August Long weekend and the Growling Beaver Brevet is Sold Out!

The Growling Beaver Brevet – SOLD OUT!

It’s been a hot summer for cycling in Southern Georgian Bay.  As we approach the  August long weekend, I can’t help but look ahead to the fall.  After its introduction into the local cycling world last October, the Growling Beaver Brevet has once again sold  (Note:  this year there is a waiting list for participants that missed out on the early registration).

The Growling Beaver Brevet made its debut in 2015 to celebrate cycling and to help people with Parkinson's to live well today. All fundraising proceeds will go to support the joint work of the Davis Phinney Foundation and ParkinGo Wellness Society.

The Growling Beaver Brevet is a social (non-race) ride to celebrate cycling with 200 cyclists riding 40, 100 or 200 km routes through the scenic Beaver Valley at what should be the height of the fall colours. The day will feature Beaver Valley and Georgian Bay communities and merchants that have supported cyclists through the summer season.

The routes have been conceived with a mix of tarmac and scenic country gravel roads. Every rider will carry a “passport” that will be authenticated at checkpoints. 

Those that got in this year will love some of the new swag and additions to the event.  It’s going to be a great year.  For more information and to buy swag, please go to: www.growlingbeaver.com

Cycle Simcoe Releases new "Explore South Georgian Bay by Bike Video

Check out the new, freshly released today video from Cycle Simcoe.

The Long Weekend Excursion

I’m spending my August long weekend bike packing around Southern Georgian Bay.  I’m super excited about a project I’m working on with our friends at Cycle Simcoe.   Keep your eyes peeled in an upcoming  blog about my day tripping experience around Southern Georgian Bay. 

Weekend Weather Outlook

As usual, I’ve looked over my favorite weather services for the long weekend forecast.  There are conflicting predictions, but for the most part the weather looks great.  Winds this weekend will be fairly light out of the N to NE to NEE, depending on the day.  Saturday looks like a great day to be out on a bike.  There is a bit of conflict with the Sunday forecast, with one weather service showing  sun and cloud, while the other predicts rain on and off for the day.  You may want to keep a closer eye on Sunday’s weather as it nears.  Holiday Monday looks like a perfect day for a long ride.

Have a great weekend, hope to see you on the road.

Elvis Fest Weekend - Scott Demo Day

As we near the end of July each year, Collingwood becomes filled with fanatical Elvis fans.  With over 30,000 visitors to the area, you can expect the roads in and around town to be very busy starting Friday morning and running through until Sunday evening when the tribute king is crowned for 2016.  This years event will draw some 100 tribute artists all competing for their spot in Graceland.  If you plan on riding downtown be sure to take a lock with you. 

Scott Demo Day

The Scott team will be at 3 Stage this Saturday morning at 10am-3pm with a ton of bikes for you to demo and try out.

Things to bring: Helmet, Pedals, Drivers License, Credit Card

List of Bikes available for demo:

GENIUS:

  • Genius LT 700 Tuned Large
  • Genius LY 700 Tuned Medium
  • Genius 700 Tuned Plus Medium (TBC)
  • Genius 730 Medium
  • Genius 730 Medium
  • Contessa Genius 700 Small
  • Contessa Genius 710 Small

SPARK

  • Spark 720 Medium
  • Spark 720 Large

SCALE

  • Scale 720 Plus Small
  • Scale 720 Plus Medium
  • Scale 720 Plus Large

E-ASPECT

  • E-Aspect 710 Medium

E-Sub Tour

  • E-Sub Tour Medium

FOIL

  • Foil 30 Small
  • Foil 30 Medium
  • Foil 30 Large
  • Foil 30 X-Large

SOLACE:

  • Contessa Solace 35 - Small

Weekend Weather Outlook

Elvis weekend is typically a perfect summer weekend.  It's not too often that we get a lot of rain at the end of July, and with the drought we have been experiencing over the last few months, there is nothing but hot summer weather coming our way again this weekend.  On Friday the heat warning will remain in place, but is said to be removed for the the weekend with temperatures still high, but below the trigger mark for the heat warning.   Temperatures in the high 20's to mid 30's can still be expected for Saturday and Sunday.  Winds will be moderate coming from the NW on Saturday and then switching to the S and SE on Sunday.  I'll be riding towards Kimberley on Saturday and Creemore area on Sunday to take advantage of the tail winds home.  Be sure to drink lots of fluids both before, during and after your ride this weekend, its going to be warm. 

