Team Steffie Climbs to Mont Tremblant 6

Squared Away at Saint Remi d'Amherst

10:53:29 AM - a climb near St. Emile de Suffolk, Highway 323

When one looks at the progression of the cyclists' uphill trek via photographs, it almost looks easy. Almost. Shortly after these photos were taken, I shook hands with each rider. Their hot, slippery handshakes and clipped greetings revealed some of the truth about the long uphills.

10:53:55 AM - near the crest of one of many hills on Hwy 323

Thirty minutes later all members of Team Steffie stopped at a roadside variety store for Freezies and ice cream bars - and bathroom break - at Saint Remi d'Amherst, about 35 kilometres shy of their eventual destination, Mont Tremblant. Well deserved, I say.

"I say we flip to see who gets the bathroom first"

"The lineup seems to be getting longer, not shorter!"

"Sorry Gents. Ladies first," says Dallas.

Please link to Video - Team Steffie Climbs 5

Quick link to Classic Cycling Video : )

Photos by GH

Video - Team Steffie Climbs 5

About 40 Per Cent

Team Steffie pass me by about 40 kilometres north of Montebello QUE. They were 40 per cent of their way north, giving 100 per cent effort.

Link to YouTube version of my Classic Cycling Video

I didn't mind being left behind. My '94 Virago was parked next to me.

"I'll catch ya soon, guys!" I say.

As well, link to Team Steffie Climbs 4

Photo and Video by GH

Team Steffie Climbs to Mont Tremblant 4

About 40 Km North of Montebello QUE

Please link to Mount Steffie Climbs 3

Photo GH

Team Steffie Climbs to Mont Tremblant 3

No CCM Cruisers Allowed

"The team is about 40 km. north of Montebello QUE"

Hardened muscles, expensive kits and bicycle gear, tonnes of will power and positive motivation. That's what it takes, and more, to get to Mont Tremblant from Lindsay in three days. Me and my red, 1951 CCM vintage-cruiser-style bike need not apply. (That's why I showed up to take a few photographs on a sturdy '94 Virago.)

 "Way to go, guys," I say. Only one rider knows who I am.

 "One rider stretches to ease tension in a very sore back"

 "Another rider is out with a broken finger"

"Father and son take a breather before the trek continues"

More photos to follow.

Details about Team Steffie's cycling trek can be found at the following links:

mykawartha.com news

www.teamsteffie

Link to Team Steffie Climbs 2

Photos GH

Discovering Canada in B & W

Ottawa Landmark

"I could live here, eh!" says one sturdy paddler.

At the foot of Alexandra Bridge in Ottawa lies a spot for pedestrians to view the Ottawa River and many nearby landmarks, e.g., the Parliament Buildings. However, I think the small sculptures of early explorers that grace an information stand are a real treat.

Link to Discovering Canada in One Pair of Pants 2

Photo GH

Discovering Canada in One Pair of Pants 2

One Stellar Video to Boot

 "A person can paddle, pedal, jog or run around Ottawa. I chose the walk-about"

I did not have time for much of a walk-about in Perth on Thursday, August 22, just last week. It's a perfectly pretty town and I did enjoy the three-block-long walk to O'Reilly's, but I made it an early night because I had to be on the highway early next day. However, once in Ottawa I strapped on my walking shoes and hit some of my favourite streets in the free world.

Please click here for live video.

Photos and Video by GH

Discovering Canada in One Pair of Pants 1

Day 1 and 2, Perth and Ottawa

AirBNB in Perth: "I liked Garry's treasured map of Old Canada"

A recent 1,700 kilometre-long motorcycle trip - to connect with my older son David, member of (cycling) Team Steffie - took me to Perth and Ottawa and a few other memorable places before arriving in Mont Tremblant QUE. I packed light (a pair of pants, can of ravioli and camera) and noticed a few things along the way that I really liked and made my week-long trip a standout.

 "I stretch my legs during a walk-about in Ottawa"

 "The magnificent Alexandra Bridge leads to Gatineau QUE"

During Days 1 and 2 I only connected with David via email. Day 1 opportunities to say hello to one another were literally washed out by tonnes of treacherous rain and travel, and on Day 2 we travelled by different routes. He recalls his push to Montebello with excitement and I recall a day well-spent in Ottawa chasing memorable moments under threatening skies. A stop at Chez Lucien on Murray St. near Dalhousie did not hurt one bit.

 "I'm on Sussex Drive next to 'gordon harrison art gallery'"

 "Lost? No. I can find my way home from Majors Hill Park"

"Home is where The Jail Hostel is, on 75 Nicholas"

When I travel to Quebec in the future I will do some things the same, others differently. For example, I won't pass through Perth during a flood. I will book a private room at The Jail Hostel next time, but still make time for a short stop at the cozy Chez Lucien.

