The Hero Ride - CCC Youth Mountain Bike Program - Adult Mountain Bike “Learn to Ride” Clinics

June 2, 2016 Jody Wilson

After the success of last weekends Grey County Road Race, we have another jammed packed weekend of cycling coming to our area. The weather this weekend looks great for Friday and Saturday, but with the shift in winds to the north east, we will see a bit of rain on Sunday from noon on. If you are planning any long rides this weekend, you may want to get them in on Saturday while the suns out and the roads are dry.

The Hero Ride - 5 Year Anniversary

This weekend marks the 5th anniversary of the “Hero Ride”. I’ve had the pleasure of participating in this event twice over its life time, and I must say, it truly is an experience like no other in Ontario. The Hero Ride team has managed to create a very niche, all inclusive, red carpet experience that always leaves its participants with a huge smiles, even after suffering along its 250 km, 2 day course. The event supports the work of the Bridgepoint Health Foundation and SickKids in Toronto. Riders leave the Kingbridge Centre on Saturday morning and ride to the Westin Trillium house at Blue Mountain where they’re provided dinner and entertainment for the evening. On Sunday morning they head south and return back to Toronto. The event is worth checking out - bonus- there is still time to donate, more information can be found here : http://theheroride.com

CCC / Pedal Pushers Youth Mountain Bike Program

For a few years now the Collingwood Cycling Club (CCC) has been involved in the youth mountain biking clinics out at Highlands Nordic in Duntroon. Last year, Pedal Pushers paired up with the CCC and build on the already proven Trail Blazers program. In 2015, 40 youth from the Collingwood area participated in the 10 week program, it was a huge success. This year the program exploded with over 60 kids registering. Every Monday evening you can find kids of all different ages and abilities learning cycling and mountain biking skills in a safe environment with the extremely qualified Pedal Pushers coaching staff. The program runs from May through to the end of June. Its amazing watching the kids learn proper cycling skills at such an early age, I'm very jealous that I didn’t have a chance to do something like this when I was just a wee lad. Registration for this program starts in February at the same time as registration for the CCC. For more information you can contact Noelle at Pedal Pushers or watch the Collingwood Cycling Club Website next winter for registration info. Cost: Early Bird rate $100 (includes $50 jersey), $130 after deadline.

Upcoming Pedal Pushers Co-Ed Adult Mountain Bike Skills Clinic - 6 Hours of Gibraltar Course

Thursday June 23rd-6-8PM
Thursday June 30th-6-8PM
Price: $60.00 per clinic, $120 for both dates
Location: 6 Hours of Gibraltar Course-Private Estate (address will be sent out 2 days prior to clinic)
Learn to race, learn to ride-All levels welcome

Not sure if you're fitness level is up for the challenge? While mountain biking does require a certain level fitness from riders, we have a full range of lessons that cater towards riders of all abilities. Many of our lessons run at multiple levels, allowing you participate in a group that suits you best.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to ride on purpose built trails in a private estate setting. Trails are suitable for all levels of cyclists.

For more information and to register check out : http://pedal-pushers.ca

Where to ride this weekend?

Commit your long ride this weekend to Saturday morning. With all the lilacs out in full bloom right now, its a great time to take advantage of the Georgian Trail system. Jump on your urban bike or cross bike and head to Thornbury or Meaford for lunch. McGinty’s on main street in Meaford is a great place to stop for an amazing custom made sandwich and some great pastries. Round trip on the trail (totally traffic and car free) from Collingwood to Meaford is 70km. If you are looking for a decent road ride, I'd personally take advantage of heading into the Beaver Valley, climbing Bowles Hill, Epping or up to Eugenia and having a break at the Emporium in Eugenia or the Kimberley General Store. Just keep in mind that the winds will be shifting this weekend to the north east, so you may be facing a bit of a head wind on the way back…if thats the case, just make sure you return from the Beaver Valley via Grey Road 31-Grey 2-Grey 19, its the most sheltered route. Looking for a particular route, message me and I’ll see what I can put together for you.

Growling Beaver Brevet

Registration is now open at for this years Growling Beaver Brevet at www.growlingbeaver.comThe event is a "gravel grinder" ride that has distances of 40km, 100km and 200km. With Side Launch Brewing Company as home base for this event, you don't want to miss out!

The GBB is a fundraising event for cyclists by cyclists. The principal aim is to raise money for the Davis Phinney Foundation and their Canadian partner, ParkinGO, to help people with Parkinson's Disease to "live well today." We run our event to shower our supporters, you the fundraising riders, with affection, food -- and beer. It's the least we can do for how you've helped us. This event is already 50% sold, so register early if you plan to raise money and ride.

Have a great weekend of riding, hope to see you out there!

Cycling this weekend in Collingwood – Grey County TT & Road Race - Recommended Rides

May 27, 2016 Jody Wilson

It’s hard to believe that the end of May is here, it seems just like yesterday it was March break and Mother Nature kept taunting us with cold arctic air adamant to keep us off our bikes. For the past few years here in Southern Georgian Bay, the end of May marks the Grey County Road Race & Time Trial. This event was first introduced to this area three years ago by Bruce Bird, organizer and cyclist. Originally it was started as an Ontario Cup event and attracted avid amateur cyclists from all over province. Last year the event changed and became a sanctioned stop for the UCI World Cycling Tour (UWCT) which was formed in 2011 by the UCI. In 2016 the event has been renamed as the “UCI Gran Fondo World Series”. There are 14 qualifying events worldwide where the top 25% in each age group will qualify for the Amateur World Championships.

Time Trial (TT) – Friday May 27th

The TT this year has changed location and will start and finish in Thornbury. The course itself is 29.1km long, climbing up Grey Road 40 and descending back into Thornbury via 33rd Sideroad. From the research I have done, it appears the starting line will be at the Town’s water tower on Victoria Street South. The finishing line will be on Alfred St. W. between Beaver St. S. and Victoria Street by the baseball diamonds. This would be a great spot to watch all the riders start and finish if you are looking for the best place to cheer. Another great place to help support the riders would be at the top of the Grey Road 40 climb. This vantage point would be great as the riders will well into the suffering by that point and may all the encouragement they can get to get over the climb. The TT event gets underway at 5:15pm tonight.

TT Start times - https://greycountyroadrace.files.wordpress.com/2016/05/gctt_start_times.pdf

Strava Course : https://www.strava.com/routes/4655566

Road Race Sunday May 29th

This course will not disappoint. I have spent the last month riding it and I must say that there will be some tired riders at the end of this one, there is no hiding from the climbing, no sitting in a pack and just spinning, riders are going to have to work. Depending on the age group, racers could see themselves climbing Scenic Caves up to three times during the race. If this wasn’t bad enough, add in the Red Wing climb and the 7.5km ride up through the Pretty River Valley. This course will hurt. The races all begin in the Village at Blue Mountain starting at 8am. The finish line is on Swiss Meadows Blvd near the top of Scenic Caves Road.

Road Race Start times – Blue Moutain Village between 8am – 8:40am

Start Schedule: https://greycountyroadrace.com/road-race/road-race-schedule/

Strava Course: https://www.strava.com/routes/3811242

Where should you ride this weekend?

With all the activity on Friday night and Sunday, you should really plan your rides accordingly. Saturday is wide open, since the race is on Sunday, it would be best to take advantage of cycling over in the Beaver Valley area, maybe check out Bowles Hill or Epping and grab a lunch from Stacie at the Kimberley General Store or a panini in Ravenna. On Sunday, most of these roads will be involved in the race, so unless you are riding to cheer on friends, you may want to steer clear of them.

