Terra Cotta 94 km

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Terra Cotta, Ontario, CA

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Route Overview

SOUTHERN ONTARIO CYCLING

59 mi.

1,884 ft.

If you want to climb in Southern Ontario this route is for you. The route up Caledon Mountain on St. Andrews Rd. and Olde Base Line Rd. are long and challenging climbs. The back section of this route also offers rolling country riding on roads that see little traffic. It's worth the drive to Terra Cotta.

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Route Details

# Highlights
* @poi[St. Andrews Rd. Climb](1147546) - Category 4
* @poi[Olde Base Line Rd. Climb](1147630) - Category 4
* @poi[Cheltenham Badlands](1147545)
* @poi[Caledon Hills Bike Shop](1147547)
* @poi[Glen Oven Bakery](1147550)

This moderately challenging route starts out on the scenic @photo[King Rd.](883719) Terra Cotta sits in a deep valley so a climb out is required. The twists and turns of King Rd. gives way to a climb that tops out at 9%. Once across Mississauga Rd. you'll have one more little climb which is preceded by a fast downhill section so a coast up the other side is all you'll need. Once out onto the open roads flat farmland is the terrain you'll find. A good flat easy warm-up for the next 23 km can be expected    
     
The 23 km mark brings you close to one of the longest climbs Southern Ontario has to offer. Some mapping software rate this climb as a category 3, others rate it a category 4. I agree with the later. The uphill approach starts about 2 km after your left hand turn onto @photo[St. Andrews Rd.](890131) The highlight of the climb is a very picturesque low stone wall that seems more likely to be found somewhere on the Scottish moors than it does on the roads of Southern Ontario. In my opinion, the climb tops out at the intersection with Escarpment Side Rd. making this climb about 5 km long. Technically this is the top because a small descent follows but, after the small descent you are climbing again all the way to Charleston Side Rd. and then you'll keep climbing on Charleston Side Rd. all the way to Horseshoe Hill Rd. This makes for a combined total of about 10 km of climbing with two small dips in between. Perhaps this is why some mapping software rate this a category 3. It's slope are not too steep as the steepest section tops out at 8%. Regardless of how you look at it, this is a long climb
      
A left hand turn brings you onto Heart Lake Rd. where not too far up the road you will free wheel down the same slopes you have just climbed. Don't be too happy just yet because soon you will have to climb it all over again. The combined descent of Heart Lake Rd. and The Grange will give you a chance to rest for another good series of climbs to come. Your left hand turn onto McLaughlin will bring you through the small village of @photo[Inglewood](884656) where you can stop at the @photo[Caledon Hills Cycling](890138) Stop to get some water, have a chat with the friendly staff, buy some food or just relax on the porch and watch the world go by. A good steep climb to get up and then down into the town will be required. A right hand turn onto Olde Base Line Rd. will having you climbing almost immediately. This is your second category 4 of the day. The climb starts at the corner of McLaughlin and @photo[Olde Baseline Rd.](866227) and will continue for 4 km until your right hand turn onto Mississauga Rd. You are not done yet. The climbing will continue on Mississauga Rd. for the next 3 km until you turn left onto the Grange Side Rd. A total of 7 km. The highest gradient you will experience will be 11% and that will be at the beginning of the climb near the bottom of Olde Base Line Rd. Just before the turn onto Mississauga Rd. you will cycle past the Cheltenham Badlands on your left hand side. A unique outcropping to say the least.
      
The big climbing of the day is primarily done once you turn left onto the Grange Side Rd. at the 58.5 km mark. That's not to say you won't see any hills, because you will, but they will be short, some of them sharp pitches that will be over even before they begin. You will go through the quaint villages of @photo[Limehouse](884684) and Glen Williams on your return journey home. If you feel a little hungry you can stop at the wonderful @photo[Glen Oven Bakery](884686), in Glen Williams, to get a bite to eat. You'll get a sense that a climb out will be required after your quick descent into Glen Williams. Follow the cue sheet closely here as it's easy to make a wrong turn. Once through the village the winding road will place you at the bottom of a good leg stinger, especially this late into the route. The max gradient here will reach 11%. After getting to the top of the climb it won't be long until you are speeding down Winston Churchill Blvd. reaching speeds of over 65 kmph. A good finish to a good ride.

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Terra Cotta 94 km

Route Overview

Route Details

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