Codrington Photo Report

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Burnt River XC Photo Report

With respect to the Burnt River XC race this past Sunday a few adjectives come to mind to describe Offroad Ontario’s seventh stop: fast, slow, technical, abusive, relentless, tiring, bumpy and rocky.

Riders were treated once again to a very sunny, hot and humid day making the almost 15 km loop exhausting. Add in copius amounts of baby heads and many finished the race with blistered hands and battered bodies.

Thanks to Offroad Ontario and the gang at the Burnt River Offroad Facility for a great event and of course, kudos to all the competitors and their families getting all crispy under the scorching sun, cheering for the riders.

Click HERE to see pictures of both the AM and PM races. Side note: I have not posted all pictures of the PM riders. Please email me with your plate number and I’ll upload the picture for you. Thanks for your understanding and patience.

Knackered and dirty and showing off the new ‘stache and beard tatoo.
Kids raced early in the morning before the heat set in. What am I talking about…it was already 28C!
The start of a very bumpy and rocky and hot and tiring AM race.
The Shack on his way to a first place finish. Congrats!
Dry dusty conditions were not only tough on the riders but equally tough for photographers as flash kept lighting up dust particles in air. I also cannot figure out how this guy got so dirty?
Always time for some last minute Rekluse adjustment with Bryan Marshall.
Zach Lewis riding through the daisy’s. This kid’s got style!
Scrubbing with Josh Long.
Kevin Cockayne on the rocks.
Wojo bringing it to the finish line.
Checkered flag for Wojo.
Getting sideways with KTM’s Josh Long.
Not only was I treated to great riding all day by the racers I also had some cool one on one time with KTM’s Josh Long after the race. This is one of my favourite shots – unconventional angle and it shows the talent this rider has. Pretty low scrub!
Roosting the berm with Josh Long.