Sunday would be a great day to venture on the flats over through Wasaga Beach eventually ending up in Balm Beach. This is a 100km return trip from Collingwood and utilizes none of the roads that the race will be on.

Another option would be to head to Creemore, Glen Huron and Maple Valley. Be sure to stop in Creemore at Affairs for lunch or Giffen’s for buttertarts or breakfast. As usual, Curries Farm Market is always the best place for après once you arrive back in Collingwood.

I hope this helps you with your weekend riding! See you on the roads.

May Long Weekend- Where to ride?

May 20, 2016 Jody Wilson

Spring has finally arrived and the forecast for the May long weekend couldn't be any better! Many of the signs of spring have started to show in the Georgian Triangle and there are a few places you may want to consider checking out on the bike this weekend. Here's my list of places to ride and places to avoid to make your experience more enjoyable.

Places to Ride

Ride through the Pretty River Valley, with all the leaves and smells of new life just coming out, you will find yourself smiling from the top to the bottom of the climb. End up at the newly renovated Feversham General Store for a coffee.
Take on the section of road between Dunedin and Glen Huron, honestly, it will feel like your riding in Ireland it is so green! Make a quick stop at Giffen's in Glen Huron for breakfast.
Take on the newly paved Scenic Caves climb and descend down through all the apple orchards past Loree and check out all the apple blossoms that just came out this week. Grab a panini at Ravenna General store for lunch on your way back to Collingwood.
Check out the causeway on the way to Eugenia and see if there are any new osprey chicks in the nest :)
Start and end all your rides at Curries Farm Market in Collingwood….opening for the season this weekend and they have a full new setup outside for cyclists!

Places to avoid

Anywhere near Wasaga Beach- with the current forecast, Wasaga will be the last place you want to be on a bike. The traffic will be backed up with cottagers heading to the beach and the number of cars will make it unsafe and nearly impossible to ride.
Grey Road 31 between Rob Roy and Grey 2. The road is currently closed for a bridge replacement.

Looking forward to getting out and riding this weekend! Hope to see you out there.

Pretty River Valley May 17, 2016 Photo: N.Newman

The Mandatory Spring Tune Up

March 5, 2016 Jody Wilson

Each spring before I get my bike out on the road I like to do a few things to make sure it is operating properly and ready for a full season of use. If you’re anything like me, the last thing you want is to be left stranded on the side of the road because of a broken brake cable that could have been completely avoided for a small cost. Each spring I put my bike through a few key maintenance items to ensure my early rides are free of any mechanicals, the last thing I want is to be left behind while my friends ride off into the horizon.

Cables and Housing - Some will say it isn’t necessary, but I replace my brake and shifter cables on my bikes each spring. Depending on the age of the housing, it may need to be replaced as well. Little do most people know that this small change can increase the smoothness of your shifting and braking, improving your all-round efficiency and confidence on the bike, who doesn’t want that? Cables and housing are super cheap, always say yes to this service if you can’t remember the last time they were replaced.

Tubes and Tires - I tend to leave my tires from the previous year on all winter. The spring is a good time to replace the tires if you don’t remember when you put them on. There are several other factors you may want to consider as well. If the rear wheel is worn flat, if you can’t located the wear indicator, or if the rubber looks cracked and flakes off when you run your thumb over the sidewall. Tires can be a bit more expensive to replace, but well worth it. I always put new tubes in each spring before I start riding, its simple and cheap.

Drivetrain - For those of us that have the knowledge to take apart the drivetrain on our bikes, tend to break them down each spring to make sure the bearings in the bottom bracket are working well and don’t need to be replaced. I completely clean the chain, rings and cassette with a good degreaser. I also clean the front and rear derailleur . Once everything has been degreased, I re-lube the components and put them all back together. This is also a good time to check chain length to make sure its not time to replace it. Determining chain stretch is something that should be left for your local bike shop (LBS). If the chain needs to be replaced, don’t be caught off guard, your LBS may suggest that you replace the cassette and chain rings as well, this will be a very costly, but well worth it. Nothing feels better then a fresh clean drivetrain!

Keeping the mechanical parts well lubed and clean are the key to making your bike last longer and run more efficiently. I would suggest that you get your bike to your local bike shop or mechanic during the winter months so you have it ready to go for that early March day when the temperatures are warm enough for you to get out.

Local places to take your bike in the Collingwood area include Squire John’s, Kamikaze bikes, or call Velofix for home service.

PowerWatts Collingwood: The Full indoor riding experience

February 22, 2016 Jody Wilson

I don't know about you, but winters for me here in Canada can be extremely long and cold. Over the past few years I've spent a lot of time in my basement on my trainer watching numerous hours of Netflix and listening to music. When it comes to training inside during the colder months, I guess you could say I'm a bit of a loner. I'm highly motivated by my inner self and really enjoy getting on my trainer at the same time everyday. This works great for the most part, but what I really miss is the social aspect of the group ride. So...how does someone get the benefit of a interval based workout indoors with the added bonus of a group ride? Why not give Powerwatts Collingwood a try.

Powerwatts Collingwood is located at the Peak to Shore Physiotherapy and Sports Medicine office on the corner of First Street and Hurontario Street. One of the first things you notice when you walk into the studio is that there are only four bikes. This may seem strange to some, but it actually makes for a nice intimate experience. Picture yourself riding with three of your best friends on a Saturday morning while chatting about the week and still getting your workout in. There's no distractions of other people walking in, just you, your mates, a Powerwatts certified Coach and the challenge of the Powerwatts course.

Now don't get me wrong, this is no ordinary spin class. Powerwatts is a "Power" based training system that helps you really focus in on the watts that you generate while pedaling, your cadence and the overall efficiency of your pedal stroke. If anything, I would suggest that it's unlike any class you have been to before. At first you'll be inundated by numbers; your power, cadence, speed, time of interval, percentage of FTP, but you will quickly learn the system and after a few minutes it becomes like a video game where you find yourself trying to keep the numbers on target. Over the course of one or two visits you quickly become addicted and before you know it, you'll be purchasing the ten pack to keep you busy through the winter.

If you're looking for an exciting new challenge and something different than your regular spin class, stop by and check them out, I guarantee you'll have a great time. The typical class is four riders and one instructor. For more information please check out: http://www.powerwatts.com/locations/

Video Credit - Jeff MacInnis on 2015-12-16.

The Top 8 Cafes/General Stores to stop at in Southern Georgian Bay

September 3, 2015 Jody Wilson

There are many different types of cyclists, but one thing we all share in common is the love of coffee, pastries and cafes. In fact, I would go as far as to say that all recreational cycling routes are based around the location of cafes. The only deviation from this rule is the so called “training” ride where the purpose is strictly for performance reasons. If this were a perfect world, there would be a espresso bar with pastries every 30 km.

If you follow “the Rules” written by the Velominati, Rule #56 specifically states “When wearing cycling kit and enjoying a pre or post ride coffee, it is only appropriate to drink espresso or macchiato.” Some cyclists don’t take it this far…others insist. Some fuel up on a coke, others refill water bottles and just take in the sun. But for those of us that skip breakfast before the club ride, we need the appropriate fuel. I seldom say no to a butter tart, croissant, cookie, coffee or San Pellegrino. In fact, some days I actually contemplate buying a pie.

Here in the South Georgian Bay area we have several amazing cafes/general stores that cater to cyclists. Amazingly they are located within 30km of the Collingwood downtown core.

