Discussion: Exactly

I enjoy the sensation of riding on pavement. When they closed the Don Valley Expressway for Ride For The Heart, it was awesome. Riding in the large Centurion races was fun too. But I just don't enjoy riding with the smell of exhaust, vehicles speeding past and constant fear of people who text and drive. I wish I did because it's a fantastic workout and I have so many friends who love road riding.

That's the problem with northern/rural Ontario, few cars but good chance it is a giant truck.

...or a pick-up with a noisy muffler on monster wheels.

It was bad timing this morning with the closure of Hwy 400 and 69 north of Parry Sound. All the highway traffic got dumped onto Nobel Road. Monday's ride was much more pleasant.

Sadly adventure racers and mountain bikers who also road ride especially on hilly roads have a big advantage, fitness-wise. You just don’t get that consistent burn on complicated trails, and paved non-road paths tend to be flat.

A lot of people don’t feel safe trekking in wilderness or being off trail in general so you/we have an advantage there :-)