Perch Run 2013 Part II

Perch Run 2013

Brenda on Pottery Rd.

Little 40k Jaunt

Just Marty and I doing a quick 40k or so on a Sunday after Broomwagon closed for the day. This was at the lighthouse on the Leslie Spit.

More wintertime riding

Keep it coming so called winter...

It was snowing before the ride and we went out anyways.  

It got worse as the ride progressed.

The motorists must have thought we were crazy.

But what do they think when they see a cyclist actually enjoying themselves? 

After the ride in Brooklin, Jan 2013 (Stitt & Mart)

2nd Annual Perch Run

Yesterday, 6 Black Fly's set out on the 2nd annual Perch Run with a 100km jaunt from Cam's house near Burford to the sunny beach town of Port Dover and back. The run down to the lake was very fast as we made the distance in 90min.  Coming back took a bit more effort since it was uphill and we swear the wind changed direction on us.  With the exception of a couple of douche bag drivers who must have been extremely inconvenienced by our little bike ride (remember, don't be a douche - ever!) the ride went off without any major issues.  Next year, let's get everybody out!!!

Perch Run 2012

Tour de Caledon

Had to share some of this amazing ride with everyone.  The below pic was taken at the top of Mt. Pleasant Road just a few roads east of good old Albion Hills.  You might not be able to make it out very well, but in the far distance IS the skyline of Toronto.  We left the city around 6:15AM, parked in King City and road over to Bolton and back along some of the most beautiful, rolling roads there are in the GTA.   About 90km in total.  A big thanks to my riding companions, Anthony & Nigel!    

 

Broom Wagon/Black Fly group ride

From our group ride on Sunday.  We started at the shop, headed down to the Lake, rode west until we ran (haha) into the marathon.  We doubled back to the Spit, out to the lighthouse and back, up the Don path, and climbed Pottery.  In all, about 45km and the average speed was 25-35 kph.  The plan is to have a ride every Sun, leaving the shop at 9am.  No ride this Sun since it's Mommy's Day.

Perch Run 2011

We started out at Ryan M's place near Mt. Pleasant for the round-trip ride to Port Dover - outfitted in our new jerseys of course!! Looking pretty handsome I'd say....

A great time was enjoyed by the group, although the cross-headwind throughout the ride home made for some challenging K's (and some "twinging" hammy's and quads).

The ride ended with a BBQ (and Black Fly cupcakes and cherry cheesecake - thanks Haase and Stitt, you guys obviously have the Mr. Mom thing down pat), well-earned cold beverages of choice, and some quick dips in the pool, followed by some longer stretches in the hot tub!

Can't wait (?) to do it again next year, hopefully with even more riders.

Great job guys, and thanks for pulling me along...

First annual BlackFly "Perch Run"

We all know that BlackFly Racing is first and foremost a MTB racing team. Those are certainly our roots. Most (if not all) of us have a road bike in our personal fleets as well though, and thoroughly enjoy riding them. It was because of this that we decided to hold the first (annual hopefully) BlackFly Perch Run. Named for the destination and turnaround point, the Perch Run was a 100km "out and back" route to the sunny shores of Port Dover in Norfolk County, well known for its perch fishery.

We set out around 10:30 from Muller's house just outside of Brantford. Along the way we were buffeted by a stiff west cross wind that didn't seem to hinder our progress too much. We arrived in Dover all feeling pretty good; so good that Dean treated himself to a fish sandwich! Man was it windy down there though. Our return home was Epic (yes with a capital E). That stiff west cross wind had gotten stiffer and turned out to be slightly north-west making our ride a tough slog for sure. We all survived with no major injuries (apart from Hazer's unfortunate debilitating leg cramps with less than 10 km to go. We finished the day with an awesome BBQ and hot tub session back at Ryan and Sandy's (thanks again guys!)

It was certainly great to get a group of 8 of us out there on our road bikes for a day. Let's shoot for at least that many next year. Great job fellas!

Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal

We have to organize a trip to this thing next year!  As cyclists and cycling fans (and sports fans in general) attending a pro bicycle race is a pretty cool thing.  You might only see them every 15 minutes or so but I can picture us all hanging out on the course, maybe sitting in our camping chairs, and cheering on the lads as they climb past us.  Then we'll head down to the finish line and watch the end drama. 

Ride For Heart 2010

The only 2 pics I was able to snap:   My two riding buddies (Cam and Hazer) and a very large display of bananas.  This morning in Toronto it was cold and raining - make that pouring.  How does one spell epic?  The Ride for Heart 2010.
As I'm writing this a couple of hours later,  I look outside and the ground is dry and let's just check the forecast.  Yup, looks like it's gonna be a pretty nice day.  Shit.

Riding in Brooklin, Yo!

Stitt and I did some road riding north of Brooklin, Ontario this weekend. Our ride took us from their house along quiet paved roads north-east until we got to the town of Port Perry on the shores of Lake Scugog. The countryside up there has plenty of rolling hills, giving you an immediate downhill reward after climbing.






Often on country road rides you will encounter some very protective dogs but luckily for us, this fellow was very friendly!


Through the eyes of the handlebar!

Black Fly Racing in Vegas!

Bootleg Canyon, Boulder City, Nevada.


Basically there was a gravel road up the middle of these 2 gigantic hills with singletrack carved into their sides. Very "flow-ee" but also very technical with extremely loose dirt and numerous boulders and rocks to pick through. Also, because there were over 4,000 people out riding you had to be alert to other riders coming up behind you and at you.


On the Norco Team Carbon. Brand new SRAM XX group. I think this bike was under 20lbs.


On our road ride testing out the new Dura Ace electric shifters on Orbea Orca full carbon roadies.

Country Riding

Huron County. I always look forward to a ride or two in the area where I grew up. Nothing but blue skies, quiet rolling roads and a few local cows to cheer you on. A bit different from the busy city but a nice change, for sure.

Ride for Heart

Today was a great day of riding for Marty, Cam and myself as we completed a 50km stretch on the Gardiner/DVP. The morning was a little cool but with continuous spinning our bodies quickly warmed up. A ton of participants as usual and saw a lot of little ones in their Chariots (can't wait to pull Justin next year). What a great way to spend our Sunday. They should close the Gardiner/DVP at least once a month...hmm, I'm pretty sure that wouldn't go over too well.

Much needed

Today was a gorgeous day. 4 degrees and sunny in the middle of winter. A long winter. A very long winter. Let's see, since mid November it's been consistently cold with lots of snow in Ontario, preventing us from exercising outside and getting in some much needed km's. Today, Stitt and I headed out to Toronto's Leslie Spit for a ride along the car-free roads and we enjoyed every minute of it - even though it was still only 4 degrees. Thanks for the ride, Ryan.

A "Century" of Memories.

Finally, I have recovered my old hard-drive (after 2 years)! It's been collecting dust (much like my bike at this point in the season), and I've not been able to get any old pics from it. Not any more! I managed to clean up the drive, get some old bike pics, and escape unharmed throughout the entire process.

For me, this is cause for celebration and good reason to contribute my first entry to our wicked-ass blog (keep it up Mart!)

One of my favourite pics is the one above of Tonic, Mart, and myself following the completion of my (and Tonys) first century. It was an awesome trip from Port Dalhousie to Niagara Falls with a return trip along the Welland Canal. Truly epic! A great day of riding and proof for myself that over 4 hours of saddle time is a hell of a lot of fun!

Happy New Year everyone and I'll be sure to post more pics as I search through them.

Cheers.

Stitt