McKeown Rd Ride

This was a project I have been wanting to do for a while. I spotted this road last year in 2016 while putting in the route recce for a potential MTB type route to Napanee from Kingston.

With the rains we have had in this year a lot of these routes have not been as accessible. Due of course to the high water table and it taking so long to lower.

Cambden East- McKeown Rd

Beginning of October finally had a chance to try to ride McKeown Rd. The starting point would be the Park and Ride lot at the 401 and Cambden Road East.

 I have ridden the starting sections from Cambden Road, round back of the Onroute and up to Switzerville road earlier in the year. But turned back from Mckeown Rd due to the water levels.

There was still some mud on Mckeown from Switzerville to County Road #5. Some sections did require me to dismount and hike a bike. But the good news was the water levels where low enough to get through.

Once crossed County Road #5 the track was more rideable. And despite a flat near the end of the unmaintained section minimal problems. Though with time running short had to head straight back to the truck via the paved road from Cambden East. But the good news while grinding back to the truck did spot what I thought would be the next potential unmaintained road that could help complete a loop.

Seaton/Duffins Creek

Thanksgiving Monday the original plan after an errand near Stouffville was to ride at Greenwood Conservation area. But like most plans they never survive intact. In this case there was various detours due to construction. So headed to the Seaton or Duffins Creek trails instead.

Seaton/Duffins Creek

Of course no ride at Duffins would be complete with the look out, now with construction.

Then headed south to hit the DH to the valley floor and ride along the creek.

Of course have to go by the creek a few times. You know...to check for aliens.

Though this fall visit would come with a small bonus. Heard some splashing in creek. When I went to investigate...

Yep...nature is great.

10 Anniversary- All Because of A Bike

What does one say about the woman I love and adore?  And have done so for 10 years?

10 years that began really 17 years ago  because of a bike. On a grey drizzly Vancouver afternoon on the Cambie Bridge a journey that began with a smile and a U Turn to talk to this gorgeous woman who smiled back.

Who made enough impression on me to take a risk and leave all I knew behind to come to Ontario. Who for the last 15 years has supported me and guided me like no one else.

I still have no clue what she the retired National Team Volleyball player saw in a guy who's  first sport was so completely different from hers. And thought spending hours riding around on bikes was a good thing. Come on now...throwing oneself down a DVP hard race course at 100kmh isn't normal in a skin suit ...really.

Whatever she saw in me that got her attention I will never know. She has been there at my best and worst. She has driven with me all over the province to races and sat in chilly parking lots for 3 years.

And am privileged that she trusted me enough to take her and teach her to mountain bike. It was there in 2006 in the Don Valley at the Dirt Camp where I saw her at her best at least in my eyes.

Trying to ride a beam buried in the dirt she slammed into the ground. And when I rushed over thinking "Oh, shit. I screwed up" expecting to be in trouble. She was crying but pissed that she hadn't got it. I was never more proud and in love with at the time my Fiance. A moment when I could see the fight and passion that was hidden. But there would be more to come. You even went down Blue with me once.



When I was worried that my past, social ineptness , and other things would cause problems. Her response was we will do it together. And we have. Even when I had my bad day, she grabbed my hand. Even on my worst moments when my insecurities and anxieties come out she has been there.

I still remember the last defining moment before our wedding on April 12th, a few weeks prior I think it was. After giving up the running and swimming the year before, you know with wedding and a child on the way trying to do the right thing. I came up with the brilliant idea and presented it to Joely. That I would tone down the biking to casual. Her counter argument was very convincing,  "You do that and I will kill you." How can you not love someone who cares that much about you doing what makes you...you?


I  have watched the love of my life go from being a retired National Volleyball Team athlete to a coach. Going from an assistant coach to running  high performance programs. Both mentoring  young women athletes and developing Olympic athletes.  Her evolving from being a retired national level athlete to national level coach. Earning Gold medals at OUA and Canada Games. To now mentoring women at RMCC and being our CISM  national team coach.

If it wasn't for a bike I wouldn't have the woman I have in my life who has spent the last 10 as my wife.

