I Fucked Up and I Knew Better

So...yesterday during the two hour ride realize I fucked up. I know better about riding in remote areas in Ontario that if run out of water drinking from lakes and such unfiltered is a bad idea. This isn't the mountains of BC with mountain fed creeks of safer water to access. The chances of beaver fever is higher and not a thing I want.

I had two water filters in the truck and didn't bring one of them. I was being dumb and potentially setting myself up for a bad day if it had been hotter and had ridden longer.. I will be making an effort to have one with me in remote areas and avoid this mistake.

Kamamiskeg Lake MTB Trails

The last week of August had another opportunity to visit Combermere and Kamamiskeg Lake area of Ontario. It was the side benefit of helping a friend out. A few days before checking Trailforks and noticed some new developments as someone else had been up riding.

Kamamiskeg lake MTB Trails

This boded well as something new and less exploration was needed aka blindly wandering around figuring it all out.. And would be fun in it's own way. There wasn't a designated spot for parking so tucked the Dirtbag Ute into a spot beside the entrance to the waste transfer site.

And off to explore it was and with zero expectation other than a wander in the woods going out via Southern Wolf. And to find at least to me new and interesting things. Like a hunting camp with a late 80's beer banner on the side of the cabin.

From there it was more doubletrack till got to Wolf Lake. Could have continued past Wolf Lake to connect to Northern Wolf but it would have involved a portage over a muddy wet Beaver Dam. So kept to the trails south of Wolf Lake.

Back tracked a bit on Southern Wolf to the intersection with Bernacki Beaver Fever. Turned left and took that for more double track. Again while nothing to cause concern just kept it at a say 6-7 on the RPE scale.  After a bit Bernacki Beaver Fever connected to Broke Shield.

Went left down Broken Shield heading roughly South East towards Kamamiskeg lake. About 355m  from River Road  took the short Logging Camp trail to River Road. At River Road turned right and rode the road till the entrance to Broken Shield.

While it is ATV or double track Broken Shield had enough rock to make it a bit of a challenge. And at one point arrived at the view point. Where I could look back roughly towards my friends parents cottage. After the usual view point shot of Rum headed down the rest of Broken Shield.

Which eventually came out overlooking the sand pit and former landfill.  And thanks to the ATV crowd there was a downhill line like the one's from Kranked back in the late 1990's. Sure not even 5% of what was in film but as the Brits say...use what you got.

So dropped the saddle and took a run. Sliding a bit on the way down and avoided head dabbing it when I got to the loose sand. Since I nailed it decided to get a few pics on a run or two more just for fun.

Did it three more times and nailed it all three times. Had a smile and happy. But knew it was time to pack it in for the day as had drunk my water and was hot as I baked in the sun. Headed out to the Dirtbag Ute.

Riding back while it was a good day was kind of wishing I had my old Chromag Stylus that was stolen. Over thinking had me thinking how great it was on the Chromag Wideangle. I kind of wanted to have had the Stylus knowing it was the full bore play bike. But alas this was also the last trip as this day was also the day my friend's parents cottage changed hands to someone else's ownership.

On this day when back at the Dirtbag Ute glad I had the little portable shower to rinse all the salt and stuff off my head and arms. Definitely happy to have that on adventures. After loading up it was back to my friend's parents cottage to do the final ever loading and drive away.

Kamamiskeg Lake Ride

I do admit I made a glaring error in judgement. I didn't put in my Pinch Flat Designs waist pack the Lifestraw I had. It was a mistake madeby someone who knows better. While it seems insignificant I only had a water bottle. And while it was a short ride if had needed water sooner one can't drink from creeks here like in the mountains. It was a mistake I made.

Hoares Road Combermere

This is a quad track I found during a August trip to Combermere though I suspect it may have been an old skidder road. Well parts of it may have been a skidder road.  But in keeping with trying to find things to ride and after looking at maps and Google Earth Satellite view I thought there had to be a way to ride it.

Hoares Rd Super Enduro DH

Reality is that the Combermere area doesn't have really any mountain bike trails. Pretty much all there is ATV track. And like the Brits do you have to make do.

Not a lot can be said to describe the track as it is ATV track that sees little maintenance.  If you decide to descend from Hoares Rd you have to do a grunt with a lot of kike to get back to the top. Or if you park down on Lakeshore do the grunt up you can bomb it down. However if you can plan it it would be a doable track to do shuttle runs.

 The trail was fun though it had me thinking that maybe needed to go 27.5x2.6 tire in the rear and a 27.5x2.8 in the front. But it wasn't a deal breaker as I know that if had more time would have gotten better at it from more runs on the track.

It also had me missing the old Stylus I had from 2007. I think this would have been fun on that as well.  Maybe one day in the future can return.

