Trail Sabotage on Thornhill

I did a few laps on Thornhill today.  What someone had done on Bear Ridge Trail really infuriated me, but I didn't let it wreck my ride.

Someone went through some great effort to put logs and branches across the trail in 5 different spots. It's the fact that people can easily get hurt due to the thoughtless actions of this saboteur that upsets me.  Kids, hikers, horseback riders, dog walkers, bikers can all be injured by this persons actions.  I have removed all the obstacles, taken pictures, called the police, called the city and called the local newspaper.  I hope this stops without anyone getting hurt.

The only trail that I found debris on was Bear Ridge Trail.  I continued my ride on a few other trails where I enjoyed the view and gave my dog a good run.

Golden Ears (with no snow)

A tranquil fern lined forest 

One happy dog at the end of our ride.

Riding in Rivers

I went for a quick after work ride to Thornhill.  It was raining; Big Mistake.

I was basically riding in rivers down most of the trails. The trails up Thornhill really aren't designed for wet weather traffic. Today's ride revealed where the trails I rode require some help with drainage.

WIND

I went for a ride today in likely the windiest conditions I've ever been in.  Near the beginning of my ride I drained a few puddles and have given some thought on making a few How-To peiced to be published online.

NEVER LINE YOUR TRAILS WITH LOGS

NEVER LINE YOUR TRAILS WITH LOGS

It was somewhat windy when I started but it picked up once I was in the trees.


I decided to cut my ride short when a small branch hit me on the shoulder (a bit of a wake-up call).

Misty Morning at The Woodlot

At dawn I was at The Woodlot with Tilly riding in the mist.

At home it was miserable and raining, but in the mountains I was above the rain filled clouds and in the mist.

The layers of mist in the mountains.

The trails were basically dry and it was warm enough that I didn't need my jacket or toque.  The trails I rode were Blood Donor, Giant Killer, Snakes and Ladders and then Shotgun.

After the work that Ryan, Ian and I did on our night build a few weeks ago Snakes was riding really well; no wet spots or issues that need addressing at this time.  My reroute is bedding in well and only needs a few finishing touches and then I'll be on to the next section.

Tilly had a good run and we made it home without even getting wet. 

I'm back

It's been a couple years since I regularly updated my riding journal, but it's a new year and I've decided to fire this thing back up.

My first ride of 2015 took me to Bear Mtn to ride with Paul, Andrew and Nat.  The ride started with a pedaled up Big Trouble in Little Chaining and then up to Lorax.  Lorax in the snow is a lot of fun but the rock face in the clear cut was a bit of an eye opener being covered in a layer of slushy ice and snow.

We then climbed back to Luge and Sorcerers Apprentice but on the way Nat encountered a flat caused by a piece of wire going through his tire.

The boys fixing a flat

I then ride Luge and Sorcerers Apprentice for the fist time.  Luge is a pinned straight shot of a trail that I'd prefer to do unclipped and on a bigger bike, but it was fun nonetheless.  

The sign at the top of Luge

The last trail of the ride was Jolly Rancher where we were all having a hoot until Nat had a nasty spill that flung him over his bars and on his head.  He ended up with a few cuts on his forehead that we cleaned up, but he will likely require some butterfly bandages or stitches.  Fortunately he was okay to ride out to the vehicles and go get patched up.

Overall it was a great start to my riding year.  I felt sluggish due to being a glutton over the Christmas break but anytime on the bike is a good time.