Dundas Cycle Path Opening

Today started out kinda rough for me. The new medication I am on is playing havoc with the way I feel but I pressed on. I woke up at 5:30 had my coffee and got ready to ride out to Dundas for the opening of the Cycle Path along Governors Road. I took one of my favourite routes out to MacMaster which is the Waterfront Trail from Bayfront to Princess Point. This really is a very scenic ride with the sun coming up behind you and the beautiful fall colours. I got the added bonus of watching rowers out practicing.

I was passed by quite a few people riding bikes on my way out to Dundas a few I know, a few I didn’t. One of the people was the former Co-Chair of Cycle Hamilton
Kate and someone that helped push me over the edge to get involved and volunteer my time and expereince to the cycling community in Hamilton. We talked a bit about upcoming projects while we rode out to the event. When I was growing up Governors Road was not someplace that would be considered cycling friendly (I know I rode on it almost 40 years ago.)
Then hills got the better of me and Kate went off ahead and I continued on (Also when did Dundas get all those hills I certainly don’t remember them being there) Remember I ride far I don’t ride fast (thanks @RideJamesRide for the saying we need T-Shirts)

After the group ride and before the opening remarks I had a chance to talk with Kate and get caught up a little. In my way of thanking her for her dedication, encouragement, and inspiration I blamed her for the awesome summer. I know it should have been more of a Thank You but with out her words of encouragement and inspiration over the last year or so of my new found involvment with Cycle Hamilton and the call out for volunteers at the AGM. I really think I might have taken a different path and not be as involved as I am today with Everyone Rides Initiative, Cycle Hamilton, Smart Commute Hamilton @STRCycling or cycling in general in the Hamilton Area. Now there are new mentors, inspirations and fellow riders that are there to push, encourage, teach and care about the cycling community in the greater Hamilton Area. Oh almost forgot. The ride home was along part of new favourite area the Hamilton-Brantford Rail Trail. The fall colours in the mid morning sunlight is spectacular and is well worth the detour.