Some Downhill Biking… in Ontario?!

Posted on April 25, 2022 by Ian Chow

Ontario is known to be super flat. So downhill biking in Ontario is not the first thing we would search for, or try, for that matter. We don’t get the Appalachian mountain range, nor do we get the rockies – far from it. Literally. Approximate 1,500 km from the western most side of Ontario to the Rockies. Everything in between that are now the prairies, which was home to an great inland sea, the Western Interior Seaway which split North America into two, during the Cretaceous period in our earth’s history.

But wait, this isn’t a geology lesson! Let’s get ripping to some downhill biking in Ontario! It’s flat, but not that flat you can’t find some hills to bike on. Ian went with his brother to Horseshoe Resort over the summer to get some laps in. Since Ian’s bike is a carbon fibre cross-country monster, he borrowed his brother’s old dirt jump bike. His brother also has a fancy downhill bike.

It had been a while since either of them hit up any downhilling and it was almost like putting on an old pair of shoes. Ian rode the bike so hard, he blew out the old forks on the old dirt jump bike. Admittedly the bike is super old and not meant for some of the trails being thrown at it.

Damian’s, an Explorations team member has this going out west, ripping up some crazy trails! What set up do you have going on?

Check out the ride!

Motorcycling the Duffey Loop

Posted on April 11, 2022 by Ian Chow

Follow Damian as he goes motorcycling the Duffey Loop on his birthday. This loop is 580 km or so long, full of twisties and perfect for a motorcycle tour. What he did was way cooler than Bueller’s Day Off – (sorry, not sorry). He’s starting from a random gas station, in British Columbia, to do the Duffy Loop. This loop is 580 km or so long, full of twisties and perfect for a motorcycle tour. Amazing part of this ride, and perhaps even more to the ecological point of view, is the variety of such different ecosystems in such a small amount of time, through the interior of British Columbia.

Through motorcycling Duffy Loop, you’ll go encounter varying mountain ranges, deserts and back to rain forests, before returning back to Vancouver. Twisties for days, through this loop. It’ll take you through hope, Hell’s Gate (in it’s own right, passing through the narrows of Fraser River) and the rest you’ll have to learn about in Duffy Loop Part 2.

Want to see more riding videos? Check out Rob touring Southern Ontario around Hamilton area! Interested in learning to pack for a motorcycle trip? Check out Bike Touring Packing Setup!

But for now, enjoy the part 1 of motorcycling the Duffey Loop!

Rockwood Conservation

Posted on April 4, 2022 by Ian Chow

Rockwood Conservation is a quaint little conservation, a stone throw’s away from Toronto. It’s been hard getting out over the winter for a little day trip excursion, that’s less than a one hour drive from Toronto. But a little bit of Googling helped yield some results hiking trails around me and was reinforced through a paddling guidebook, for Southern Ontario region. This is perfect for those days you want to get out, not too far, and away from the usual crowds in other known spots.

Remains of the 19th century wool mill at Rockwood Conservation

Rockwood Conservation, part of the larger Grand River Conservation Authority system, this unique little spot boasts a historical and important aspect of the regions history of a wool mill. More than that, it’s a quaint little day trip out of Toronto with hiking areas and beach area over the summer. The lake is known to have some good fishing, too!

Geologically speaking, the limestone is littered with, what’s known as kettle formations. Formations in rocks when the glacier retreated and carved little circles and wells through the rocks. Left behind are some scenic cliffs, perfect for wedding photos! The hiking trails don’t require any fancy hiking boots, hiking pants, or hiking poles. It’s a leisure stroll through the woods for a nice easy break from the city and the crowds.