|
|
|
Muskoka Area - 518/632/Southwood rd.
- Thread starter Rozmo123
- Start date
My wife and I are heading to Killarney on Sunday and coming back Monday. We hope to head back via 518 on Monday. I would sure appreciate an update if you can before Monday. (Gravel sections don't bother me too much on my Strom but her Gladius doesn't enjoy it as much.)
Thanks!
..Tom
theprocess
Well-known member
Rode 518 today from Orville to 11. Its not under construction (i.e. no fresh pavement) but has several chip and tar patches with loose stuff on top. Hard to distinguish the regular asphalt and patches; keep an eye on the centre line, if it disappears up ahead then its a patch. Better yet skip 518 entirely, its hard to get into a rhythm not knowing when the next patch will pop up. As DemonPig said "extremely annoying, definitely skip that. Probably at least 20 patches, some as long as 1/2 km, some only 50m. Very random, all fresh gravel."
Better option is to head a bit north and take 520 across. From 11 heading west it will connect with 124 and then turn back on to 520 (continuing on 124 goes to the 400/Parry Sound). Off the 520 head south on Bunny Trail which will link back to 124. Then take Hurdville Rd and McDougall Rd to 400/Parry Sound. 99.9 percent paved and in great shape. A little out of the way but you won't regret it; Bunny Trail is amazing!
Here's the route: http://goo.gl/maps/o7tAs
Last edited:
Just drove Southwood in my cage from north to south. The initial turn and first 2 railway crossings are covered in gravel and imo sketchy for any type of bike. Beyond that the 40/30/20 series of curves (as in the one set that coming north to south are 40/30/20km/h advisory limits, it's the only part that has these one right after the other like that) are so-so, the whole road has little patches of standing water that will evaporate. I'd ride it at a moderate-fast pace after the aforementioned railway crossings. No cops seen, a couple slow (40-50 in the 60 zone) cars that yielded, a couple trucks taking it at a spirited pace, no line crossers.
Sent from my SGH-I747M using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Sent from my SGH-I747M using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Last edited:
Time constaints meant it was 518 for us and then down Ravenscliffe.
I don't think I had been on 518 before (I might have bee na few years back oan group ride, but would have gone Ravenscliff then 518 to 400) and can see it wil be a blast in a month or so as the stones get moved off the road. It isn't any issue to ride moderately but yes for pushing things it isn't in great shape right now.
..Tom
N3WMAN
Well-known member
Did a north ride a weeks or two ago.
632 - 2/3 torn up. The torn up section is hard pack dirt which has been oiled to keep the dust down. Not bad other than it coated our bikes in oil.
518 - As mentioned. A ton of sections of loose gravel waiting to get packed into the tar. Overall not bad but a couple start right at corners which is a bit sketchy.
Southwood - Best condition I have seen it in for a while. A few corners with crap in them but mostly clean.
141, 38, Apsdin, Big Chute, Mortimers Point, Ravenscliffe, Tally Ho Swords were all in good shape.
632 - 2/3 torn up. The torn up section is hard pack dirt which has been oiled to keep the dust down. Not bad other than it coated our bikes in oil.
518 - As mentioned. A ton of sections of loose gravel waiting to get packed into the tar. Overall not bad but a couple start right at corners which is a bit sketchy.
Southwood - Best condition I have seen it in for a while. A few corners with crap in them but mostly clean.
141, 38, Apsdin, Big Chute, Mortimers Point, Ravenscliffe, Tally Ho Swords were all in good shape.
slowbird
Well-known member
Just did the 124 out of Sundridge over to the Bunny Trail. 124 has about 6 sections of current construction - each section is about 500 metres. Who knows wtf they are doing with these small sections.....I came across the same pattern in Algonquin Park a few weeks ago. Not sure if it's some engineering experiment or what.....cause it doesn't make any sense if it's aimed at road repair.
the Bunny trail is worth the ride for all you GTA folks.
If you are in the area hit the Hurdville Road out of Waubamik....it's about 500 metres east of the Bunny Trail's western point with the 124. Great road!
The 518 construction is complete......be careful with the chip and tar sections....they seemed to have done these on corners only.
Great ride guys...make the trip!
Btw......came across a confused deer on the 124 who wasn't sure if he was going to cut across the from or rear of my bike....he chose the rear and missed my wheel by mm's.....thought I was going for a slide. The deer also bucked just as he crossed behind me....barely missing my buddy's head.....probably the only vehicles on this section for over 3 hrs and the bloody thing decides to make a run for it now? They ain't the brightest of animals.....but at least we have them.
the Bunny trail is worth the ride for all you GTA folks.
If you are in the area hit the Hurdville Road out of Waubamik....it's about 500 metres east of the Bunny Trail's western point with the 124. Great road!
The 518 construction is complete......be careful with the chip and tar sections....they seemed to have done these on corners only.
Great ride guys...make the trip!
Btw......came across a confused deer on the 124 who wasn't sure if he was going to cut across the from or rear of my bike....he chose the rear and missed my wheel by mm's.....thought I was going for a slide. The deer also bucked just as he crossed behind me....barely missing my buddy's head.....probably the only vehicles on this section for over 3 hrs and the bloody thing decides to make a run for it now? They ain't the brightest of animals.....but at least we have them.
Last edited:
moarmoto
Well-known member
1st time there yesterday. Tons of gravel in corners and uneven pavements.
I crashed into a sand ditch. No harm done to myself and the bike (except for right sigal stem not being straight).
Thanks to those 3 guys that helped my bike out of the ditch
Sent from my SGH-I747M using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Southwood was actually closed down yesterday for a bit. A rider ejected his passenger on one of the first corners. Not fatal, but an ambulance took her away I think.
There was more sand than last year. The sand seems to be grey now, i seem to remember that was brown before, its the same colour as the old pavement patches. I almost lost it in one corner.
There was more sand than last year. The sand seems to be grey now, i seem to remember that was brown before, its the same colour as the old pavement patches. I almost lost it in one corner.
anyone?
First time on the 518 on Saturday around dinner time, the road was deserted...what an great stretch of road.
The dozen tar and chip spots are short enough to not take away from it.
Gravel was minimal.
Wednesday September 11th. Looks like the construction on 518 is finished between Sprucedale (Stisted Rd.) and Tally Ho-Swords Rd. Gone are the new tar and chip sections all replaced with fresh pavement and painted lines.
Monday September 9th Southwood Rd. It really is in the best shape its been for several years. We ride it often and know where to expect all the gotchas. It is still an exciting ride, but ride to your own abilities. Generally you'll find sand on some corners in the right track. We prefer North to South.
Monday September 9th Southwood Rd. It really is in the best shape its been for several years. We ride it often and know where to expect all the gotchas. It is still an exciting ride, but ride to your own abilities. Generally you'll find sand on some corners in the right track. We prefer North to South.
Last edited:
theprocess
Well-known member
Appreciate the update. I've stayed away from 518 all summer but its one of my favourite roads.
|
|
|
|
|