Responding to a Bad Crash

There is frequent what if type discussions about what could have been done and so on when things go south. In mountain biking I have found there has not been a great deal of this. I think we need more of sharing bad moments and our process of what we did.

Keep in mind with this I have my life in the outdoors before there where all sorts of outdoor schools and books at Chapters. I have learned things from others, reading various books and magazines, the military, and simply the hard way. Let's face reality, mountain biking 30 years ago there was very few on the trail. And riding in places like the Cougar Valley you learn very quickly that you have to be prepared to figure out how to extract yourself from trouble or it could be a long pain full hike in the dark to the highway.

 Near the end of the ride the evening of August 13th while exiting the Don Valley for the SUV for me things went south. Front wheel went out and I slammed left side into the ground. Wind knocked out of me. Never lost consciousness nor hit my helmet at all. Instinctively I did a feel of my ribs and left arm to feel if anything was unusual. Good nothing.  Limbs and such are ok. Definitely breathing based on the creatively worded non repeating vocal response to this.


At this point my biggest focus is to get out of the valley to Loblaws where the SUV is. Coming from the mountains am a big believer in the self extraction method. That meaning if you can get yourself out to the trail head then do so. After getting there loaded everything up and while noting definitely tender and sore nothing was out of place. Texted my wife that was out of the Don and headed to the hotel.

Of course hindsight sitting in front of the TV gives us the perfect what we should have done. But when one is in the middle of it things may get missed. In this case leaving the Redway Loblaws had the feeling of a brewing in the long term Bowel Movement. But at the time was not a big deal.

Heading to the hotel it was about Finch and the 400 that I decided to answer nature's call. At this point there had been no issues breathing or any changes other than the pain of a bruised left side. As well as respond to a text from my wife.  It was at this point that my Bowel Movement let me know there was a problem....blood. Immediately texted my wife of the situation and then called her. As we talked did another quick assessment....looking for anything that felt oddly shaped or firm. Still nothing, so looked up distances to and locations of the nearest hospital. I do admit that I wish I had had stronger urge to use the bathroom near Sunnybrook Hospital. I say this as my Aunt Isabelle would have been there.

Fortunately my wife was in transit and would meet me at Humber Hospital's ER where I was headed. Looking back this is where I made an error, I should have got a container with a lid and brought some of the stool with blood with me. As proof that I wasn't faking it to the triage nurse.

Having my wife meet me at the ER while seemingly insignificant was the right call. It is hard when you are in pain, concerned due to potential internal injury, sweating, and all the other stuff one feels while having to wait. So in this case it was good to have my wife advocating for me as on top of the injury. Was worrying about my daughter and her reaction. Here she was in another hospital 8 months after losing her Granny. Now she was seeing someone else she cared about and was her world in a hospital.

With the help of my wife was able to get in despite the triage desk blowing me off. It was when I urinated in the given sample bottle that things hit the fan. The ER Doc turned the corner and took two steps into the room and saw the bottle....."Is that his Urine?"  When I say hit the fan, next it was this is a trauma and such.  Yep, in less than 5 seconds.

I won't elaborate the rest as it was no longer in my hands. But the next day Aunt Isabelle and her husband Uncle Keith came out to check on me. And talking with Aunt Isabelle a Cardiac ICU nurse through the events of the evening before. I pretty much did it all ok.

Depot Lakes Loop Aug 7th 2017

With the bad summer we are having this year....rain storms galore. And two routes one a old one I created and ridden 3 times. And a new one I mapped out have not been able to be ridden this year.  With that in mind looked for some kind of loop ride to do that was more remote and in paved.

After looking at the Backroads Map Book and looking carefully at Google Earth's satellite view came up with a rough loop around the Depot Lakes Conservation Area.

Depot Lakes Route

With no store at the camp ground nor anything on the rough route. Loaded up everything for both the ride and post ride as well. This would be the second trip like this for the Ranger and changes made since the Brockville trip.

After getting to the Depot Lakes Campground and parking. Got ready for the ride and looking back definitely leaned to the side of hauling to much.  But that was ok as this was an exploration ride. And with the possibility of rain off I went.

Of course this years trend continued apace...less than 10 minutes in. The rain began. A rain that would be there for the entire ride.

