Covid 19 Update IMPORTANT INFORMATION

 

Hello Everyone. It is quite the times we are living in. Many are wondering if we will be doing our weekly community rides. We were hoping to start up soon but there are many logistics that must be worked out to follow all the guidelines so that everyone remains safe and we do not get fined.

While riding with those outside our social bubble, it is highly recommended to leave a larger distance than 6 feet (2 metres) between each other. For Social ride cyclist must stay at least 20 to 30 feet (7 to 10 metres) apart and not ride beside each other. It is also recommend that riders have a staggered riding pattern so that no one is behind someone else’s breathing droplets.
Hard rides or fast rides the distance is much further apart up to at least 50 feet (17 metres).

The other problem to overcome is the gathering limits. We are only allowed 10 people to gather at one times. In the past it was informal and was an open invite but now we must make sure we do not go beyond the gathering limits.

With these two being the main problem it is hard to create a riding program were we can do what we did before.

I am continuing to research and waiting on other information before we go forth.

For now get out on your bikes and ride with your family while practising safety all around. Please share your adventures with us. Let us continue to encourage each other in a virtual way until we can overcome the obstacles that are before us today

Hot Ride to A Cool Salty Treat.

This afternoon was a little warm and there were four of us that showed up for the ride.  Two of us had a few stops to make so we head out to Water Street area for our first stop then off to Running Creek for our second stop.  We admired the homes and gardens along the way while taking advantage of the shade when we happen upon it.

We talked about the tiny homes in Wallaceburg, so I asked them if they saw the smallest house I have seen in town.  They had not so I took them to the little insulbrick home on Fraser.  They could not imagine living in a home so small where your bathroom sink is your kitchen sink as well.

We were starting to get hot as the sun was beating down on us. This was one of our warmest rides ever especially for the month of September. So two of them were ready to head home so we head towards The Mount Pleasant area.  When we arrived they invited us out back to dip our feet in to their pool.

Well needles to say that dipping our feet into the saltwater pool went to a full fledged swim.  It was a cool and refreshing as we splashed around and jumped in. We enjoyed each other company for about an hour then two of us had to leave. So we said our good byes and thank them for their hospitality and head back to our homes. I rode my companion to Fork and Wellington and I head home.

It was a short hot ride with a wonderful salty retreat.  It is fully true our group never knows where we will end up until we get there.

Until next time Ride often Ride safe and enjoy the view.

 

Butterfly filled ride

Yesterday’s ride was an awesome ride with 6 of us that headed out. Three adults and three children. Our newest rider from Windsor joined us for a ride with us again.  We decided to just to role out first to check out to see if the dock launch was still under water. Guess what it is.

Then we just went with the flow and travelled all around town. The children had fun leading us on and off. When were were in the Garnet and Arnold area we stop to watch the butterflies mostly Monarch  feast on Clover and Queen Anne Lace in a vacant field.  It was a marvellous  sight  to behold.

We then head out again enjoying watching the monarchs filling the sky as they make their way to the boarder to migrate together.  We also spotted some painted ladies when we rested at the fountain before heading out again. This time toward the Queen street area.

After taking a quick ride down Main and Water it was time for 4 of our riders to head home so we rode them home to the University area, then I rode our last rider from Windsor to the King and Wallace area where he was staying for the night.

The sight of butterflies, the sounds of the children laughing and the sun shining brightly with the route we took gave us a day of fun and socializing it was an awesome day for us

Until next time Ride often Ride safe and enjoy the view.

 

 

Our First Saturday Social

This afternoon was our first Saturday Social Ride.  It was a beautiful day for a ride and we had a guest from Windsor join us.  There was three of us that came together, the others and prior engagements with either company, work or family obligations.  We asked our guest where he would like to go. He was up to riding anywhere. So it was a country ride for us today.  We decided as a group to head out to Bluewater line.

The wind was giving us some resistance but we made it down to the end of Bluewater line. It was a slow but relaxing ride.  The sky was so blue with white clouds like cotton balls dotting it.  The crickets, and grasshoppers were serenading us with their fiddling.  The birds were flying here and there and everyone once and awhile you would catch a glimpse of either a Monarch gliding on the wind or dragonfly hunting for his next meal.

