I was pretty stoked to see a group of twelve riders ready to roll for our annual circumnavigation of Lake Simcoe. Most of the riders planned on the full 205 km ride while a few planned an abridged version that would be splitting off at Gilford. Altogether, it was a very capable and fast group as we headed out of Barrie with a Northwesterly wind making it an effortless journey through Bradford to Holland Landing.

Turning east and then north as we made our way up the beautiful eastern shore, we began to pay back for the free gift of a tailwind we enjoyed heading south from Barrie.

Peter, who lives in Toronto, frequents these shoreline routes and showed us some additional secret paths and trails that allow riders to maximize their close proximity to the sparkling blue waters of Cook’s Bay and Lake Simcoe. What a jewel of a Lake! He also pointed out a convenient freshwater spring at the side of the Black River Road, next to Sibald Point Provincial Park; a perfect spot to get out of the saddle for a few minutes and refill our bottles.

Running into some heavy headwinds and a fractured group between Beaverton and Brechin was challenging, compounded by missing our planned food and water stop earlier in Beaverton. Having regrouped and refueled in Brechin we headed back on the road towards Orillia. It was around here that I started bonking having neglected to maintain my regular long-ride eating/drinking routine. I was encouraged by the groups support supplementing my nutrition, keeping me sheltered on the bikes and accommodating with a slower pace. What an awesome group! Extra thanks to Peter who shepherded me into Barrie, fighting cramps all along Ridge Road. Not a great way to end an epic loop but I was still very happy to make it home on my own power! Another Tour de Lāk Simcoe successfully in the books.