Cruising for a Brewsing
Route created by Tiago Varella-Cid
Summary:
CRUSING FOR A BREWSING is a challenging 185km adventure gravel route with over 2500 meters of climbing. It is a lighter version of the Motherlode which totals 260km and 4000m.
It can be ridden on a day by strong riders but is also a great route to break into two for an intermediate level bike packing trip.
The route is designed as a tour. The focus is more about fun than difficulty, so the level of challenge will depend on the riders fitness and pace.
The route starts in Creemore. Your mission should you choose to accept it is to start early and get back to Creemore Brewery before they close to sample a taster and buy brews to celebrate at home. Make sure you don’t do an FTP test the day before cause you’ll need your climbing legs right from the start.
As with most great climbs there are rewarding descents, and both are provided in abundance as the route showcases some of the best escarpment surfing over hilly gravel terrain in Southern Ontario. The character of the terrain ranges but includes plenty of gravel roads, some rougher unmaintained roads for which you’ll want a minimum of 40C tires, as well as some quality asphalt and scenic woodland singletrack.
Route description:
The route climbs gravel out of Creemore to descend through Noisy River Park, up a tough track to the top of the escarpment and across the top of Devils Glen with open vistas on single track that then ventures into a forest. That’s a great warm up after which, the route swoops down through Pretty River along a gorgeous stretch of asphalt. Coming out, you’ll switch gears to start climbing for about 2km. Save some gas ‘cause there are a few false summits, but challenge your friends and see if you can make it to the top and get a shot of them climbing up with Georgian Bay as a backdrop.
There’s a short obvious water crossing, but the route has been set to walk around it. Better yet pack a paper shop towel, take off your shoes and hike across. It’ll only be knee deep most of the time and on the other side there are mini rivulets to rinse your feet. Dry off with the towel and you’ll barely lose any time but enrich your experience.
Continue on and you’ll fly down 2nd line, a fast gravel descent with a right hook. Some roads then bring you to Castle Glen Estates. Private property signs are posted to protect owners from liability, however the area is frequently used by hikers and the trails bring you to a small lake just before a castle ruin. The fun continues with some splendid double track through an enchanted Beech forest.
You’ll exit and see signs for the Bruce Trail with a major hurdle to access those trails, a clear indication to not proceed through. Follow the route and soon you’ll be at the top of Blue Mountain, the second ski hill vista of the day. There are trails beside the road that start as limestone screenings but turn into a rocky dolomite path which is adds some technical riding with a couple of short hike-a-bike sections. Eventually the track ends and you’re back on the road for a short stint. Turn south and although the road will turn, continue straight along what looks like a driveway to a path beside a field which will bring you to a side trail that connects with the Bruce Trail. When on the Bruce Trail please respect other users and walk your bike, especially down the steep twisty descent towards the end.
You’ll exit onto the road and spin for a while but soon you’ll come to the Ravenna Country Store at 78Km. This is a great place to grab a sandwich, baked good and drinks. I especially recommend the elixers (diluted with water) as a refreshing drink.
A short ride downhill will turn off the main road and back on gravel, for some pleasant riding over easier rolling hills that ride past the bottom of Metcalf Rock, a popular rock climbing area. Continue on about 10km and the route brings you to the top of Old Baldy Conservation Area, another climbing area for which a short detour to the left provides a vista. The descent down from Old Baldy is steep, loose, sometimes dusty, and has a few turns so you’ll be glad you have wider tires. At the bottom you’ll cross a road before ascending the other side of the valley on Talisman Road. If you have the time and are looking to enjoy the best time rather than finish in the best time, then pack a tiny bathing suit and take a dip in the Beaver River! Once refreshed, start up the Talisman Climb. It’s a 14% test piece that gains about 180m. If there’s one KOM to prize it would be this one as it’s probably the hardest climb of the day, so one of the hardest climbs in Ontario!
Once back at the top, there’s a leisurely recovery on asphalt before a steep gravel descent and then a 10km scenic passage through the Beaver Valley, shaded by trees and passing waterfalls that beg for a quick visit. At about 120km you’ll pass through Flesherton where I recommend stopping at the Bicycle Cafe or several other local options for some quality food and fluids as the next section doesn’t pass through any towns for a while.
Steady climbing on gravel roads and some quiet asphalt heading east is typically assisted by dominant westerly winds. Here’s where those 2x chain rings will help you spin to win.
At about 154km there’s a twisty descent before climbing back out of the top of Pretty River and then heading west again to Glen Huron. If you need a last pick me up, the Giffen County Store in Glen Huron is a nice option.
It’s the home stretch from there. There’s one last blast along a riverside which ends a few kms from Creemore and a well deserved cold drink.