Rain like we haven't had enough this year?

Being that this was the first ride of the route speed was not important. More important was making sure to go by the route I had written out and had with me to check against the various side roads. Side roads I was using as  navigation way points.

In truth was bored of the usual K&P type rides and with the usual options under water most of the year. Was looking for another route that was dirt and such....kind of like Fishing Lake Road. But without the crack pot fake cop factor.

Wee bit damp

It was definitely a wee bit muddy.

In the end mission accomplished.

Kingston Trophy Half Marathon 2017

3 day's out from the Kingston Trophy was given the medical green light to ride. Well, to ride but be smart.

With that and knowing I missed almost 2 weeks of riding any rocky trail around to be ready as per past years. I always try to ride a few times the trails I know of that are harder then will be in the race.  That being replaced with 4 days in the hospital with bruised ribs and lacerated Kidney followed by 2 and a half weeks of easy spinning.

The day's goal would simply be to finish and get a result. This was decided Saturday morning driving to the Farm. No thought was given the night before. All I did was trail work the day before. Then Friday night directed those camping to the camping area and sat by the bonfire drinking beer.

So on the way to the race as mentioned before the goal was simply to get a result. It was after arriving and while piddling around as it was really just a ride. I thought that just by simply finishing I might have a chance to pull of a top 2 for the overall.

After the start I treated it as the Kenyan's would call it...a training race. Just put in the ride, be smart, and don't do anything stupid. Leave the hammering and heroics till the 30th. With this in mind there really isn't much to write about for most of the day. It was after the technical on route 66 and the Burbrook hill and about a quarter into Pete's Loop section that I seemed to pick up the pace.

Not surprising as it is one of my favourite trails to play on...hey I love rock. Why I still run a retrogrouch bash guard. After clearing Pete's and gimping down the hill rode the rest of the way as hard as I could while being smart. Which worked till a momentary lapse before the left turn to the straight to the finish. Momentary lapse led to standing and try to go hard. Which was red flagged by a immediate pain from my left ribs. Nope.....just spin it in.

While good with it. It was harder then it should have been as for now need to race with a moto style Kidney Belt....hard to breath at times with it. Later was surprised to find out from Sherri running the timing that I had placed 3rd in Clyde. And may have nailed 1st over all.

What...may have nailed 1st overall in Clyde?

Well, that was true. So a unexpected 3rd for the day and nailing 1st overall for the year. Despite barely cleared to race 3 days prior.

Malabar Scrub Sanctuary

In July got to go to Florida for family trip and finally brought my own bike for a trip to Florida. Due to meeting requirements for packing size had to stick to 26" wheels. So while I wanted to bring the Eccentric opted for the Samurai as had not picked up the 12x142 rear 26" wheel yet.

Before we flew had heard from my daughter's Godmother about there being trails nearby and even before leaving had done some homework.

Malabar Scrub Sanctuary

I do admit wasn't expecting grand singletrack and technical challenges galore. I was thinking more exploration and simply riding in new places.

The only sort of trail area was the Malabar Scrub Sanctuary. Which came with lots of sand and some singletrack. As I said wasn't expecting challenging riding but was better than riding road.

Even came with mobile rocks aka the Gopher Tortoise. Apparently some kind of land based Tortoise that likes to dig.

Gopher Tortoise

One bonus was not just the trail head maps but there was also actual trail markers. Which where nice and kind of gave a clue where one was going. Even though I do admit to going the wrong way a few times.

Fortunately was able to get a second ride in at Malabar the next day.

Malabar Ride 2

While it was a brief 2 days of riding it was worth having my own bike. And with word that there will be another visit next year to Florida and my daughters Godmother. Will be ready. Will have the 26" wheels and 12x142 rear hub axle ready to go.

Highland Creek Primitive

Thanks to a road trip on June 15th to Toronto had time to re visit the classic old school primitive style Highland Creek trails.  I say primitive as compared to the Don Valley where everyone goes and is well manicured. The Highland Creek trails barely see a quarter of the users. 

Highland Creek Primitive

And with such low user volume you do have to expect some bonus challenges. Over growth one of them.

