for the sixth year, this Spring adventure succeeded in delivering value! despite leaving Meridian alone on the cool but Sunny morning, I knew I’d be meeting others along the way. Tessa and Jay joined me at Hickling parking lot eager to ride but not sure if they would ride the full route. as we pedalled a rail trail towards Anten Mills, I was oblivious of the fact that Bryson had joined us. I was commenting on the beautiful trail and turned my head when no one responded, shocked to see Bryson beside me, grinning ear to ear and winded (from his Herculean effort to catch us from Barrie), with Tessa and Jay behind us, laughing!

Brien, Jeff, Mark and Nathan joined us just after we crossed the still swollen Nottawasaga River. the Georgian Trail from Stayner to Collingwood, Thornbury and Meaford offered us some shelter from the stiff Prevailing Wind. Tessa and Jay made their own tracks south after our stop on the footbridge just downstream of the Thornbury Fishway.

the real fun began after lunch in Meaford. climbing the Escarpment on Grey 7 left us admiring Jeff’s mountain goat-like ability but mocking his s navigation, as we waited for him to doubleback to the left turn he missed in his climbing exuberance.

the gravel around Old Mail Road, Heathcote, Little Germany, Kolapore Uplands and Pretty River decent delivered the beauty and thrills that make this eight-hour effort worthwhile. a brief chat with buddy who was several days into a solo BT 700 bikepacking adventure. inspiring.

Bryson and I said goodbye to the Wyevale/Midland gang who headed West towards home, an endpoint that would give them about the same total distance as us. in Creemore, we enjoyed a gallon of water, a Red Ambulance and a remarkably tasty packaged butter tart  at the Full Service Jug City before we quickly hammered our way home with the morning’s headwind pushing us back to Barrie.

great group. wonderful weather. spectacular route. it doesn’t get much better than this 🙂