Barrie and Algonquin Highlands – Days 4 and 5

Day 4 – No Biking Travel Day

The forecast for the day was 25 to 35 mm of rain. We got up, had breakfast, and packed. David and Dayle are heading back to Brampton for a few days. Dayle supplied me with a rain poncho, rain pants, and plastic bags, and elastics for my feet. We didn’t want to have to sit in wet clothing for the drive to Orillia. 

Packing the boat was much easier with the three bikes already in the van. 

The rain was moderate, and eased as we crossed to the government dock.

David and Dayle store their motorboat at the cottage. Once we unloaded, David took it back. He then kayaked back to the government dock.

Surprisingly, the rain had stopped for his return trip and loading of the kayak.

Fortunately, we were able to get all of the bikes inside the car. It did rain off and on during the drive so we were happy to be able to keep the bikes dry and clean from road spray.

Martha and Bruce were already at the restaurant when we arrived.

We had a nice visit. The restaurant provided a beautifully decorated plate and slice of cake with a candle, and we sang “Happy Birthday.”

Fare shares a parking lot with the Stephen Leacock Museum. 

Stephen Leacock (1869-1944) was a Canadian humourist and economist. The Leacock Museum National Historic Site encompasses his summer cottage, boathouse, and gardens. It is on the shore of Lake Couchiching in Orillia.

We decided not to take the time to visit because we figured traffic would be bad on the Friday of the holiday weekend. It will definitely be on my list for the next time I visit Orillia.

We arrived at my friend Jennifer‘s house about 3 PM. We hadn’t seen each other since before the pandemic. We spent the rest of the day catching up. Jennifer and I went to Made in Mexico for dinner. It was so fun catching up, and we vowed to make it a much more regular occurrence in the future.

Day 5 – Barrie to Brampton by Bike

I was ready to roll just after 9:30 AM. I said goodbye to Jennifer and her family and was on my way. I decided that today would be my first gran fondo (100 kilometre ride), this year. 

I have cycled from Barrie to Brampton once before, and have cycled from Brampton to Barrie a couple times. Those rides were primarily on the Caledon Trailway, New Tecumseth Trail, and the Thornton Cookstown Trail. All three trails are part of the Trans Canada Trail. Since I want to expand my tile collection, I planned today’s route off the trails, to pick up new tiles. I’m always surprised by how hilly Barrie is. I had almost 100 m of climbing by the time I got out of the city.

Knock School, built in 1901, has been repurposed as a community centre.

In order to get 100 km for the day, I travelled east initially, and went under Highway 400 on Essa Road. Then I crossed back over the 400 at Sixth Line. It was a beautiful day for riding.

I spotted this pastoral, but rundown, scene from the bridge over the 400.

I had to detour around a road closure. I was pleasantly surprised to find that Fifth Sideroad was newly paved.

There was a lot of climbing, but also an almost equal amount of descending. 

Most of the roads were fairly lightly travelled by motor vehicles, and everybody gave me plenty of room.

About 30 km in I stopped for a small snack. My legs were feeling quite fatigued on the hills despite the rest day yesterday. Tuesday and Wednesday also had a lot of climbing.

I recognized this barn as one I have passed on a tile collecting ride in the past. So I knew from here on that I was not collecting any new tiles. 20 of the 68 tiles I travelled through were new.

There was a pretty late-season field of sunflowers under the Hydro towers in New Tecumseth.

Barry and Cindy met me in Tottenham at the Tim Hortons for lunch.

We left the trail at Humber Station Road. Cindy also collects tiles, although not as passionately as I do. She needed some on this road. My legs were becoming pretty depleted at this point. There were two hills that I couldn’t make it all the way up with my 16 kg bike, 11 kg panniers, and tired legs.

When I rode from Barrie to Brampton six years ago, using the trails that I mostly avoided today, my elevation gain was 416 m, compared with 819 m today. No wonder my legs were tired. The trails have a little more rolling resistance, given that they are generally unpaved. However, on a ride like today’s, the lack of rolling hills on the trails probably more than offsets the extra energy needed to ride on the limestone screenings.

As I passed my street, I had about 3 km to go so I accompanied Barry to the Chinguacousy Wellness Centre to refill his water bottle before continuing to Georgetown. Cindy also took the long way home to get a gran fondo. Barry ended up riding 125 km.

It was so great having two good friends accompany me for part of my longest ride this year. It’s been a great week spending time David and Dayle , and catching up with Jennifer.

Cindy and I will be heading back to Barrie and beyond on September 14 for a four day getaway.

In the last two weeks I have cycled 512 km with 3227m of climbing. David and Dayle, Cindy and I will be riding from Montreal to Sherbrooke to Berthierville to Montreal, which will be 513 km and 2392m of climbing,  over seven days, starting October 10.  I’ll be continuing to train my legs for the next five and a half weeks with the hope that the Quebec trip won’t be too tiring.