Of course with it being overgrown one has to ride slower than normal as it is harder to spot those bits that can hook you and take you down hard. And nothing sucks more than slamming knee first into the ground.

And with the weather....the rain that seems to keep coming. It has not been easy to get out to the trails anywhere. So this was the first ride this year to go through most in the Highland Creek system.

One side effect of the overgrowth is as mentioned hard to see things. Well, that overgrowth led to the near T Boning of a Deer. Who jumped 4 feet to the side then stared contempously at my disrupting it's day. Sadly when I pulled out my cell to take a pic it moved into denser foliage and became very hard to see.

Somewhere in there is a Deer

Sadly due to time restrictions did not have again time to try the couple of log rides the trail builders put in this year. Sucks as having done observed trials 20 years ago I do like a bit of trials style challenges.

Hopefully on the next trip down will have more time to try to master the new challenges. So with the time drawing near the bingo line it was heading back to the vehicle to get on the road.

26 Isn't Dead

I keep hearing how the 26 inch wheel is so obsolete. How it is a retrogrouch and luddite wheelsize.

Yet in the last 3 years of hearing this. Listening to the endless wheel size bullshit grinding drivel from the bike industry marketing actuaries. I keep seeing visual proof that it isn't just going away. All despite the marketing that suggests that being on a 26 inch wheel is less fun and makes you slower.

Slower? Really? Hmm....the last 2 Substance Projects half marathon podium placings say other wise. The leaving of the vaunted 29er wheelsize in it's dust. But that is impossible, I mean the industry told us that it will solve all riding problems right? The bike industry would never lie would it? Sure I readily admit that I have had a 29er mtb and like many bought it because it was new and so on.

But in the end it left me wanting as at the time 2009 the geometry sucked.

I started riding in Whistler BC and the trails of Mt Fromme. I liked a bike to wheely and get over stuff. Shouldn't have to feel like am fighting the bike.And when after a year it turned out to be meodiocre at best. Went back to the 26". And then tried again 2 years ago and ended up with the same ugh feeling. No matter what I tried. Sure there is a possible way but do I really want to cough up a $1000 ? Not at this time.

And I still am riding the Chromag Samurai is the 26 inch wheel size. Is it less fun? Nope. Is it slower? According to race and Strava times? Nope.  Does it go hard and handle everything I throw at it. Yep.

Nope.....26 Isn't  Dead.

2017 Northumberland Humbler Half Marathon

June 3rd was the date of this years Northumberland Humbler and after missing last year it would be another visit.

Meat Loading

Before leaving I had tossed my second pair of clipless shoes in the SUV. Something made me do it and turns out it was a good thing. After getting signed in and while getting geared up discovered one of my hard sole shoes soles was delaminating. While it was just the toe area, not taking any chances grabbed the extra's I tossed in and was ready.

With the wailing of Dan's siren it was race time. I got off to a better start this time and was faster so was a wee bit further up than normal. Without even realizing it the first 6 k went by quick and I realized like many went out fast for that first 6k. At that point to avoid blowing up later deliberately dropped to an slightly easier gear and spun more. I mean the course will be enough of a challenge so why make it harder?

Kept the focus on being smooth and not worrying about chasing anyone down. That is till the aid station at the half way point. That is where the racing starts.

Picked up the pace and began to catch people who had ridden hard for the first half.  Kept trying to be smooth and being smart. Soon it was the 5k to go mark and caught what I didn't know at the time was the 3rd place Clydesdale. For the next 2km we alternated passing each other a few times till just before the final road crossing where after getting by. Opened the gap on the downhill then it was the last road crossing and a stretch of logging road. Time trialed the logging road.

Just before going into the last bit of singletrack glanced back and saw no one in sight. Had opened a huge gap. Then it was the 1k mark and kept up the pace as didn't know if someone was close.

And coming out of the woods it was the finish and done. It wasn't till later that I found out I had earned 3rd. And had opened a massive 3 minute gap on the 4th place Clydesdale.

Northumberland Humbler Cldesdale Results

That produced 2 Lapdogs on the podium. And for those keeping score at home there is two Lapdogs in 1st and 2nd in the series overall in the Clydesdale Category. Overall happy as tactically had used my head and waited to the second half to become the hunter and make up ground.

