After checking with Theresia if she would be available that day to drop me off and pick me up, I happily accepted the invitation. I had never cycled this far, 140 km, in one day. The furthest I had cycled in one day was 100 km. So it is a new challenge -:). This would also be a good opportunity for me to become familiar with part of the route that I will take for my upcoming tour around lake Ontario.
On Saturday, August 25th at 7:40 AM, Theresia dropped me off at our meeting place, in a restaurant parking lot in High Park, Toronto. I carried 5 water bottles with me, 2 on the bicycle frame, 1 on the handle bar and 2 strapped on the rear rack, for a total of 3.5 liters. In the handle bar bag I carried a camera, a cell phone, a GPS tracker, some snacks, id's and money. In the frame bag I carried first aid kit with polysporin spray, some imodium and ibuprophen. Finally in a bag strapped to the rear rack I carried 2 spare tubes with tools, a set of change clothing and food (lunch). A bicycle pump is strapped on the left seat stay; as with a cyclometer and a bell on the handle bar, this pump is a permanent fixture of Shadow, my touring bike. I was well prepared for this long distance unsupported ride.
A few minutes later, Kristian, Eddie and Felix came. They rode the subway to High Park. After visiting the washroom, we all rode off south to meet up with Larry and Clayton at Colborne Lodge, just at the bottom of the hill. I added a strap to my bag as it was about to fall off the rear rack. This was the first time I use a cargo net to hold down a bag. At a little pass 8:00 AM we all rode towards Burlington.
Lost one water bottle as it fell out through the cargo net when I made a left turn onto Lake Shore Blvd.
About half way to Burlington, Eddie, who was riding behind me, warned me that I was about to loose my bag. I made a mistake by going to the side and stopped without warning the riders behind me. Eddie almost ran into me from behind. We all stopped for a sort break and gave me a chance to fix my cargo. This taught me a lesson on using the cargo net.
We reached Burlington, close to 10:30 AM. Here we took a break at a restaurant on Lake Shore just East of Brant St. and waited for Julian to arrive by GO train and join us for the ride to Niagara Falls. At about 11:30 AM, our party of 7 left the restaurant and rode towards Niagara Falls.
Eddie and Felix were riding a single speed Dahon folding bikes. I love those bikes, except for the one speed. They commute to work on those bikes. Bravo! The bikes were folded and stored safely in their office.
It must be very hard to ride those bikes for140 km from Toronto to Niagara Falls.
Inspite of the famous Brooks seat Felix suffered from sore bum. Eddie did not seem to have that problem. I always wear bicycle shorts whenever I cycle for more than 40 km.
We had a lunch break at Harvey near Cassablanca Inn. This area is about half way to our final destination and the last available fast food before we reach Niagara Falls.
Julian posed at the Welland canal trail. A cargo ship was slowy moving towards us.
Along the way Clayton and Felix experienced flats. Clayton had his front tire side wall punctured. It was a bit of a struggle to replace the tube. His was the skinny road race tire. Felix had no problem replacing his tube by himself. Another neat feature I discovered about Felix folding bike was that the seat post and the seat are actually a pump. Isn't that cool?
Close to the end of the ride we encountered a long steep hill. Only 3 of us could ride up that hill. Kristian and the two marathoners, Larry and Clayton. I would be really amazed if Eddie and Felix could ride their one speed folding bike up that hill. As for Julian and I, two seniors, we were almost out of 'gas' when we were faced with this hill. So we walked our bicycles up the hill. Everybody waited for us and were having a break under some shades a little further up. After a short break we were on our way again.
About one hour later we arrived at the GO station. It was about 6:30 PM. Julian and I decided to stay at the GO station. We were concern that we may slow down the group and not be able to make the 7:20 PM train back to Toronto. So the rest of the group continue onto the Falls, which is about 2 to 3 km further south.
I washed up and changed clothes. Bought a ticket to Port Credit station, the fare was $8.85 for senior.
While I was enjoying my snack and a V8 the group returned from the Falls. They quickly changed. With just a few minutes to spare we all board the train at 7:10 PM.
This 7:20 PM train from Niagara to Toronto had a special car to carry bicycles. Isn't that cool?
Theresia picked me up at the Port Credit station.The rest of the gang continued on to Union Station. Thank you Felix and Kristian for helping me unload Shadow off the train.
This bicycle ride was a great experience fo me. It made me realized and be more accepting of our aging process. I will prepare and plan more wisely for my upcoming tour around Lake Ontario.
Thank you to all for the good company, especially to Kristian for inviting me; showing and leading the ride to Niagara Falls. Till next time.
No comments:
Post a Comment