Our inaugural Hagerty Maple Mille began in Barrie Ontario this morning. An intrepid group of adventurers set out to explore some of the best roads Ontario had to offer, and we did our best to deliver! If you’ve only ever gone to Muskoka cottage country via Hwy 11 or 400, you’ve missed some of the best roads the region has for the motoring enthusiast. Some of our group was familiar with our choice north, but after toying around on some of Muskoka’s more famous routes and views we introduced them to an Out-and-Back road that few were aware existed, and fewer still had driven.

The twists and turns were on par with Muskoka’s best, and light elevation changes added to the enjoyment. Eventually we popped out into a sunny parking lot, lake side view and the perfect opportunity to switch cars and try something different for the way back.

I went from driving a bone-stock, restored, 1979 Super Beetle into a 1965 modified Mustang. The clutch pedal was like moving a mountain in comparison to the beetle, but once I turned the key it all made sense. An afternoon romping on a 302 V8, pushing out horsepower rounded to the ‘nearest hundred’ is not to be missed! Each session on the accelerator pedal was finished with a “I might have to get one of these” statements. I wasn’t the only one getting to try a new vehicle out…it seemed that drivers and co-driver’s alike had all found new rides to finish the afternoon off with!

When we finally arrived at the hotel for the night, the group gathered together to compare driving notes, favourite roads and discuss the Coach-Bus-Fire which shut down the highway and almost spoiled our fun.

Preview photos provided by Ralph Saulnier Photography: