Ontario's Best Rail Trails - Part 3. The best (and worst) of the rest.

[@anitarosbrook8401]

A set of three videos was excellent, a good summary and a canny way of keeping your followers on tenterhooks! I look forward to another trilogy in the future!x

[@owenoiffer]

The Elora Cataract trail ranks higher for us, and we normally start in Erin as it has a great trail head with lots of good parking. One thing to note the section just past Erin is now closed until June 2025 for infrastructure work, which we found out because we rode it the last day it was open ( actually it was closed but work was to start the next day and the site manager said we could use it this last day before the equipment came in) So you can start at Orton park or Hillsburgh which both have decent parking….. hope to see you on the Trails!

[@cardiaccyclist7477]

Yes its awesome, especially around the damn and the gorge.

[@robiam506]

Great video as always! I hope you’re able to do one on the K&P and Cataraqui trails in the new year. I’m hoping to do a loop there sometime soon.

[@cardiaccyclist7477]

Thanks Rob. They are definitely on my list!!

[@geoffreyhoney122]

Love this content Andrew! So helpful! I never did the South branch of the Victoria Rail Trail (&now I'm glad I didn't) preferring to head north to Fenelon Falls. My so bad it was Comical ride, was the Hastings Heritage Rail Trail from Trenton to Bancroft. Glad I did it,glad I survived, will likely never do it again! It just got worse and worse in quality as you headed north. I had a fully loaded touring bike, my Kona Sutra Touring Bike 40mm tires in August 2017, but there were so few places to eat, the trail went through bush and you couldn't get off. It was massively scooped out by ATVs so you felt like riding a Bucking Bronco as you rode. And thanks to Canada's industrious beavers, there were 6-8 what I would call "Water Features", where I had to take my shoes and socks off, step to the edge of the trail and push down/ trample/utilize bracken to stand on, as I dragged the bike with water up over the bottom bracket. The worst was the 15 or 20k just south of Bancroft which was all loose sand and impossible to ride so I pushed the bike with no bailout option! I think there is a similar smaller bit on the Haliburton Rail Trail south of the village of Haliburton. I wish they would complete the Chippewa trail to go completely through to Caledonia! I'm going to have to add the Gypsum Mine Tract now thanks to your recommendation! I really think I'm going to have to ride the Simcoe Loop soon. Thanks for all this excellent work and I hope that I eventually meet you on one of these trails!

[@cardiaccyclist7477]

I am sure our paths will cross eventually. It is amazing how many people I have met who have recognized me from the videos

[@geoffreyhoney122]

@cardiaccyclist7477 Till then Andrew, I'll continue to enjoy anything you post! Love having these treasures in the 'office season! (I'm still riding, do all year, haven't needed studded tyres yet, but mostly roads right now)

[@geoffreyhoney122]

*off* season

[@cardiaccyclist7477]

@@geoffreyhoney122 office season also fits!!!!!! :)

[@cardiaccyclist7477]

Thank you!@@geoffreyhoney122

[@julieibbott3239]

That was another great review of rail trails. Thank you. I previously watched your review of the Victoria south trail

[@cardiaccyclist7477]

Thank you so much Julie.

[@owenoiffer]

Have to agree with you on the south Lindsey trail we tried it didn’t get very far and turned around and went out to the Doubes bridge which is also one of our favourites…… and we were on fatties at the time

[@cardiaccyclist7477]

I am glad I was not the only one!

[@theepimountainbiker6551]

If only the Ontario government realized it didnt end at Parry Sound. Would love trails like this up north a bit, around Sudbury

[@cardiaccyclist7477]

Yes, it is such a shame that there is not a good system up north. I don't think it is down to Provincial funding though. The G 2 G trail is a charity, the Caledon Trailway is municipally funded and then many portions of trails are maintained by snowmobile and ATV clubs. Even the Trans Canada, I believe they sell portions of it and it is largely maintained by volunteers.

[@Brackers64]

Great series Andrew, thanks for the link to the rail trial map. It's good to zoom in and see how many I have done. Onwards and upwards for next years riding. I hope you have a Merry Christmas. Keep up the content! Bob...

[@cardiaccyclist7477]

Have a great Christmas and see you on the trails next year.

[@kevinborovsky3558]

Hey Andrew great video as always. Yes you are definitely the rail trail ambassador.. I was surprised that the Uxbridge to Lindsay trail did not make your list. I find it an excellent trail to bike, and I know you have covered that trail. Do any trails come to mind that are good for winter fat biking???? Cheers 🍻

[@cardiaccyclist7477]

It did. It is number three in the second video. I would think that perhaps Caledon would be a good one, as there are so many places to stop for refreshments.

[@kevinborovsky3558]

So sorry my bad I only watched part 2 must be getting old ahahah@@cardiaccyclist7477

[@SlickCycler]

My wife (my tandem stoker) wants to know your dog’s name.

[@cardiaccyclist7477]

His name is Dobby. Every now and again his brother Woody will stroll on!!

[@ElliottVdMeulen-np8it]

The Lang-Hastings trail continues east on the south side of the locks at Hastings down to Campbellford. That portion of the trail is almost unreadable… even on a full suspension mountain bike the ride was awful. Certainly another trail to skip…in my opinion.

[@cardiaccyclist7477]

Thank you for that Elliott, it's good to know

[@geoffreyhoney122]

Oh ya, definitely! I've been there. Barely survived with a fully loaded touring bike. Also, that section is open to ATVs. But great connector to make loop to lower Hastings Heritage Trail & down to Millennium.

[@cardiaccyclist7477]

@@geoffreyhoney122 that is the problem with several potential loops. They often have a section that is barely rideable.

[@geoffreyhoney122]

Yes! I'm reminded of the first time I rode the Lang-Hastings trail and the bit (4or5k)of track hadn't yet had the track pulled out! DISASTER! @@cardiaccyclist7477

[@geoffreyhoney122]

That was the section near Peterborough too! Strange!