In the end after a hot sweaty grunt back up was happy as had found a new track in Combermere which is a bonus. And in the end would return later in the year to get a second run at it. Wooo. Now to begin the waiting to acquire another Chromag Stylus hopefully by December.

Scrappy Badger 20K 2019

September 14th was the first running of the Scrappy Badger Gravel Race in Baltimore just north of Cobourg. And I had almost not done the race as had a bad day prior with my post hit and run PTSD.

Driving down thought about doing the 40km but finally went with the 20km race as with the shorter distance it would be a good chance to test the knee going as close to all out as can go. So the 20k it is as if it went wrong it would be easier to get off the course. And I was not worrying about podiums as had completely the wrong bike, no idea how my body let alone my right knee would react, and was doing this on flat pedals. Plus with the weather changing with the seasons my body with the injuries is starting do new things. This was simply a how would my body react if I went hard exam.

After getting there late and rushed getting ready. Lined up and then we did the neutral ride to the actual gravel pit start. Took my time unlike others as why hurry when the clock hasn't started yet? Why burn energy going fast when you still have to actually stop and then start again? After standing around for a while it was go for the 20k group and with the traditional Dan Marshall barely get going and here is a hill. 

After spinning up the first hill it was down to business. That being going as hard as I can but knowing when to not as the paranoia about my knee was still there. Each hill was spun up with only hoofing it up two. I rode the rest harder and made up without knowing as wasn't really paying any attention ground on others. For the first time this year did actually at the 10km point start to race the second half faster. And other than some annoying slight cramping in my left calf no issues at this point.

And looking back was in hunt mode for the first time all year which was a definite positive change. At one point had a laugh on a downhill about making it harder with the wrong bike in Tom Warren style. Kept putting in the effort and after finally the long fun downhill.  And back along the gravel road we took going out. And the finish was just a flag and Jenn with the timing. Done. 

End result was despite the calf cramp and a back that will be forever now  tight. The day was a success as my knee held up and so did the body when pushing hard. That was really why I was there today. Getting the podium was just a bonus as the results of the exam where good. Another bonus was meeting and having a beer in the parking lot with a racer named Lee from Iowa. She had on a whim driven all the way up from Iowa to do the Scrappy Badger. I know some Lapdogs would have wanted to hang out in the parking lot post race with her.

Scrappy Badger 20k

It was while primarily a good day it was a bit sad as I have a reality I now accept. That being I will never ride on road. I am ok with that. As have found ways to keep riding just means no road bikes in my future unless it is a trainer queen. 

If anyone was humming and hawing about doing gravel and was rightly so afraid of vehicles this is the event to do next year.  Other then race vehicles no other cars. No hills of death. And if you want to try it for the first time you have a 20km distance. 

Cut Yer Bars Whistler

July 12 flew to BC to visit family and first two days was in Whistler at my parents cabin. I was fortunate that due to not bringing my bike that Ian of Chromag Bikes offered to let me use a Chromag Nice Dreams Fat Bike.  Hey...why not try something different.

Strava Data if your interested in those things.Cut Yer Bars and Wander

It should be noted the trail to enter this trail area is Area 56 and if your concerned about the need for decoder rings and secret beer drinking rituals as a requirement to enter....Area 56 security was on a summer vacation.

First ride on the Saturday chose a warm up which took me to a Whistler old school classic Cut Yer Bars in the Nestor's area. This was a visit to my past as these where the trails I learned on back in the late 80's.

And while initially nervous as this was the first technical ride in Whistler since 1999 and with a questionable knee. Very quickly regained most of the style one needs to ride Cut Yer Bars quickly. Much quicker then I expected.

Part way through what would be the first lap of Cut Yer Bars at the Lorimer Road entrance ran into a guy doing it on a eMTB. Let him go and gave a good gap. As was in no mood to be near anyone using that style currently nothing against them. It was more mindset post getting crushed by a car.

Well...got back to the junction with Robin Yer Eggs and felt good so ended up doing a second lap of Cut Yer Bars. And on this one made the mandatory stop at the look out.

In the end good ride of the Cut Yer Bars area and got to see that my body was ok. After returning to the Nestor's area by the BC Hydro station headed over to have a look at the Lost lake area to see how much it had changed. Hoping that maybe the rain would stay away as it had rained a wee bit earlier during the second lap of Cut Yer Bars. And it came down heavy. It was well past the 2 hour mark and being aware that I no longer ride in BC and therefore no longer have the gear for BC. Pulled the plug and extracted to Mons and to take the long slog back to Emerald Estates and the cabin.

All in despite no gear anymore for BC so being a bit under equipped had a good ride.

Depot Lake Loop July 2019

The day before flying to Vancouver finally made the run up to Depot Lakes to do the loop. It has taken many weeks to get to this point. And knowing it is a remote gravel road loop which would mean no cars.

