Description
Want to discover a new perspective on cycling? If you’re interested in seeing what gravel riding is all about, this ride will have it all. There is the Gypsum Mine Tract Rail Trail, the Grand River Rotary Trail, which includes some single-track from Caledonia to York, relaxing hard-packed gravel road and challenging clay roads, and we will visit the Cayuga Grand Vista Trail bridge. If this tweaks your interest, join Tour Leader, John Swart, on this ‘B’ pace gravel ride on a loop that will include Canfield-Caledonia-Cayuga. The route is 45% gravel and 55% paved roads.
Date: Saturday, May 16
Start Time: 10 am
Start Location: Canfield Roadside Parkette on Hwy #3, just west of the intersection of Hwy #3 and RR #56/#32. At this intersection is Cayuga Esso, 6073 Hwy #3. Use this address for your GPS destination. Continue ½ km west of Cayuga Esso on Hwy #3 to parkette (on north side).
Directions to Start if no GPS: Follow Canborough Road west from Fonthill to the Village of Canborough. Take Hwy #3 west through Canfield to the intersection of Hwy #3 and RR #56/#32. At this intersection is Cayuga Esso. Continue ½ km west of Cayuga Esso on Hwy #3 to parkette (on north side). Note: The porta potty at Canfield was gone last week, but there is one at the park in Wellandport on the way out, and there are a couple of washrooms along the route.
Distance: 56 km
Cue Sheet/Map/Ride with GPS: This is designated as a group ride, so everyone will ride together. There is no Cue Sheet, but a Ride with GPS route will be sent to those who indicate they are attending. However, some of our route is not available on RWGPS, so you will ‘follow the leader’.
Equipment: Tires are the key! Any gravel or hybrid/touring/road bike will work as long as the tires are suitable. This ride uses smooth and hard public gravel roads, rail trails and clay roads so you should have 700x32c tires or larger with tread. I hate flats so I inflate to 60 psi pressure, but if you have tubeless tires, sealant or lots of gravel experience, less is smoother.
Pace and Skill Level: Riding gravel requires more energy to push the pedals, so our pace will be slowed down a bit in sections from the usual ‘B’ pace. The extra effort is not huge, so do not be worried. There will be some ruts in the clay, so decent bike handling skills will be important.
Bug Spray: There are a couple of short sections where your legs may touch some grass or weeds along the trail. I sprayed below the knees on my pre-ride and did not pick up any 8-legged passengers.
Weather: If it is very rainy the day before or on the day of the event, the ride will be cancelled. Dusty bikes are good, but mud is no fun.
Contact Information: Please let John Swart know if you plan to attend so we can stay in touch in the event of a cancellation or whatever (last-minute changes, car pooling). If you have any questions, please contact John Swart.
