March 2012: What condition are the northern roads?

**Lightcycle** · 03-13-2012, 02:11 PM

Anyone been up to the Muskoka and Kawarthas this last weekend? Salt? Gravel?

**Brian P** · 03-13-2012, 03:13 PM

Haven't even given a single thought of going that far north yet! Caledon (just now) was bad enough. Sand everywhere, and what little snow we had that got trapped between the trees, is currently melting and running over the road.

Niagara roads seemed decent enough for the time of year.

**RichinOville** · 03-13-2012, 03:59 PM

I'm in Orangeville and at this time of year I have to ride like I'm on a cruiser. Slow in the corners, faster in the straights. Just way too much sand everywhere. I had the rear tire on the FZ1 slide out twice this weekend and I wasn't going very fast at all - actually well below the speed limit in the tight twisties.

**Jayv** · 03-13-2012, 04:12 PM

I would suspect Southwood 13 has some sand spots.

**Brian P** · 03-13-2012, 05:05 PM

Originally Posted by Jayv

I would suspect Southwood 13 has some sand spots.

I would suspect it has one sand spot ... extending all the way from one end to the other!

**Wheelieboy** · 03-14-2012, 02:38 PM

Originally Posted by Jayv

I would suspect Southwood 13 has some sand spots.

I saw some pictures of Southwood 13 from my friends who were driving in a car this winter.

Potholes galore.

**cycling** · 03-14-2012, 02:50 PM

Originally Posted by Jayv

I would suspect Southwood 13 has some sand spots.

Most of last year it was covered in sand.Maybe the locals left it that way on purpose.Till going past Bala then everywhere it was great.Specially the section that goes to the 400, clean and fantastic.Thats the section when you turn west just past the bridge.

**V-Tom** · 03-17-2012, 11:26 AM

507 was fine last weekend with occasional (and obvious) sand between tire track areas.

Roads to Bobcaygeon and area were fine Thursday eve.

Its that time of year were you can expect some sand almost anywhere to ride accordingly. The most likely spot that you'll get caught is making a right turn at a light or stop sign. Sand seems to accumulate in areas like that and for some reason we are not as likely to notice it.

..Tom

**RichinOville** · 03-13-2012, 08:44 PM

Originally Posted by RichinOville

I'm in Orangeville and at this time of year I have to ride like I'm on a cruiser. Slow in the corners, faster in the straights. Just way too much sand everywhere. I had the rear tire on the FZ1 slide out twice this weekend and I wasn't going very fast at all - actually well below the speed limit in the tight twisties.

Let me revise that. I went for a ride after work today. The rain must have done a job on Sunday night and Monday. I took Hockley at the same speeds that I would during the summer. Mono Centre Rd had visible dust in the centre of each lane and lots of mud/dirt/sand at the cross streets and farm entrances. But it isn't as well travelled as Hockley.
There was still some snow and ice visible in the shade and shadows. So it might not be all that clear further north. The less travelled the road, the worst the conditions will probably be.

**Lightcycle** · 03-13-2012, 06:06 PM

Originally Posted by Brian P

Niagara roads seemed decent enough for the time of year.

Confirmed.

**iav8** · 05-06-2012, 06:53 AM

I am in a group ride up to Muskoka today and here is what someone provided as a report for us:

Gents - I was out from 7:00 to 10:30 this morning. Your favourite back roads are still very sandy in places. Southwood/13 is clear in open areas, but in the wooded spots there is still a great deal of sand. Same with Coopers Falls/6. The north part near 118 is the worst. A tiny bit chilly too must say...

Sounds like we need another big rain... I'll post if we encounter anything different.

**iav8** · 05-06-2012, 06:06 PM

I just got back from a most excellent group ride from Barrie to Muskoka (Windermere) and back. The quote I posted above is pretty accurate.

All is fine from Barrie up to Southwood Rd (Road 13). Southwood starts out with patchy sand here and there. Further North you get bare tracks in the sand around corners. There are a few places where the sand was washed across the road (i.e. no bare tire tracks at all). It is pretty much as sandy as I have seen Rd 13. There are spots where the sand covers the whole lane just over a rise :surprise:. It gets really bad just before where the flat rock shows at that conservation area. From there is gets better as you go. As far as heaving - it is not bad - likely due to the mild winter.

All the other roads were fine - not much sand (Bala North to Windermere then east and south to Bracebridge).

I wish I had better news. Ride safe!