Algonquin 2 Day: 26 years in the making.

The Algonquin 2 Day ride is as much as being with friends as it is enjoying the ride.

To view all Saturday and Sunday photos please click HERE. Note: not all photos have been uploaded. Please email if you need help finding yourself. And don’t forget to include a description of your bike, clothing or some other easily identifiable piece.

Twenty-six years ago the Algonquin 2 Day ride began it’s debut as an enduro. Over the years it has evolved into a well established 2 day ride earning a reputation as a ride not to miss. Settled in and around the Madawaska area, just east of Algonquin Park, the ride has the ability to take the most seasoned and skilled rider and reduce them to rubble. And, if you are lucky to survive the 2 days you have earned the right to brag and say ‘I have survived’.

Notorious for mud bogs, rocky uphills, water crossings, river crossings, beaver dams, bear and moose sightings, drowned bikes, mechanical failures, deer flies, long arduous mud infested climbs, and ‘hissy fits’ for the weak – the Algonquin 2 day ride will undoubtedly make you into a better rider…or, at the very least…a better field mechanic.

Navigating Sunday’s water crossing.

 

Even the most expert riders fall in. And if you don’t reconise this guy his initials are G.S. and now stand for ‘Gone Swimming’ 🙂
Perhaps troubled by a stalled bike, and almost witnessing the rider in front of him take a plunge, pro rider Kevin Cockayne decides to play it easy and walk across the river.
Taking five and chatting with friends with only 5 km’s left of Saturday’s 180 km route.
Tired, dirty, and hungry. Never mind the cops…check out the breath taking scenery.
Welcome to Algonquin riding. Scenic vistas, water, trees, rocks, mud, wild animals and much more.

 

Sweet flowing single track nestled among the pines. Betcha didn’t know Algonquin had trails that could rival the best of the Ganaraska in Southern Ontario.
Half way through Saturday’s ride and still smiling! BTW, Ted you rock the red!!
Riding the hydro lines ready to pick up a pink arrow into the areas best singletrack.
Having fun and making the best of a mechanical.

 

Typical Algonquin rocky terrain.
Nature calls. It happens. Just know that if you go pee beside a photog you may get your picture taken 🙂

 

Riding a rail trail.
Entering a cedar and pine tree forest. Day one. Kilometer 5.
Kicking up some dust and keeping up the speed.
A much welcomed lunch break complete with smiles, bloody faces and a bbq lunch!
Ummm…put the tire back on, than the chain. Fixing a flat during lunch.

 

At the end of the day – nothing better than chillaxin’ with the feet up after a quick dip in the river, and reminiscing about the days adventures.
And of course, no campsite would be complete without Bubba Gump’s rockin’ trailer. Kickass sound system and rockin’ tunes!!

Not only is the Algonquin a must do event – it’s one of those rides that make life long friendships as people team up to help each other in difficult terrain. Thanks to Paul and Kirk Holden, and the numerous volunteers for hosting this years event. Not only were the trails a blast to ride, the apres-ride activities, bbq’s, river dipping and good times with friends make for an unforgettable ride.

**To view all Saturday and Sunday photos please click HERE and please note tjat not all photos have been uploaded (there are lots). Please email if you need help finding yourself. And don’t forget to include a description of your bike, clothing or some other easily identifiable piece to help me find you easilier.

 

 

2 Day Algonquin

Heading out this Friday for the 2 Day Algonquin. I have been a participant numerous times, a pre-rider, led a children’s ride and even a women’s ride. I even had a ‘hissyfit’ (just ask my husband David) one year as my new bike was being pounded and I put yet another new dent in the pipe.

This year though I will be returning to the 2 day Algonquin not as one of the above but as a photographer. Which will be both fun and challenging at the same time. I must remember to bring my ‘bear bell’ as I am sure one is going to find his way near me as I sit silently in the bush waiting for riders. Or, perhaps a moose. That actually happened once…where a young bull moose jumped out of the woods right in front of me on the trail. Scared the beezebies out of me. Dang thing wouldn’t move out of the way either. It just kept galloping down the road for about 1 km not at scared by my Gas Gas 200 TXT trials bike. I guess I really did not look that intimidating.

I am hoping to capture the beauty of this ride and why it is both popular and difficult. When people decide to skip races to attend this event it tells you something. My goal is to create images that are compelling and able to bring a story to the table because that’s exactly what I am out for this weekend…material for my photographic book.

So, if you need to get a hold of me…I will be back late Sunday night. I will not have internet access, or email for that matter as I am on the ‘down-low’ plan.

Cecile