New Bike Time June 3rd 2020

After last years incident and much patience important delivery arrived at Team No Fixed Income HQ. 

Bad Day 2019

A large box was dropped off by the delivery company. 

Clearly it was not a secret prototype Nucular fueled by Avocado Toast and tears of the darkside knee brace by Chromag. Instead it was a new Stylus in the 2020 flavour. And the excitement of opening.

And to be honest it has been about a few years since bought an actual new expensive bike. I for many years have been a dirt bag used rider. This will be new to me . New being a completely new frame and parts bike.

Massive cassette reminds this old retro grouch of the old massive pie plate size chainrings for DH at the Kamikaze in Mammoth California. And it is like a 12 speed? Wonder how many of the cogs I will actually use. 

One thing will say the 2020 Stylus does feel a wee bit lighter than the first Chromag Stylus I got in 2007. And was sadly stolen in 2015. 

Got the soon to be known as Mistress Mk1a3 together, And it looks good. I readily admit it will take a bit for this RGMC card carrying member to get used to the new brakes and shifters. Now to take it for a couple of rides to get it dialed in.

Chromag Stylus

Dirty Rides MTB- Be A Part of It

Fox Talus Links

A year and a half ago had my 2007 Fox 36 Talus decide to take a long term siesta. And not being rushed it became a long term project. Some of that delay was sheer no rush laziness and alot to do with taking time to dig through the internet to learn more. These are some of the links I found.

2009 Fox Tala 36 RC2 manual

Fox 36 Tala RC service video

NSMB.com Fox 36 Talas upgradesMTBr Fork service info

MTBr Inside the Fox RC2 Damper

2005 TALAS Spring Service Guide

Exciting Oppurtunity...DRA February 2020

I acknowledge that this hasn't been in order of how things happened in 2020. Am currently playing catch up as I with all things going on neglected like never before writing much. So...kind of a catch up.

In 2019 just as winter was about to start in Canada I had mentioned and showed the cool riding shirt from a company called Dirty Rides MTB apparel aka DRA from Northern Ireland. Surprised me with it a while later as she had got a bunch of gear from DRA at the same time.

In January 2020 spotted that DRA was looking from ambassadors from anywhere in the world. Showed it to my friend  more as a joke but her as well as a few others I had mentioned it to. Well they encouraged me to apply anyways and I did. And the end result is.....

I got accepted to be the Canadian ambassador for Dirty Rides MTB Apparel.

It is  a privilege to be asked to be a part of Dirty Rides Apparel team. But in some ways it is a feel good thing especially after everything since March 4th 2019. And is giving me something to work at which hopefully will give me something to focus in in 2020. As well as possibly in the future lead to more.

What matters is I took a risk by applying especially while working to manage PTSD and lingering injuries. Should be an interesting rest of year with this and it should be good.

Dirty Rides MTB Apparel

Gananoque ATV Track Exploration May 15th 2020

 A while ago looking at a Google Maps satellite view of the Gananoque area spotted what looked to be an ATV track. And I thought it might be rideable. So of course had to go explore to see. I kinda expected it being May that it might be to early to do the full attempt so this was kind of a Recce ride.

Of parking it was off on a sunny Spring day to see what the track looked like. And initially it was good as the track was dry. But like all things if one isn't careful you can be misled to believe it will be good.

5 minutes in and it began. The first having to maneuver around the ATV mini pond and would be only the first.

And the first would be the cleanest. From there it began to get nastier and deeper. Good thing had thought a head and was using the Shimano Gore-Tex mtb hiking type boots. Which initially kept out the water.

And then we got to the big churned up mud pit which really was more like a bog if you stepped in the wrong place. Going outwards did ok avoiding the boggy bits.

A bit after crossing the bog came to the big body of water aka a marsh. while I scouted up a bit on foot to see what it was like. Made the decision that it was better to call it a day and come back later in the year when the water levels where lower and more had dried up.

And it was on the way back crossing the big bog that finally went deep. Found the soft spot and went knee deep with my left leg. After extracting my leg from the bog and getting finally across. Headed back to the Dirtbag Ute to grab some pop and some food. So while it was a recce in the end. This will be revisited later in the year when water levels are lower.

Depot Lakes Trail April 10, 2019

 On Friday headed up to Depot Lakes knowing that no one would be there. I mean who wants to be out in the cold and wet? Well if your a mountain biker that is normal.

Depot Lakes Trail

This trip to the Depot lakes area would be different as I wasn't going to do the Depot lakes Loop. Instead this time was going to explore the trails in there.  So on Friday with a friend who wanted to hike while I rode it was off we went.

