland. Long story, and probably one I will never get around to telling you about. On the brighter side I am anxious to explore the roads around Georgian Bay this year. I can hardly wait to get back out on two wheels! Now I just need this damn weather to start cooperating.

Until next time keep...

Cruising Through Life & Enjoying The Ride...