Flying over the handlebars can be fun in the right circumstances—crashing into a snowbank, or landing in a bush with a water-filled backpack to break your fall. It’s not so fun when you catch a root down a hill and tumble shoulder first on top of a rock. It’s like getting hit in the chest with a hammer. Luckily I was able to ride away with only a slightly bloody shoulder and knee and a sore chest—maybe a bruised rib.

It wasn’t the best way to prepare for Sunday’s 166k road ride with the TBN, and it from the outside it wouldn’t seem to get much better after that.

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Each weekend when I started cycling I would try to visit as many trails reviewed in my copy of a guide to Ontario’s trails. I completely dismissed the Don Valley set of trails. Never even bothered to visit. Too short, too busy, and too many people. Now that I live within 15 minutes, it makes the perfect good morning ride.

Here’s my daily hour-long loop. Check out the Google Earth option, it looks awesome!

don loop