What time do the rides
start?
Unless otherwise posted
all weekend rides start at 10 AM. All rides are on Saturdays, with the exception
of Sunday rides on May 25th, July 27th, and Sept 28th Thursday evening rides start at 6:30 PM.
How do group rides
work?
For venues with a wide
range of technical difficulty, we split up into multiple groups based on
ability, and then each group rides the appropriate terrain. For venues with
uniform technical difficulty, for instance, all intermediate, your ability
should be at that level in order to tackle all the terrain.
I want to ride more often than every
two weeks, is that possible?
Cool. Just send me your e-mail and I'll put you on
the weekly update list. You'll get all the news on the many additional rides we
do.
What if it's
raining?
We still ride
irrespective of rain, snow, sleet, or whatever else is occurring.
Is a hybrid bike ok for trail
riding?
Not really. You need
front suspension unless you want a jarring experience.
Do I need a helmet?
Absolutely. They are mandatory at all venues.
My friends not a member of North
Toronto Ski Club. Can they still come out?
Not a problem.
What’s the Cost?
Nothing, no dues, just a bunch of like minded people
who are into riding.
Every Thursday Night 6:30 PM, May to Oct, in the Don ValleyPhysical Difficulty: Moderate Rentals: no Meet at the base of the trails on Pottery rd, just east of Bayview. After the ride, we typically hit a local establishment for food and beverages. IMPORTANT NOTE : Due to the nature of the trails this ride will NOT occur if it is raining the day of the ride, or the night before, or if the City of Toronto issues a heat alert or smog advisory. |
Saturday, May 10th – Albion HillsPhysical Difficulty: Moderate Rentals: No |
Sunday, May 25th - "Skiis and Bikes Demo Day" at KelsoPhysical Difficulty: Easy to Strenuous Rentals: No Skiis and Bikes will be onsite with a wide range of demo bikes to try out. The demos are free, but you'll be expected to provide a driver's license and credit card as a security deposit. This was one of our most well received events from previous years. Check out http://www.skiisandbiikes.com/ to find out how to register for demos. Note, for this day only will be meeting at the base of the Glen Eden Chairlifts, far west parking lot. |
Saturday, June 7th - Hardwood HillsPhysical Difficulty: Easy to StrenuousTech. Difficulty: Beginner to Advanced Rentals: Yes. Website: www.hardwoodhills.on.ca Trail Pass: $12 Facilities: Cafeteria, washrooms, bike shop, bike wash |
Saturday, June 14th - Hilton FallsPhysical Difficulty: Moderate Rentals: No |
Saturday, June 28th - Durham ForestPhysical Difficulty: ModerateTech. Difficulty: Intermediate Rentals: No Website: none Trail Pass: Free Facilities: none |
Saturday, July 12th - PalgravePhysical Difficulty: Moderate Rentals: No |
Sunday, July 27th - RavenshoePhysical Difficulty: Easy Rentals: No |
Saturday, Aug 9th - Durham ForestPhysical Difficulty: ModerateTech. Difficulty: Intermediate Rentals: No Website: none Trail Pass: Free Facilities: none |
Saturday, August 16th - Albion HillsPhysical Difficulty: Moderate Rentals: No |
Friday to Monday, Aug 30th to Sept 1st - Haliburton Forest, Porqupine, and Buckwallow Combo WeekendPhysical Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous Rentals: Yes Haliburton Forest contains over 350 km of trails. There is an abundance of wildlife, so don't be surprised to encounter beaver, deer, bears, and moose. We'll be meeting at the Base Camp buildings at 10 PM friday for our annual “Night Ride”, and then 10 AM Saturday and Sunday for rides in Haliburton. On Monday, on the way back to Toronto the group can stop half way home in Bracebridge and ride either Porquipine (Expert) or Buckwallow (All levels). Forest Use Permit: $12 per day Reservations for bikes and accommodations are highly recommended and require a deposit. Phone (705) 754-2198 or email haliburtonforest@sympatico.ca |
Saturday, Sept 13th - Albion HillsPhysical Difficulty: Moderate Rentals: No |
Sunday, Sept 28th - RavenshoePhysical Difficulty: Easy Rentals: No |
Saturday, October 11th - Hilton FallsPhysical Difficulty: Moderate Rentals: No |
Saturday, October 25th – Durham ForestPhysical Difficulty: ModerateTech. Difficulty: Intermediate Rentals: No Website: none Trail Pass: Free Facilities: none |
So, what do the ratings mean?
