Why I Effing *Loathe* Riding In Ontario

For the time it takes to ride to 507, you could be well on your way to Pennsylvania.
 
Although I would agree that Ontario doesn't have the greatest roads, I think this is a bit more of a 'southern ontario' has crap roads. After living in Ottawa the past few years and now moving back to the GTA I am selling my street bike, nothing worth riding, that I would agree (plus I rather be on a track). But Eastern Ontario and into Quebec has some great routes. This one I would do all the time - 250km of nothing but fast sweepers, tight switchbacks, trees, lakes and cool little places to grab a bite. Is it a destination route, probably not, but great riding none the less....oh, and the majority of it there is not another car or bike for km's and km's

 
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triggerhappy said:
Although I would agree that Ontario doesn't have the greatest roads, I think this is a bit more of a 'southern ontario' has crap roads. After living in Ottawa the past few years and now moving back to the GTA I am selling my street bike, nothing worth riding, that I would agree. But Eastern Ontario and into Quebec has some great routes. This one I would do all the time - 250km of nothing but fast sweepers, tight switchbacks, trees, lakes and cool little places to grab a bite. Is it a destination route, probably not, but great riding none the less....oh, and the majority of it there is not another car or bike for km's and km's

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I've done most of that route and I love it. Not sure why people are complaining. It depends what you look for in a ride, there's plenty on that route to keep you entertained and the scenery is fantastic too. I take my camera out and stop regularly just to have a sandwich or something by the side of a lake I've never been to before. When it gets hotter I'll take some swim shorts out too in case I need a dip in a river or lake.
 
Curvy roads are the most important thing to you? Crappy people? Nothing to do? Nice attitude.

I guess we all have our priorities, however skewed they may be.

Born and raised here and I've happily ridden in Ontario for over 35 years and your thoughts never occured to me.

Don't let the door hit you on the way out.
 
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I've ridden Ontario roads for even longer and still enjoy them but I also enjoy the twisties and really there ain't much S Ontario.
I generally ride every day and about once a week fine some new road.
One guy wanted to ride and I asked for a route and it was all major highways and I said what was the point....

There are a few too many pointless roads about that mixed with traffic just aren't much fun. One reason I ride at night.
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That looks very good

ScreenShot045_zpsc920a006.jpg
 
I ride that loop around Matachewan from Kingston several times a summer. A bit rough in the cottage section near Confederation but some day they'll pave it again...
 
triggerhappy said:
Although I would agree that Ontario doesn't have the greatest roads, I think this is a bit more of a 'southern ontario' has crap roads.
...
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The Calobogoe Boogie is a fun ride! There are lots of great roads up there.. I think the problem is that it's a long way for people that are stuck in toronto. On top of that I suspect the OP and many of the riders that complain are riding sport bikes and for most riding a couple of hundred km to get to fun roads is a bit much. On top of them the roads up there are on the rough side.. I dont' mind but they aren't that much fun on sport bikes.

Funny thing about the roads in the USA that were originally posted.. few are close to bigger cites anyway so I am sure a lot of riders down there are complaining as well that nothing is near.

Here is a typical Sunday ride that my friends and I would do:

http://tinyurl.com/calabogie1

..Tom
 
Where's Colorado 40? What town is nearby?
I see similar highway 34, 36 Estes Park through Rocky Mountain National Park.
BTW, I hope Viper8 moves to California so we can all visit.
 
Roomie said:
or Colorado if we have to have winter.
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If Quebec ever leaves then Newfoundland will be closer and I hear there are great roads and even greater people there.

..Tom
 
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V-Tom said:
I suspect the OP and many of the riders that complain are riding sport bikes and for most riding a couple of hundred km to get to fun roads is a bit much./QUOTE]

Exactly. Naked bike is fun in the twisted but doesn't break your back and wrists and legs getting to them.
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jonpurdy said:
V-Tom said:
I suspect the OP and many of the riders that complain are riding sport bikes and for most riding a couple of hundred km to get to fun roads is a bit much./QUOTE]

Exactly. Naked bike is fun in the twisted but doesn't break your back and wrists and legs getting to them.
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Tru dat!


Also, for me, the nearest pile of good roads is north of Barrie....Pennsylvania is just as close to me as Barrie, doesn't have the gestapo police force, is nearly deserted up in the mountains, and gas and food is cheaper than here.
I ride Ontario from Brantford to Buffalo.
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BeastieGirl said:
The Niagara Peninsula in the spring is one of the prettiest places I've ridden, with orchards and vineyards in blossom - also in the fall the colours and smells make up for the less than spectacular roads.

Is it as exciting as riding to the top of Mount Evans or Pikes Peak in CO (both of which I have done)? No of course not - and if I could ride back to Colorado and Utah and New Mexico every year I would.

Sometimes riding in southern Ontario does make me want to cry - but then its all relative - I enjoy riding in PA and WV - but now that too is kind of "same old, same old".

Makes me nostalgic for the days when riding anywhere was a thrill for me :-(
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The last time I rode up to Mount Evans I got blocked by Mountain Goats lol....man I miss Colorado. :)
 
Morrissey said:
You can't compare southern/central Ontario with the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Rocky Mountains, its like comparing apples and oranges! Its basic geography. Flat-ish farm land and Canadian shield will never compare with full-on Mountains. Lamenting that fact is pointless. Its like comparing the weather here with the Mexican Riviera and complaining that Canada isn't warmer.
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Precisely. It is unfortunate, but that's the way it is. Go upper-cut the Earth's Geology.

Thankfully, there still are plenty of great roads near enough, and that is why I am most interested in a motorcycle capable of comfy long-distance hauls as my next bike. I would also suggest that it's hard not to have a good time if you're riding with a few friends - even on Ontario's 'boring' roads. If you ride solo a lot.... time to find some riding buds.
 
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