So, lets get down to business, if you're riding around the Southern Georgian Bay area, below are eight places that deserve to be stopped at.

Curries County Market - Collingwood

If you are riding out of Collingwood, or coming into town from Creemore or the Beaver Valley, Curries has become the “local” cycling hub. Located at the corner of Sixth Street and Tenth Concession, Curries is smack dab in the middle of the main cycling corridor. The owners are so dedicated to the cycling industry that in 2015 they installed a bike rack that holds up to 20 bikes and covered a section of their market to provide shade for cyclists. Curries provides great coffee, a plain butter tart, muffins, cookies, a large assortment of organic drinks and of course any fruit that is in season. In August I regularly buy a 1/2 pint of peaches and hand them out to anyone wanting one. They also have ice cream if that’s your thing. It’s the perfect stop at the end of a ride.

Affairs Cafe - Creemore

Norma of Affairs Cafe in Creemore has welcomed cyclists for years. She absolutely loves us. On any Saturday/Sunday morning, you can expect to see upwards of a couple hundred cyclists roll through Creemore. Many of which stop in for Affairs baked goods, great espresso/lattes or home made lunches. There is bike parking in the alley beside the Cafe (you’ll see the obvious sign), consider yourself lucky if you get a spot. There is plenty of seating inside and if it’s sunny outside, spend time around the small tables on the sidewalk. With Affairs cheerful environment it’s easy to find your “short break” creeping into an extended stay. Not a problem, enjoy and be sure to grab one more shot of espresso to help propel you up the Fairgrounds hill.

Eugenia Falls Emporium - Eugenia

The Eugenia Emporium is open from mid spring until mid to late fall. Just south of the bridge, the Emporium sits in the heart of downtown Eugenia. Boasting a take out counter at the back of the store, this is the ideal place to stop after the 40km plus trip from Collingwood . With several picnic tables out front, there is always shade under the umbrellas and enough seating for 15-20 people. While they offer a variety of baked goods...this stop is famous for its pickles, make sure you try one out.

Ravenna County Market - Ravenna

Looking for a lunch stop, this is the place for you. Hands down the best panini in the area, there’s no debating. Located halfway out of the Beaver Valley, it’s a great place to rest before heading back to Collingwood. Fudge, butter tarts, pies, sandwiches, homemade soups, coffee and any other treats you can dream of can be found here. I recently heard they’ve introduced a juice bar, a nice addition for a little natural energy to get you back over the escarpment and home!

Kimberley General Store - Kimberley

Nestled in the heart of Kimberley at the base of the Beaver Valley, you will find the Kimberley General Store. The owner Stacie is a great host and provides top notch service to cyclists. Here you will find gluten free treats, pies and my personal favourite, rhubarb platz. A very welcoming large honeycombed shaped water container sits next to the coffee machine for cyclists to refill their water bottles. The coffee is great and the made to perfection veggie sandwiches are to die for. One thing you will find here that elevates the experience and puts it above the rest, is sliced watermelon. Once you have figured out what to eat, hang out under the gazebo or chill on the front porch. Don’t make the mistake of cycling past this gem.

Thornbury Bakery Café - Thornbury

The Thornbury Bakery Café is located on Bruce Street, just a little south west of the traffic light in town. This little hot spot is known for its amazing lunches. Pick your favourite bread and stack it high with your choice of toppings. During the fall months it’s always a great place to stop for soup. With tons of cookies and treats, this is where you will find the best cinnamon bun or sticky knot in the area! Whether you’re riding in on the Georgian Trail or cycling in from the Beaver Valley, this is a great place to stop.

Espresso Post – Collingwood

Arguably the best espresso shop in Ontario, Espresso Post boasts not only the top baristas in the business, but the tasty drinks to prove it. Located in the centre of Collingwood on Hurontario Street, just down from the town hall, Espresso Post is the authentic local café. With amazing cookies to complement the assortment of espresso, cappuccinos and lattes, you will find yourself re-ordering. If the weather is lousy out, spend time inside, otherwise, grab a seat on the sidewalk patio and take in the sounds of downtown Collingwood. Ample bike parking is located out front of the café.

Giffen's County Market - Glen Huron

Just off the beaten path on the way to Creemore is a marvellous little place called Giffen's Country Market. On a typical morning when you arrive, the smell of breakfast fills the air. Giffen's is known for the famous selections of butter tarts. The Giffen family has operated the family business on 170 acres of land since 1939. They offer everything from bacon and eggs to tarts, pies, cheese and lots of fruits and vegetables. Definitely worth the stop if you are in the Glen Huron area, you wont be regret it!

Pedal Pushers…from Diva Days to Corporate Days

May 9, 2015 Jody Wilson

Women specific cycling clinics, corporate cycling events and private coaching

Over that last few years I have had the pleasure of knowing, riding and working with Noelle Wansbrough on many cycling related projects. Noelle is the owner/operator of Pedal Pushers, a local Collingwood business that helps cyclists of all types learn to ride safer, smarter and faster. I’ve worked with Pedal Pushers on a few events including a corporate event with over 30 participants and a Diva Day. I will tell you this, I wish I’d known of Pedal Pushers when I was new to cycling. Pedal Pushers main event is their “Diva Day”, a non-intimidating women's only clinic that starts with cycling basics and gets women out on the road with everything they need to know to ride safely.

If you are new to cycling and are looking for top notch coaching, or even looking to climb faster or ride smarter, Pedal Pushers is your answer. I recently had a chance to chat with Noelle and ask her a few questions about her love for cycling and the Pedal Pushers business. Hopefully you find them helpful.

J: What is Pedal Pushers?

N: Pedal Pushers Cycling provides road and mountain bike clinics, coaching and tours in the Collingwood and Muskoka area.

J: What got you into cycling and what are you’re credentials?

N: My Dad got me into cycling at a young age. I grew up in Toronto and we would ride down to the beaches every Saturday for Ice Cream, which was a smart way for him to get me into the sport! I worked for Backroads bike tours in Whistler and started competing in mountain biking in my twenties. I've been racing on and off since then. I've worked in the industry for the past 15 years as a sales rep and I'm also a NCCP level 1 cycling coach.

J: Why did you start Pedal Pushers and how long has pedal pushers been around?

N: Pedal Pushers was started in 2009. The original goal was to get more women on bikes and the business has been growing ever since.

J: Where do you work out of?

N: I work out at Active Life Conditioning in Collingwood. In the winter I teach the Performance Pedal program there along with one of my pedal pushers coaches Stephanie Martinek and Smart Athlete coach Peter Glassford.

J: What services do you offer?

N: Coaching (road & mountain bike), women specific clinics, co ed clinics, custom group training and corporate and group tours.

J: Can you paint a picture of what someone would experience during a Pedal Pushers Diva Day.

N: The Diva Day is designed for the beginner, intermediate road rider looking to improve their road bike skills in a non intimidating environment. The Diva Day includes a mini mechanic seminar, gear selection demo, skills & drills to improve climbing, descending and group riding. The clinic is fully supported and includes swag bag, snacks,drinks, lunch, nutritional seminar and optional apres at Le Scandinave Spa Blue Mountains. Pedal Pushers offers a very personalized experience with a high coach-rider ratio. Our coaches Lesley Johnson and Stephanie Martinek have years of experience in both road and mountain biking. We also employ a wide variety of expert level rider leaders on our clinics to ensure everyone has support. My father Robbie Ross drives the support van and loves being involved in the business. Everyone is well looked after on a DD clinic.