Watch for symptoms of heat illness, which include
- dizziness or fainting, nausea or vomiting
- headache
- rapid breathing and heartbeat
- extreme thirst and
- decreased urination with unusually dark yellow urine.

If you experience any of these symptoms during a heat event, immediately move to a cool place and drink liquids. Water is best.

Have a great weekend of riding, hope to see you on the road!

 

 

Scotch Hollow Market & Deli - where to ride this weekend

The local place you should ride to that you haven’t - Scotch Hollow Market & Deli

I have a little secret, I know a local place you should ride to that I can almost guarantee you haven’t been.  New route, new road.  I know, I know…I can hear all you locals say…”I’ve ridden all roads in this area and drank coffee at all the cafes, what are you talking about?”. 

Scotch Hollow Market & Deli is located in the heart of Singhampton, to the rear of Mylar and Loreta’s parking lot.  New this spring, owners Scott Holmes and Kate Sparling have been huge supporters of cycling and mountain biking in the area for many years.  The cafe is open most days between 10am - 5pm (10am-4pm Sun & Mon). I’ve been up to visit a handful of times now and love going back.  Great staff, fresh coffee, all local baked goods, deli sandwiches, small pizza’s, oat bars, butter tarts and of course ice cream (last weekend they included fresh strawberries on it!).

So your asking, how do I get there?  Personally, my favourite route includes gravel, so most of the time I take my cx bike.  If you are setting out for a back road adventure, head straight up Tenth Line, climb up to the Duntroon quarry.  Turn left onto Grey Road 31/Simcoe Rd 95 and continue south straight into Singhampton (Scotch Hollow will be on your right).  If you prefer all paved roads, head up the Pretty River Valley, take a left at Rob Roy and follow Grey Road 31 all the way to Signhampton.  There is plenty of construction going on at the top of the valley this year, however, you should be fine if you stick to Grey Road 31.

The Scotch Hollow Market & Deli follow the simple philosophy “Shop local, Eat local, Spend local, Enjoy local”….we might as well add Ride local, I think it fits just fine with the rest of the mantra.  Stop by and check them out, I promise you won't be disappointed.

 

 

Roads to avoid

It looks like another amazing weekend to ride!  Mid summer means the middle of road construction season in the area so there are still a few places to avoid.  Construction on Fairgrounds Road has been completed from the railway tracks just south of Airport Rd to County Road 91.  Grey Road 31 also has new pavement along with a healthy 1 meter shoulder for bikes (thanks to a group of locals rallying the County of Grey this past winter).  Places that are still torn up include a short section at Rob Roy heading south one concession as well as Grey Road 119 from Banks to Ravenna.  If you avoid these two sections, you should have a great weekend of riding.

Weekend Weather Outlook

The weather outlook couldn’t be better, sunny with temperatures in the mid to high twenties on Saturday and Sunday, with a light winds out of the west.  Pretty idea weekend to ride. 

See you on the road!

 

Canada Day - Corporate Tours - Pivot Demo Day - Weekend Weather Outlook

Happy Canada Day!

Canada Day is a great time to head out with a group of friends and explore the area.  Unfortunately this Friday doesn’t look so great for weather.  If you are willing to deal with the rain and wind,  stick close to the area and do a coffee run. If riding in wet weather is not your thing, it may be a good day to check out all the tent sales around the Collingwood area and get stocked up for the next winter.

Pedal Pushers hosts corporate event with special guest George Hincapie

Noelle Wansbrough from Pedal Pushers has been guiding corporate groups now for a few years.  On June 23 Pedal Pushers hosted their first corporate day of the year for a Toronto based Company with special guest George Hincapie. The event included an all-inclusive day of riding in the Collingwood Beaver Valley are area, with 80km and 100km route options.  With 7 guides, 2 swag vehicles, bike set ups from Kamikaze Bikes and the on road help from Velofix, the Pedal Pushers corporate day was extremely successful again this year.  

For more information regarding private cycling events or corporate cycling events contact Noelle at http://pedal-pushers.ca

Weekend Weather Outlook

This weekends weather looks much better for Saturday and Sunday.  On Friday the weather gods suggest that we will see rain for the majority of the day with winds picking up in the afternoon.  There will really be no great time to get out and ride, so if you are looking to get out, take your rain jacket with you.  If riding in the afternoon, stay as sheltered as possible (Georgian Trail), as the winds are expected to pick up to 50km/hr.  Saturday and Sunday look much better with typical summer temperatures in the mid twenties and winds out of the W or NW or WN. 

Have a great Canada Day long weekend, hope to see you on the road.