The ditches were filled with the starting colours of fall with the purple thistles now starting to seed and berries on bushes. There was even a pear tree with it branches bowing from the weight of its bounty of goodness.

When we passed by the fields the peppers plants were colourful with hints of red, yellow and green.  The tomatoes were filled and just waiting to be harvests as the soybeans were starting to show their yield.

While we were riding along the river my two companions spotted a little muskrat sunbathing on the grass.  We stopped so I could get a shot and were surprised at how close he let me get before taking off and diving into the clear river.  We just had to show him some muskrat love as we say good bye and thanks for the photo op.

The Snye was crystal clear you could see to the bottom, while the it was still fairly high along the shoreline.

We spotted a heron in the distance flying to a new hunting ground. There were turtles sunbathing on logs but unfortunately they were camera shy.

When we arrived to the end of  the line (Bluewater line) we took a little break then head back the way we came.  This time the wind was with us which made the journey back an easy ride.

Heading out into the country on a bike is a wonderful way to release the stress of everyday life and enjoy nature in a unique and adventurous way.  My companions had to head back so we decide to drop off our visiting member on Wallace/King/Gillard area.  He told us he enjoyed the ride and looks forward to joining us again when he is in town.

My other companion had to get home so I biked him home to the Water/Thomas/Main area and we said our good bye.

All and all it was an enjoyable afternoon.  We had great conversations, incredible views and wonderful weather.

Until next time ride often, ride safe and enjoy the view.

Child lead Final Thursday Night Ride

Last night social ride was the last one for Thursdays as we will move to Saturday until the end of September.

We had a large group 13 total four of them were children and 2 new members. We let them basically we let dictate where they want to go.  Paw Paw woods was suggested so we took a ride down there and then a stroll/ride through the woods.   While the mosquitoes were a bit of a  nuisance the rest of nature was amazing. After exiting the woods, I heard this was an adventure.  I was such a joy to see the adult themselves act like kids.

Then they want to go to King Street Park.  So off we went to the park we let the children play for about 10 mins while the adults socialized and talked about everything under the sun. Talking about the sun the it was starting to set quickly but the kids want to see Glenn Mickle park so we head out there. When we made it the children want to cut through the grass and I don’t just mean the little ones but a few children at heart as well.

Then one of our younger riders had to be home so we head behind the hospital and rode him home.  We dropped off one of our riders in the King street area as we passed by her place. We were just about to the young riders home when three of our riders need to get back to their place as their young one was getting tired so they said their good byes and head home.  The sun had now crowned the horizon with beautiful colours.

After dropping off the young rider everyone else was ready to head for home so we rode them all home first going to the University area where we dropped off three riders then took a spin around to Mount Pleasant area and dropped off three more riders.  Now there was just two of us. We head up towards to Tim Horton’s where my biking companion want to stop to have a tasty treat. Since it was starting to get darker, I decided to split off on Elgin and headed home. We said our good byes.

We are all looking forward to our Saturday rides this month.

Until next time, ride often, ride safe and enjoy the view.

 

 

Speed and Serenity Ride

Our last Monday night hard ride was a ride of Speed and Serenity.  There were two of us on Monday night and since we both were having a stressful day we decided to to a fast ride to burn our stress away.  We had not been down Kimball in awhile so we head out there.  We picked up our speed as rode down Margaret by the time we were near Kimball we were doing 25km.  On Kimball we speed it up a bit and reached 30km.

Wanting to take a bit of a cool off before doing a sprint again we took a nice relaxing and serene break at Peers Wetlands. Oh how the beauty of nature can just take you out of your daily life as the stress just melts away.  The swans were gracefully swimming along in the ponds.  The frogs were camouflage in the greenery trying not to be someones dinner while grabbing a bite that flew by.   The sounds of the grasshopper, crickets and birds sing were like a little orchestra playing a melody to calm the hearts of those who would listen.  The yellow, orange and purple flora dotted the every vasting of green and brown along the banks.