J: What levels of riders do you work with for individual personal training?

N: I work with all levels of riders, male and female. Some are just taking up the sport and want to train for a charity ride or the 25 mile Centurion. Others are training for a half Ironman or the C50-C100 Centurion. Some of my clients are road riders wanting to try mountain biking for the first time.

J: Whats your most memorable Pedal Pushers moment/what was the most inspiring Pedal Pushers moment?

N: Seeing the expression on the cyclists faces when they achieve their goals whether its reaching the top of the Pretty River Valley Climb or crossing the finish line at the Centurion. One of my clients is from Mexico and had never ridden a bike. She attended one of my first Diva Day Clinics back in 2009 and seeing her finish the Centurion C50 was a very fufilling moment for me.

J: Whats on the horizon for pedal pushers?

N: There’s been a real increase in corporate groups wanting to get off the golf course and on the road so corporate road and mtn bike tours are something we are now offering. Last year we had a group of 30 executives up from the city for a 100km road tour so we are now also focusing in corp tours in addition to our clinics and camps.

J: When are the upcoming Pedal Pusher Events?

N: Diva Day Clinic May 2nd, May 30th, Climbing Clinic June 6th, Mountain Bike clinic (co-ed June 17th, 24th)and Diva Day Clinic July 25th (Muskoka).

Learn More & Register

The Georgian Trail, McGuinty's Cafe and Side Launch Brewing Company

April 18, 2015 Jody Wilson

It seems that the spring weather has been "hit and miss" this year. If its sunny out, you have to deal with extreme winds and gusts upwards of 50km/hr, and if its cloudy and cold, the winds seem to be calm and relaxed. Today was sunny and windy. On days like this the best thing to do is utilize the Georgian Trail. A small group of us headed out for a ride to Meaford. This type of ride doesn't happen too often as most of us enjoy some climbing and hills....the Georgian trail has neither long climbs nor rolling hills. In fact, as is the case with most rail trails, its completely flat and dead straight.

The winds were very strong and out of the NNW today, so heading to Meaford made complete sense. We spent an hour and twenty minutes pushing into a head wind just to turn around and fly home with the wind on our back. The trail was completely void of snow, which is good news, meaning that spring is finally here to stay.

McGuinty's Cafe

Bike parking around the back of the Cafe where the patio is

You have two options for a coffee break on this ride, Thornbury or Meaford. Since the overall ride is 70km in length, we always stop at McGuinty's in Meaford, the halfway point. This perfect little cafe is located on the main street between the two stop lights. McGuinty's Cafe is a "Ontario By Bike" approved destination. I had a quick chat with the owner and they absolutely love cyclists and really go out of their way to cater to them. With a great selection of coffee, espresso and lattes, don't forget to try one of their chocolate butter tarts or a piece of gluten free carrot cake. If you are there over the lunch hour, the veggie bagel sandwiches are amazing. This gem is definitely worth the stop. Around the back of the building you will find a patio and bike rack.

Side Launch Brewing Company

The return trip was very fast. With the wind on our backs, we flew home passing several trail users between Meaford and Collingwood. After picking up a friend on the way into Collingwood, we decided to do a little apres at the Side Launch Brewing Company which is located CONVENIENTLY just off the trail in Collingwood. If you are planning on replicating this ride from Collingwood, the SLBC brewery would be a great place to park your car and leave from. The bonus with this idea is that you can take a tour and taste a few of their award winning beers after the ride. The four of us finished up with 1 Wheat, 1 Dark Lager and 2 Pale Ales. Take your pick, you can't go wrong :).

SLBC is a big supporter of cycling in the Collingwood community. They have sponsored the local cycling club since its inception and are also designated as an Ontario by Bike destination. No better place to finish up your ride!

The mapping above shows the basic route we followed. There is a quick detour off the Georgian Trail on the way home, no need to do that yourself. I had also lost my garmin just before the brewery, it fell off my bike. I found it beside the trail three hours later. This map should give you a basic idea of where to go.

Spring has sprung in South Georgian Bay...

April 18, 2015 Jody Wilson

After nearly four and half months of cold miserable winter weather, spring finally decided to show its face this past weekend. Typically we have warmer weekends before mid April, but this year we haven't been so lucky.

This past Sunday temperatures ventured into the mid teens while brilliant blue skys and sun surrounded us once again. Saturday evening I sent out an email to several friends with the intentions of getting a small group together for a ride to Creemore. For several reasons, which I won't bore you with, only 3 of us made the commitment. For those of you interested, we rode the "Coffee Run" or what others describe as the Creemore Loop. Personally, I love riding this loop via Fairgrounds Road as I love the climb before my espresso and butter tarts, yes thats plural.

The three of us left Curries at 8:30am and arrived in Creemore at 9:30am....not bad since we were all riding gravel bikes with knobbies. Typically this time of year the folks at Affairs Cafe in Creemore have their tables and chairs out front on the sidewalk, but since its been such a cold spring, we had to ask to have one brought out for us. Norma and her staff at the Cafe absolutely love cyclists and really do a great job making you feel welcome. Be sure to park in the alley way beside the Cafe (try not to lean your bike up against the trees or flower beds along the front of the stores). We sat there baking in the sun for half and hour; one coffee, one espresso, one latte and a few pastries, the way cycling should be.

Under a bit of a time crunch, we headed home along the very popular Sixth Line back to Collingwood. On the way back we passed several groups of cyclists heading toward Creemore, on route for some coffee and pastries.

The "Coffee Run" is 60km round trip from Collingwood and is one of the flatter rides in the area. Don't let this trick you, there are still lots of rollers, and if you take Fairgrounds Road, you will climb a bit! As for now, the Creemore ride is in great shape and waiting for you.

Winter Training in Maui

April 8, 2015 Jody Wilson

This winter my wife and I decided to travel to Maui for a few reasons. One, it's too cold here in February and we wanted to escape to a warmer climate, and secondly, the island provides tons of amazing roads and routes for cycling.

For those of you that don’t know, Maui claims to have the second longest paved climb in the world (some would argue that). The climb up Heleakala is an astonishing 59km, starting at sea level and topping off at 10,000 ft. The island also boasts several amazing routes, three of which include the “Road to Hana”, the Winery Road and the West Maui Loop. Each of these rides is epic in in own sense, each varying in distance and elevation and scenery.

I haven’t really found any documentation anywhere on the web describing these as official routes, so I thought I would provide you with the info you need in case you had the notion to go ride your bike in Maui; here’s four days of great riding.

Heleakala

The route starts in the small town of Paia (sea level) and ends back in the town 120km later, a typical “out and back” ride. The general rule of thumb for temperature change on a climb like this goes like this….for every 1000 ft of elevation ascended, the temperature will drop 2 degrees. So on a climb of 10,000ft the temperature will drop approximately 20 degrees. The day we went up this year, it was 25 at the beach and 5 degrees at the summit. In preparation for this ride you will need to carry legs, sleeves, full gloves, a beanie and a coat for your return trip back down.

The climb can be divided into three parts.

