Sept 23 - Eagle Lake

Took advantage of the great weather on Saturday and mapped out a little ride that would bring us past Eagle Lake.

Round Trip: 100 mile / 160.93 km
Map: Eagle Lake 

We headed out on the 518 E towards Kearney. The trees are turning and it made for a colourful show. The 518 also has sweeping curves and passes close to Beaver Lake where you can stop and take in the view. (Obviously we didn't stop but I had snapped a few pics back in October of 2021 when I was on the Rebel - I never did get around to blogging about that tour...) Anyway, we stopped for gas at Fetterley's Gas & Convenience in Kearney, which was a buzzing hive of activity with ATV's and Pick Ups gassing up for their days festivities. We continued on the 518 which then morphs into Chetwynd Road. For the most part, Chetwynd is a fairly nice paved road, with twisty curves and hills. Although there is a section that becomes hard packed dirt with a smattering of gravel. It doesn't last long, and then back to pavement. I have no clue why they didn't pave the entire length of road, just a mystery of the road lol. It has been like that since I can remember. Staying on Chetwynd brings you into Burk's Falls via Yonge St. This time Chetwynd morphs into Yonge St.  

We stopped at the Stan Darling's Village Park  on Ontario St (520). We have been there before back in June and I wrote about it, although at the time I didn't know the name. 

Onward we went, turning onto Pickerel & Jack Lake Rd, avoiding hwy 11 as much as we can. It too morphs into another road which is called Berriedale Rd. We turned left onto Pevensey Rd then hooked onto hwy 11. You could continue along Muskoka Rd (Berriedale morphs into Muskoka Rd when you cross over Pevensey) But for a paved road it gets very rough. We were only on hwy 11 a short jaunt until exiting at Sundridge (hwy 124)

We then turned at Mountain View Rd (only one way to turn and that is left) It passes over hwy 11 and then we turned right onto Tower Rd. It abruptly ends with a stop sign and the cross road (Ottawa Ave.) is split into a Y.  It was a little confusing as there was no sign that said Ottawa Ave, although there was a sign that showed Municipal Rd S and another that said to Eagle Lake. 

Municipal Rd S. dumps out at Eagle Lake Rd where we turned left and stopped just past the Eagle Lake Narrows Country Store to take in the views and admire some of the spectacular colour display that the trees were showing. 

The BF took this one

I was out this way on the Rebel in 2021 and had went the entire Eagle Lake Rd. I remember that it did turn into hard packed dirt/gravel, although I am not sure if it has been paved since then. I had chose to take a left at Park Rd. S. on this tour. Park Rd S looked to be freshly paved and was a pleasure to ride. It passes the Mikisew provincial Park. Park Rd ends and we made a left on Machar Strong Boundry Rd. which is still paved but we were getting close to a few roads that I had marked as questionable. When I map out our routes I try to view the looks of the road on the street view on google. When I went to check out the next few roads, google decided it had no intention of going down them, so I figured they wouldn't be paved, the question was, how bad might they be.

Making the turn onto Hornbrook Rd was a pleasant surprise, it was paved and not in bad shape either. Although that was to end quickly after passing over a cross street. However, even though the pavement was gone the surface was hard packed with just a smattering of gravel. As you know, I have been on paved roads that were bumpy enough to shake the fillings in your teeth. So it was a relief to ride a dirt road that was smoother than some of those paved ones I have been on. When Hornbrook ended at Adams we made a left then a quick right on Cottrall which brings you out onto hwy 124. All these roads were also hard packed and all an easy ride.

We headed right along hwy 124 until making a left onto River Rd. This is another hard packed dirt road that has a smattering of gravel. Very easy to ride that weaves along the Distress River. It ends at hwy 520 by Lake Cecebe. We turned left heading back to Burk's Falls. Last time we were out this way the road was being resurfaced, now it has been completed with nice new pavement to enjoy.

