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Weekend at Monica’s

For the past few years Monica has been kind enough to invite everyone up to her place for a ride and camp out. She is continuing the tradition….because she’s awesome!

Details for this year are:

Friday August 22nd: Meet at Monica’s at 2pm for a ride at Kolapore followed by a happy hour and pot luck dinner and campfire. There is room to stay the night if you have a tent or camper. If you are joining in the dinner let me know and we’ll figure out grub.

Saturday August 23rd: Three stages ride (from the river…the bottom!) starting at 11am. Followed by a swim and maybe food and beverages on a patio in Collingwood.

Come for one or both. If you plan on attending e-mail me or through the “contact”tab and once we know who is coming I’ll update details directly (address, ride length, parking locations….)

Fun fun!!

DCF- Trail Update

I was involved in an IMBA Canada, Ontario Chapter phone conversation the other week. This Council has representatives from Waterloo, North Bay, Ottawa to name a few destinations. One topic that came up that was universal, disappointing  and happening in all those locations plus many others, was trails getting “dumbed down” recently. This meant everything from corners being cut, bypasses being created (and not by the trail builders) around things that were “difficult” (IE a root or rock) all the way to rocks that had been there for ever being physically removed.

There have been reports of this happening in Three Stages & Halton Hills as well…it seems it’s happening everywhere. So I started paying attention here at home and there is a lot of this happening in Dufferin Forest. Lots of trails getting wider to avoid a one inch root, complete corners being cut out, simple short rock gardens being skirted around. I’ve noticed some riders putting debris on the “go arounds” to avoid trail widening which I think is awesome. Then the next ride someone has actually stopped and taken the time to remove it (?????) to reopen the go around. I don’t get it. These trails have existed for years (decades) the way they have always been. Trail builders have spent countless hours in meetings, submitting proposals and on the ground to build these trails the way they are and hundreds of hours have gone into building and maitaining them a certain way by countless individuals. This history goes back decades. Then someone decides they don’t like it and feels it’s ok to just change it to suit their needs?

We are blessed where we live to have such a variety of trail networks with all different types of trails to ride. If you don’t like what the builders in the area you choose to ride that day created, it doesn’t give you the right to change it to suit your needs. Pick a trail network that suits what you like to ride. Don’t think it’s ok (or appreicited) to modify where you ride to suit your needs unless you are part of the process of the trail development.

I know this “trail grooming” problem is an issue in many places. It’s all over the forums. I can see in DCF that others are getting frustrated as they attempt to keep the trails real as they block off all these newly created paths. These trails have existed for decades the way they have always been. There have been trails purpose built by hand by hard working people that support this trail network. Trails have been added and created to suit every level of riding. Please leave them the way you find them. Please stop making cheater paths around everything you don’t like. Practice the lines and trails that are there in front of you as it will make you a better rider everywhere you go. I’ve watched many riders get better and better because they attempt and perfect things they “don’t like”. It’s how we become better riders…by challenging ourselves, not by cutting corners and taking the easy way out. What’s the advantage of that? Do you feel really good after you have “cheated” a trail? Stop and think about it next time you are a part of “dumbing down” a trail. I cannot possibly see how the feeling of cheating a trail can compare with the feeling of accomplishing the trail. And how would you feel if you (and a group of volunteers) hand built trail and someone else randomly just came along and just changed it because they didn’t like it?

I’m in support and proud of all regular users of DCF and all other trail networks that continue to block off all cheater lines while you are out there riding. I have already seen that many of you are doing it already. If you see something new starting, block it off immediately. Keep it up and keep these trails true to what they have aways been. There have been many people in the past that had visions and created things over decades that we have all enjoyed. We need to stay true to those original visions from many, many years ago.

Epic 8

So we already have a 4 person team and 2 solo riders planning on joining in the ride on Sept 18th. If anyone wants to join in and is looking to form a team, let me know (text, e-mail, contact tab) and we can let others know. Thinking of solo but find 8 hours a bit much? NP, just ride what you can, stop when you like, heckle everyone else and be proud you even stepped up to the start line for a solo! Set the # of laps mark for next year. And don’t kid yourself…a team isn’t easy either. Push hard for a lap, then off the bike, push again and off…repeat, repeat…Ugh, that’s almost harder than a solo!

It’s all about personal goals and achievement. Ride your bike and have fun. The end result is a good day on the trails with friends.

Saturday ride/river happy hour

Heading into DCF at 2pm for a ride this Saturday and then if the weather is good, a happy hour at the river. What a great day! Feel free to to partake in one or the other or both. If you wish to join in the happy hour bring river shoes, your swimming suit and the always awesome bag ‘o chips to crush post ride. Yum.

See you then, J&K

Fall Epic 8 Hardwood Hills

Hi gang, well the Fall Epic 8 is a go with a twist.

See the website for full details…

http://www.pulseracing.ca/events/2020-fall-epic-8-hour/

I’m planning on signing up for the Solo division for Friday Sept 18th. This will give new meaning to a Birthday Ride!!! So hopefully with over a month notice others can book the day off and join in for a day of fun on bikes. We’re thinking of heading up to Quayle’s Brewery (18 minutes north) after for food and refreshments.  https://quaylesbrewery.ca

So get your team (or go Solo!) together and have great day on a bike. Registration opens Noon – August 10th and every day has a limit so get set to sign up at 12 sharp.

Cheers, Johnny

Sat ride DCF 2pm

Hey all, heading out to “shred some gnar” at 2pm tomorrow (Sat). Heading to the river after for a dip if anyone is interested. If you come for after the ride bring appropriate footwear for a short hike and river shoes are also a good idea.

See ya!

Sat Am Ride

K&I are doing a morning ride tomorrow to beat the heat and we have stuff on in the afternoon. We are going to head out at 9:30 in DCF.

If you haven’t noticed yet there is bridge construction on Airport Rd just south of DCF. Either allow a fair bit more time (one lane) or bypass by heading north on the 4th line (just west of Mansfield) to River Rd then backtrack south to DCF. Note that the 4th is gravel but I drove it today in the Van and it’s in good shape. The backups on Airport are getting really long at busier times.

If anyone wants another ride time posted, drop me a note to let me know and I’ll post it up.

K&J riding DCF Sunday at 2pm

Finally, rain! The trails should be awesome Sunday. We are going for a good ride Sunday at 2pm if anyone cares to join us. We’ll likely pop down to the river for a swim after so bring river shoes if you wish to cool off. This is all weather dependant.

🙂

K&J riding Sat

K&I are staying close to home this weekend and going to try and beat some heat and head out tomorrow to DCF at 10am. Feel free to join us if you like….

DCF & caterpillars

Well everyone has seemed to notice the high number of caterpillars this spring. We are experiencing a Gypsy Moth “invasion” at the moment in DCF. If you have not been out since last week your next visit will be shocking. In areas there is no canopy left at all. None.

Here’s some good information passed on to me by a past MNR employee:

https://www.invasivespeciescentre.ca/invasive-species/meet-the-species/invasive-insects/gypsy-moth/

https://www.canr.msu.edu/ipm/invasive_species/Gypsy-Moth/virus-and-fungus-disease-cause

The highlights are that every female moth lays between 500 & 1000 eggs. The egg sacks will be identifiable and do not hatch until next spring. Each catapillar can consume 1 square meter of leaves.

It’s worth reading through to understand what the Forest is dealing with at the moment and for you to keep an eye out at home.