ONTARIO CYCLING ROUTE

General Route Information:

ROUTE DESCRIPTION

This is a great route for the intermediate cyclist. It has some good climbs, one of which is fairly steep. The distance is average and the scenery is fantastic. You will start by turning right out of the parking lot onto Centre Rd. This road is not difficult, but it does offer some good uphill sections. The traffic here is not exactly country, but it's not too bad either, especially on weekend mornings. You will be on Centre Rd. for 13 km where it will eventually come to County Rd. 36 where you will turn right. County Rd. 36 starts off at what looks like a main road, but quickly comes to a dead end 4.5 km's later. Now you are in the country and will stay that way until you near the end of the route.

The route will be relatively flat, even downhill, for the next 10.2 km's. The route will start see some hills again as you turn left onto Sideroad 3. This is a very pretty, forest covered road. It reminds me of the narrow roads found in cottage country. Sideroad 3 will twist and turn for the next 2.2 km's, usually while going uphill, all the way to Twiss Rd. Here you will turn right. It's flat run in to Steeles Rd. that is 1.9 km ahead of you. You will go straight through Steeles Rd. and continue your trip south. You will quickly get to a very steep hill, especially if you take the inner line. It would be dangerous not to take the inner line as this is a blind corner. It comes at you quickly and gets steep very fast. The good news is, it's a short punch up the hill. It will be over before you know it.

The route flattens out again as you reach the outskirts of Carlisle. Although you are very near to the safety of your car, the route continues further to the south through wonderful farm country. You will eventually make your way onto Britannia Rd. where you will have some fun cycling the rollers, but mainly on a downward trajectory. At Walkers Line you will turn right where you will ride right up close and personal with the Escarpment. At Sideroad 1 you will turn right and start your way back up the escarpment with the routes only category 5 climb. By other standards this is a fairly easy categorized climb. Once you turn right onto Robson Rd. you are only 10.8 km from the finish line.

The trip up Centre Rd. can be busy and a bit uphill. There are places where you can cycle off to the side, but they are few and far between. The section of 7.2 km on Centre Rd. is one of those times where if you had an alternative you would take it. I've never had a problem on this section, but it is prudent to mention this section of road is not country riding.