St. Catharines

Start in the small parking lot on Westchester close to Oakdale at the head of the Merrit Trail.

it's the SW corner of Westchester and Oakdale.   The other corners are a car dealer (nope), Mom's donuts and Avondale (nope).  

Merritt Trail

St. Catharines, ON L2P 2T3
43.158178, -79.229933
 

Break at Approx 47 km

Rick will cohost this weeks Rec Ride with Jim and Jill .  Remote start from St Catharines:  301 Queenston St    Lunch afterwards will be served with fine wines, craft beer and seasonal yummies.  Rain or shine. We will at least eat!y

Counterclockwise. Break at approx 43 km

Mountain, Garner, McCleod to Allanburg Bridge. Hwy 20 to Hansler, Holland Rd to Effingham, Wessel, 9th St to King St, Jordan, N Service rd into Port for coffee stop at Balzac's. 

Homeward Bound via Lakeshore, E&W Line, Concession 2, Parkway to Whirlpool, Stanley, Portage & Mountain back to Firemen's 

The gravel/trail ride is 74 km, with just over 50% paved and the balance hard packed gravel.  Ideally, you should have a gravel road bike or a hybrid/mountain bike.  Minimum tire width should be 30 – 35 mm.  Expect an average pace of 20 – 22 km/hr, plus or minus.