Puslinch Trails

On saturday the Toronto Bike Network (TBN) had a ride at Puslinch. A great area of single tract trails located just southwest of Guelph close to Cambridge. From Toronto, about 90min drive if you get lost like always do!
The trails at Puslinch provide a great ride...very fast...lots of roots...twisty. No gut busting hills though enough to provide the heart with a workout.
The day was warm and sunny...first decent weekend this year and we had a big crew show up for a ride. Lots of smiles all round.
For more pix on this ride check out my flickr site.
www.flickr.com/photos/joneboi

ELDRED KING WOODLANDS

Near Ravenshoe...west of Durham Forest is a large parcel of land in the York Forest region called the Eldred King Woodlands. Nice Double tract all about...well maintained..lots of horses..which is a good thing cuz the horses are creating single track all over. The ground is sandy like Durham with the result being good riding most every day even after a downpour. I've talked to Jason of DMBA fame and I am really stoked at the thought of possibly creating great single track bike trails. The opportunity is fantastic. The riders in the area just need to get organized and approach the necessary authorities. I relly believe this parcel of land could be even better than Durham.

APR 1ST...UXBRIDGE ICEBREAKER...NO JOKE!

The weather gods did not smile on the 200 plus riders for the race...the first of the 2007 biking season. Rain...cool temp...but not cool enough to freeze the ground...made for a muddy ride. I wused out...prefering to save my bike. I have develped a rule. I never do a ride if the cleaning of the bike takes longer than the ride itself. Though the desire to get in the mud was so overpowering at times I'm glad I stayed off the bike. The organizers did a great job of keeping the riders off most of the single track in Durham Forest in an effort to preserve the trails. Biking season has officially started!

UXBRIDGE ICEBREAKER 2007

Our buddy Rick..aka MR EPIC entered the race and didnt smile too much by the end...but was glad he did the gig...I chickened out ...saving myself for the Paris/Ancaster race on the 22nd.

ELMIRA MAPLE SYRUP FESTIVAL

On saturday we headed north of Waterloo into Mennonite country for the Maple Syrup Festival in Elmira, the worlds largest maple syrup festival. The day was so cool...just above 0c if the wind was not occuring...perfect for the running of sap. Large crowds, great food, good people. A perfect way to spend the day.

MAPLE SYRUP ON THE THICKEST PANCAKES

Started off the day with a couple thick pancakes and coffee (only $4) before heading out on the people mover at the Sap Farm....

ENJOYING A CUP OF MAPLE SYRUP COFFEE

Nothing like a cup of java with maple syrup! Of course this twas the weekend of maple syrup with everything.....yummmy! At one of the Maple farms I had popcorn with maple syrup...tastee!

THOUGHT I'D CHECK OUT A NEW TRAIL

In the local park by me (Earl Bale) I decided to check out the old trails the winter has exposed. The soil is too muddy to ride but I thought I'd ride over for a look/see. Need a week of warmer, dryer weather. There are trails and even an area of tricks....need a little work but the result could be awesome for riding. Cant help but notice all the garbage in the gulley. Makes you wonder.

ICEBREAKER IN A WEEK.......

The Uxbridge Icebreaker Mtb race...the 1st of the season is April 01 and I thought I'd check out the conditions at Durham Forest. Very tough riding. Icy with a few cm of ice coarse slush on top. I had new tires....like ski-doo treads and yet I had a tough time. Not sure if I will be racing next week...have to see how the week goes...

XC SKIING AT HARDWOOD HILLS

Today was a great sunny day....went to Hardwood Hills to ski with the TBN gang. Had to apply tons of klister to stick to the trails. There is no doubt that this was the last ski day of the season for me....the temps will go up this week and maybe we will have another snow fall like fridays' but I feel the skiis will go to the back of the closet and the bikes come out to enjoy the day.
Is Hardwood Hills up for sale? That is the question on my mind....a few For Sale signs on the lower south property. That is not the mtn biking area but I hope the main ski area is not lost to mtb's

SPRING SKIING

One of the special activities that I enjoy is spring skiing. Out west it's downhill in our shorts and t-shirts. Here in Ontario its XC skiing. Went with TBN (Toronto Bike Network) to the Mansfield Outdoor Centre and the sun was glorious. I enjoy Mansfield because the trails are serpentine thru the forest with just enough hills to keep a smile on your face.

Sadly, Mansfield is the location of one of Canadas two IMBA Cross Country Mountain Bike Trails. The other is the 7 Summits in Rossland. Sadly...because Mansfield is closed to mountain biking 'cept for special races.

Makes you appreciate the area more on days like today!

COUNCILLOR BOB FORD SPEAKS!

Yesterday in the Toronto Star, Councillor Bob Ford was quoted;

"I can't support bike lanes. Roads are built for buses, cars, and trucks. My heart bleeds when someone gets killed, but it's their own fault at the end of the day."

Obviously we know someone who didnt get his little red bike when he was young. I urge anyone and everyone to email this cat. If you're a cyclist stand up for your right to be on the road. As a human stand up because the people voted in to office shouldnt be so superior to those they serve.

This is his email;
councillor_ford@toronto.ca

This is his Ward;
http://www.toronto.ca/wards2000/ward2.htm

I'm getting pissed listening to the politicians talk about going green but not building bike lanes and the Conservation Authorities banning mountain bikes from green space without any input from the various cycle organizations. If we all work together everyone would be happy ('cept for Councillor Ford) and perhaps the solutions for one problem would contribute to solving a greater array of problems. Just a thought.

2007 TORONTO BIKE SHOW

A cool day outside but the deals were hot inside. A great day spent with friends. Good deals on much needed equipment. I spent way too much money!

THE GANG!

Each of us had a differnet reason to be at the show which meant that we all visited each booth and looked hard for the deals that each of us were looking for. And there were great deals to be found.

THE SHOW!

MY DREAM BIKE

Stopped at the Rocky Mtn booth to have a look at the bike I am thinking of buying at the end of this year....the ETSX 70. Was surprised how heavy it was....that may be the only stumble. I am looking for a lighter faster able to climb wicked hills bike.

THE START OF A NEW BIKE!

I paid a visit to Peter at Misfitpsycles and walked out with a frame. The start of my new single speed mtn bike! Need to figure out what components to install. Any ideas?

CRANK BROS EGGBEATER

I was trying to find these in the full stainless steel models and luckily at Northern Cycles I found what I needed...bought some new shoes (Specialized MTN Comp) so there is one last item on my list for 2007; a new full suspension mtn bike.

ITS THE SWAG!