From Paia to 3000 ft (1000m) , 23km - This first section is where you get your legs warmed up, the grade is light 3-7% with one longer steeper 11-12% section leaving the town of Makawoa. There is a store (Kula Lodge) around the 23km mark on the right side of the road where you can buy water and food. You will need to fill up water bottles here as the next place for water isn’t for a while.
From km 24 - First set of switchbacks to National Park Gate (km 42) - This second section is where the grades begin to kick up a bit and the scenery completely changes for the better. The average grade over this section is 6%, but don’t let that trick you as several of the ramps kick up to the 8-10% mark. The views of the island looking north and west are amazing on this section. You shouldn’t be suffering too much yet, so take in all you can! By the time you reach the gate for the Park, you will have climbed another 3000ft (1000m), so you are two thirds of the way there. The park will cost you $5 per bike. A water fountain and bathroom can be found at the visitor centre on the right side of the road about 1km past the gate.
From the Park Gate (km 42) to the summit (km 59) - The final push up the last set of switch backs is when this ride becomes epic. The grade of the last 1000m is less than the previous section, only averaging 5.5 %, but the wind can be enough to blow you backwards. Once you get to this point, there is no shelter from the elements. The only relief comes if your lucky enough to have the wind on your back. This section will seem like it never ends. I was working so hard that I can’t even remember much of the scenery! Once you near the summit, but sure to stick to the right and go passed the visitor centre and go right to the very end of the road…can’t miss the “full” Starva segment!

Once at the summit, be sure to put your gear on quick as you will cool down very fast once you stop pedaling. The descent is long, spend time in the drops to give your hands a rest from all the braking. There are no worries about cars at this point as you will be traveling faster then most vehicles. We managed to keep our full kits (legs, sleeves, jackets, gloves, beanies) on all the way to Makawoa. This is where we stopped and took everything back off. From Makawoa to Paia is a quick 15 minutes. We stopped at the Milagros Food Co. on the main corner for lunch and a celebratory pint!

All in, the ride took us 4:20 hours up and 1.5 hours down. We left Paia at 7:45am and were back mid afternoon.

Just outside of Paia, beginning of climb, pockets full

As an alternative, Maui Cyclery offers guided rides up with a sag vehicle. We did this the first time we went. They carried all of our gear in the vehicle and provided food for us. This is an option if you wish to have support the first time you do it. I believe the cost was around $100 usd per rider.

“The Road to Hana”

Ask anyone and they will tell you that you are nuts for cycling the Hana Highway. However, I will tell you that it actually may be safer to be on a bike! There are approximately 620 curves on the road and several bridges. Most people in cars get motion sickness, however, on a bike it’s an epic ride! Not one straight section of road for 105 km of riding.

For the best ride, park at Twin Falls (mile marker #2 Hana Hwy). By doing this, you avoid all the crappy sections of road and really get into the best of the road. There is a few things you should know about this ride, 1. people travel with caution on this road, so they really don’t speed (there will be the odd idiot), 2. be sure to take control of the cars and tell them when to pass you. My wife and I do this and it really does help.

From Twin Falls to Hana is about 52km. Despite the fact that you are not climbing a volcano, you are constantly either descending climbing, so by the time you’re done this ride you will have logged about 1850m of elevation.

Things to note…there is a store at the 24km mark with food, there is also several little fruit stands along the way. A very important note is “Coconut Glens” coconut ice cream stand, this is a must…if you don’t stop, you really haven’t completed this ride. There are several places in Hana for lunch, however we typically turn around and head back out of town. About 10km out of town your way home, there's a market place hidden amongst the forest with 3 or 4 great little places to eat, i would recommend eating here.

Watch the weather, this side of the island tends to get a bit of rain on an off, may be best to carry a zip lock for your phone and a light rain jacket.

The Winery Road

This is another out and back. It's pretty typical riding in the Maui sense, meaning that you will ride up or down something. In this case, you descend an amazing road through lava fields to sea level, and then turn around and climb back to your car….sounds simple right….think again!

Maui has one winery, it's a Pineapple Winery and is located on the south west side of the Island on Hwy 37 (Kula Hwy). For this ride you will need to park in the little town of Kula and start your ride at Grandma’s Coffee House. This ride is simple, leave Grandma’s and ride 30km until you are basically riding across sections of road that have been washed out by the ocean. It won't take that long before the road is just too bad, so you need to turn around. The key thing to remember here is that there is NO help, NO stores, NO PLACE TO GET WATER after you pass the winery. So, if you take 2 bottles with you, I would save them for the ride back and not drink them during the effortless 30 km descent during the first hour of the ride. Another thing to remember is that there is no shade on this route, you are exposed the entire time, so be sure to lather on the sun screen and carry an extra water if it is going to be very hot. On the way back, stop off at the winery, they offer short tours. There is also a restaurant and small store across the road where you can get food and water. From the winery to Grandma’s is about 8km back to your car.

The “thing” that makes this ride epic…is the breath taking views…I don’t have words for them, you just have to ride it for yourself.

Remember, the climb back is 30km, so it's 2 hours back for most people.

West Maui Loop

The first time we were in Maui, we didn’t get a chance to tackle this ride. Now that I've done it once, I want to do it again. The loop takes in the entire western portion of Maui. We decided to leave from Paia, which made this into a 125km loop. It's a funny ride, as you will find yourself riding on every category of road possible. We started out on a two lane highway, moved to a four lane, back to a very windy two lane and eventually a very rough one lane road that resembled a tiny lane way. However, that being said, all the major roads have bike lanes and the riding is very safe.

It was suggest that the route be ridden clockwise to account for the typical winds, so we left our little cottage and headed for Lahaina. This is a great ride to do on a Sunday or a holiday so the traffic is minimized. The first portion of the ride is completely highways with bike lanes. It is the worse part of the entire ride. In fact, if you didn’t know any better, you would turn around and head home, because these are not typical cycling roads. Try to keep your cool and just relax and take in your surroundings. Lahaina is at the 50km mark and a great place to stop and refuel and grab a coffee. We made a quick stop downtown at the Starbucks and continued on our way. Just down the highway a while is Kapula, this is where this route turns into epic. The road eventual turns into two lanes, the bike lane disappears and the scenery changes completely. For the next 40 km the road weaves in and out of little bays, descending and then climbing back up. This goes on and on…not as much as the Road to Hana, but just as beautiful. The panoramic views of the ocean and the cliffs is mind blowing. There are many places to stop along the way for banana bread (Julia’s) and drinks. For us the road was under construction, with only a short distance of gravel that we had to travel on. In the last few km’s before you begin descending back into Kahului the road is very rough and needs work, but I believe that is where there was construction on it.

The final 15 km back to Paia saw us travel through the centre of Kahului, to the airport and then onto a bike path that spit us out onto the Hana Highway near Specklesville. To say the least, this section was a tad bit stressful.

A better option would be to park your vehicle at the Maalaea Harbor and only ride around the west portion of the Island, this would cut out the majority of the city cycling. Probably a good idea…but the adventure is a great story that we won’t soon forget!

There are other amazing Maui rides….so if you have any questions, please don’t hold back!

Knighthood Quest

March 23, 2015 Jody Wilson

Everyone has their story. My knighthood story started just one short month ago after my wife and I returned home from vacation. Before heading back to our regular working lives we spent a Sunday evening hanging out with our great friends. Only a short few weeks had passed since we had all finished riding the 2015 Tour of Sufferlandria. It was this evening that the idea was tossed around that we take on the challenge of the Knighthood. At the time I thought “hell, why not, Ive ridden the TOS for the past two years, this is naturally the next step”.

Together the four of us read over the rules, they seemed simple enough…..ride ten videos back to back, take only ten minutes in-between, record your experience on social media or power/garmin files, own the videos or subscribe to the Sufferfest Video app, and raise money for a charity of your choice.

