Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Paddling in Paradise: Woodland Caribou Provincial Park | Northland Outdoors | Fargo, ND

"On our 10th anniversary trip to Woodland Caribou Provincial Park in northwestern Ontario, we got celebratory and splurged a bit. We paid the money and had our canoe tied to the side of Canada’s own bush plane, a beautifully restored 1944 Norseman that departed from Red Lake, Ont., and got dropped off in the wilderness.

It was a spot that would have taken us many days to reach with the paddle. Now, we had a stretch of time to simply canoe, fish and camp with an overriding current that favored our direction of travel. Boiled down, it was the fruit of a 14-day trip reduced to the best five days.

An airplane can do that for you, and during the course of our trip, we paddled about 45 miles, perhaps nine or 10 miles a day."

TRCA: News Story

"Toronto and Region Conservation (TRCA) is helping families have eco-friendly outings this summer with many outdoor and educational activities right outside their doorsteps. TRCA encourages residents to be kind to Mother Earth this season by being green, travelling locally, and visiting one of their eco-friendly hot spots to learn, splash, play, and explore."

Bixi Toronto | Biking Toronto

"About Bixi:
Bixi is a public bicycle rental system that originated in Montreal. It is based on the popular “Velib” bicycle rental system in Paris, France. Since launching in Montreal it has expanded (or has plans to expand) to London, Melbourne, Minneapolis, Boston and Toronto.

Bixi’s initial launch in Toronto is scheduled for May 2011. It will launch in the downtown core of the city, bordered roughly by Bloor, Jarvis, Lakeshore and Spadina. It will launch with 1,000 bicycles at 80 Bixi stations spread around the downtown core, approximately 300 metres apart."

Cycling Events This Week: Aug 9 – 15 | Biking Toronto

"This week’s Wednesday Wheelie is a 71 or 86 km ride from Courtice through the Durham Drumlins to Bowmanville for lunch. Meet for an 8:30 a.m. departure at the Community Centre in Courtice. To get to Courtice, exit Hwy 401 eastbound at interchange 425, (C.R. 34/Courtice Rd.) Drive north just past Hwy 2 and turn left into the Courtice Community Centre. For more information call Bill Hannaford 416-482-2125."

CYCLING SKILLS (Safe Cycling) Part 5 – Handling Skills – Braun's Bicycle Blog

"Signalling
Making signals requires being able to ride with only one hand on the handlebars. Because it is very easy to go off course when riding one-handed, practise signalling while riding along a straight line. Keep both hands on the handlebars while actually turning. It’s also important to practice shoulder checking before signalling to make turns."

Gearing Up: News and Tips about Cycling, Gear, Rides and the RONA MS Bike Tours in Ontario: A&W Cruisin' for a Cause Day

"Thursday August 26th marks the second annual A&W Cruisin’ for a Cause Day, where $1 from the sale of every Teen Burger is donated to support the mission of the MS Society of Canada.

As an added bonus, A&W will also donate 50 cents for every Facebook RSVP we receive on the official A&W Cruisin’ for a Cause Day event page , up to $20,000!

RSVP today by clicking on I’m Attending, and help us move one step closer to ending MS."

Monday, August 9, 2010

Metro - New routes added to Ont. Bike Train

Metro - New routes added to Ont. Bike Train: "The Bike Train network in Ontario is expanding, with three new weekend routes from Toronto added for this summer and fall.

Originally launched in partnership with Via Rail between Toronto and Niagara in 2007, the Bike Trains now take cyclists to recreational trails and road routes across the province."

For the more than 1700 trails adjoining or near your home, bus or train station be sure to check out http://ontariotrails.on.ca

Curbside Cycle – Sneak Preview: Earn (and win) your stripes!

"We’ve been bouncing the idea of a custom painted Batavus for quite a while – we just needed an excuse. The World Cup was our first idea, but with only one Dutch person on staff it felt a little too partisan (plus, lets face it, the Dutch never win the World Cup). Luckily, Yvonne from the Toronto Cyclist Union approached us with a great excuse, the TCU is just about to sign up their 1000th member, so why not celebrate with a stylish bike that anyone can easily ride? We donated a bike on the spot."

Eclectic crew biking from Troy to Toronto - The Saratogian News: Serving the Saratoga Springs, N.Y. region (Saratogian.com)

"With their bicycles loaded up with sleeping bags, energy bars, water and even a worn acoustic guitar, a group of cyclists left Troy this morning to journey to a festival for international bike enthusiast in Toronto.

Like a modern spin on a gypsy caravan, the crew is carrying almost all of its necessities on two wheels and will be stopping to camp and couch-surf along the way. Their bicycles are decorated with ceramic skulls, feathers and colorful paint, creating a ramshackle parade to draw attention to transportation alternatives that are not dependent on fossil fuels."