I have been told of this trail and area in the past but the year before had been more interested in creating a gravel loop.  This trip would be just the trail. And being early in the year had no expectations as to the outcome as this was an exploration ride. Mistress Mk1a2 was the bike chosen for this trip. Especially since had a fork mounted finally.

After parking in the Depot lakes campground and riding through the campground it was to the singletrack.  No expectations just an easy ride to explore and see the trail as I mentioned earlier. 

Some of the trails where for hiking while a few where for portaging what ever human powered water craft you preferred. And while it was a bit wet in some spots with the usual low wet spots. And even though at one point it kinda rained as after the ride looking at one photo you could see droplets in the pic on the lens. 

Despite the moisture the rock had traction as it being the Canadian Shield granite which has more grip when wet then Limestone. Though gotta say a few of the spots of water pooling definitely a wee bit deep. And while am known for being that guy to take the less travelled option which includes a creek crossing. Avoiding freezing water is the better option so a few times had to do the bike carry.

When you look at the GPS track after riding it doesn't seem that far a ride. But what it lacks in distance it more then makes up for one being able to ride technical trail pretty much the whole time. There is very little just pedal and ride trail. It will beat you up a wee bit in the end.

Came out where the trail connected with the Third Depot Lake boat launch. And with it being late afternoon rode out the access road to the main campground lot. End of ride relax for a bit at the truck. Thinking of doing this again but hoping to have the Chromag Stylus ready to go by then. 

Kingsford Salmon River Short Loop

Today before the weather changed to rain again headed back to Kingsford Conservation Area to map out the route.

Used both a GPS unit and Trailforks App on my phone to map. So both are available to refer to.


Strava,

Kingsford Salmon River Short Loop


Trailforks,

Kingsford Salmon River Short Loop

There is no corner store or gas station on this loop for anything to grab anything. And you need to be self sufficient as it is a long hoof back to Kingsford Conservation Area.

There is some traffic from the local land owners but that is it.

Once at Buttermilk Falls and turn onto Partridge Lane expect mud that currently is rideable. But if it rains it can and will change. At the end of Partridge lane it turns back to gravel .

Meach Rd is gravel and some faint climbs on the way back to Deseronto Road. Once you turn right onto Deseronto Rd you will have the big downhill. Just remember the bridge you see right after that is the left turn so be careful of your speed.

And depending on the weather you can sit by the Salmon River and post ride relax before heading back. There is potential to add more to this in the future either north or south. However that will take time and be a future project. But for now this is a starting point.

Rees and Wing Rd Out and Back

After a request by local riders for ideas and options to ride. Headed out to see how Rees and  road was. And if it was ok map out something.

Rees and Wing Road

The start point is at the dead end of Rees Road where you can watch the 401 go by. Go back the way you came in and across Highway 2. You will see the sign that say Unmaintained Road this is the beginning of the fun.

Well it turns out it is a wee bit early in the year to do Rees Road as there was lots of water further in. Which made for in 3 sections some hike a bike around the water holes. Remember ATV  and double track water holes and creeks may be deeper then they appear.

Usually Rees Road is better in about a month from now give or take. But good right now if your ok with a bit of mud and some hike a bike in your ride. Tip...if you ride in the wheel ruts and through the shallow puddles you end up closer to the roack underneath then riding on the high centre. Means more traction.

After mud and some hike a bike around ATV water holes you come out at the end of Rees Road and onto Wing Road. Keep gouing straight towards the distant Wind Farm. At the end of Wing Road which is Millhaven Rd. Keep going straight which is another unmaintained road. You will pass a farm house on the right. And just keep going.

If you bring you kids with you it is a chance to see one or two wind turbines up closer. There is a gravel access road further east from the road your on but that is technically for access to that only.

Later in the year when it is drier you can ride all the way to the end where the gate is before the CN Rail tracks. Can watch the trains go by if you time it right.

You will notice on your way in the OFSC mileage and direction markers. And here will see double track under the hydro lines heading east back towards Amherstview and Kingston. Yes it looks tempting.

It is actually part of another loop I mapped out 4 years ago. It does look tempting but be aware looks are deceiving. Even in the drier part of the year it is a sufferfest to ride this between the never drying mud sections and the uneven track. Plus you do have to be on the ball navigation skill wise to navigate it as no markers to refrence.

To get back to the start simply follow the same route you came out on back. Sometimes you might spot ducks in Millhaven Creek. Only seen it once though.

As you come back on Rees Rd after cross Highway 2 you can see the dead end in the distance and almost done. Get to your vehicle and that is it done.