Sunday Ride 25-05-11 - Parc Moussette

Trading mileage for altitude this week. The route is drawn north on the newly refinished River Rd to Wakefield, followed by the challenging loop through Lascelles, highlighted by the steep hill encountered immediately upon turning away from the river at Alcove. The group can decide if it wants to stop in Wakefield on the way north, or go off-script and drop into town on the return for a well-earned refreshment. You might find River Rd so pleasant that you will prefer taking it southbound as well. Similarly, the return from Chelsea is open to interpretation, as it is drawn to follow the city streets before turning towards P3 (Gamelin).

Have you been up to the lookout yet this Spring? If not, here's your chance! After summitting, head down to Chelsea then on to Wakfield via the newly rebuilt River Rd. Enjoy whatever refreshment you like in Wakefield, before returning. The return is drawn the same way you went up, but the group can also climb up to the 105 from Wakefield, if desired, and follow it south.

The C ride gets the early-season "taste" of the Gats -- i.e. Pink Lake hill and hills before and after -- before transiting through Chelsea on the way to Wakefield, via the dreamily rebuilt River Rd. A cheat route around the hills is, of course, available for any group that didn't eat a mandatory second bowl of Wheaties (are they still a thing?). If you are not familar with the cheat route, the return from Chelsea to Moussette follows it; you can simply take the same route north if you wish. No judgement and whatever will give you the most enjoyabel day!

Well, young D, how fit is your fiddle this morning? The route is drawn over the top of Pink Lake and adjacent hills. There is no rush, so it is up to you and the group whether to take on the challenge (encouraged!) or sneak around the hills and get to your cup of tea that awaits in Chelsea a little quicker. Discuss that with your group leader -- i.e. hone your lobbying skills -- when you arrive at the launch that morning. The strength accrued from the hill climbs you will definitely notice, and you will find each subsequent outing a little more enjoyable and a little less taxing. More strength also means that more routes become available to you. I've also drawn the route to include about 5km of rail trail, suitable for all but the most fragile of tires, that it might inspire you, in the near future, to follow that trail north to Wakefield. That's a scenic, enjoyable and almost-flat day trip.

Note: If the rail trail is a showstopper for you, not to worry; it can be easily avoided -- and you'll arrive sooner at the coffee stop. Where Scott Rd meets the 105 and the drawn route turns left, instead turn right to follow the 105 down to Chemin Old Chelsea, where you turn right, again, to return to Old Chelsea. Meet the others at the chosen cafe. Easy peasy.