Before we knew it, we had moved from the kitchen to the living room and huddled around the coffee table. After a little debate, we had our 10 videos….

Record your experience on social media…”check”

Instagram - @jodydwilson
Twitter - @thewilsonhome
Facebook - Jody Wilson
TrainerRoad power files - thewilsonhome

Ten minute Rests in-between - check! Done…worst part of the entire day, only having ten minutes to stretch, hydrate, eat and change kit.

Own the videos or subscribe to Sufferfest service - I own several videos, but I also subscribe to the IOS app as I like the streaming as compared to storing the files on my computer.

Charity of choice, Davis Phinney Foundation. It was obvious for us to support this great cause as it has became close to our hearts.

Now that we had our line up planned and all our bases covered, we could focus on raising money! Another friend of ours was also part of the 2015 TOS, so we also recruited her to join us on our quest!

Its funny because the beauty of this entire experience wasn’t so much a personal goal as much as it was a full team experience. Using the Knighthood quest to raise money is such an amazing concept. The five of us set out and before we knew it we had past our original goal and were approaching the $10,000 mark! There was discussion of upping it to $15,000. At the time I didn’t think it was possible. This whole process really shows you how much people really do care when you reach out to them. The more we asked, the more people would give. I challenged people to pay me per KM ridden after I was done….Laura offered to sing them songs if they donated over a certain amount, Ev and Garn price matched one evening! People continued to give….and give….and give.

Events like this just don’t happen. They take planning, and lots of it. Laura’s amazing skills came into good use here. She made sure we had a list of 10 minions that were scheduled to come at different times during the day to help out. She made sure we had enough food for the day, she set out the schedule, she timed our 8 minute breaks…follow by the dreaded 2 minutes to get back on our bikes. She got everyones dinner order the day before, ordered it, and made sure there was a minion to pick it up and bring it to us when the ride was over. Obviously the day went off without a hitch thanks to the superior planning!

The hours of suffering, now thats a different story. We had heard on the facebook planning page that there were “dark hours”, typically between video 4 to 7. Well, mine started around the middle of video 4…it lasted a while…but you adapt and push through the suffering. It was great to be surrounded by an amazing supportive team.

Someone had suggested that we do Rubber Glove in the middle, as it is nice and steady with a long warm up. Was it a good idea?….sure….did I like it, no. Lets not kid ourselves here people, this is no walk in the park. If your not ready for it, it hurts. It doesn’t matter how much you have been riding, 10 hours on a bike will give you a sore butt, your knees will hurt, your back will tense up and begin to ache. If you aren’t hydrated properly, you will cramp….it will hurt. But thats what Sufferlandria is all about, sacrificing one thing for another. You suffer through it, and somewhere, hopefully a the end of the tunnel…there is a bit of light.

By the time Revolver started playing, we were all in better spirits. Despite the pain, we managed to push through the 16 one minute sprints; all of us pushing hard at the end. Over the full day, you do get a second wind…and a third…and a forth!

I loved the event, I love the idea of the Knighthood and the honour involved in being named a Knight of Sufferlandria; but most of all, I loved the idea that 5 people could come together and raise over $16,000 for the Davis Phinney Foundation. I will hold my head high and be proud of being named into the Knighthood!

You think you can do it? Good luck with that….only a few of us out there in the world. For the time being HTFU, get back on your bike and practice a bit more suffering! Maybe someday you will be lucky enough to join us, for now, pay your dues.

Traveling with a bike

February 8, 2015 Jody Wilson

Over that last few years I have traveled with my bike to several destinations by plane. Unfortunately, the airlines have decided to increase the cost to a point where it is always a coin toss whether or not to rent. For instance, this winter I’m heading to Maui, on the way there I will have to pay $50 for a second bag plus $75 for an oversized bag (West Jet). On the way home, Im flying American Airlines, which has a flat rate of $150 dollars per bike on a flight anywhere in Canada and the United States. So…to take my bike on vacation, it will cost me $250 (plus a bit more as the Canadian dollar basically fallen through the floor right now).

Depending on where you rent, typically the longer the rental period, they cheaper the deal. In Maui there are a few bikes shops to rent from; both offer mid level bikes with Ultegra setups, either mechanical or electric. I priced it out for my wife and I and to ride mid level bikes for the time we were traveling it was going to cost $300 more then taking our own.

There are several benefits to renting a bike. First off, you don’t have to worry about packing your bike and lugging it around the airport. Secondly, you avoid the stress associated with your bike getting lost and or damaged. On the flip side, there are extreme downsides to renting a bike. For instance, if you damage it, break it or crash it, you will be on the hook for the price tag.

My wife and I love travelling with our bikes. If you are thinking about picking up a bike bag there are several solutions out there to choose from. Like with everything I do, I spend hours researching things like this so I make a smart purchase. Here is a short list of options to choose from.

On a budget…

Pay a visit to your LBS (local bike shop) and ask for an old bike box. When a bike shop builds a new bike, they arrive in a perfect sized “bike box”. I have heard of people doing this, however, I have never tried it myself. You may have to completely tear your bike down, wrap it in foam, but a cardboard box is light and its pseudo hard shell offers some protection.

Another option if you are travelling on a budget, use a hockey goalie bag. I have several mountain bike friends that have used this method. Tear the bike down, put in lots of padding and hope the baggage handlers treat it with some respect. The good news is I’ve heard that many airlines don’t charge for hockey equipment? I wouldn’t do this, but I know people that do.

Soft shell bags…

These seem to be the most popular bag right now. I looked into three companies in my research. Biknd, EVOC and Scicon. Depending on your traveling habits and your mechanical ability, each company offers something different.

Scicon offers the Aero Comfort 2.0 bag which only requires you to remove the wheelset, leaving the rest of your bike how it is, including the rear derailleur, handle bars and pedals. This is definitely a bag for anyone with limited mechanical abilities. If you plan to fly somewhere and stuff a few bikes in a car, you don’t want this bag. Apparently these are the choice of the pros, problem is they are a bit bulky because the handle bars remain in place.

The EVOC Bike Travel bag is interesting because you can access it from either side. I took a close look at this bike and it finished a very close second to the Biknd. They claim to be very light and provide a bit of padding protection in their walls. The thing that steered me away from them was their wheel system. This bag only has 2 large skate wheels at the front, which means that you need to bend over to pick it up and set it down every time you move it in the airport. I know this sounds a bit meaningless, but when you are dragging along another piece of luggage with you, its nice to have a bike bag with 4 casters on it.

Biknd offers their signature bag called the Helium. The name comes from the two inflatable bags that protect your bike from either side. This is the bag I own, so I can tell you everything you want to know about it. For instance, it does a few things very very well. For starters, there is no doubt it protects your bike very well. The combination of air bladders and the strong tear resistant outer material provides a bullet proof exterior. Another benefit is that it is quit small and can easily be packed in any car. For instance, I can pack 2 of these babies into the back seat of my Mini Countryman or Jetta (yes, I said back seat, not trunk). This bag is also very easy to wheel around the airport due to its size and the fact that it has four wheels (the two front swivel). For this bag to be the size it is, there are a few trade offs. For starters, you have to practically take the entire bike apart (wheelset, handlebars, seat & seat post, pedals, rear derailleur). If you ride a bike with Di2 the battery has to be removed as well, which could prove to be challenging if it is located in the seat post. I have also had problems with a caster breaking, the pump breaking, an airbag getting a puncture and a broken handle. On the positive note, the Biknd warrantee took care of everything without charge. I attribute all the issues of this bag to its first generation design. I purchased a second bag for my wife, its the new version and they seem to have fixed all the problems associated with the previous generation.