I should mention thanks to my wife Joely who helped plan my being able to race while she is at CISM World's in Florida. Greatest coach in the world and the love of my life.

2017 Long Sock Classic

The Ganaraska Forest and I have a love hate relationship. You could say it is a abusive one as I have never had an easy issue free race there. Leg cramps to the year of the bog DNF. After taking a year away from racing in the Ganny it was a return to racing there with the 2017 Long Sock Classic Half Marathon.




With the passing of my mother in law at Christmas I no longer get to drive to Scarborough and sleep the night before a race closer to the Ganny. So this would be the first race morning long drive to a race in the Ganny. Of course couldn't make it easy so spent till late evening Friday running around moving furniture. 



 After arriving a little later than planned and getting ready with a little bugging Barry about fixing his lack of singlespeed problem with a Philips screwdriver. A bit after could see the start of the cattle call like gathering at the start line. I now days stay clear of that for as long as possible as standing around waiting doing nothing gives to much time to over think.  Spun around the grass a bit more then got in line near the back as I again had no expectations. Well maybe shouldn't say one expectation, that being the venue being the Ganny. And so was expecting there to be potential for a fight.



Dan blew the start whistle and off we where to the first bit of double track and I do admit I started well and seemed to move up easily. But remember this is the Ganny and easy can be an illusion. Then it was onto 10th Line Or Oak Ridges Trail which when raced the other way is The Dirt Road From Hell. Nearing the end things where going pretty good and after some more double track into the the singletrack.


This is to me where the real racing starts because it is where skills and technique can make up time. And just as I was getting going the Ganny striked. A corner where it went from cornering well to a 2 wheel drift to smash. Left knee taking the brunt and I think denting the root I hit with it. After a quick assessment to make sure nothing serious back on the bike. And try to get everything going again. Little did I know that this was actually going to a wee bit harder. Through the singletrack and slowly catching back up to the 2 a head. It would be on the next bit of double track I am guessing about 15k in when the next challenge arrived.

 Can't see the bone bruise

After bouncing down the double track and shifting a few times suddenly had grinding as I pedalled. Stop and checked to discover the chain derailed from the lower pulley. Fixed and while later it did it again. Fixed it and it disappered on the singletrack.

Hard to see but twisted lower cage.

Little did I know at the time that in the crash it some who had bent the lower cage of the rear derailleur. Didn't know this till after closer inspection in the Bike Brothel and mounting another one to find out it was bent. Nope, can never be easy in the Ganny. At least the good news is that in the singletrack it never acted up. So it was only at certain points on the doubletrack that the twisted derailleur acted up. And every time had to stop and dick around with this got a rider got past and then had to chase down and re-pass again.  Despite this was able to move up a few places before the aid station.


After the aid station it was more singletrack with a side of doubletrack derailleur pain. As I said nothing is ever easy racing in the Ganny. And finally it was the 10k marker where I continued focusing on trying to be smooth through the singletrack.  Caught a couple of guys at the 5k mark and kept the flow. Then finally it was just after the 1k mark I caught 2 more riders who if it was another 5k would have opened a gap. But we stayed close the rest of the way. Knowing they where close as we hit the grass before the final 180 degree left hander I wasn't going to take it easy. Not after smashing and fighting a lousy jockey wheel to move up the field. Sprinted to the line and was done.

Long Sock Clydesdale Results


Grabbed a beer and chair under the Lapdog tent and relaxed after another fight with the Ganny. After a bit it was the awards where Dan called the Clydesdale category and found out that despite the derailleur caused loss of time got third.  Despite the drive train issue slowing me down.  Oh, did I mention I did this on a antiquated Luddite wheel size?

O-Cup #2 Kingston

May 7th was the second stop of the O-Cup XC series which could have been easily mistaken for the Ontario Bog Trotters Cup races sponsored by Mephisto's Mud Studs.

O Cup #2

The day's leading up to the race we faced 150mm plus of rain with the  ground and water systems already saturated. During that period I worked with others to best prepare the track over long hours prior. I  am not a short course man. Add in that it has been 20 years since I last did a race of this type. It was a BC Cup in Vancouver BC at Kerr Park with half the course mud and water while it pissed rain with sections BB and hub deep. Hmm..seems like a theme for me when you add in MTB races with "Cup" in the title.