Link to Team Steffie Climbs 2

Photos GH

Team Steffie Climbs to Mont Tremblant 2

A Hard Day's Ride in B & W

Saturday, 10:23 a.m., August 22

Link to Team Steffie Climbs 1

Photo GH

Team Steffie Climbs to Mont Tremblant

A 500 Kilometre Trek

Photo from mykawartha.com news - August 20

When I think back nine days to Wednesday, Aug. 19, I recall being in a hurry to pack three leather bags on my motorcycle in preparation for a hastily-planned trip to Mont Tremblant QUE. A small, select team of cyclists, Team Steffie, which included my older son David, was leaving from Lindsay the following day on a tough bicycle ride in support of  local community groups. And I intended to look for them along the way and take a few snaps while they were hard at work.

"I found the team 35 kilometres north of Montebello"

"Some team members discuss the last leg, 30-km. shy of Tremblant"

I packed my bags, booked rooms in Perth, Ottawa and Mont Tremblant (the team booked in Perth, Montebello QUE and Mont Tremblant), and set out Thursday morning for what turned out to be the ride of my life. Day 1 included torrential downpours all along Highway 7 from Peterborough to Perth and most sane motorcyclists would have bailed out and sought refuge anywhere it could be found. I pressed on, dealt with 10 per cent visibility any way I could, and - miracle of miracles - passed Team Steffie 40 kilometres shy of Perth.

My son and I were too tired to connect after the day's treacherous ride (240 km. for the team, 540 km. for me), we took different routes the next day, but we finally connected on the team's uphill trek to Mont Tremblant. Thumbs up, I say. And "Job Well Done" to the small but mighty Team Steffie.

"I did the easy work. I biked ahead, parked, and snapped photos"

"I grabbed a bag of chips, relaxed and snapped a few more shots"

"Team Steffie reached their destination at 2 PM, Saturday"

"One of my 'souvenir' photographs"

For more information about Team Steffie please go to the following links:

www.teamsteffie.com

mykawartha.com/news 

Unattributed Photos by GH

Port Bruce in B&W

1970 Continental?

"I watch riders 'do the circle' while sipping coffee"

One of my favourite rides is to Port Bruce and one of my favourite spots to sit and relax once I arrive is at The Corner View restaurant, with reportedly* the best coffee in town.

"Forget the Mercedes convertible. I want the old Lincoln"

"Still, I wouldn't trade in my '94 Virago for even a Continental"

On Sunday I said to Corner View's owner, "One large coffee, please. You've got the best in town, eh."

"Have you checked all-l-l the other places?" he said, without missing a beat.

"Pretty much," I said, and realized that small town boys often speak the same language.

Link to Favourite Photos of Port Bruce, 2015

Photos GH

*I reported it so it must be true

Motorcycle Miles - Hops on Springfield Line

Ground Dwellers?

Cascade and Mt. Hood hops climb the sisal ropes on Mr. Hayhoe's hop farm, situated south of Mt. Salem on Springfield Line, within a hop, skip and a jump from my favourite landing spot - Port Bruce, Ontario.

"Why plant hops between the rows without ropes to climb?"

"Hop cones have a delicious aroma. Rub one between your palms"

I'm guessing that the hops on the ground, neatly planted between the rows of poles and cables, are for shipping to others who want to grow hops. My own hops, hugging my backyard fence, originated in a friend's yard, and he just dug up a mass of stems and roots and handed them to me in a plastic pot.

So, if you want to grow a few hop vines, call me for better directions.

1-519-HOP-FARM. Just kidding. I'm in the London Directory, and live on Cathcart St.

Link to more Motorcycle Miles

Photos GH

Motorcycle Miles - Hops Ripen on the Vine

Springfield Road South

On Tuesday, June 9, I spotted a long field of hops on Springfield Line, about a kilometer south of Mt. Salem as well as north of the Nova Scotia Line (which links Port Bruce and Port Burwell). What I noticed at the time was this: The infrastructure for growing hops (i.e., telephone poles, sturdy cables, sisal twine) overshadowed the new network of vines. Yesterday I returned to the long field and the reverse was true. The vines have shown good growth.

After snapping a number of pictures I hopped back onto my motorcycle and was soon sipping a strong cup of coffee at The Corner View restaurant, situated on Port Bruce's main corner.

Link to Motorcycle Miles - A Hop Farm (June 9, 2015)

Photos GH

Custom Shelf 10 - Vintage Trim

Trim From the Top of the Pile

"One last piece to go on the front... lower right"

Shelves are in place, made from rustic cedar rescued last year from Joe Flagler's dock demolition. And because I have more of the fine lumber on hand (yeah, a lot more), I turned some of it into strips of trim and put it all in place on Saturday afternoon.

Now it's time to think about the finish line. I'll apply a coat of wood cleaner, then concoct a jar of colour-rich finish (thinner + stain), and some type of final wax or varnish coat for the table top. Exciting, shiny times ahead.

Link to Custom Table 9

Photos GH