Offroad Ontario XC #3 is in the books as racers tackled the course looking to build points towards the 2013 provincial series. Event photos can be foundHERE.
The 16 km track led the riders through fast, open straights, flowing single track, pine trees, sticky mud and the motocross track. Because of the course length the morning class completed an average of 4 laps while the pros on a slightly altered course logged in 6 laps. This made for a very scheduled and organised photo session as I knew I was not going to see the riders often. So, to maximise time and run an efficient shoot I decided to stay of the trails and take advantage of the track. Not only was it a treat to work the track but it was real nice not getting attacked by trail side mosquitos and poison ivy which I know runs rampant at RJ’s.!
Once again, thank you for taking the time to visit my blog and if you are purchasing, or thinking of purchasing photos, please know that before I approve any photo I make sure its ready to go by making final adjustments to crops, colours etc. In particular, for the PM riders please note that the photos taken on the downhill side of the table top can be cropped either vertical or horizontal. I cropped them horizontal as I liked the look but they can be reverted back to normal.
On a different note, I really appreciate those people who take the time to acquire a photo through the proper channels. Just saying that when I upload photos for my photo reports it does not give you the right to lift them. I wouldn’t dream of helping myself to your stuff that’s left out in the open. Thanks for your understanding.
Thanks to the OCMC and the OO crews for another fine event!! Already looking forward to next weeks double header. BTW, don’t forget to follow me on my Facebook page under Cecile Gambin Photography for current updates.
Elmo Rutnik looking sharp on the flip side of the table top.
Offroad Ontario XC #2 held at MotoPark, Chatsworth, Ontario this past weekend is in the bag and all event photos can be found HERE.
I have fond memories of MotoPark having first visited back in the mid-90’s for the XC Mountain Bike Provincial Championships. I think I ‘podium-ed’ so was happy. However, my second visit last year dampered my spirits as the rock laden course broke my back (not quite literally but close enough). Unable to finish the race I was faced with the daunting task of walking back to my car, loading my bike and driving back home in excruciating pain. My downfall was from coming back too early from a previous injury, setting me back for another 3-4 months. A hard lesson learned. This is my type course – rocky, flowing and technical. But I remember all too well the pain, sleepless nights and not being able to chase after my then 2 year old that I turned to my camera instead of my bike this time around and made sure I had a full bottle of Advil in my car. Just in case.
Juggling for the hole shot is always risky and this long fast straight made for some exciting action shots at the start line of the morning race.Rocks everywhere even when you least expect it. Solid rocks, baby heads, moving rocks…at least they were dry. Terry S. showing us how to ride the line cleanly.In the afternoon race similar carnage took action this time that nasty metal and plastic crunch was heard ejecting the rider off his bike.Rider #538 pinned under # 548’s bike after his spectacular chute from his Yamaha.Thankfully no one was injured and the race continued.Always a treat to watch the afternoon classes climb the deeply rutted, rocky rooted uphill.Laying it sideways and taking home the gold. Congrats to Wojo for a hard fought race.
Once again the folks at Halton Off Road Riders Association (HORRA) and Offroad Ontario (OO) put on another successful event. For complete results please log onto OO’s website (see link above) and enter their forum. Over 140 riders turned out for this years race and those who spent the time working out this winter were most likely rewarded with a podium finish. This is a punishing course! Don’t forget to release the air out of your suspension as they will have had a major workout.
Congratulations extended to Brian Wojnarowski for taking top honours in the Pro Mens Class. And as always, kudos to the numerous volunteers needed to run events such as these!
It’s official – The 2013 Offroad Ontario’s XC season has begun with a very well organised and fun course hosted by The Northumberland Trail Riders (NTR).
Hamming it up before the start of the afternoon race.
As always, I thank you very much for stopping by my blog and hopefully reading it, saying hello on the trails and for your support. Your purchase allows me to service my photography equipment – nothing is impervious to dust and rain – as well as to help me get to the next race. I take my photography very seriously and I strive to capture the essence of riding and racing while showcasing our beautiful province. Photography to me is an art form and riding is just plain fun!
Over 175 riders came out to the first OO race of the season.New timing system that even allows us to check out the action live via mobile device!While pre-riding Saturday night this friendly horse came up to me and posed for a short photo session after he had his fill of nuzzling my helmet. Guess he was looking for carrots!Tucking in the bikes for the night.Emily Head getting the hole shot until a gopher grabbed her front wheel. Bad gopher!Ripping up the trails with Ladies A rider Jill Carney.Racing through a barn makes this one classic, and fun, event. Thank you to the Cochrane’s for inviting us over to your beautiful property!!
As always, kudos to all the OO, NTR and countless other volunteers for having made this race a reality. Rider feedback was very positive with quite a few saying this was their favourite race venue!
Welcome to the 59th edition of The Corduroy Enduro. For access to photo albums please clickHERE.