Depot Lakes Loop July 2019

Got there to discover that the Cataraqui Conservation Authority had implemented pay parking. Funny thing is they when checked online claimed they had given advance warning which based on last Decembers ride. They did not as recall no notices of 2019 becoming you have to pay to park in a barely maintained lot. Great way to ambush users.

But back to the task at hand. This would be the first long ride with hills and such since got crushed by a car in march. So had no expectations of anything other then see how it felt especially before BC. And would be the first long ride with the Chromag Wideangle. And would do it with flat pedals.

Made it to the Echo Lake Site with no issues well aside from the Deer Flies following along. Which meant a brief stop to look and take a pic. Then get moving again before to many landed. Heading down the road was starting to think of the long climb of the route known as Haddock's Hill. This would be a test of my knee and leg.

And while not fast in any capacity got up and over with no pain in the right leg or knee. Which was good and very relieved. From there it was the slightly rolling gravel back to the Dirtbag Ute. Which went by as always quicker then you think.

Almost forgetting that last hill near the end but rode up it no problem and then was back at the start. While it wasn't fast it was a good long ride on the Chromag Wideangle and good about the right knee. As it was important as was confirming the issue that riding was ok. While all the pain was caused by walking to much. And this confirmed it.

It was definitely a dusty ride this time round the loop. But that was still a good ride.

Thomas P Murray Recreation Trails Combermere ON

Helping a friend out allowed me to go north way north of Kaladar near Barry's Bay in the village of Combermere during the first couple of days of July. While I did bring the Chromag I wasn't expecting much as there is nothing showing up on Trailforks.

However having the Backroads Map Book for Cottage Country I did notice something that might be worth it. The Thomas P Murray Recreation Trails just north of Combermere on Highway 62 while ATV and snowmobile track might be rideable. Plus it showed a bike on the what you could do there. But without riding you never know.

http://www.madriverrentals.ca/images/maps/TPMtrailMap.pdf

Starting an exploration of a new system might not be a good idea during full bore Deer Fly season but couldn't be helped. After trying the first of 2 trailheads that where signed and finding not much parking went up 62 to the second and found a better option. Heading in it was as expected sandy  ATV track.  Nothing exciting but still was riding in the woods.

First trail was on I found out was Red Pine Trail which eventually reached a junction where I headed right and ended up on Tom's Trail.  It was so far pretty much mid 80's kind of mountain biking where you rode what you could. So after a while reached another juncture and headed right onto what was called Drohan's Trail. This it turns out was to be a mistake but unless you had local knowledge you wouldn't know.

Drohan's Trail started ok and had the usual backcountry conditions of rough and some mud. No bi deal. How little I knew that would change as soon it devolved into Hellbiking. A good chunk had been made unrideable with all the trees downed by wind. So a good chunk of effort was put into getting through that and all the over growth.

After a while of that finally came to another junction that was the main route which led back to the Dirtbag Ute. And some cold fluids as it was a hot day to do some Hellbiking unintentionally. And as Drohan's Trail showed there was minimal if that trail maintenance in Combermere.

While it shows there is potentially something rideable in the Thomas P Murray Trails it is best looked at either early Spring or in September when the bugs die off and the overgrowth isn't as bad. That way one can go in and really see and figure out what is there.

Thomas P Murray Trails Hellbike

However the Thomas P Murray |Recreation Trails are backcountry mountain biking. To go in you need to bring gear to do bike repairs and what not to be able to self extract.  Print up a version of the trail map before you go in and use it with the Trailforks record your ride so you can navigate your way. But do not just rely on Trailforks. Remember at all times this is remote and rescue will take far longer. Bring gear for weather changes.

And due to location leave a cooler in the truck with water and food for after the ride. That way you can cool off and drive safely not craving food. Hopefully might be able to visit once more in the future.

Kingston Trophy 2019

June 1st was the early last stop of the Substance Projects marathon race series. And as per usual was out doing course work...well as best as could due to the recovering from the getting crushed by a car.

Race day I entered the Short Course 17km again as it was the smarter decision. Not much one can say as had to ride as hard as could yet be careful of my knee. And am still trying to get the riding feel I usually have to come back. So it was a harder ride then usual for even the 17km.

It  is hard to accept mediocre races when you know you could be better and in your mind should be. This is why after the previous race coming to a decision that maybe was meant to be. And something my Lapdog team mate Barry stated after riding the LSC in May after I finished it.

I showed up to both races in reality angry and fed up. Angry because some self entitled prat tried to crush me with a vehicle. In truth it was me showing I wasn't a fully broken mess and saying fuck you to it all.  Because in my head it was one more thing taken away by a shitty human who will never be punished. And because laying around would have been worse for the second case of PTSD I now have.

So while I did get the medal again and got a PR on a section of the course. After was the decision that had put off.  The decision was to not race till 2020 and just focus on riding and trying to ride stuff. Not worry about mileage at all while try to figure out the mess that is my body.

