Today's Ride Report

[LesMcLuffAlot]

Well. It's been sometime since I've done one of these. I didn't ride to California or to the Gap. I just headed east from my place and ended up a few places and took some photos.

Believe it or not. At one time Thunder Bay had 5. That is right. 5 alpine ski areas open for business. None more than 30 mins from town. We are now down to just two. Mount Baldy and Loch Lomond.

This is Mount Baldy. http://www.skimountbaldy.ca/trail-map.htm

 

[LesMcLuffAlot]

This shot is on the way down from Mount Baldy. I was hoping to get a good shot of The Sleeping Giant. Not a great day for pictures. That haze is smoke from all the forest fires up north.

 

[LesMcLuffAlot]

Kept heading east and ended up at the Mackenzie Point Conservation Area. Not much goes on there. Great place to stop and sun yourself on the Canadian Shield. As long as the wind off the lake isn't too cold. The water always is.

 

[LesMcLuffAlot]

Time to stop for fuel at Pass Lake Truck stop. My bike already had limited range when stock with only a 7.7 litre tank. I made some mods with rejetting and a new full exhaust. Yeah, noticeably more get up and go, but it definately uses more fuel. My limited range got more limited. Had some hunger knock, so got some proper nutrition as well.

 

[LesMcLuffAlot]

Turned south on 587 heading to Sleeping Giant Provincial Park. Thats a big hill. That woman riding up made another 50 meters or so and had to walk the last 100 meters. That train bridge in the distance. It's going to be part of a rails to trails conversion. They have to come up with a way for hikers, walkers and cyclists to safely cross that...lol. If it ever happens it will be very cool. 100km trail from Thunder Bay to Nipigon.

 

[LesMcLuffAlot]

I've been to Sleeping Giant Provincial Park many a times. In winter for cross country skiing. In summer to camp and go mountain biking. There is a lookout 10km's off the highway I had never been too. The road in is very hilly and a bit rough in some sections. One section of road is just pure Canadian Shield....lol. All easy on my bike, but some folks would get nervous in a low slung car.

 

[LesMcLuffAlot]

Once you get there. The view is well worth it. The viewing platform is kinda creepy. If you're afraid of heights you might not like it..lol.

 

[LesMcLuffAlot]

Here are the views. Straight out first. View to the left next. Looks like there is a path there. Looks like a dead end. I didn't check it out....lol. Then the view to the right. Like I said, a hazy forest fire smoke day. Makes for crappy pics. Last one is me!

 

[LesMcLuffAlot]

There are a number of lakes on the way to the Park. Stopped and took a few shots. In the second shot you can see The Sleeping Giant. That is the back side of it. From the city of Thunder Bay you see the other side.

 

[LesMcLuffAlot]

Highway 587 ends at Silver Islet. It was a mining town back in the day. Now it's cottage country. That blue general store is owned by the Saxbergs. Their son Lorne Saxberg was a journalist and one of many on-air anchors on CBC Newsworld. He would host The National on occasion too. In summer when he was home he would work behind the counter at the general store. He died in 2006 in a snorkeling accident in Phuket, Thailand, where he was on vacation. Very sad.

 

[LesMcLuffAlot]

I turned around and headed home. End of report.

Beauty and the Beast. I'll let you decide which is which.

 

[matthew]

Great pictures and write up.

 

[Marbleboy]

very very nice photos and write up!!!! I am actually enjoying these type of post

 

[LesMcLuffAlot]

Thanks guys. Here is today's new ride report.....lol.

[video=youtube;Wdqm11yylVI]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wdqm11yylVI[/video]

 

[Wheelieboy]

Did you take a ride up the hill?