I should say that I have been course crew for races off and on since 1986. And despite the conditions another race wasn't cancelled because the course crew wasn't able to prepare the track.  We where able to pull it off. Team Colin mentioned this in his blog.

Team Colin

Taking in the conditions as well as not being a short course guy I was viewing this as the Kenyans would call it a Training Race.  As well as a equipment test as had a week prior just put a more modern fork on the Mistress Mk2 and it now had a lower stem height.  So Sat night I also noted that this race would be a test of mental toughness, that the conditions would from the start would test one's  mental strength ability to endure as well as brake pads and drive trains.

2017 O Cup #2 Kingston Album

Though to be fair being a BC kid I have the advantage that being used to wet and muddy has. Let' face reality growing up in Vancouver you either deal with the rain or never do anything outside.


Once the whistle blew it was the beginning of a two lap slog. That unfortunately by the 11:45 race had begun to dry and the mud was heading into the peanut butter variety. Yay. Since not worried about placing...who am I kidding I don't worry about it anymore. Though I had a hunch of what would soon happen as everyone sprinted through the barn into Sangers Sandbox. ANd just after the pump section it was like driving the 401 and hitting the outskirts of the GTA...sudden traffic slowing and going no where fast. Really you may as wel have been using an Abacus to time the race.

It became two laps of ride what you can and when you can't hoof it. On the first lap you could see for some the battle of equipment was being lost as they DNF'd with drive train issues. Yet some where in this I past and left in behind fellow Clydesdale Team Colin. I do admit that there was some satisfaction as last fall at the Marathon he beat me. This time I beat him in hard conditions.

As the 2 laps progressed you could see some where cracking or about to crack. And this is where one of my pet peeves of racing showed up, that being public crackings.  Maybe it is just me but if your going to crack or going into that race dark place. To me that is a personal battle, I won't drag you into mine like this one...

2014 Bad Day at Paul's Dirty Enduro

I get it racing is tough and it is a chance we take that we will have a bad day. But please, don't make it public. I know what your trying to do. Your feeling lousy and trying to drag me down into your experience. Because by doing that it will make things better in your mind. No thank you, I am having a bad day as well and am engaged in my own fight. Especially this day. All this does is provide more incentive to leave you behind.

And did just that to one racer. I didn't know that somewhere during the race it was decided that it would be 2 laps instead of 3. A fact I didn't find out till the end of the 2nd lap when we where quietly  told that was it.  Our labour was over. Bravo Zulu.

Had a small surprise as my wife showed up briefly to see if it was all good. Would have been better if she had given me a big hug and kiss.....but apparently she can tolerate sweaty and salty not muddy.

Trenton Loop Search

Had a chance on April 29th  before the week of deluge to go down to Trenton area to explore around back of Batawa. Last time I visited was about 4 years ago to do the Lower Trent Trail which as I found it to be a mind numbing ride.

Lower Trent Trail

This trip I wanted to explore some of the other track behind Batawa Ski Hill before it became overgrown and cooking hot. After a few side routes that where dead ends. Managed to find a route that got me to Batawa Road.


Trenton Exploration

But before I went to ride that I checked out another nearby spot that I spotted on a map to see if it offered anything and it didn't.

Seeking Trail

So it was back to the original plan of wandering around to see hat else as there. Again I do admit to doing it out of boredom as well as simply trying to create more options for riding. Plus it does get tiresome hearing the whinging that there isn't much to ride in Eastern Ontario. When I know by being creative in one' search you can find options. And not all will be singletrack as seems to be this mystical "gold" standard now days.

Yet if you look at the Scottish mountain bikers they ride singletrack, double track, and 4x4 track. Case in point,

Not just singletrack

And even the singletrack doesn't need to be golf course level manicured. Many I know would have fits if they tried to ride this.

Barely maintained singletrack


And with this in mind it was off to wander.

Based on the tracks there has been some riders here already. Good to see in truth.

