MOUNTAIN LIFE - Blue Mountains | Summer 2018

34 ML BLUE SUMMER 2018 This moderate-distance road route includes two significant climbs and descents. The Pretty River Valley is one of Ontario’s most scenic climbs. It twists and turns up though the 808-hectare Pretty River Valley Provincial Park, full of Niagara Escarpment features and rare species of flora and fauna. Park at Fisher Fields parking lot at the intersection of 6 th Street and 10th Line on the outskirts of Collingwood. Head south on the 10th Line (10th Concession on some maps). This road is mostly flat with some rollers as you approach the Valley. Turn right on 33/34 Sideroad. You are now heading toward Pretty River Provincial Park. This is a long up-and-down climb. Make sure to pace yourself as it can take 20-30 minutes for the average cyclist. Once you reach the summit you will see a church on the right. Continue straight then turn right on the 10 th Line. Next turn is a left on River Road, which comes after a slight descent, so make sure to keep an eye out for it. You will ride through the quaint village of Feversham. Make sure the check out the Feversham Gorge on your way through. Once you pass through Feversham turn right on Grey Road 2. The road is mostly flat all the way to Grey Road 19. You will pass Kolapore Uplands on your left as you approach Grey Road 19. Turn right on Grey Road 19 and climb approximately 2km. The rest of the road is mostly flat with three rollers until you reach the top of the Escarpment. Take in the views of the Bay on your way down this long, smooth descent. Once at the bottom turn left on Osler Bluff Road, then make your first right on 6th Line back towards Fisher Fields. Currie’s Farm Market at your start/end point is bike-friendly with a wide variety of goodies for the hungry cyclist. —Noelle Wansbrough DIY: Enter “Fisher Fields Collingwood” into your map app to find your start-point. Gravel & Road Bike Rides Kolapore Uplands gravel grinder Park at Metcalfe Rock parking lot on the 10 th Line in the heart of the Kolapore Uplands. Ride north on the 10 th Line past The Roost Winery then turn right on the first gravel road (Sideroad 12). It is worth a stop at The Roost Winery just for the view alone or a post-ride tasting. The first climb past the winery is a gentle long climb so make sure to pace yourself—it could take up to 20 minutes. At the top of the climb you’ll notice one lone building. This is the booming town of Rock Union. Turn right on 6th Line. This road is fairly flat with some rollers. Stay on it until you reach pavement. Turn right on the Osprey/Blue Mountains Townline until you hit Grey Road 2. Turn right on 2 and stay on the paved shoulder, then make the first left at the S turn—which puts you back on the Osprey/Blue Mountains Townline. Be careful crossing Grey Road 2—it can be busy on weekends. This section of road is quite technical with turns and and is a good opportunity to practice your descending skills. At the bottom of the hill there is a sharp right- hander that turns into 10th line. You are now in Little Germany. Look up and you will see the limestone outcroppings and cliffs as you gently climb towards Metcalfe Rock. This site was a thriving lumber community 100 years ago. Be sure to make the first right at the bottom of the hill to stay on 10th Line and ride back towards Metcalfe parking lot. —Noelle Wansbrough DIY: Enter “Metcalfe Rock” into your map app to find your start-point. 12 ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! I A Banks Duncan Feversham Gibraltar Kolapore Little Germany Ravenna Red Wing Rob Roy Road 41b 10th Concession Road 45 12th Sideroad 1 1 t h L i n e 3rd Sideroad Road 63 2nd Line 10th Line 8th Concession B 6th Sideroad 3rd Line 6th Line 4th Line 12th Concession B Road 55 Road 57d 18th Sideroad 9 t h S i d e r o a d 3rd Line A " ) 31 " ) 2 " ) 19 " ) 4 " ) 13 " ) 119 Pretty RiverValley ProvincialPark DuncanEscarpment ProvincialNature Reserve ´ Thornbury 15km Collingwood 15km ò ° 0 2 1 km ´ ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! I A Collingwood Blue Mountain Resort " ) 19 Pret t y Ri v er R oa d Kolapore Uplands Banks Gibraltar Kolapore Ravenna Rob Roy Victoria Corners Little Germany " ) 31 " ) 119 " ) 21 " ) 91 " ) 2 " ) 19 10th Concession 12th Sideroad M o u n t a i n R o a d 5th Line 10th Line Road 45 3rd Sideroad 2nd Line Road 63 6th Sideroad 3rd Line 6th Line 4th Line Road 55 12th Concession B Road 57d North Nottawasaga Concession 10 PrettyRiver Valley ProvincialPark Nottawasaga LookoutProvincial NatureReserve Pretty R ive r ò ° 0 2 1 km I A Pretty River Valley road ride MICROTRIPS GLEN HARRIS MAPS BY AARON ROININEN