Let's Ride
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Good times in the Algoma backcountry on two wheels.
A day in the backcountry on a drop-bar bike, crazy.
I'm a mountain biker, and I must say while I appreciate the road bike as a tool, it never turned my crank, as they say. So while my cycling history dates back decades, my time spent on anything resembling a road bike can be counted on one hand with fingers to spare. More precisely, today will be day three. That stated, even an old dog can learn a new trick, and the recent uprising of the gravel bike scene has had me watching with interest from the sidelines. So when the opportunity presented itself to explore some Algoma backcountry with the crew from Red Pine Tours, why bother with baby steps when you can jump into the deep end. I'm in; let's ride!
Gravel bike, allroad, adventure cycling, however you label the recent popularity of bikes that promise go anywhere possibilities, you will be hard-pressed to find a better playground for such bikes than Ontario's Algoma region. A quick map study presents a lifetime of gravel road opportunities to explore.
Today's destination, the wilderness north of Batchawana Bay, located 30 kilometres northwest of Sault Sainte Marie along the north shore of Lake Superior. It's an area where human density goes from few to none in just a few spins of the cranks. As often happens with a group ride, we begin with an unsustainable pace fueled by the promise of a new adventure and the company of friends. The road narrows as the trees close in around us; the shade is much appreciated on this hot August day. Our progress is slowed by the challenges of the land as we grind uphill, tested by loose gravel, rocks and rain ruts. What goes up must come down, and the downs are a blast. The fun factor, only restricted by the possibility that the ground beneath your wheels can go from the YAHOO to, "Oh shit," instantly.
Why is it that, if a navigation discrepancy is discovered, it's bound to be at the bottom of a long fun downhill, and the missed turn is, yeah, back at the top, it happens, just part of the fun.
Our adventure elevates to another level as we climb over and under fallen trees along an ATV trail that hasn't seen a set of tires in forever, all along swatting at swarms of mosquitos frenzied by opportunities of some fresh blood. Effort equals reward and eventually emerging at the halfway point of our ride and the edge of the Batchawana River.
If there was a wild card in today's plan, crossing the Batchawana River would be it. There are no bridges here; the only option is to hoist your bike on your shoulders and march on. The cold thigh-deep water felt amazingly soothing on the legs; the rocky bottom made each step a potential failure. With a breeze to keep the mosquitos at bay, the island in the middle of the river offers a perfect spot for lunch. Energy levels refuelled, outcomes of the fishing rods. Algoma being one of the world's best sportfishing destinations, how can you not mix up your ride with a few casts? Today, the chase is bigger than the catch, but the experience, a big thumbs up.
Time to move on, we follow the west shore of the Batchawana River south. We splash across rushing creeks, bounce off softball-size rocks and power slide through sandy corners. Our efforts are rewarded by majestic river views and waterfalls that demand a stop and a few minutes of admiration.
No matter the fun, Every ride eventually reaches a point when your body demands to know from your brain, how much further? Back on the pavement, it's ten kilometres along Hwy 17 to close the loop.
By the numbers, the ride consisted of 10km pavement and 50km of everything from gravel to hike a bike, a solid 6-hour effort.
At the end of the day, the only thing that counts is the official end of the ride, beer in hand consenses by all involved, and we seem to agree, "That was awesome."
Gravel bike, allroad, adventure cycling, call it what you will, a day in the backcountry on a drop-bar bike? Not so crazy after all.
Special thanks to Vellorution Bikes and Skis for the bike support, Red Pine Tours for leading the way and Outspoken Brewing for, well, the beer. Cheers to the next time.
