On Monday, August 22 I left our summer cottage near Bruce Mines and headed for Elliot Lake. My plan was to do a short, two day bicycle tour. On the first day I followed part of the proposed Waterfront Trail – Lake Huron North Channel Route. This section of the route avoids the busy Hwy 17 with it’s lack of paved shoulders and followed quiet country roads.
Most of the roads on Day 1 were fairly smooth chip seal. 5th Concession Road and Caribou Road heading to Bruce Mines were gravel roads but easy to ride on with my 32mm wide tires. When I reached Little Rapids, I stopped at the Little Rapids General Store and purchased some snacks and something to drink.
I encountered a few more sections of gravel on Ingram Road and Dayton Road but found that most of the roads were smooth chip seal and the volume of traffic was extremely light. The route takes the rider past many farms and through sections of forest. After riding about 70km I arrived at the Yellow Butterfly campround west of Iron Bridge (on Hwy 17)and camped for the night.
The following morning, I packed up my gear and headed for Elliot Lake. After riding a couple of km on Hwy 17, I headed north from Iron Bridge on Hwy 546, following the Deer Trail Route. From the Little White River, the road heads to the northeast along the river valley until you arrive at Hwy 639 and head south. Hwy 639 turns in to Hwy 108 north of Elliot Lake. The volume of traffic on Hwy 546 and 639 was very, very low. The road is in good shape for chip seal and twists and turns along the river valley. There are some pretty steep hills to climb on Hwy 639. Hwy 108 looks like it is newly paved and is in very good condition. The ride to Elliot Lake from the campground was just over 100km.
