Trinity Bight

I spent the long weekend in Trinity East on the Bonavista Peninsula, but  didn't take my bike along this time around. 

  

I've been having trouble cinching down the strap-on rack I bought. No matter how hard I try, one of the two lower clips continues to pop out of place and threatens to send the entire mechanism flying off onto the pavement!  If anyone out there can think of a better solution, I'd love to hear it!

Looking out from Trinity East towards Trinity.

Recommendation: If you're heading off the Avalon towards Trinity area, and have a trail bike,  I highly recommend taking it with you and giving the old rail bed a try.  A few years ago you could ride from Trinity all the way to Port Rexton without ever having to get off your bike. Today however, damage from Hurricane Igor has rendered the route from Trinity to Trinity East impassable by bicycle alone.  You can still ride the trail from the Trinity East waterfall to Port Rexton though, and once you get there - it's an easy transfer to pavement for a short run to Fox Island Head, Champneys or even English Harbour.  If you're at all moved by deep blue seascapes framed in gorgeous wildflowers, I'm sure you'll find this run just as enjoyable as I do.  

Why not finish your day with a late lunch at the  Two Whales Coffee Shop in Port Rexton.  

Petty Harbour Loop

Today's recommendation: it's the famous Petty Harbour Loop. Most cyclists in the St. John's area cut their teeth on this one, or a variation of it. The version I rode last Tuesday evening goes out the Waterford Valley to Heavy Tree Road, then takes the Robert E. Howlett to Bay Bulls Big Pond. From there its back in through Goulds, a right turn onto Petty Harbour Road, and over "The Brow" via Petty Harbour and Maddox Cove. I tacked on Fort Amherst as a bit of a cool down after the climb; a good decision because the humpbacks were breaching just off Freshwater Bay and I caught two or three spectacular leaps! For some extra climbing (and some lovely views) this is sometimes extended to include Cape Spear.

St. John's - Recovery Ride

Yesterday was another recovery day so I chose an easy route here in St. John's that totalled 40 kilometres.  I began on the South Side road and followed the relatively flat terrain past the Waterford Valley  and on to Commonwealth Avenue. It was a good way to loosen up the tight muscles in my legs.

Recommendation:  Most of my rides have been confined to the St. John's area lately. Today's recommendation gets you out of town for awhile.  It's a ride I did earlier this spring that took me from  St.  John's to Harbour Grace.  It follows the old Conception Bay Highway all the way out, and contains a few steep hills (but nothing too long). The views along the way are excellent, especially this time of the year!

St. John's - Torbay - Portugal Cove - St. John's

Winds were light easterlies this morning.  It was a bit cool by the water but sunny and very pleasant going.

I rode up Signal Hill, then to The Gut, Logy Bay, Middle and Outer Coves, and Torbay. Followed Bauline Line to the extension, then across to Portugal Cove Road, Old Broad Cove and Bennet Roads, then home via Thorbourne, Larkhall, etcetera.

Met John Outerbridge and another guy on Old Broad Cove, and rode back home with John.

Here's the map of today's route. I highly recommend it! It's scenic with very low traffic mostly. The terrain is rolling so it can be a challenge if you want to push.

About 65 kilometres total, with a couple of side trips.

I love riding in Nova Scotia!

The following is an excerpt from an email I received from my sister, who lives in Halifax.  It describes a recent bike ride she took along the Chain of Lakes  and Beechville Lakeside Timberlea  trails:

... It was another perfect day on the trail. Had my usual lunch at the incomparable Bike and Bean Café.  Winds were light at 20k/hr, sunny skies. The big black and yellow butterflies are still around in full force, and one actully flew right into my face and brushed my cheek. Saw a beautiful, graceful doe right in the middle of the trail. It stood for several seconds and looked at me before dashing into the woods. Wild roses are in bloom and I could smell them on the wind every now and then ... .

It isn't the Avalon, but it sure sounds like fun, eh? 

St. John's - Middle Cove - Outer Cove - Logy Bay - St. John's

I did a 57 kilometre ride yesterday afternoon under ideal conditions! A loop of Middle Cove, Outer Cove and Logy Bay on my own, and another with Shirley, Lloyd and Aiden, who I met on the way home.

Due to the rather hilly course, my speed was not very high. Nevertheless, it was an enjoyable ride.  There were lots of other bikers on the route.

All in all, it was a great evening!!   My legs are pretty gone this morning though.

Monday Night Ride

I'm heading up to the Sunshine Camp in an hour or so to join the TriNL (Triathlon Newfoundland & Labrador)  monday evening beginners' road ride. It used to be sponsored by Bicycle Newfoundland and Labrador , but this year TriNL took over for some reason. So far, it's been a good turnout - the three rides I've attended have averaged around 30 riders.  I expect tonight's return trip is going to be cold since we're getting an easterly wind at the moment.

Update: Just got back. At least 30 people showed up, and we all rode the St. John's Triathlon route. It was chilly going east on Portugal Cove Road, but warm otherwise. The shoulders of the Outer Ring road are absolutely littered with debris right now - pay close attention when you're riding it. Including the ride to and from the event, I covered just about 50 km in 2 hours.

St. John's - riding in the fog!

Went for a short jaunt in the fog this afternoon. Once around Quidi Vidi Lake, then to Fort Amherst and up the Waterford Valley to Bowring Park. This amounted to 36.6 kilometers at an average speed of 21.4 kmh. When I got back to the Harbour I couldn't see the Hill or the South Side at all for the fog! That's just the way it is in St. John's in the summer.

Still a pleasant ride though. Oh! Except for nearly getting clipped by the proverbial White Van! I was passing by Corpus Christi on my way back, where the damn thing just waited till I was on top of it, and then decided to pull out onto Waterford Bridge road! I yelled and the driver braked and grumbled something as I went past.

Be careful out there!

Dartmouth - Pictou - Upper Stewiack - Sheet Harbour - Dartmouth

Last Saturday was the 400 kilometer brevet of the Randonneurs Nova Scotia long distance club in Halifax. I've been riding with them on their brevets for three years now, and last year, for the first time, I completed the Super Randonneur series of 200, 300, 400 and 600 kilometer rides. I rode the 200 and 300 alone here on the avalon that year. But I failed to complete the 400 this year, despite better weather and an easier route, dropping out at Sheet Harbour with 288 kilometers under my belt.

From Dartmouth we went north along Route 2 to Truro, then Route 4 to Pictou. After this it was south through Upper Stewiacke and Upper Musquodoboit to Sheet Harbour, then Route 7 west along the coast back to Dartmouth.

Here's a good map of the circuit.

St. John's - Pouch Cove - St. John's

Great ride to Pouch Cove with Lew today. I covered 75 km at an average speed of 25 kmh. Winds were generally light, 15-22 kmh from the Northeast. Temperature 9 C, and cloudy. Saw several other bikers on the roads. First time riding the new Torbay bypass. Click here to see the route.