Long Sock Classic 2019

10 weeks to come into the 2019 Long Sock Classic with a different mindset and many unknown body factors. 10 weeks since crushed by a car driven by a hit and run driver.

Race day after driving down with a barely 3 day old knee brace lined up with the short course 17km group. Reality I had no goals nor any expectations as had no handling time and only begun working on the mess my body became on March 4th. Plus had really no trail time on the new bike.

Once the race started and despite an initial faster then normal start began the grind. There was no flow or right mindset. It was pretty much a fight to try and ride trail while trying to get some kind of flow going. Had to stop 4 times to adjust the knee brace as it was not just right yet. Hoofing it up up to many hills as was paranoid about my knee.

It took 13km before I came even close to getting anything that felt close to what I know works. So for maybe 4 km kind of felt some flow but no power. Kind of understandable as spent 10 weeks starting the process of post getting crushed by a car recovery. And finally the finish line. While it was good to be out was kind of frustrating as legs felt like garbage.

After hanging out for a while with teammates found out that had placed 3rd in the short course open category.  So had an unexpected bonus to the day. Kind of a break from dealing with the crap from the few weeks prior.

March 4th 2019 A Bad Day

7 years and 7 months since I was last hit by a car in Ontario. Which was March 4th 2019 of getting hit.

Warning link has blood.

Pinball

March 4th of 2019 was taken out by a hit and run driver who left me to suffer at the side of the road. All I heard was the sound of an engine revving then it was tumbling and landing in pain and bleeding on the sidewalk. I was taken to the ER at KGH with a possible spine, cervical, and head trauma or concussion. Eye was swollen and potential knee damage.

While the physical injuries heal and head was cleared of fractured skull that is not the end of it all. Because while physical injuries have healed and everyone talks like it is all good. Reality is the mental injury which no one sees takes longer. And about a week after the bad dreams started. While I don't recall those bad dreams I know they happen as I don't sleep as well that night.

And nearly 2 months later while am down to waiting on my MRI. I still haven't even ridden on the sidewalk near traffic. Am worried that I will have a bad interaction and end up in jail. People will say things like be the better person. Or you will get over it. That is nonsense. Knowing what I know now. I won't just get over it or move on. All I will be able to do is work on ways to manage the mental effects of being left to die on the sidewalk.

It will be hard to heal the mental side but will be easier talking to a counsellor to at least better manage it better.

Current goals...

Long Sock Classic May 18th at Ganaraska
  Kingston Trophy June 1st

Simply ride to places via the sidewalk.

And figure it out as best as can as it progresses.

Minus 29 Hike

On Saturday Jan 19th with the minus 29 temperatures that would cause my freehub to take a sick day. In an effort to do something headed out to hike into the Swampatorium. Boredom and such being the avoidance exercise.

Minus 29 Frozen Few Hike

And since I never have been in there with snow on the ground figured it was worth an effort.

I haven't gotten in there in winter but it was good to take a look. Have been told that one can backcountry ski across the swamp when it is this frozen.

The minis 29 cold didn't even get through the old school Mountain Equipment Co-Op heavy fleece mountaineering pants. WOOO.  of course with this level of cold one does feel a bit chilled no matter what. Now to stalk the weather forecast to aim for the recce ski up the Hwy 2 Hydroline to Oddessa and see how close it actually gets.

2018 Northumberland Humbler Half Marathon

Saturday Sept 29th 2018 was the final race in the Substance Projects Half Marathon Series at the Northumberland Forest. While initially had planned to drive down and camp in the Dirtbag Ute to make life easier. ended up going early in the morning. Oh well.

This race would be different as aside from the Paul's Dirty Enduro racing is done by labour day weekend. By end of September it is fun time on bikes.

As always follow my older and wiser pre race plan of arriving maybe 45 minutes before the half marathon start. Why arrive early and have to kill more time and over think even further? How about Nope. After getting the plate and getting the bike ready.

Got off to a better start then usual and as always rode the first half conservatively as I start racing truly at the aid station for the last half. Of course with the first half going smoothly have to screw up for the first time at a Substance Projects race over shooting a turn at an intersection. Once back up to the rest and back in flow got to the aid station and the road crossing.

Cross the road and in the immortal words of Phil Liggett...the preliminaries are over. Now the work begins to maintain flow while pushing it for the next 15km. Knowing that will reel in many as so many burn it all in the first half.  Nailed all the downhills and corners. Caught a a few racers who slowed down in the second half....never blow it all in the first half.

Back across the road crossing and down the sand road to the turn onto the last few KM's of singletrack. After the singletrack was the finish. Good day at the races with a 3rd in Clydesdale for the day and with the second year as Ontario Half Marathon Clydesdale champ. Wooo