Hard shell bags…

I originally wanted a hard shell bag thinking that it would provide the best protection for my bikes. After doing my research, there were a few things that turned me away of them.

You can’t “squish” it into a back seat of a car, there is no give to a hard shell case.
Each part of your bike has a separate place where it gets strapped into a hard case shell. If the bag gets opened by TSSA and they remove the items, its virtually impossible for them to get it packed back up properly. We met a cyclist when travelling that had his hard case opened and his bike showed up damaged because they couldn’t close it properly.

Everyone travels differently. I made the best selection of bike bag for the type of traveling I do. I needed a bag small enough that can be stuffed in the back seat of a car, but solid enough that it provides my $$ bike with great protection. Despite the problems I had with my original Biknd Helium, I would still buy another one today.

The winter months -Training indoors

January 17, 2015 Jody Wilson

Cycling in the winter in this area is extremely tough. Once the snow gets deep enough the riding is restricted to fat biking, getting out on the gravel bike that odd warm winter day or sitting on the trainer indoors. Each one of these offers something different, I tend to choose the easy way out and head to the torture chamber in the basement for the winter months.

Riding indoors at home offers several advantages to freezing your butt of in minus temperatures during January and February. Sessions are often much shorter, you can ride with normal cycling clothing on and you can can catch up on all those Netflix shows on your list!

Kurt Kinetic Road Machine & Trainer Road software playing over top of Netflix on TV. — Kurt Kinetic Road Machine & Trainer Road software playing over top of Netflix on TV.

For the best experience you don’t have to spend a lot of money on equipment, however, you need to be smart about what you purchase. There are many different trainers out there and like anything else you can spend as much money as you want. I tried out several trainers and ended up with the Kurt Kinetic Road Machine. If you are looking for "bang for you $", the Road Machine is the best you will get for under $500. I could bore you with all the countless hours of research I have done, but you need to trust me on this one. The Road Machine is solid, consistent and extremely reliable. I have used the warrantee only once after riding it for two years. The peeps at Kurt Kinetic shipped me another frame, no questions ask (amazing customer service).

I pair my Road Machine with Trainer Road for the fall and winter months. Trainer Road is a SAAS (software as a service) solution that makes training inside during these colder months bearable. Its monthly cost is $12 and it provides hundreds of rides to choose from. Along with your monthly (no contract fee) there are several different training plans to pick from depending on what it is you are trying to achieve. Trainer Road also pairs extremely well with Sufferfest videos and has recently started providing online “Training with Power” webinars to its members. Another benefit to using the Road Machine is its consistent power curve which allows Trainer Raod to estimate virtual power when paired with your Ant+ Garmin Speed/Cadence sensor better then other trainers in the same class. Training with power is the way to go, no cheating power numbers, its proven to take your riding to that next level.

So there you have it, my secret to riding during the winter. If you need a goal to work towards, plan for the Tour of Sufferlandria which occurs at the end of January each year.

If you are looking for a better idea of what Trainer Road is and how it works, check out the video below.

A ride to reflect…A ride to plan

December 31, 2014 Jody Wilson

For me, cycling itself is a form of therapy or as my friends call it, “cyclotheraphy”. Spending time in the saddle alone allows you to take your mind off of the days business and allows you to focus on yourself. This past Sunday, I was able to do just that.

The roads were dry but the temps were below zero, I jumped on my cyclocross bike and headed south out of town towards Nottawa. My selected route started at the Black Ash trail to Poplar Sideroad to Hamilton Trail and then south along the rail trail to Stayner. The trails were soft from all the snow that had melted over the last few weeks, so once I got to Nottawa Sideroad, I decided to head west toward the escarpment on the asphalt.

Riding alone has a several perks, one of them is the time you can spend thinking about….well sometimes nothing, but mostly whatever’s on your mind at the time. I spent this ride reflecting on my 2014 riding season. It started off with a bang during the end of January and the Tour of Sufferlandria, followed by two months of trying to ride 250km on the trainer per week. Endless hours were spent watching Netflix and Sufferfest videos before the weather begain to turn warm. All of my training was focused on one event in France at the beginning of July, Le Marmotte (175km 5200m of climbing). By the time I got on the plane the last week of June I had already logged over 6500km all for the year. Le Marmotte was an incredible experience; however, the rest of the riding I did in France was life changing. I realized that there are so many places out there that I need to see….especially by bike. For the remainder of the summer, my focus was on the local cycling club and riding my bike for the sake of riding my bike. I forgot about uploading to Strava, I didn’t care how fast I climbed, I dismissed “segments” from my mind and majority of the time rode with my Garmin stuffed in my pocket (just to track my millage). I spent time getting to know new cyclists, rode with people that I wanted to, and always, always spent time at the back of the pack. I rode my bike and loved every minute of it.

For 2015, I have 10 cycling goals. There are as follows, in no particular order:

1. Ride faster

2. Climb harder

3. Always help at the back

4. Always chase - Always attack again

5. Ride more with my wifie

6. Break a chain

7. Wear out tires

8. Tour of Sufferlandria

9. Maui & Italy (Maratona)

10. Remember why I ride

My ride ended after I had climbed up towards the Osler Ski club and flew home along Sixth Street with the wind on my back. Despite the fact I was alone, I still sprinted for the Collingwood town sign (it’s what people don’t see that makes you stronger).

If you find yourself trying to plan your 2015 season, hop on your bike, take a ride and spend some good quality time thinking about what you want cycling to give you, there’s nothing wrong with a little cyclotheraphy!

Wet cold December roads….and hot lattes

December 16, 2014 Jody Wilson

Sometimes we get lucky in December and find a day that has plus temperatures and dry roads, this weekend, half of that equation happened. After being inside on my trainer for the last two weeks, it was good to get pressured by a few friends to get out and hit the road for a quick hour ride. The temperature was a steady 4 degrees and the roads were wet, so I put on the fenders and rear lights and we set out for a very quick tempo flat loop with the intention to hit up a coffee shop at the end. We had chosen a fairly new loop to the area, lets call it the “Airport Loop extended”. When Highway 26 was realigned, the Province had to repave the old highway before they could hand it back to the municipality. In doing so, the Town of Collingwood and the Town of Wasaga Beach worked together to have a gigantic bike lane put in…a win win for everyone!

From Curries Fruit Market, this is a fast, 30 km loop that will take you a quick hour to complete. Its ideal this time of year as there is no climb, so you can remain warm by constantly pedalling. The only area of concern on this ride is the three roundabouts that you navigate through as you cross the new Highway 26. It can be a little intimidating, so be sure to make sure that cars see you, don’t be afraid to take your time. Our group all had high viz jackets on and flashing lights; which I think is mandatory this time of year with all the glum weather we have. People could see us as we stayed together through the roundabouts. Once you hit the new bike lane on Beachwood Road, its smooth sailing until the Poplar Sideroad turn off. You can choose your route back, we decided to head through the outskirts of town, navigating to the downtown core for a well deserved latte at Espresso Post.

Happy Global Fat-Bike Day!

December 8, 2014 Jody Wilson

Happy Global Fat-Bike Day! Actually, December 6, 2014 was officially the 3rd anniversary of a global celebration for all those interested in riding fat-bikes. Urban myth has it that the holiday was started by a couple of very passionate Brits with the hopes to bring the fat tire community together.

