St. Patrick's Day Snowboarding - March Break

St. Patrick's Day Snowboarding - March Break
Originally uploaded by Tony's Outdoors

What better way to spend a 17 degree Celsius St. Patrick's Day in the middle of March Break than to go for a Discovering Snowboarding lesson with my son at Sir Sam's, Eagle Lake in the Haliburton Highlands while my daughters had their own Discoverying Skiing lesson with their cousin.

The day was fantastic with some skiers and snowboarders enjoying the day in shorts and t-shirts.

The trails were in pretty good shape considering the temperatures had been in the double digits for several days already and overnight lows hovering around the freezing mark.

Water and Ice Under the Bridge

Water and Ice Under the Bridge
Originally uploaded by Tony's Outdoors

There is an eagerness to get back on the bike and hit the trails. As scenes of the partial frozen stream subside and the weather warms, that itch grows.

At this time of year, there are many trails that have begun to thaw and although the weather may be warm enough to again brave the trails, the trails themselves may not be ready.

The best thing to do at this time of year is to walk the trails first. A little hike along the trails to no only reacquaint yourself, but also to check first-hand the trail conditions, goes a long way. There is nothing worse than thinking the trail is fine and riding down a mucky soup, slipping and sliding to realize as you approach a stream crossing that the winter has taken out that rickety bridge.

A little caution goes a long way and help preserve the condition of the trails for an entire summer, fall and winter for some, of trail riding.

Remember to stay off the trails until they have dried out.

Ontario Science Centre

Ontario Science Centre
Originally uploaded by Tony's Outdoors

Finally! The first trail ride of the season. I was waiting for the trails to dry out from the spring melt. These trails are amazing! Dry as a bone, well with one exception. The trail past Cruther's Woods at the lowest point in the valley still had small patches of shallow mud and the trail as it ascends up had a few washed out parts but other than that, these trails are in fantastic condition.

If you have not yet been in the trails, whether it be the mountain biking or just the paved trails through the valley, get out and walk, blade, bike, run or whatever.

Life has definitely sprung and everything is finally green again!

2009 Toronto Bike Show

Went down to the Toronto Bike Show at the Exhibition in the Direct Energy Centre. Great show, lots to see. The best way to get there is, of course, by bike. Afterall, isn't that kind of the point?

It was a great day to get on the bike for the first time this year. Although there was a little chill in the air, the sun soon took care of that pretty good especially after getting going. In weather like that, the best thing to do is make sure you layer your clothing. I had on long underlining under riding pants and a wool long-sleeve with a fleece jacket and a gortex riding jacket. Well before getting going, I shed the fleece jacket into the pack. Layering is key! You can always remove a layer; you cannot put one on if you do not have it!

Just inside the door, you get a small glimpse of this event. It is only when you turn the corner that the enormity hits you. About an hour later, we had only made it to the end of the first row with many more to go. Once I made it to the dirt track is when I wished I would have brought my real camera. The point-and-shoot just does not cut it for sports action. There was dirt track racing, street course, trials, tricks, demos etc. Quite an inspiring event to really make you want to get out there and ride again after the bike being put away all winter!

I think my jaw dropped when I saw the price tag on this bike. That is a down-payment on a house! In case you cannot make it out, that price tag says $10,995!

I laughed at first, but then thought about it. This would be good, especially looking more closely at the plow mechanism and the ATV tires. Not a bad idea at all! If my driveway was even, I actually would seriously consider this over a loud, polluting snow blower. I might get a few strange looks, but so what!

Now I have to admit... this is one seriously sweet V Dub!

I am Published

Photo © Tony Bursey - All rights reserved.
I am Published
Originally uploaded by Tony's Outdoors

I know this is not about mountain biking, but what else do you do with your winters? I try to get out biking, but it does not always work out that way so I went to the dogsled races held in Marmora, Ontario to keep up my photography.

Granted, it is not the Toronto Star or Globe and Mail, but this little paper is dedicated to the Marmora SnoFest. Located about an hour north of Belville, I was there for the 4-dog 4 mile and 6-dog 6 mile races on February 1st. 2009. The article was written about the Jamaican Dogsled Team founder, Danny Melville and contains a photo I took at the Haliburton Highlands Dogsled Derby in 2008.

Covered...

Photo © Tony Bursey - All rights reserved.
Covered...
Originally uploaded by Tony's Outdoors

The Duke's Epic 8-Hour held at Hardwood Hills at the end of September was quite an experience! A little on the muddy side for the first lap... this is the result from doing my first lap entirely in full-on rain. The trail became pretty slick in a few areas. A few crashes ensued, but all in all everyone had a great time.

An absolute must event for next year!

Postponing the Inevitable

Photo © Tony Bursey - All rights reserved.
Postponing the Inevitable
Originally uploaded by Tony's Outdoors

The rider, while attempting to cross the pirate plank obstacle, is trying so hard to avoid going for a swim at the 24 Hours of Summer Solstice mountain biking race put on this weekend by Chico Racing. The crowd awaiting in eager anticipation of the rider taking a mud bath, and they were not disappointed.