WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEKEND?

JONNIE SICK.......JONNIE NO FUN......

YAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Nothing like going down a hill in the snow...just so slightly out of control....winter biking at its best. I went out for a quick 2 hour ride at Earl Bales Park in Toronto. Trails not so bad but those trails not travelled were difficult after the snowfall we had midweek. I manage to find a few new trails and look forward to the spring to earnestly work on these trails.

HAVING FUN ON THE TRAILS

As long as the trails were well travelled the riding was not too bad....those trails not so well travelled were a challenge...a good workout. A sunny day...only about minus 20c...the toes didnt freeze till about 2 hours into the ride.

WHAT THE HELL DOES THIS DO?

I started the weekend with a little maintenance...last weekend I lost my rear brakes on the very first hill due to cable snap.....so making a little room in the bike repair area aka the kitchen and repairs were made. I still have the problem with the stem...not sure what it is...better get it fixed before the Paris/Ancaster race.

DEATH BY CHOCOLATE

Went with TBN (Toronto Bicycle Network) to Scenic Caves today for XC skiing. Being the sunday before St Valentines there was a certain theme to our bus. I thought it was nice but pimpish with all the bordello red. Appealled to my welder sensibility. When we arrived the day was gorgeous but soon the wind and clouds came to the mountain. Still...the caves are a great place to ski and with all the new snow one couldnt ask for better conditions.

WHERE ARE THE EVERGREENS?

Just realised that there are no evergreens in this forest...no cedars...no pines.....kinda naked

Meant the wind could just howl through the forest...bundle up kiddies!

ITS THE VIEW

Scenic Caves is a great place to ski and one of the reasons is the view...best time to go is in the morning. Always seems like the weather closes in come the afternoon. Up above Blue Mtn you can see Georgian Bay in all it's icy glory.

FITTING IN A QWIK RIDE.....QWAZY QWANUCKS!

Managed to get Adam out for a quick ride. Rode the single track at Earl Bales. The trails were nicely packed and the riding was awesome. I broke my rear brake cable on the first major downhill of the ride and ended up doing all the ride with only a front brake...on the trails near the Don River that was interesting! Temp was about minus 14c and tho the sun was out when we started, the cold was intense shortly into the ride. Was a good way to end the afternoon.
Tonight I am off skating again...better go find some long johns! Looking forward to that hot cocoa.

WHEN THE SUN SETS ITS COLD!!!!!!!

We managed to ride for about 80 min which was longer than I thought we would be out. Too much going on this day. but a quick ride with Adam was a perfect way to end the afternoon. Our feet were cold when we finished....ice actually. Need to find perfect snow boots. After I put a new back brake on the bike!

FRIGGIN COLD! I NEED CHOCOLATE!

FRIGGIN' COLD! I NEED CHOCOLATE!, originally uploaded by joneboi.

Sunday I joined the TBN Crew for XC Skiing at Horseshoe Resort. Temp was around minus 25c. Thank goodness for chocolate! Only did about 12km...headed into the chalet and as I was eating yummy food a wonderful snow storm hit. Great to see the snow but made XC skiing a hard go.....

What a great weekend.....Biking friday.....Skating saturday....Skiing sunday......winter can be so awesome!

SATURDAY NIGHT SKATING AT CEDAR GROVE ARENA

Saturday night....bitterly cold....the moon wasnt quite full but was oh so bright....had the idea that skating on an outdoor rink and a cup of hot chocolate would be a sweet way to spend the night. Headed out to Cedar Grove. An institution in Toronto since 1927 and hasnt changed much in all those years. $4 for skating. $1 for hot cocoa. How can you beat that? Sure it was friggin cold but what an awesome place .....so canadian....pond skating....awesome!

FEB 02 FULL MOON RIDE

Full Moon! A group of us went to the trails at King City for a ride under the moonlight in the snow. Holy Friggin' shit! The wind in the parking lot took me back to my days working in Northern Alberta. Once in the forest the snow was like sand. Not hard packed at all. Lots of fun but lots of work. The great aspect about the work was taking one's mind off the cold. The trails at King City are fairly easy in the standard biking season but in winter with fresh snow they were all we could handle. Even the slightess hill was difficult to climb. Took us about an hour to do 5kms. Under the light of the moon we soon turned off our lamps and snaked through the forest 'au natural.' An awesome experience. Luckily the snow cushions most of your falls and slides into the trees. Cuz gee...with no lights one tends to hit a few.

The night was great. We didnt get lost or have to eat one of our own. Though at times I was seriously pondering the exploits of Capt. Scott on his ill-fated expedition to Antarctica and whether I should leave my mates for a 'little walk in the snow.'

A few of the boys are planning to ride the TransRockies Race this year. Which will be a gas!
If you know anyone who is willing to ride a single speed in the race give Peter a call at Misfitpsycles. Someone wants to do it single speed and needs a partner. If you havent tried a single speed yet go to misfitpsycles to gaze at what's new. I have met quite a few people on single speeds in the past few months and they all love the big rims and the ride of the bikes.

A few of the guys have connections with two bike stores in the Toronto area. Great guys whom I know will give anyone help in the biking dept. Check 'em out.
www.sportswap.com
www.misfitpsycles.com

To get a taste of the TransRocky experience, often referred to as the second most difficult bike race on earth, check out the web site:
www.transrockies.com

APRES RIDING RENDEZ-VOUS

So after the ride we headed to King City and stopped in to Hogan's Pub. Good food. Good beer. Good live band. Friendly waitresses. Good spot for a group of bikers needing a little warm up.

1 AM IN KING CITY

So we left the pub to head home..... the bikes safe but cold. Funny...other than us and the crew I didnt see one other bike on a vehicle. Wonder why?