I could of stayed there forever just soaking up the beauty and the serene atmosphere, unfortunately we can not stop time and life must go on.  So after about a 20 minute meditation and rest we decided to head out towards Langstaff then to Forhan.

We did speeds that topped about 30km but averaged about 27km. The setting sun was bright but beautiful and the sounds of the Cycata bugs were loud and intense warning us of another warm day on the horizon. Only a few more days of warm weather ahead.  Who would think summer would fly by so fast and that this was our last hard ride night

The sun was setting fast so when we were back in town we head to Tim Hortons for some socializing and a sweet treat.  With my lights on I head out to a friends house to figure out a few things for another one of my project then I head home.

I will miss our Monday night rides but I look forward to next years where we will go no one will know till we get there.

Until next time ride often, ride safe and enjoy your view.

 

A West Side Sunset Adventure

Last night we had an awesome social ride as we went westward to check out different neighbourhoods.  There were four of us tonight and when we started off it became aware that one of our members needed  some air in her tired so we head to the gas station to pump up.

While we were there we all checked our tires of course only the girls need the top up.  Yet we know that a biking group that pump air together will go anywhere together.  So we decide to check out the two train bridges in the west end.

We headed from the gas station to James street so the boys could check out the train bridge.  While the boys want to get a closer look the girls waited on Oak street for them and chatted.

We then head out for a ride around to areas that we never travelled this year. Until we head west north then west til we arrived at Andrew Drive.  I took them up to the little train bridge where many of the children go swimming during the hot days of summer but I love to take photos of nature at.  For those that do not know this area it is very serene when there when there is no children swimming.  It is an area where one can spot King fishers, herons even swans and ducks.  Tonight we had an magnificent sunset.

All night the sky was ever changing each time looking like someone took a paint brush to the sky.  As we headed towards Mount Pleasent area to drop off two of our riders the sky started to get dark both because of the sun setting earlier and the dark clouds from the impending rain coming.

After dropping off our companions the two of us left head towards Tim Horton’s via Running Creek and Lorne.  When we arrived at Elizabeth where we said good bye.  I head home he headed to have a sweet treat at Tim Horton’s.

A Fast and Wet Ride.

Last night two of us were crazy enough to take a gamble on the weather and head out for  a quick country ride.

The sky was overcast but the birds are still were still singing. While I waited for my fellow rider, I watched monarchs finding places to rest for the night in a tree.  They were to far up in the tree to capture a picture but it was a blessing I will never forget.

When my fellow rider arrived we decided to take a risk and do another country ride. We head out to Main to take Water street to Langstaff.  When we went over the bridge on Main I noticed that the once field turned marsh had reverted back to a field. So there were no waterfowl to be seen.

When we hit Water Street we open it up and reached speeds of 30 km all the way to Langstaff.  When we arrived the weather started to change quickly.  The wind changed directions and dark clouds start to roll.  But as we approached the Langstaff bridge, I noticed a blue heron in the still marshy field.  When I stop it took off in flight but suddenly turned and landed further away.  It was quite peculiar but spectacular to see it land. As usually it fly out of sight.  I grab a few shots of it and we head up the bridge, when I noticed a young blue heron hiding in the long grass near the edge of the marshy field close to the road.

Unfortunately the weather was turning quickly and the wind was gusting and the rain started to come down harder, so I was not able to capture a shot of the little one.

When we arrived to Nelson street we decided it was a good time to head back as the sky was looking very ominous and the wind was not being very friendly.  So we head back to town on Nelson going as fast as we can against the wind. We did reached speeds of 22 km but we maintained speeds of 18 km all the way to town.

My fellow rider decided to he was going to head to Tim Horton and rest.  I decided to head home so we choose to take University to Running Creek to Lorne. We said our good byes by Elizabeth and went our separate ways.  When I arrived home I was a bit on the wet side.

We may have been a little crazy going our riding tonight but when you plan on riding long distance one does not get the opportunity to pick and choose the weather to ride in. So last night was a excellent practice ride to my  ride out to Wasaga Beach.

