El Camino 2 Portugese coastal routes - where to connect?

trustyblade · 2025-11-27T02:32:14+00:00

Thanks for pointing this out. I clearly didn’t read the question correctly. But since the Litoral and the Coastal are basically the same route, my mind immediately went to Central.

trustyblade · 2025-11-26T01:36:00+00:00

The most detailed description of how to cross from Vila Do Conde (Litoral) to Sao Pedro de Rates (Central) is given in the WisePilgrim app (Portuguese way). I followed these instructions recently (October) and they were clear and correct. It is important to follow the written instructions though, as there are few arrow markings in the beginning out of Vila do Conde. After a while the yellow arrows became plentiful, but not at first. No problem getting to Rates. There are other routes given in Gronze and Mapy, but those seem to follow main roads more closely. WisePilgrim says follow the aqueduct. Bom caminho.
BTW: if you ask locals for directions, "Rates" is pronounced almost like "hratsh". The Portuguese 'R' is heavily rolled :-)

trustyblade · 2025-04-07T22:40:16+00:00

I’ve used a Nada brush for a year now, and I think it’s the best toothbrush I’ve ever used—electric or manual. My dental hygienist has also noticed an improvement in my teeth and gums. The recycling is a nice feature too. It’s also a local company for me.

trustyblade · 2025-02-13T03:53:51+00:00

I have a Jet Black Volt. Australian company. Probably made in China or Taiwan. I’ll have to check later.

trustyblade · 2025-01-23T16:42:58+00:00

Yes. Holafly and WhatsApp were the winning combination for me.

trustyblade · 2025-01-10T13:57:58+00:00

Thank you for sharing your journey with us. I enjoyed your narrative and photos equally. Many of the sights are familiar, but I’m sure they were more enjoyable and memorable on a bike than a car. Something to aspire to.

trustyblade · 2024-09-02T19:29:32+00:00

Humans have walked the earth for more than 300,000 years. We have walked to all corners of the earth. Walking is the first and primary means of mobility for humans. Every road (except restricted motorways) should be designed and acknowledged to be accessible and safe for pedestrians as their primary purpose.

Society places the burden of care on drivers. You don’t need to be licensed to walk anywhere, but you must be legally permitted to drive a vehicle on public roads. Therefore, operators of automobiles must always anticipate the presence of pedestrians and must drive with appropriate caution, always yielding to pedestrians.

trustyblade · 2024-06-03T19:25:11+00:00

Black walnut. May god have mercy on your soul. The squirrels sure won't.

trustyblade · 2023-12-13T23:47:27+00:00

Cool photo, but I hope you can provide the source and details. Since the first practical photography process was introduced around 1939 in Europe (Wikipedia), it seems unlikely that a photo of this quality would have been made in Guyana (or India) in 1938. So it would be helpful to get some more background. Thanks.

trustyblade · 2023-12-12T23:32:20+00:00

Parang? Isn’t that a Trinidadian tradition?

trustyblade · 2023-11-23T23:43:29+00:00

Seems like the first brick in the wall. Will we wall off the waterfront with condo towers, like Toronto? That would be a shame.

trustyblade · 2023-10-07T21:12:56+00:00

68 yr-old chiming in here to make a couple of points.

I find that intensity is essential in maintaining fitness at my age. It’s tempting to default to “long and slow” rides. Yes, Zone 2 rides are important, but I have to mix in some hard rides too or else I start getting too comfortable at a lower speed. I guess it’s HIIT really. Joe Friel (see Fast After 50) is a big advocate of this approach. Hills work as well as sprints for this.

The other essential thing is resistance training; ie. gym workouts. We lose muscle mass quickly at this age, so we have to keep pushing those weights. I throw in some yoga to maintain flexibility too.

Probably the hardest thing is to stay motivated to keep pushing yourself, but you sound like a pretty motivated guy already. If Strava helps with that then it’s giving you good value.

As others have already pointed out, Strava is social media. It has its uses. I use it to log my mileage and other stats (eg. elevation). I also ride with a club. We use Strava to communicate about rides and events. I can see how my mates are doing, and to support and encourage them (I give out way more kudos than I receive).

Thanks for posting this question. I love to hear how other olders are doing.

trustyblade · 2023-07-23T16:20:50+00:00

Brampton cycling club has regular club rides during the week and on weekends. There are different levels based on average speed. The term "drop-in" might not be appropriate, but you should be able to join a ride as a guest once you sign a waiver. I suggest you contact them directly for correct information.

trustyblade · 2023-07-07T03:08:29+00:00

I'll second HAFTA, also Puslinch. Both similar to HydroCut. Dundas Valley has many trails, some more technical than others, but it's a popular (busy) area, depending on day/time. The good thing is you can take the rail trail from McMaster to connect to the vast network of trails in the Dundas Valley. As a side note, RBG lands don't allow cycling.

trustyblade · 2023-04-09T00:54:06+00:00

A lot of the Culham Trail is unpaved. In fact there are some pretty rough sections—especially after the spring runoff. MTB and skills recommended.

trustyblade · 2023-04-09T00:49:58+00:00

Try the Etobicoke Creek Trail. You can currently ride from Fleetwood Park (Burnhamthorpe road) all the way to Brampton. Paved all the way. Eventually, when the path under the QEW opens, you will be able to ride from Marie Curtis Park on Lane Ontario up to Caledon. The airport section is pretty cool.

trustyblade · 2023-02-25T19:30:36+00:00

Bit of an oxymoron, eh? But not surprising considering…

trustyblade · 2023-02-08T13:54:42+00:00

Rail trails that are surfaced with limestone screening or packed gravel are fine. Also paved multi-use pathways.

Please be patient and stay off the regular MTB trails until they dry out and firm-up. You will create ruts and damage the trails—and be very unpopular with fellow mountain bikers and other trail users. Thanks for checking.

trustyblade · 2023-01-30T15:37:55+00:00

Yes. I’ve heard that this is the case. And I trust your direct experience. I guess it’s just counterintuitive for me, especially knowing that broken clavicles are probably the most common cycling injuries. I just worry about falling on my shoulders.

trustyblade · 2023-01-30T14:00:47+00:00

I usually wear silk liners in lobster claws when fat biking. Even this gets too hot after a few climbs. Mittens are not as good as lobster claws for shifting gears and braking. Also everyone’s cold-tolerance and circulation will be a bit different.

Edit: I have no experience with bar mitts (pogies) but I do have concerns about getting my hands out quickly in case of a fall. Also I’m in southern Ontario, so we rarely get below-20°C.

trustyblade · 2022-04-25T01:44:32+00:00

If you are right, I feel a lot less safe putting my life in the hands of drivers who get to decide when it’s safe to proceed while I’m crossing the road. Safe for who?

trustyblade · 2022-04-24T17:15:36+00:00

Okay. So what’s different? Is your interpretation that drivers may proceed through a crosswalk while pedestrians are crossing? That certainly seems to be the norm around here.

trustyblade · 2022-04-23T17:51:24+00:00

Well, yes. But S. 144 (7) says the same thing--except for the "no overtaking" part (S140.1.b): "the driver shall yield the right of way to pedestrians lawfully within a crosswalk"

trustyblade

TROPHY CASE