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On June 27th,
Rouge Park Trail Coordinator Diana Smyth and I drove through the 75k and 100k route she had developed for the 2011 Tour
de Greenbelt. Diana knows the ins and outs of Rouge Park so well, the park is truly her second home. She has routes that will show riders areas and features of the park that they would never discover on their own. It was pretty amazing for me. So we started off at the
Rouge Valley Conservation Centre (pictured here) where the ride will begin. Right by the zoo and super easy to get to, lots of open space and parking. We were envisioning where our tents and bbqs would go, where the kids activities and bike repair area would be, so many opportunities for a great set up and event.
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I don't want to give away all the secrets, well, it's no secret really, the full route is posted on our website, it's the experience that I dont' want to spoil. I will share some of the highlights I enjoyed. As a frog lover the wetlands featured on the route are of particular interest. The one here is close to the end of the route and you could hear sounds of frogs there, see lots of birds and just take in a quiet lovely little spot. Earlier in the week, Diana had witnessed a turtle laying eggs right beside this particular pond. We can't promise anyone will get to experience anything that incredible, but it just gives you an idea of the miracles occurring daily in Rouge Park.
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There is a great part of the 100k and 75k route that takes you on a bike and pedestrian path where the Rouge River meets Lake Ontario. It's quite stunning and I'd strongly suggest riders bring their cameras.
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One of the things that struck me about these routes (75k and 100k), is just how diverse the area is and how they all work together. You see lots of farms and farm fields, wetlands and rivers, areas of reforestation, old historic sites and residential areas. There are also spots where there are beautiful vistas of the entire area and big city beyond. It really makes it so clear how close to the city all this amazing countryside really is.
On June 27th, Rouge Park Trail Coordinator Diana Smyth and I drove through the 75k and 100k route she had developed for the 2011 Tour de Greenbelt. Diana knows the ins and outs of Rouge Park so well, the park is truly her second home. She has routes that will show riders areas and features of the park that they would never discover on their own. It was pretty amazing for me. So we started off at the Rouge Valley Conservation Centre (pictured here) where the ride will begin. Right by the zoo and super easy to get to, lots of open space and parking. We were envisioning where our tents and bbqs would go, where the kids activities and bike repair area would be, so many opportunities for a great set up and event.
I don't want to give away all the secrets, well, it's no secret really, the full route is posted on our website, it's the experience that I dont' want to spoil. I will share some of the highlights I enjoyed. As a frog lover the wetlands featured on the route are of particular interest. The one here is close to the end of the route and you could hear sounds of frogs there, see lots of birds and just take in a quiet lovely little spot. Earlier in the week, Diana had witnessed a turtle laying eggs right beside this particular pond. We can't promise anyone will get to experience anything that incredible, but it just gives you an idea of the miracles occurring daily in Rouge Park. 
There is a great part of the 100k and 75k route that takes you on a bike and pedestrian path where the Rouge River meets Lake Ontario. It's quite stunning and I'd strongly suggest riders bring their cameras. 
One of the things that struck me about these routes (75k and 100k), is just how diverse the area is and how they all work together. You see lots of farms and farm fields, wetlands and rivers, areas of reforestation, old historic sites and residential areas. There are also spots where there are beautiful vistas of the entire area and big city beyond. It really makes it so clear how close to the city all this amazing countryside really is. 
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