Physical Difficulty
Easy: you'll break a sweat, need to rest occasionally, and go through one full water bottle. You work out once a week, and your body won't feel sore the next day.
Moderate: you'll have worked up a good sweat, a fair bit of huffing and puffing, need to rest often and go through two full water bottles. You work out regularly, and you'll feel the ride in your legs the next day.
Strenuous: you'll be soaked in sweat, your lungs will be burning, and forget about water bottles, you'll be in cambelback country. You work out very frequently, and your only desire the next day will be to lie on the couch!
Technical Difficulty
Beginner: mostly doubletrack or wide singletrack, a fairly flat trail surface, and few obstacles.
Intermediate: mostly single track, occasionally doubletrack with moderate climbs and downhills. Smaller logs, roots, and small rocks start to appear regularly.
Advanced: all singletrack, tight and twisty with sharp climbs and steep downhills. Lots of big logs, roots and rocks, and 'cunning stunts', meaning log rides, ramps, teetertotters, table-tops, and drops! Yeah Baby!
Ravenshoe - 404 North of Toronto to Davis Drive. Go east on Davis Drive to Highway 48. North on Highway 48 for 14km to Ravenshoe Road. West on Ravenshoe Road, 2km to McCowan. Turn south on McCowan for 500m to parking lot on your right.
Durham Forest – Take the 401 east to Ajax, and exit on Salem rd. Go North to Highway 2, and turn east. Just past Ajax, turn north on Lakeridge rd. Drive for 20 minutes to Durham rd 21 just past the Dagmar and Lakeridge ski areas. Turn west on 21 and drive for two minutes to Concession rd 7. Turn south on 7, and look for the signs pointing to the Demonstration Forest/Head of Trails.
Hardwood Hills - Highway 400 north to Barrie. Continue on the 400 extension past Barrie, exit #111 (Forbes Rd.). At the stop sign, turn east and travel for 10km. Hardwood Hills will be on your left.
Porcupine Ridge - Highway 400 north to Barrie, and then take Highway 11 north to Bracebridge. At Bracebridge, take the Highway 118 exit, and go west past the first set of lights and across the bridge. Take the first right after the bridge and follow the signs for Santa’s Village. Biking and parking are located opposite Santa’s Village.
Albion Hills - Highway 401 West, then 427 North to Highway 7. West on Highway 7 to Highway 50, and then north to Bolton. Turn in to Albion 8 km past Bolton on your left. Past the entrance gates, take right fork, and turn in to first parking lot on the right side.
Kelso - Highway 401 West, exiting on Highway 25 just past Milton. Go North on Highway 25 to Campbellville road. Turn west, go one kilometer to Tremaine Road, and turn south. Go 4 km to Steeles avenue, and turn west. Take Steeles up the hill to the top of the escarpment. Parking lot is on the right. Note, for the “Skiis and Biikes” Demo days, turn into the Glen Eden ski area at the bottom of the hill, and proceed to the far west parking log.
Hilton Falls - Highway 401 West, exit at Highway 25 after Milton. North on Highway 25 to Campbellville rd. Turn west, go 6 km to park entrance. Meet at the Visitor Center.
Haliburton Forest - Highway 401 east past Bowmanville, take the Highway 35/115 exit north to Carnarvon. Turn east onto Highway 118 and go to West Guilford. Cross the bridge, and turn north on County Road #7. Go 20 km to Base Camp at Kennisis Lake.
Palgrave - Head north on Hwy 50. About 1.5 kms past Albion Hills make a left onto Patterson Side rd. Travel for 1 km an dturn gright on Duffy's Lane. Head North for 1.5 km, turn onto a gravel lane which becomes a parking area.
Need More Info?
If you have any questions, comments, or
suggestions for a place to ride, email me at agris_zarins@hotmail.com
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