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Saturday February 22, 2025 EST |
| a nomad in search of... | |
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September 29, 2002 Sunday Mountain biking revisited I planned on being at the Grape Squeezer race in St. Catherines this morning, but that would have meant holding back on the pizza party yesterday. My indecisiveness prompted me to forego the race. Instead, I spent the afternoon riding the Don. My last ride there was early spring. It's time to revisit the trail again. Besides, I haven't been on the trail for the last 3 months except to race - 24 Hours of Adrenalin at Kelso in June, another 24 Hours of Adrenalin at Hardwood Hills in August, and the Durham Durango just 2 weeks back. That's it. No leisurely ride...just races. 2 guys named Alex and their friend John At the Don, I chanced on hooking up with these 2 guys both named Alex. Later, we were joined by their friend John. They all seem to be in high school. These guys are NOT cross-country riders like me or the types I'd been hanging out with. They're freeriders who live and breathe North Shore - big air, sick drops, teeter-totters, elevated ramps, long travel forks, no spandex and body armour. I was curious how their scene was all about. I tagged along. They took me to the less traveled but wickedly sick trails. Elevated Ramp First stop was a 100-foot long, 1-foot wide elevated ramp with a 7-ft drop at one point. The first Alex (I'll call him Alex 1) negotiated it with ultimate ease. His tip? "Speed is your friend. Gather enough momentum so you can span the entire length without having to pedal". Alex 2 is new at this. It took him several attempts to muster enough sinew to go all the way. Finally he did! A first for him...what a rush! I knew I had to try...no spectators here, just participants...or so I thought. At the starting lip of the ramp, thoughts of the crash I had in late winter where I hit my face on a rock and still found myself clipped scared the living daylights out of me. I passed. They were kind. Steep Hill Climb We regrouped after exiting the trials. Second stop was going up and down that very steep hill at the end of the trails close to the park. The downhill part was pure sugar...sweet. Letting go of the brakes and letting it rip. Going up was brutal. I thought I could nail it but lost traction close to the top...oh well. Wicked Trails Third stop was an isolated trail system full of sharp switchbacks, narrow off-camber trails with a 20 foot vertical drop, steep climbs that are NOT rideable ( so we carried our bikes), elevated ramps, river crossing...you get the idea. No one was really familiar with the trail system so it felt more like exploring...yes, exploring - the one aspect you don't get to experience in a race. The trails were so technical we dismounted a third of the time. Big Air Fourth stop was riding the flats with the big ramps for big air. Going there was through flat twisted trails. It was a fast course. Finally, we reached the big ramp area. It was painstakingly built with passion by a group of freeriders who talk a lot about dropmachine.com. Alex 2 made the first go. He went so fast and high, he overshot the second ramp and landed on his tail bone. Sprawled on the ground and writhing in agony, he stayed there with his face painting a picture of total pain. He was down for a good while. We waited for him to be up and about and headed out. This guy has heart. Marché I was tempted to board the TTC but I had to make penance for not doing the elevated ramp. I decided to ride back home to Steeles/Yonge. On the way, I passed by Marché by the Bayview/Yorkmills area. It was screaming "Mövenpick" ice cream. Having already earned by calories, I stopped by and indulged. Conclusion I started my ride hoping to get a workout but I came away with more. Doing the trails alone and hooking up with guys along the way and being treated to explore some kick-ass trails brought to mind the early beginnings of mountain biking for me - TheLoneRider on a journey in search of trail systems and getting connected with other riders along the way. There was no race then, no podium aspiration and there was no beating your "personal best". It was just you, your bike, the trails and a lot of good vibe to savour nature at its best. I'm left smiling and thinking," Yeah....this is what it's all about".
Alexander Collins - September 30, 2002
Michelle Ward, avid racer and Team Owner: Fly Gurlz - September 30, 2002
Mark Ciana - October 1, 2002
Paul Greensmith - December 9, 2002
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