Life lessons crammed into memorable days - thestar.com

"Another gorgeous Ontario summer night — this one shared with hundreds of pathfinders camping in tents at Guelph Lake Conservation Area, an hour outside Toronto.

But I must leave them, these lucky boys and girls, aged 10 to 16.

In just a few days they will conquer their fear of the night, sleep without a night light for the first time and discover the secrets of the night sky — like tens of thousands of city kids experiencing summer camp for the first time."

Conservation camp calls kids to interact with nature - Belleville Intelligencer - Ontario, CA

"Conservation Day Camp in Picton is offering kids ages 7 to 13 a chance to interact with nature in a very hands-on way.

'Each week there are exciting games, fun crafts and lots of time for enjoying and learning about the outdoors. One of the highlights of every week for the campers is a chance to catch and study


interesting bugs in streams,' said Conservation education co-ordinator Maya Navrot."

Ontario Ministry of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry

"The Ontario government has a plan to strengthen the province by strengthening its people. In addition to achieving “Success for Students” and “Better Health”, the government’s other key priority is “Jobs and Prosperity”."

Kingston Bicycle | Ontario Cyclist

"One of the popular cycling destinations in Ontario is the city of Kingston. If visiting in the summer perhaps stay at the centrally located Queens University."

ATV Accident on Laughing Lake Rd

"The Sault Ste Marie Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police is currently investigating a multi vehicle motor vehicle collision on Laughing Lake Rd in Jollineau Twp. (off of the Ranger Lake Rd)

Preliminary findings indicate that an all terrain vehicle was travelling on Laughing Lake Rd when it struck a pickup truck travelling in the opposite direction."

Hiking the shores of an inland sea - Ontario Gossip

"Under threatening skies on a humid July morning, the centuries-old Ojibwa pictographs at Agawa Rock radiate an energy matched only by Lake Superior’s restless swell. This is the payoff for four days of backpacking in northern Ontario on Lake Superior Provincial Park ’s Coastal Trail: a shaman’s canvas that soars 70 metres out of the water."

Twisted trail tales | Working up a sweat in Toronto

"A while back I registered (on a whim) for my first ever trail run. I have never run on any trail other than Toronto’s well-kept trail routes, so I truly didn’t know what to expect. This past week I received an email from the race director describing the trail route I would be running this weekend. Here’s an excerpt:

In the second km you will enter the forest. This km is a hilly, rooty, Godforsaken little patch of nature… you’re going to love it. If you take it too aggressively or lose your focus, you WILL go to the ground. Tripping hazards everywhere. Brush up on your four letters words. You may need them."

Grey Sauble Conservation Arboretum ~ Owen Sound, Ontario CANADA - Arboretums on Waymarking.com

"Encompassing approximately 12 hectares, the land where the existing Arboretum and Administration Centre are now located was purchased in 1961 and 1962 by the then North Grey Region Conservation Authority. The property was purchased to protect part of the scenic Sydenham River Valley. This site was recognized as an ideal location for an arboretum because of its deep, rich soils and its close proximity to the City of Owen Sound."

ATV, dirt bike races in Beamsville – Welland Tribune – Ontario, CA | Dirt Bikes ATV

"Motorheadz is presenting an off-road challenge Saturday at the Beamsville fairgrounds. The challenge includes ATV, traill and dirtbike r.

The rest is here:
ATV, dirt bike races in Beamsville – Welland Tribune – Ontario, CA"

For trails and events on motorized and non-motorized trails check out http://ontariotrails.on.ca

Third man hurt in serious collision: UPDATED - The Sault Star - Ontario, CA

"A Sault Ste. Marie man was badly hurt in an all-terrain vehicle collision just hours after two other serious crashes in the city and area Friday.

A male, 18, was southbound on Laughing Lake Road in Johnson Township when he collided with a northbound pickup truck. The collision happened on a curve on a hill at about 7:30 p.m., said Sgt. Todd Pelletier of Ontario Provincial Police.


The ATV rolled on to the driver."

The OTC reminds all to purchase a TTN Gold Pass to promote safety - trail not part of TTN? Why not? 877-668-7245

Third man hurt in serious collision: UPDATED - The Sault Star - Ontario, CA

"A Sault Ste. Marie man was badly hurt in an all-terrain vehicle collision just hours after two other serious crashes in the city and area Friday.

A male, 18, was southbound on Laughing Lake Road in Johnson Township when he collided with a northbound pickup truck. The collision happened on a curve on a hill at about 7:30 p.m., said Sgt. Todd Pelletier of Ontario Provincial Police.


The ATV rolled on to the driver."

The OTC reminds all to purchase a TTN Gold Pass to promote safety - trail not part of TTN? Why not? 877-668-7245