Summary:
CRUSING FOR A BREWSING is a challenging 185km adventure gravel route with over 2500 meters of climbing. It is a lighter version of the Motherlode which totals 260km and 4000m.
It can be ridden on a day by strong riders but is also a great route to break into two for an intermediate level bike packing trip.
The route is designed as a tour. The focus is more about fun than difficulty, so the level of challenge will depend on the riders fitness and pace.
The route starts in Creemore. Your mission should you choose to accept it is to start early and get back to Creemore Brewery before they close to sample a taster and buy brews to celebrate at home. Make sure you don’t do an FTP test the day before cause you’ll need your climbing legs right from the start.
As with most great climbs there are rewarding descents, and both are provided in abundance as the route showcases some of the best escarpment surfing over hilly gravel terrain in Southern Ontario. The character of the terrain ranges but includes plenty of gravel roads, some rougher unmaintained roads for which you’ll want a minimum of 40C tires, as well as some quality asphalt and scenic woodland singletrack.
Route description:
The route climbs gravel out of Creemore to descend through Noisy River Park, up a tough track to the top of the escarpment and across the top of Devils Glen with open vistas on single track that then ventures into a forest. That’s a great warm up after which, the route swoops down through Pretty River along a gorgeous stretch of asphalt. Coming out, you’ll switch gears to start climbing for about 2km. Save some gas ‘cause there are a few false summits, but challenge your friends and see if you can make it to the top and get a shot of them climbing up with Georgian Bay as a backdrop.
There’s a short obvious water crossing, but the route has been set to walk around it. Better yet pack a paper shop towel, take off your shoes and hike across. It’ll only be knee deep most of the time and on the other side there are mini rivulets to rinse your feet. Dry off with the towel and you’ll barely lose any time but enrich your experience.
Continue on and you’ll fly down 2nd line, a fast gravel descent with a right hook. Some roads then bring you to Castle Glen Estates. Private property signs are posted to protect owners from liability, however the area is frequently used by hikers and the trails bring you to a small lake just before a castle ruin. The fun continues with some splendid double track through an enchanted Beech forest.
You’ll exit and see signs for the Bruce Trail with a major hurdle to access those trails, a clear indication to not proceed through. Follow the route and soon you’ll be at the top of Blue Mountain, the second ski hill vista of the day. There are trails beside the road that start as limestone screenings but turn into a rocky dolomite path which is adds some technical riding with a couple of short hike-a-bike sections. Eventually the track ends and you’re back on the road for a short stint. Turn south and although the road will turn, continue straight along what looks like a driveway to a path beside a field which will bring you to a side trail that connects with the Bruce Trail. When on the Bruce Trail please respect other users and walk your bike, especially down the steep twisty descent towards the end.
You’ll exit onto the road and spin for a while but soon you’ll come to the Ravenna Country Store at 78Km. This is a great place to grab a sandwich, baked good and drinks. I especially recommend the elixers (diluted with water) as a refreshing drink.
A short ride downhill will turn off the main road and back on gravel, for some pleasant riding over easier rolling hills that ride past the bottom of Metcalf Rock, a popular rock climbing area. Continue on about 10km and the route brings you to the top of Old Baldy Conservation Area, another climbing area for which a short detour to the left provides a vista. The descent down from Old Baldy is steep, loose, sometimes dusty, and has a few turns so you’ll be glad you have wider tires. At the bottom you’ll cross a road before ascending the other side of the valley on Talisman Road. If you have the time and are looking to enjoy the best time rather than finish in the best time, then pack a tiny bathing suit and take a dip in the Beaver River! Once refreshed, start up the Talisman Climb. It’s a 14% test piece that gains about 180m. If there’s one KOM to prize it would be this one as it’s probably the hardest climb of the day, so one of the hardest climbs in Ontario!
Once back at the top, there’s a leisurely recovery on asphalt before a steep gravel descent and then a 10km scenic passage through the Beaver Valley, shaded by trees and passing waterfalls that beg for a quick visit. At about 120km you’ll pass through Flesherton where I recommend stopping at the Bicycle Cafe or several other local options for some quality food and fluids as the next section doesn’t pass through any towns for a while.
Steady climbing on gravel roads and some quiet asphalt heading east is typically assisted by dominant westerly winds. Here’s where those 2x chain rings will help you spin to win.
At about 154km there’s a twisty descent before climbing back out of the top of Pretty River and then heading west again to Glen Huron. If you need a last pick me up, the Giffen County Store in Glen Huron is a nice option.
It’s the home stretch from there. There’s one last blast along a riverside which ends a few kms from Creemore and a well deserved cold drink.
