Dist, 159km, 24km/hr, Saddle Time 6:36
06 25 2011,
I rode the 17 til I realized that it had changed to the 417. I got off on #20 and into a tiny town called Kinburn. (I guess that when the road transforms from a 1 lane with a tiny shoulder to a 4 lane with a huge shoulder, I should've clued in) I had wanted to visit Fitzroy Harbour Pov. Park for old time sake, but I had missed the turn and didn't feel like turning back. ("turning back" is forbidden, unless absolutely necessary). This was a popular camping/party spot for me and fellow dirt bags back in the day when "Two - Four" meant 24 beers, not "Two for One" at the local retail outlet of your choice. Many a hangover spent here. Good times indeed.
FITZROY !
The ride from Pembroke to Arnprior was AWFUL. Pretty much a "swear-fest" the whole way. Half of the time the 1 foot shoulder was crumbling and it was like riding cobbles, and the other half was BRAND NEW SECTIONS with a rumble strip thrown in. They actually CUT a rumble stip into the new shoulder rendering it useless to me. I was forced to ride the white line. Brainless Arshole Anti-Cyclist Goofs at the Ontario Road Engineering department. I'm so Pissed. Luckily, I got off the #17 when it turned to the #417 highway. I took the 20 to Kilburn. A tiny town with a small store where I found eats and advice. The E. Indian owner told me to follow something or other to "Donald B. Munro ". Useful advice as I had no idea where to go.
Thankfully the ride from Kilburn to Kanata was quiet and beautiful. I took the Donald B. Munro Dr which zig zagged through the countryside with no cars, just farms and the sound of birds.
I got dissoriented around a town called Carp, but managed to find Carling Av.. in Kanata. This took me almost straight to my cousin David and his wife Anna's castle. (And yes, The Home of the Great Cat CALPURNIA)
This stretch of road was nasty! Pot holes, Evil Cars and Flotsom and or Jetsom was strewn about. I think I saw a black hole or 2 as well. Finding the destination was a welcome sight. David (my cousin) was at the front door waiting to greet me with beer in hand. Sweet sweet man. Ha Ha...
GRANDMA'S HOUSE !! (from the good'ol days) Lots of ghosts in here, especially up the spiral staircase to the attic
I may be smiling now, but this place used to, and still does creep me out. It looks great though, which is good to see. Such strong childhood memories..."Hail Peever Clan !"
A car seemed to drive by everytime I tried to take this. I wonder if anyone was watching me. "Mommy who's that weird man outside our house ?"
The neighbourhood
This street corner
The other street corner
Downtown Pembroke, cool place of old and newish. I have no memories of the town, just the drive from Ottawa, and the house. Why didn't I see the town as a child ? hmmm...
Some rare nice blacktop
"I'm Leav'n, Leavi'n here" (Motorhead) East of coarse
It's worse than ya think. On a 97 pound road bike with 100 PSI tires and a 178 lb rider, this feels like driving a car on a train track. (I haven't done that, but I think it's a good comparison) This is fresh blacktop. Why couldn't they put the Rumble Strip on the white line ? I'm forced out into traffic otherwise. When will cyclists get recognition across (all of) Canada ? Ontario Sucks !
Sketches showing old and new highways. Even with brand new highway, there is no place for a bike. Ontario is pathetic.
I think Highway Billy Bob used the wrong sign here. This hill wasn't too impressive. I mean, this is the Ottawa Valley for Christ sake.
Gloomy boring crappy road ahead...
Nice shop seemed out of place outside Renfrew
Well kept ghost community
Taking the #20 to Kinburn off the 417
Overpass looking at the 417 East
A much quieter, slower yet more interesting country route zig - zagging through the Ottawa Valley farmlands. Nice.
Nice new door on the right anyway
Straight stretch into lonely darkness... Nice
Lovely church with a bench screaming to be sat on... Alas, no one in sight.
No stopping here. Nothing available anyway.
Farm art
Carling Ave, Little Italy near Downtown Ottawa
Camp Binkus. This facility offers free beer, food and toads ! That's cousin David in the doorway. He and Anna share this castle with Calpurnia "The Great Cat". Definitely an oasis amongst evil.
Once I navigated past the Gnomes and other landscape furniture, I found my safe zone. Ahhh!...
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