Tag: ‘Ted Dirstein’

Algonquin 2 Day: 26 years in the making.

Posted on by cecile
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.

 

 

RJ’s – Offroad Ontario XC #3 2012

Posted on by cecile

Offroad Ontario’s cross-country #3 is officially in the bag and it will be remembered either as a nightmare or a dream. For myself and for a select few others it was a dream. But for many, the mud proved relentless and challenging and even created a ‘horror’ show for a few.

The morning began with the mini-class winding their way through trails, MX track and wide open roads with spectacular traction. After the start of the race, I immediately hit the first set of pine trees which eventually lead the riders into RJ’s intricate network of trails. I knew the riders went through this area as I remember that from having raced several times here a few years ago. Where ever I looked I found beauty created by the early morning rain as leaves, needles and forest floor glowed with saturated greens and browns.

No sooner had the mini race finished the morning class took the reigns as two-strokes buzzed and four-strokes thumped their way through the loop. Instead of walking back to the start I decided to continue my trek along the race course and settled upon a beautiful open grassy area. The riders would be tackling a steep, short uphill, bursting onto a field of green, and descend just as quickly and back into the darkness of the trail as they had come up.

Partway through the race the skies opened and rained. First a drizzle and finally a steady downpour leaving heavy droplets. As Ted Dirstein, Masters class, aptly put it ‘I wasn’t sure if someone had thrown some WD-40 on the course it was so slick’. Lucky for me, I was somewhat sheltered underneath a canopy of trees but decided to leave my flash in my camera bag. I knew my D3S would handle some rain but still I covered it under my rain jacket…just in case. My husband would really not be impressed with me ruining yet another camera (Nikon D80, D90 – poor souls they had no chance).

By the end of the morning the rain had stopped and replaced with thick gooey mud. And then, just like that the sun came out just in time for the afternoon race. The mud became tacky and did not shed from the tires easily. A deep groove had already been created in a marshy area of the course by the morning class. This is where I decided to set up for the afternoon race. I certainly did not want to miss any entertainment and action that would be provided in the first two laps of the race.

Some tackled the area with ease…ok…only Josh Long did while the others hit the tree before the mud and paddled their way through the deep rut. Some fell, some got stuck and others swerved left and right in a controlled fashion.

As always it was a pleasure being back at the races and meeting people I had not seen in a while. Thank you to the numerous volunteers, OCMC, RJ’s and Ontario Offroad for a great race. Too see more pictures of all classes please click here.