Water Water Water

Though some sections had to be careful as the water levels this year are really high. Especially in the lower areas.

 Hmm...nope

Found a few dead ends. I mean sure it is a unplowed farm field. But as a rule unless I know a way round I try to never go marching through the middle. Even better if it is a long haul to the road not to.

Batawa Rd

After another dead end found the right track and finally came out at Batawa Road. And after thinking about it decided to make it a loop. So headed east on Batawa Rd towards the Trent River. And hooked up with the Lower Trent Trail. Then it was back to Batawa to go ride up to the top of the ski hill.

Mistress Mk1A2

I had brought Mistress Mk1A2 as I wanted to hit the sort of DH track off the top I had found on a previous visit back in 2008 or 2009.

2009?

And I wanted to try the Mistress Mk1A2 on a track I had ridden before. As it is the replacement for the stolen predecessor. Especially as the track I was going to do was rougher than Kingston area but not like Camp Fortune. Was able to get 4 runs with 3 of them timed and recorded via GPS. Even wet so far as that night creating a Strava segment for other times was able to be there.

When it was all said and done found a little 19km loop near Batawa ski hill with potential to add more if I can find more. And some fun on a DH like track to conclude a good little road trip.

Back Bottle

In May did the Monstercross Ride To ErnestownWanting some more water stuck round bottles in the Wingnut pack mesh pockets.While it did give me more water I ran into a problem using the round bottles.

Dropped at least one bottle when it got rough. Also it began to bug me trying to cram the round bottle back into the pocket while riding. Almost dropped bottles twice doing that. There had to be a better way.  Sure one can say just find a tap. That sounds easy when your not in the middle of some quad track surrounded by swamp and questionable water sources.

I remembered seeing something that could solve the problem.

Backbottle


Non traditional bottles that have non round bottoms and a dull point. That are supposed to work with rear jersey pockets with less fumbling. And blind flailing to insert in the pocket. Hmm...sounds good in theory.

And seemed to work well with the Wingnut pack pockets on a couple of dry runs. But would have to wait to truly test it during a long ride.

That came on August 7th with a 5 hour ride. Made even more challenging as it was the hottest day of the summer. Think temps where about 37 degrees and no clue what the Humidex said that day. But perfect conditions to test the Backbottle in real world conditions.


Rouge to Seaton to Rouge

On that ride I went through a 2 liter hydration bladder, one large water bottle and the 2 Back Bottles. Even hauling all that was still cooked at the end. Which makes having the two Backbottles in the Wingnuts 2 side pockets a good idea.

So after all that it comes down two one simple question....Would I use them again?

OH HELL YEAH.

In fact have used the back bottles a few times when I didn't bother to use the hydration bladder. And will be doing so in 2017.

Monster Gearing

Procrastination + laziness + neglect x willful ignorance x ego = current gearing situation.

I readily admit that for nearly 2 years have run the same dirt bag engineered straight bloc rear cassette.  With a chainring size geared towards the Tour De Caffeine. But I finally admit it has finally reached the stupidity level of gearing choices.

Hmmm gearing is wanting

While I should change the chain rings the simplest and most cost effective method is a more mountain bike oriented gearing cassette.

 With a quick google search that gave limited results on the discussion of Gravel/Monstercross gearing. Though this gave me the best input,

Gravel Bike Set Up

First change to be made for gearing in 2017 is the cassestte, out with straight block road and in with a non straight block mtb.  I only had a brief parking lot test of the cassette so have no real world info if this will be enough. But initial drive train recation is promising. But will not get my hopes up till I get in  a longer ride.

Spring Monstercross Mud

Wee bit muddy

So today was the first long ride of 2017 and it was to be a group one.  Of course with no long rides let's decide to go 59km. You know just to be stupor.

Muddy

It was a nice spring spring day for a group ride though.  And no expectations of it being easy but it would be the first long ride after going from a Analog Asshole to a Digital Sphincter.

Hmmm....need a deflector shield

In the end there was mud, suffering, and lots of muddy gravel. Yet despite no expectations did find out I got 6th in the Garbage Alley. Though had lots to think about gearing and future tire choices.

Mosntercross Garbage Alley

Me Hungry