Discussion: Great stuff!
in: veinbuster; veinbuster > 2016-10-18
Oct 19, 2016 2:04 PM
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Bash:
You're already teaching navigation! It was a gorgeous day for it. I can't believe Mrs preferred Hwy 50 over the Albion Hills park road to the rail trail. She has the steel nerves of someone who rides on roads sometimes, I guess!
Did you see pink flagging tape at the controls? I know some other riders are going back out.
I agree re the QR codes. I think they'd work for people on foot. Pokemon Go has made it normal to have your phone out while hunting for things although an experienced navigator needs to hold map and compass and occasionally use a hand to hang onto a tree on a hill. The timing units and flags cost about $200 each and are awkward to carry (as you know) so there are advantages to having cheaper options for some events or for permanent courses.
Did you see pink flagging tape at the controls? I know some other riders are going back out.
I agree re the QR codes. I think they'd work for people on foot. Pokemon Go has made it normal to have your phone out while hunting for things although an experienced navigator needs to hold map and compass and occasionally use a hand to hang onto a tree on a hill. The timing units and flags cost about $200 each and are awkward to carry (as you know) so there are advantages to having cheaper options for some events or for permanent courses.
Oct 19, 2016 3:18 PM
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I'm sure she would have preferred the park road. She was just ready for a sure route back. I told her I would go back and find a nicer way for her to get into the park. I'll pick up a land mark for the park road then.
The pink flags were still out, which is what we navigated to. I wasn't looking closely enough to see them on Sunday, but they were right where I remember the timing units being. And they gave me some credibility over just saying "trust me, this is the place".
The pink flags were still out, which is what we navigated to. I wasn't looking closely enough to see them on Sunday, but they were right where I remember the timing units being. And they gave me some credibility over just saying "trust me, this is the place".
Oct 19, 2016 3:27 PM
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Bash:
Good! I'm planning to leave them out until after a birthday party bike ride on Nov. 6. It's considered good form to clean up our "garbage" eventually so I'll take them down after that.
From the north, the park road is just Duffy's Lane but the tricky part is that the rail trail goes over Duffy's Lane on a small bridge so you have to exit the trail and go down. You can walk down a steep trail on the west side of the bridge or stairs on the east end. If you look at the orienteering map, you'll see Duffy's Lane coming south into the park, then the road veers around but the Duffy's Lane road allowance continues south and becomes a major bike trail (possibly more hilly in places than Mrs. would enjoy). At the south end of the park, that trail meets the Duffy's Lane dead end north of Old Church Rd., where it continues as a paved road.
There are lots of paved or gravel roads and parking lots in the park that can make for a scenic ride without bumping over logs or slippery tree roots. Mrs. might enjoy that at this time of year. I sometimes go for a winter run on park roads when the trails are too snowy. It is pretty enough and hilly enough to feel nicer than running around some subdivision roads.
From the north, the park road is just Duffy's Lane but the tricky part is that the rail trail goes over Duffy's Lane on a small bridge so you have to exit the trail and go down. You can walk down a steep trail on the west side of the bridge or stairs on the east end. If you look at the orienteering map, you'll see Duffy's Lane coming south into the park, then the road veers around but the Duffy's Lane road allowance continues south and becomes a major bike trail (possibly more hilly in places than Mrs. would enjoy). At the south end of the park, that trail meets the Duffy's Lane dead end north of Old Church Rd., where it continues as a paved road.
There are lots of paved or gravel roads and parking lots in the park that can make for a scenic ride without bumping over logs or slippery tree roots. Mrs. might enjoy that at this time of year. I sometimes go for a winter run on park roads when the trails are too snowy. It is pretty enough and hilly enough to feel nicer than running around some subdivision roads.
Oct 19, 2016 5:32 PM
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Ok, thanks. I think I remember that bridge. 'Bent had me ride his BBW down it. I don't think I knew there were steps on the other side. Mrs. was fine with the big wide trails that I assume become ski trails in the winter. They were a nice change of pace after the Caledon Trail, which she quite likes.
It was the single track that I brought her in on that got her off to a bad start. I had meant to scout an enterance before taking her, but this was a last minute change of plan from Oro-medonte - I advised against having to outrun a storm with a long ride into a strong south wind. Albion Hills lends itself to bailing out quickly.
It was the single track that I brought her in on that got her off to a bad start. I had meant to scout an enterance before taking her, but this was a last minute change of plan from Oro-medonte - I advised against having to outrun a storm with a long ride into a strong south wind. Albion Hills lends itself to bailing out quickly.
Oct 19, 2016 5:55 PM
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Bash:
Albion was a good choice yesterday because when the storm came in, it came fast! The place you entered was quite challenging.
Many of the wide trails are ski trails in winter. In the northeast, the wide trails were dedicated to skate skiing but last year they opened it to winter fat biking, skate skiing and snowshoeing since there were never many skaters. So you can ride Albion year round now! If you arrive via rail trail, the entry fee is waived because you have used "active transportation". :)
Many of the wide trails are ski trails in winter. In the northeast, the wide trails were dedicated to skate skiing but last year they opened it to winter fat biking, skate skiing and snowshoeing since there were never many skaters. So you can ride Albion year round now! If you arrive via rail trail, the entry fee is waived because you have used "active transportation". :)
Oct 19, 2016 8:20 PM
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I told Mrs. if she liked it there I would get us passes. She said she liked riding in. If we go with any regularity, I think it is fair to get passes regardless of how we enter.
We watched the storm come in. It became nighttime quite early and the rain was fierce almost before you could blink.
We watched the storm come in. It became nighttime quite early and the rain was fierce almost before you could blink.
Oct 19, 2016 10:22 PM
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Bash:
We have a Friends & Family pass, which is good year round for skiing, hiking, biking etc. at multiple Toronto Region and Credit Valley Conservation Parks - a ridiculously good deal for $135/year for both of us (and up to 4 friends in the same vehicle). I agree - I like to support them.
https://shop.trca.on.ca/product/trca-parks-members...
https://shop.trca.on.ca/product/trca-parks-members...
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