 

A Town And Country ride Ending with a Sunset

Last night’s ride was awesome.  While the night had cooled down quite a bit and the sun is setting quicker we still had an enjoyable town and country ride.

We started off at the fountain with 7 riders but one was called away for a bit and said he texted us when he was done with his errand and catch up with us.  Also one of our other riders was still recovering from his surgery so we rode towards his home so that he was close to home when he was ready to be dropped off.

But before we head out we had to make a stop at the comic book store so our youngest had something to munch on for the ride as his father pulled him in the bike trailer.

Then we were off, we head towards the hospital area and enjoyed the ride.  The guys went ahead while the girls stayed back and caught up on the weeks advents.  When we reached the one riders home he had had enough and was headed in. He had an early morning fishing planned anyways.

We then decided to head to North river line and take a scenic ride along the river.  We head out that way and enjoyed the fresh cool air and the sweet smell of last days of summer in the air.

When we were about 1km down on North River Line we received a text that from the rider that was ready to catch up with us and asked where we were.  So we took a  break so he could catch up with us.  While we were waiting a couple of the guys went and looked at a boat that was for sale.  Afterwards I raced one of the young ones, he surprised me riding up to 25 km and hour.

When the rider joined us, we rode to where the gravel and pavement meet on North River line. Three of the riders want to go and see the large Sycamore tree about 1/3 of Km up but because of the gravel being freshly graded and topped up made it impossible for them to ride on it.

So we stayed back and enjoyed the views around us and chit chatted about all different things.

When they returned, we head back and did a quick tour behind the hospital.  We dropped off another one of our rides while in the area and headed towards Jaycee Park.  The sun was setting so beautifully by the water tower. We took a short break then one of our riders had to head back home with his son. We rode him home then headed towards Mount pleasant area took a little tour around it and dropped off two riders.  Now there was two of us.

It was not getting a bit dark so we rode together to Running Creek were we said our good byes he head off to a friends house as I head home but first taking a detour on Fohan to capture the setting sun.

Last night was an adventure of town and country scenery with a beautiful sunset.  I am looking forward to next time.

Until then, Ride often, ride safe and enjoy the view.

 

 

Speed, Laughs and Scenic Hard Ride

With the sunny skies and a cooling down in the air two of us head out for our hard ride. Since my biking companion had to be somewhere we decided to do a fast sprint ride  So we decided to head out Water and come back in on Forhan.  When we head over the bridge on Main, I hollered  out to my riding companion to stop because out deep in the field that has been a marsh all summer was two white egrets.  This is the first time this year that I had seen two of them together.  They look like they were searching for their last morsel of food before heading back to roost for the night.  What a gorgeous sight it was to see them almost mirrored image of each other.

After admiring their beauty, we head off to Water street where we rode at speeds up to 32 km.  When I was a head my companion slowed down so I slowed down for him to catch up but he was playing as soon as he could he took off and passed me.  Then it was my turn I did the same thing until I passed him we did that all the way down Water street.  Playing a form of leap frog.  When we reached Langstaff, my heart was pumping but we sure had a fun cardio.  We had a quick hydration break, hydration is the key to successful biking.  Then we head over to Forhan. When we were coming up to the Lanstaff bridge we saw the Egret we see each week enjoying the water marsh which was originally a farmers field.

After heading over the bridge we did a bit more speed riding until reached Forhan. Forhan was a bit more of a challenge.  The wind picked up and we were now biking against it still we were able to reach speeds of about 25 km.   When we arrived at McKee we decide to do a cool down ride in the Mount Pleasant area.  Since we were in the area we visited a couple that ride with us on Social Night and do a tea delivery. .  Good thing we did. My riding companion had a few problems with his bike so the guys went off to work on them as the girls admired the gardens and chatted.

After a bit we head off again as my companion need to go home so I biked him home and then head home myself.  Last night was a fun fast ride while we only did 11 km we did do a great cardio through it while we took the scenic route.

Until next time, Ride often, Ride Safe and enjoy the view.