Over 150 + riders from across the country gathered September 21-23 to race the country’s hardest off-road event. This years race was made even more special as one of the worlds top ‘Extreme Enduro’ athlete Chris Birch from New Zealand suited up and raced his first event in Canada. The Cord, as this race is affectionately called, is touted as Canada’s toughest race as riders slash it out over the picturesque but harsh, rocky, hilly and rooty trails of the Haliburton Highlands in eastern Ontario.
This event would not be possible without the help of countless volunteers. Club members from across the province came to help – LVDR, HORRA, TNT, BMA, HHTR, OCMC, SCORRA, ODSC, OFTR. A HUGE thank you again to Dave Wrack, Ed Strohak, Blair Sharpless, Dennis Lever, Ken Hoeverman, Kevin, Scott & Sue and many others for pointing me in the right direction. We all know my map reading abilities are astounding!!
A HUGE shout-out is also extended to Tracey Evans, her mom and her sisters for keeping the riders, volunteers and others well fed and, for making fresh mashed potatoes. Do you have any idea how long it took these women (and Dave Wrack) to hand peel potatoes with love for over 50 hungry racers for Saturday nights dinner? I can assure you…they all had arm pump at the end of the peeling marathon.
I hope you enjoy the photos that I have selected for my photo report. Comments are always appreciated and thank you for those of you who take the time to do so. There are many more photos available (please see the link above or click on the ‘Gallery’ tab). Because there were so many riders and my computer has been very unstable lately I have only uploaded a few photos from each area I went to. This also helps keep the album down to a more manageable viewing size. Please email me with your minute number, side plate number, description of the bike and clothing would also help. And while I did my best to try and take photos of everyone please understand that chasing around over 150 riders is not easy and I apologise in advance if I was not able to get a photo of you.
Chris Birch, KTM/Red Bull/Comsol Bell Racing pro athlete aboard a KTM500 charging up fresh loamy dirt on Friday’s second test of the day at Scott and Sue’s place. Chris just came back from downhilling in Whistler, BC’s famous bike park and little did he know that a little bit of the west coast greenery and mossy woods greeted him here.All around nice guy Patrick Beaule, KTM/Aldo Racing/Flanny Media, using the Cord as a training ride for his upcoming Dakar 2013 race.Yamaha backed rider, Brian Wojnarowski, staying on the throttle throughout the entire weekend finished the event in second place only five points behind a world class rider. Congrats on your awesome ride Wojo!Shooting the breeze early Friday morning before the mandatory riders meeting.As the saying goes…’a picture is worth a thousand words.’ You may interpret this pic as you like.A rider at the MX1 grass track early Saturday morning under a light rain, or was it sun. Oh wait…it was both as temperatures, rain and sun changed regularly every 5 minutes. The Cord definitely tested my skills as a photographer with the ever changing light!Birchy’s slight bobble in the rocks didn’t stop him as he swiftly and skillfully attacked the infamous Greens Mountain.Scott Bowes choosing one of the many lines available on Greens Mountain.There was carnage on Greens Mountain Saturday morning as racers took to the hill in the opposite direction of Fridays test. Spectators lend a hand to weary, tired and frustrated riders.Saturday afternoon racers faces resembled this beautiful Styrofoam mannequin head – dirty with a wide-eyed ‘WTF did I just get myself into’ look?Kevin Burnett from Rally Connex displayed his big Katoom with some nifty discoteque-ish lighting.I am sure some racers were dreaming early Saturday night after an exhausting day of mud, sweat and tears. The Cord has a way of reducing a person’s ego to bits and pieces and many first timers need to know that and be reminded that many don’t complete this race on their first try.Sunday morning saw the pros once again riding the pristine trails on Scott & Sues property.I could spend all day here shooting at Scott & Sues. Found a really cool line that requires a seriously skilled rider. The landing could hurt a bit but it would make for a killer photo. Any takers?
An estimated 50 spectators lined the south side of the ‘Tunnel of Love’ silently waiting for riders to test their skill…and let’s face it…watch some carnage.Knackered is the word that comes to my mind but I’m sure this rider thought of a more expletive word.The normally quiet and reserved Wojo rocked the tunnel as he cleanly bounced around the rocks a few times looking for a pass in his quest to gain time on Chris Birch.Rome Haloftis, Vet Expert winner, focused and railing another gorgeous Haliburton Highland forest just past the Tunnel of Love.Birch captures the win and with it the top finisher for the 59th edition of The Corduroy Enduro. Congrats Chris!The future of off road racing Zach Lewis always ready and riding in style at Sedwicks Quarry, Sunday afternoon. Zach finished second in his category and I believe the youngest finisher in the Cords history having just turned 16 a few months ago. Congrats!Easy viewing for the last race of the weekend at Sedgwick’s Quarry.‘Mad Mike’ Pflug showing off his collar bone post-Romaniac race.Brian Wojnarowski giving thumbs up before the last Endurocross of the weekend.A relaxed Chris Birch before the last test of day. Birch is one of the most humble and down-to-earth pros I have ever met and it is refreshing to see this in a top level athlete.
Ummm…this is no time for a nap Birchy! Despite the fall in the soft sand, Chris Birch comes back and pulls off a win at the spectator friendly EnduroX race Saturday afternoon.
