Sat, Sep 12 2009, Sun, Sep 13 2009 - Two-Great-Lakes-in-One-Weekend Bike Tour with Camping: 140 km Total Distance: Burlington Go Station to Byng Island Conservation Area and Back (View Original Event Details)
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Our trip from Lake Ontario to Lake Erie started on Saturday morning at the Burlington GO station. We followed bike lanes down to Lake Ontario where we discovered that construction prevented us from actually accessing the lake for a wheel dip. Most members simply scrambled over rocks and dipped their toes. From there we followed the Waterfront Trail into Hamilton and then the Chippewa trail up the Niagara escarpment where we discovered flooding had taken out a trail bridge. After a couple of detours we got back on the trail and took a lunch break at Caledonia. Allan discovered the entrance to a riverfront trail to York (not the former Toronto) and the group spent 7 kilometres on a trail that really needed a little TLC.
We arrived at the campground at the Byng Conservation Area a bit after 4:30, and due to a misunderstanding surrounding our campsites it took until suppertime before we could set up camp. By then it was really too late to wheel dip.
As usual the communal supper was excellent. Everyone contributed something and we enjoyed poached chicken breasts with herbs, roast potatoes and rice with chicken. Special thanks to Vicky, Christie and Jonathan.
Even though the mosquitoes were still active, we had a campfire and enjoyed various conversations and stories.
We were a bit slow getting up for 7:00, but after a shared breakfast we managed to break camp at about 9:30. On Day 1 we followed River Road from Cayuga. The participants enjoyed the quite road with rolling hills so much we decided to follow it all the way to York We then found the rail trail and managed to get lost again at the break. Never mind, hills are fun, right Gustavo? We headed for Aldershot GO station for the trip back to Toronto a bit tired, a bit tanned and mosquito bitten and sharing the memories of a wonderful weekend with new friends. Thanks to everyone who participated and a special thanks to Jim who co-coordinated with Allan to make sure Allan’s first TOC tour went off without a major hitch.
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