Tag: ‘Photo Report’

Offroad Ontario & NTR Colborne XC Photo Report

Posted on by cecile

Colborne CGP Blog 1-2It’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).

For event photos please click HERE.

Hamming it up before the start of the afternoon race.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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!!
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!

Cecile

 

 

 

Codrington Photo Report

Posted on by cecile

For quick access to the Codrington photo gallery please click here. Please note that I have at least 2-3 pictures of each rider so scroll down or give me a shout and I’ll help you out.

Just north of the 401 at exit 509 lies a small community called Codrington.  I had never been there before and all I knew was that it was close to the Northumberland Forest. ‘Fair enough’ I thought to myself, ‘there’s has got to be some excellent riding with some fun hills thrown in.’ I arrived at the farm around 7:30 just in time to get the last bit of sweet sunlight. I had planned on being there earlier but the Tim Hortons at Port Hope took over 15 minutes to prep my toasted sesame seed bagel with regular cream cheese.

I grabbed my camera and began recording the last Off Road Ontario XC race of the year. It was a beautiful morning and the sun was fighting hard to burn off the mist left over from the cool night. It was strangely quiet as campers lay dormant and only a handful of people were busying themselves with morning chores. At the base of the campsite stood a drumlin majestic in its own solitaire way – uniquely Canadian and typical of this area. I was captivated by the beauty of the farm and its surrounding fields decorated in fading yellows, delicate whites, and crimson flowers. A wonderful course layed out by the TNT crew and a perfect place to end the XC season.

I would also like to take this time and say thank you to the riders for allowing me to take your pictures and to the race organisers and volunteers for pointing me in the right direction. Photography for me is an art and I love spending my time in the woods looking for that perfect shot. Thank you also to my supporters – your comments and enthusiasm towards my work does not go unnoticed and it is a strong driving force – one that I often reflect upon when sitting in the woods getting regularly eaten by black flies, deer flies and mosquitoes. And than there’s the poison ivy…but that’s another story. See you all at the enduros or on the local trails and don’t forget to style it when you see my camera.

 

Off Road Ontario’s KTM 2012 XC series was sizzling hot. Great races, great people and tons of fun.
Run-bikes eagerly waiting for their owners to take them out for an early morning spin.
Races aren’t always hectic and noisy. In this picture mom spends some quiet time with her son.
TNT and OO member Bill Watson explaining the arrows.
And the races have started with the pee wee and junior riders going first.
Minimalism. You either like it or you don’t. I enjoyed the simplicity of the fields showing their late summer colours and textures.
When I walked through these fields I was dwarfed by the flora. From a distance I could only see the young racers helmets as they flew through the tall grass.
The morning racers are off and battling for ‘holeshot’ bragging rights.
Number 1 plate holder for the 2013 season Ted Dirstein showing us how it’s done on ‘Hones Hump’.
The course was described as fair but tough just like ‘Judge Judy’. This rider got rocked in a greasy technical section of the course.
Riding tip: quite often the best line if the one closest to the tree and off to the outside of the trail. Choosing the correct line is essential to keeping smooth and conserving precious energy.

Third place finisher Mike Vanden Hoeven pilots his Suzuki around the deep ruts and slippery rocks.
Bill Watson sharing with us the reason he spends time organising events – because riding is a lifestyle and it’s something he loves to do! A HUGE thank you to all race organisers, OO crew and the many volunteers for making the 2012 season a success.
Flying high with Machine Racing Yamaha rider Zach Lewis who had a horrible start and worked his way into 2nd place.
Yamaha rider Wojo taking the win and with it the number 1 plate for the 2013 season. Congrats!
Number one plate holders for the upcoming 2013 season. Kudos to all racers and to countless volunteers that make racing possible.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Samsung and Rogers Enjoy a Day at Trail Tours

Posted on by cecile

Ever wondered what it’s like riding an off-road motorcycle? Well, Samsung and Rogers employees wondered and enjoyed a fun day at Trail Tours Friday, July 27, 2012. Under sunny skies and hot temps a giddy group geared up for the start of a fun filled afternoon.

Trail Tours is located in the Ganaraska Forest off Highway 115 just south of Peterborough. Steve Weykamp (owner) and his staff have plenty of experience teaching beginners to advanced riders.  The beauty of Trail Tours is that you do not need to know how to ride a motorcycle – they will teach you. Learning how to ride in a large, safe grassy field is so much more enticing than in a parking lot. Pavement hurts … grass does not…IMO. I consider myself a bit of an expert here as I have had experience falling often onto both types of surfaces. Also included in the price is a full gamut of equipment – helmet, gloves, boots, chest protectors, pants and jerseys. Trail Tours has a large fleet of 2012 Honda Offroad bikes from 80cc to 450 cc’s which are maintained after every session to insure a safe and enjoyable day.

Shopping for clothes and boots has never been this much fun!
Helping a friend secure his helmet strap.
Remember to hold the helmet straps down while putting on the most important piece of equipment.
Getting dressed is often harder than learning how to ride a bike.
Steve Weykamp instructing the troops.
Lined up, listening and learning to ride on a new fleet of Honda offroad bikes.
The advanced group learning to ride over a log. Having the ability to practice in a large, safe environment is key to a successful and happy day for everyone.
Riding single track in the Ganaraska Forest.
A beginners group learning the correct placement of the right foot for the rear brake.
Riding the Ganny’s double track.
Look ma…I’m riding a bike.
End of the day and heading back into the compound with newly found skills and an amazing day.
Peace out Bro! Hope to see you back in the trails soon.