I don't own one yet....however, I have ridden them several times and would own one in an instant if I just had an extra few thousands $$ and enough room in my garage to store it. Last month my wife threatned me with the..."no more bikes until you sell one" lecture. That being said, she did say that our next dog will come with two fat-bikes, so maybe I should looking for a new dog? :)

Fat bikes hit the scene a few years back with with 3.7inch tires or bigger and rims wider then 44mm. The frames and stays have been designed to fit the larger tires. They are typically used on snow and sand as it allows the bike to float on top of the surface. Typical air pressures range from 5-10 psi which provides a very smooth soft ride over any terrain.

A few years back several nordic ski centers began opening trails to fat-bikers. Hardwood Hills in Barrie, has a series of trails open to fat-bikers during the winter months with groomed tails and rentals. Around the Collingwood area, the Georgian Trail provides a great place to experience a fat-bike for the first time. Venture onto the snowshoe paths in Cranberry Golf Course or the Eleventh Line trails. Kamikaze rents fatties for $50 a day, give them a shout and reserve one for an afternoon of fun.

The best conditions occur on the colder days when the snow is packed and not slushy. A word of warning....its only the beginning of December and the word on the street is this; if you rent one, you'll want to buy it once you return from the ride!...its happened a few times already.

Get out and embrace the Canadian winter.

Escaping between flurries

November 25, 2014 Jody Wilson

Once the cold north winds begin to show up in November, I stop climbing. I follow the simple rule that if your not pedalling your bike, your not staying warm. All but one climb (Scenic Caves) in this area takes anywhere from 8 to 12 minutes to descend, with a good windchill, its smarter just to stay on the flats and pedal. However with the warmer temps I decided to give it a shot.

Here in Collingwood we didn’t see the epic amount of snow that Buffalo did, however we did receive enough to get the locals excited about the upcoming ski season. Most of my roadie friends hit the nordic tracks this weekend, since I don’t own skis, I opted for the trainer on Saturday while it poured rain and was able to get out for a quick ride Sunday. This time of year, any time away from the basement and the trainer is always welcomed. With warmer weather and threatening rain showers, I headed out for a quick loop on my gravel bike. Cruising up Sixth Street toward the escarpment, its always amazes me how much more snow they get “up top”. Today I decided to climb Grey 19 and descend Scenic Caves. My theory, warm up on 19 and get down quick by descending the Caves (it’s only 1.5km long, so its the quickest to descent this time of year, two mins tops). Between the climb and descent was an amazing messy gravel section. Its always good to get your gear filthy, makes it look like you were having a good time!

The overall experience was great. With just over an hour on the road I managed to completely cover myself with mud, but more importantly I was able to escape the flurries we normally get this time of year. It was only a short ride, but it still counts!

Just passed the 1/2 mark on the Grey Road 19 climb

Trying to stay outside…

November 17, 2014 Jody Wilson

November in Collingwood brings several challenges to those wanting to get out and put in those last few miles before the lake effect snow squalls sweep in and banish us to our trainers for the winter months. From adequate footwear choice to proper tires, if you don’t have the right gear, you’re putting yourself at risk for good case of frost bite or an epic crash.

Clothing is always the first challenge, it’s what separates the wannabes from the hardcore. The minute the “thermal booties” stop working for you, it’s time to put the bike away for the winter. I’ve had several pairs of booties, all kinds, all shapes, all different makes; they’re great for keeping cooler air off your toes, but the minute you introduce “windchill”, you might as well burn them. Do yourself a favour, if you really want to ride in the cold weather, go buy a pair of fall/winter riding boots. I picked up a pair of Specialized Defrosters last fall and I haven’t looked back since. Warm feet let you stay out longer!

Tires, the second challenge. As the temperatures fall below zero and black ice begins to form, normal tires are no longer safe. It doesn’t matter how much you ride, no one can stop a bike from slipping out from under them on ice. Studded tires are great, they dig into those ice surfaces and provide extra traction on those snowy climbs. The first snow means breaking out the studs for me, better safe then sorry, after all, bike parts were made to be used, so put them on and wear them out.

This past weekend I donned my Defrosters, changed out my regular cx tires for studded ones and hit the trail for a 42km ride from Collingwood to Thornbury and back. This ride is a “go to” route for us here in Collingwood during these off-season months. The route gets you off the road, protects you from the nasty north winds and keeps you fairly close to home if the weather goes south (or north of that matter:) ). If you plan it right there are two great places to stop in Thornbury. If its the lunch hour, hit up the Bakery Cafe for an amazing sandwich. If your just looking for an espresso and butter tart, head across the street to Ashanti.

This time of year there is only one rule, if its nice out….somebody better be on a bike!

Heading south toward Collingwood on the Georgian Trail, Near Grey Road 21.

Heading towards Collingwood along the Georgian Trial, near Grey Road 21.

The first snow.

November 6, 2014 Jody Wilson

This time of year in the Collingwood area, mother nature loves to play games. While the local kids were knocking on doors in town ‘trick or treating’ in the wind and rain, lake effect snow was falling in the higher elevations around town. When I woke up Saturday morning, Facebook and Instagram was full of pictures showing 4-5 inches of white stuff up on the escarpment.

I didn’t have time Saturday for anything but a quick ride out to Northwinds Beach on the Georgian Trail, up through a few neighbourhoods near Blue Mountain and back to town; so I was looking forward to a great gravel ride with a few friends on Sunday morning. Mid morning, under cold temps (1degrees) and blue skies we set out for the ‘Goat Path’ a classic gravel climb named appropriately, followed by a short descent into the Pretty River Valley and an climb up Reid's Hill. We took our time on the flats and descents, but for some reason felt the need to hammer the hills, after all we are cyclists. By the time we got to Gibraltar, the cold was beginning to set in. We opted for the slower gravel descent down past three stage for the views overlooking Georgian Bay, Collingwood, Wasaga Beach and Midland. As we popped out on Grey Road 19, the bandanas came out to block the windchill on our faces as we rode back into town.

This ride changes with every season, this time we were lucky enough to witness the beauty of what mother nature has to offer early in November, 4 inches of glistening white snow everywhere, we couldn’t have asked for a better route for the day.

Download route Thefirstsnow.gpx

Magical Little Germany

October 28, 2014 Jody Wilson

With heavy WNW winds blowing this past weekend along with the rain, the leaves have some how managed to disappear from the trees, leaving behind a grey tinge to the forests. However, that shouldn’t stop you from getting out and riding; with the leaves gone, you see things you don’t normally do during the summer months. This past weekend I rode a fantastic local gravel loop. Half asphalt, half gravel, this ride is great no matter what time of year it is. The first portion of the ride takes you to one of the most scenic points over looking Collingwood. To get there, you have to crawl over a few huge gravel rollers, but its well worth the work. From there you venture into the a short section of the Pretty River Valley just to be side tracked for the quick but steep climb up Reid's Hill. With the warm up done, carry on west towards the Kolapore uplands where Little Germany is nestled amongst swampy lands and thick cedars. This is where the magic happens, sheltered by the forest canopy, the gravel road meanders and you nearly forget where you are. Little Germany has no sign announcing its location, no population to be counted, but when you cross the bridge you have ridden through it. Leaving Little Germany there is a short beautiful climb that winds up and around a few corners and pops you out at Metcalfe Rock, a popular spot for climbers and day hikers. From here, venture on to Ravenna for a delicious lunch at the General Store and then head home via Scenic Caves Road.

Gravel rollers heading toward Pretty River Valley - great scenic look out point

The base of the short climb at Little Germany