Hey Folks! It's been a while since I posted, but I still lurk in the background. 🙃
Last week we embarked on what we referred to as the "Nostalgia Tour". The premise was to ride trails that we hadn't ridden in years.
Day 1, we set off from Minden to Bracebridge. Trails were great except for...you guessed it...HCSA. Love the rolling hills on the D coming into Bracebridge! Stopped for lunch at Heart of Muskoka Fries. Stayed at the Sleep Inn right on the D trail (south of Hwy 118). Rooms are newly renovated, comfortable beds and reasonable prices. Lots of food options nearby.
Day 2, on to Parry Sound. The D south of Bracebridge was closed so we rode C102D/C114/C101D to the C. Other than road running, the trails for the most part were excellent! At the C101D, we hopped on the C for the remainder of the ride to Parry Sound. I had forgotten how much fun that section of the C trail is! Hydro fields, sweeping logging roads, bush trails, something for everyone!
We stayed at the Jolly Roger for 2 nights. We were very pleasantly surprised! The current owners are trying very hard to bring it back to its old glory. The staff was friendly and helpful and the room rates very affordable. The beds were super comfortable and the rooms had been recently painted/renovated. Sure, you can tell it's the old infrastructure underneath, but everything was clean and they have updated the decor. Price included a decent continental breakfast.
The lounge / restaurant hours are somewhat limited during the week (Monday to Wednesday 5pm to 9pm, Thursday to Sunday, 11:30am to 11:00pm) but you can count on a hot meal at the end of the day. Standard pub-style fare was freshly cooked and tasty. The manager, Mathson, was friendly and attentive.
Day 3, we were greeted with ~12" of new snow so we decided to stay another day in Parry Sound and ride local trails. Snow-busted the C trail north. You could tell the trail underneath was groomed. No craters were hiding beneath the fresh snow. Headed east to Dunchurch for gas & lunch at Duck's Nest Family Restaurant. After lunch, rode south on C104D/C101 to the Seguin, then west on the Sequin C101D back to the Jolly Roger.
Day 4, woke up to the Seguin C101D beautifully groomed east out of the Jolly Roger. Flew the first ~30km or so on the groomed trail, then back to snow busting. Still, it was good underneath. Ran too many lakes, roads and trails back to Minden to list here.
All in all, wonderful to ride these trails again!
Point taken! We slowed down and waved but I guess it's not the same. 😉