We made our final stop back in Burk's Falls again at the same park before heading home.
(I am sure you noticed the "old school" GPS taped to the BF's bike LOL)

It was a wonderful ride and seeing all the beautiful colours of the changing leaves was spectacular. Although it brings a sadness to my heart because we all know what that means next.

Until next time... Keep

Cruising Through Life & Enjoying The Ride

Sept 10 - Falkenburg Loop

Back on the Harley and riding again with the BF. It has been quite awhile since I have been able to get out on either of my motorcycles. Sad but true. That's life, anyway, today is shaping up to be perfect riding weather, sunny and mild with no humidity making for a pleasant ride.

Round Trip: 125 mi / 201 km
Map:Falkenburg Loop

Started off on the 518 taking Stisted Rd which becomes Ravenscliff. Pretty good roads, and both paved. Maybe the odd rough patch here and there, but overall not bad. We turned off on Hoodstown Rd [45] and then left onto Etwell Rd. Again both roads are fairly easy riding, a few really sharp turns and squiggly with a little twisty thrown in. lol It comes out on Aspdin Rd where we turned right. Then the next side street Domtar we made a left. It is just a short road that ends at Old Muskoka Rd where we turned right.

I hadn't been on Old Muskoka Rd in 5 years. That was back when I first got my Rebel. The road seems a lot more bumpier than I remembered. It was quite rough riding in spots even though it is paved. Not a good Harley riding road lol. Oh well, the way I see it, we were already committed to it, so just ride it out.

We then Made a left at Stephenson Rd 4 W. to get to Lone Pine Rd. This will bring you right into Bracebridge as it dumps out on Manitoba St. Lone Pine Rd starts off a little rough but eventually smooths out. Nice road with very little traffic. As it nears Manitoba St it gets a little more residential. 

Stopped at the beginning of Lone Pine Rd for a little rest after the bumpy ride.

Making a right on Manitoba St. we headed to Falkenburg Rd. I have been on this road a lot of times with my Rebel. It is a nice road with lots of twists and curves. Very nice ride with a fairly smooth surface and even the Harley seemed to handle it fine. 

This morning when I first plotted out the route I had planned on riding part of the Frank Miller Memorial Rte that would take us along Forman and Mortimer Point Rd and loop back up to Rosseau along Peninsula Rd. Well, when we got to the end Falkenburg Rd I just wasn't sure if I was up to some more potentially rough riding roads that could be quite possible on Foreman or Mortimer. So I told the BF to turn right on Brackenrig Rd instead of left. Brackenrig Rd is another great road to ride, although just too short lol. (If you are curious about the original route you can find it at the end of my babbling lol) 

We turned left onto Windermere Rd. keeping right as to continue on Dee Bank Rd.
All wonderful riding. 

When Deebank Rd ended at hwy 141 we turned right heading towards Rosseau. You will never be disappointed riding on 141. Lots of twisties and curves. Although at the time of this riding tour there is construction as you round Skeleton Bay and it is down to one lane, so be prepared to stop at the automatic stop light thingy. At least there was not much traffic so it was just a short delay before we were on our way again.

Construction - one lane

We stopped at the Rosseau Waterfront Park.
Nice place to take a rest before heading back.

We continued up 141 turning right on Cardwell which becomes Aspdin Rd., which heads back into Huntsville. The beginning of Cardwell/Aspdin is a little rough but then whoohoo, they resurfaced most of it since the last time we were on it. It was SWEET! All the rough spots were gone and made for a very pleasant ride with all its twists and curves. Had to slow down when a family of  wild Turkeys decided to cross the road. The little young Turkeys were cute as they waddled across the road, but the adults sure were ugly lol.

We went back up Etwell Rd and Hoodstown to Ravenscliff where we made a right. Next we turned left on Fowlers Rd. Then a left onto Old North Rd until it was time to hook back onto highway 11 for a short spurt. We exited at Novar where we connected onto the 592 back to Emsdale. (Not bad roads if you are wanting to avoid highway 11 as much as possible). 

Until next time, Keep...

Cruising Through Life & Enjoying The Ride

Oh, almost forgot

Here is the extended version of this route