Winter riding... in the Don!

I took the plunge this winter and got myself a Fat Bike, the KHS 3000.  I first took it out when the Don was frozen in mid January but before we got dumped with snow.  It held up nicely over the frozen terrain and over the ice patches.   However, ice is ice and it doesn't matter how wide your tires are, you still can slip and slide.  Off-camber sections were a bit dicey too.

The true test was after our 1st blizzard and to be more accurate after that snow had gotten packed down from hikers, snowshoes and a few brave cyclists.  What a blast!!!  The traction held up very well, climbing was no major issue and descending was slower, but doable.  I was able to ride all the main Don singletrack trails that we ride in the summer.  It actually feels a bit softer mainly because all the roots and rocks are covered with snow. 

Winter riding generally sucks because of the cold but this made it fun again.  Also you're mountain biking and not as much in the open so you don't get quite as cold anyways.

For the 1st time, probably ever, I'm kinda looking forward to next winter. 

Canadian winter pastime

Lower Don

Lower Don close-up

Heading towards Loblaws

Even Brenda came out and had some fun

Summer of Don Riding

Arguably one of the best trail systems out there right in our city:  The Don Valley.  Many of us have been riding these trails for over 10+ years and have seen them evolve over time.  But what has happened in the last 2-3 years has been an explosion of new trails, many of them linked together, and with lots of different degrees of difficulty.  And with some hilarious names:  The Ridge, Catalyst, Party Atmosphere, Rim Job, Big Old Titties, Gundy, Foreplay, Ho Chi Mingh, Climbax, The Ejaculator, Boo Trail, Mo Town, Flats.  Trust me, there's more.

http://www.ridingfeelsgood.com/topic/daily-trail-conditions-in-the-don/page/250/

From the top of Catalyst

The Lookout

Pyzer and ChrissyB

Lamey, Ian, Stitt and Marty

Night Riding in the Don

Who needs 24 races?

Well, they are awesome but for anyone who has invested in lights and wants to use them more, just ride your favorite trail at night.

Last night, a bunch of us hit the Don at about 8pm.  I've been on that trail hundred's of times but last night was the first at night.  Fun.  Will be doing it again. 

Chili Don-Don Ride

Hopefully another annual ride tradition was started today with an end of the season MTB ride through Toronto's Don singletrack.  We had to dress up a bit, but overall had pretty decent weather considering it was raining for the last few days - a little mud at this time of year is expected, right?

We finished with some beers, chilli and pecan pie to cap off what was probably one of the last trail rides of the year. :(

Thanks everyone for making 2011 another fun and memorable year for Black Fly Racing!

A little hike-a-bike.

Drew-man's 1st time on the Don!

Where's the trail, Tony?

Small towner in the big city!

Tonight's Don ride with Muller, Fox, Tony and Marty took us from downtown T.O. into the "Upper Don" up to Sunnybrook and back down through the "Lower Don". All told, about 30kms of riding and of that, 15-20 km's of dirt. All in the middle of 5 million people. We even bumped into Denis "Wild" Thang, who was out for a post-work training ride. Giver!

Return of the Black Flyette!

It's been a long time since The Mrs. last pedaled her white MTB with pink highlights - Squeezer '07 to be precise. Today, Brenda and I hit the paths and checked out the Don, which is very dry for this time of year I must report. Totally rideable. We didn't go through the whole trail today - maybe next week, but it was still great to be out. Less than 1 month til Paris-Ancaster!!!