the big ride

this friday i leave for a 1000 kilometre plus ride around lake ontario.

i can't believe it. really i can't.

it's the ride for africycle.

here's who we're riding for.

the bike's in for a final tune-up.

i pitched the tent in my living room so i can get the hang of how the bits go together.

i figure i'll get that sorted out by the last night out on the road.

i also figure there'll be a night or two when it rains and the tent gets messed up as i put it together.

actually i know that'll happen!

this is the bus that'll carry my gear.

here are the first two days as seen on google maps.

here are the next eight.

wish me luck!

i'm going to post all images and stories and maybe even some video here when i get back.

i depart july 2 and return july 11.

you ride

when you go outside and look to the north

and it looks pretty much the same to the south

well

to my way of thinking

it looks like you've got the freedom

to ride anywhere you want

so you ride.

chocolate, marshmallow and graham crackers

i love food.

so signs that come up during a ride

that promise food are huge distractions

that sometimes lead to good things.

this is one that lasted a few months

just south of here.

i've got to tell you that riding past this after a couple of hours of riding up and down the local drumlin field

was a sure fire way to get me reaching into my back pocket for a treat!!

cresting the hill

you might be surprised

what motivates cyclists

this image is over ninety four years old

and yet i can feel the strain in this rider's muscles

and the chance of a view coming up.

perhaps the village ahead will have a tasty pastry shop, coffee even!

mario sironi il ciclista

the big wheel keeps on turning

i love the culture

of cycling

it allows for everything

especially eccentricity

novelty

fun

the rail trail

i live in the west end of my city, close to the edge of the farmer's fields and at the top of a hill.

my favourite rides are mostly northeast of here, so i ride through the city and when i come out the other side, this beautiful paved trail (built on the former route of a railway line) unfolds before me.

built for railway trains, it has hardly any gradient, is generally very smooth and at the moment,

is perfumed with the scent-clouds of lilacs

and wildflowers.

and there are beautiful expanses across wild fields . . .

little spaces . . .

and a trail that just keeps on unfolding . . .