We have traveled from lake…

We have traveled from lake Simcoe to Kingston, following the canal and stopping at each of the locks. We thought it was a brilliant cycling trip and we enjoyed a few quiet roads but no safe road. The traffic is rapid and somewhat aggressive in the Muskokas and r

there are no road shoulder, just rather deep ditches. We tried the Canada trail, on which we rode at about 4 km/hr dues to the pitiful state the trail was left in by the ATV's. We even had to cross through a cows pasture. The cows we quite impressed by our bike BOB trailers and we're moving uncomfortably close to us.

The places we saw, the canal, the trip through Prince Edward County and finally the quiet road leading to Kingston were is is a fantastic trip suggestion for a week long vacation.

What was missing:

1: a mode of transportation that accepts bike for the one-way trip

2: proper bike trail either paved or stone dust

3: wide shoulders with signs informing drivers there may be cyclists

4: promotion of the activity in a positive fashion, mentioning cyclo-tourism brings people who will spend money in the area, mentioning 2 feet of distance is not enough, explain that pick-up trucks have rear view side mirrors exactly at the height of a cyclist's head (helmet or not will have no impact on survival), explaining how a large vehicle will crate a negative pressure directly proportional to its speed as it passes a cyclist, entraining said cyclist towards the road.

5: trails should not be shared with ATV's or horses. Both damage the trail surface not to mention the excremensts.

6: skidoos with the speeding track do a lot of damage to the paved bike trail.  It is especially detrimental to roller bladers.

We have gone on a week long cycling trip once a year for the last 15 years. We often go on the trails of Quebec because of the infrastructures. We've only traveled in Ontario once because of the lack of infrastructures.

I am very happy about the project and hope to still be fit and active to enjoy it.

Diane

[Original Comment ID: 212367]