Going for a Sunday ride.

South Brule Road

Last Sunday afternoon I rode from my house on Co Rd 60 to a friends cabin on Poplar Lake north of my house about 25 miles. The plan was for a late afternoon swim followed by a barbecue with several other friends, a great opportunity to fit in a gravel road ride while my wife went to check on the blueberry crop.  As with many destinations in this county there is the fast direct route and an indirect longer route which is many times a gravel road  ride. I rode south on county gravel and paved roads till the south end of the Pine Mountain Road and the start of the interesting and quiet part of my ride. Quiet only for few other humans, I saw only one car on the forest road portion of my ride, as the fauna in the form of dear flies were out in force demanding my attention. The wet summer has created perfect insect breeding conditions. Many insect problems on a bicycle can be dealt with just keeping moving but the dear flies are another story as they can fly very fast, have painful bites and can take full advantage of slow moving cyclists when climbing hills. Enough of the bugs though, the day was sunny and mild with pretty clouds and there is great scenery along the route. There are some big pines on the Pine Mountain Road and views across the river on the South Brule Road. I continued north on the Lima Grade till just south of Poplar Lake seeing a grouse, small hawk and great water lillies on Bow Lake. I made it to my friends house in time for a cooling swim, a few handfuls of fresh blue berries thanks to my wife, and hanging out on the dock before the barbecue. A great day of riding on just a small taste of the countless miles of gravel road routes we are lucky to have out our back door.

View over Brule River valley.












                                                                                                  Which road would you take?