Saturday, January 29, 2011

Ontario Dog Sled Racing | nomadracing

"“Mushing is the sport of ‘next year,’” a friend commented to me recently. We were talking about the dismal training year we’ve had so far and how I plan to make up for it next year. It always seems as though something comes up during training season that skews our plans, so we pin our hopes on the next season and make the best of what we have this year. Making the best of what we have this year has been hard because we have a deficit in the equipment department."

Ontario's Dog Sledding Trails

Bancroft has become a mecca for ice climbers | QNetNews.ca

"Bancroft has become a mecca for ice climbers.
It is home to steep cliffs behind its main street known as the Eagles Nest. Runoff water slowly freezes over the course of the year and by mid-December climbers from Toronto soon flock to the small mineral town."

Ontario's Ice Climbing Trails

Sleeping Giant Loppet – Early Bird Registration! » Parks Blog

"Hello early birds! The early registration deadline for the Sleeping Giant Loppet is fast approaching. Register by February 6th to take advantage of the lowest entry fee. This annual loppet offers distances of 8 km, 20 km, 35 km or 50 km http://www.sleepinggiantloppet.ca/."

Ontario's Cross-Country Ski Trails

Daily Exchange

"Cambridge - Money available to landowners to protect drinking water sources More than $800,000 will be available to help landowners protect municipal drinking water sources in four watersheds, including the Grand River, under the Ontario Drinking Water Stewardship Program."

INFRASTRUCTURE ONTARIO | SHORT-LISTED TEAMS INVITED TO BID ON TORONTO 2015 PAN/PARAPAN AMERICAN GAMES ATHLETES' VILLAGE PROJECT LOCATED IN THE WEST DON LANDS

"TORONTO, Jan. 28 /CNW/ - Infrastructure Ontario, in partnership with Waterfront Toronto, released a request for proposals (RFP) today inviting three short-listed teams to submit proposals to design, build and finance the development of the section of the West Don Lands that will be home to the Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games Athletes' Village. "

Toronto's Off-Road bike paths

"We will build a comprehensive network of bicycle trails across the city. This will include 100 km of off-road bicycle paths along rail and hydro corridors, ravines and valleys. This system of dedicated 2-metre wide, paved trails illuminated with street lamps will provide a safe, convenient “backbone” for bicycle transportation across Toronto. Cost: $50 million.
We will build 100 km of pedestrian paths alongside the bicycle trails. Walking, jogging and running are inexpensive, effective recreational activities that encourage physical fitness. We will provide a well-lit network of safe, connected paths for runners, joggers and walkers. Cost: included in the bicycle trails cost.
We will create some on-road bicycle lanes where they make sense. Where the community supports them and where they do not impede traffic flow, we will create on-street bicycle lanes and complete some critical connections in the city’s current bicycle network. Cost: $5 million"

durhamregion.com | Bowmanville skier brings home Olympic gold

"Before she left to win her gold medal, the ski club cheered her on with a banner wishing her good luck and an announcement on its web site.

'They were proud of me,' she said.

In the summer, the local athlete spends her time kayaking, horseback riding and swimming. She likes working on her fitness. With the help of a personal trainer, she lost 140 pounds four years ago and has kept the weight off."

Friday, January 28, 2011

Sweepstakes Could Help You Go On a Ski Vacation in Canada

"I've been dying to try skiing all my life, but so far, I haven't managed to actually do it. But whoever wins the Resort Ski & Stay Contest from the Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation will have the chance to enjoy skiing and snowboarding in Canada.
The grand-prize winner will receive a four-day trip for up to two adults and two children to Collingwood, Ontario to enjoy winter activities. The prize includes private ski and snowboard school lessons, two days ski or snowboard and snowshoe rentals, one guided family snowshoe trek, four one-day passes to Plunge! Aquatic Centre, daily breakfast, and $2,000 CAD to be used towards travel costs. The total prize value is $4,450."

Media Advisory/Winter Celebration: A Family Event not to be Missed

"OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Jan. 28, 2011) - Their Excellencies the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, and Mrs. Sharon Johnston invite families and outdoor enthusiasts to participate in the Winter Celebration at Rideau Hall, this Saturday, January 29, 2011, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. This public event is a great opportunity for everyone to get active and experience Nordic sports and traditions."

Randonneurs get head start - Tillsonburg News - Ontario, CA

"A group of dedicated randonneurs will be riding out of Tillsonburg Saturday morning.

But Tillsonburg's Glen Steen – who officially retired today – won't be with them on his bike.

' I tore my hamstring three weeks ago cross-country skiing,' said Steen. 'I can't do the bike ride, but there's several people coming to do it.'

Steen had organized a Frosty 200 on the 29th for Randonneurs Ontario, Huron Branch, who will be able to get a head start on the 2011 brevet series of 200 km, 300 km, 400 km and 600 km rides, which qualifies them for a 1,200 km brevet."

Regional Tourism Organizations - Meetings?

Anybody know of Regional Tourism Organization meetings in your area? Discussing trails tourism, developing tour strategies, working on infrastructure, trail product? Etc. If you are aware and have a phone number for the local Director of the RTO culd you send it to OTC? Thanks

Hiking Buddies on Snowshoes

Hiking Buddies on Snowshoes! This I have to see Snowshoeing at Enniskllin Snowshoes rentals are $4, you can bring your own or rent a pair. FORTY pairs of snowshoes are available for rent, those bringing your own, thank you for posting that as this event is really filling up. Rentals will be offered to the earliest sign ups first...winter hiking and skating will also be available as a morning option and snow shoes can be rented in the afternoon for those that didn't have a chance in the morning. The NEW yearly membership of $20 is payable prior to the event.

Connections: Strategic planning for a County-wide trails network - Bradford Times - Ontario, CA

"An estimated 32% of adults over the age of 18 in Simcoe County are overweight, 21% are obese - and a sedentary lifestyle is the chief culprit. Inactivity costs the health care system in the County an estimated $5.1 billion per year.

Encouraging 'Active Transportation' - walking, running, cycling, skiing, skateboarding - is part of the County's strategy to promote healthy lifestyles - and a connected trail system is a key component of that strategy. Trails are also an economic driver, attracting tourism dollars, providing environmental benefits and educational opportunities."

Ontario's Simcoe County Trails

TVO.ORG | Greenbelt Adventure - Dog Sledding

"Dog Sledding: A young boy rides a dog sled for the first time in Ontario's Greenbelt."

Ontario's Dog Sled Trails

InsideHalton Article: Getting children outdoors primary goal of new RBG Growing up Green initiative

"The Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) is launching a new initiative to bring awareness to the health problems children face by spending too much time indoors.

Growing up Green, set to launch tomorrow (Friday), is an RBG fundraising initiative focusing on health, education and environmental sustainability for children in Ontario.

With close to $750,000 in initial support from groups such as the Ontario Trillium Foundation, the Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation and the W. Garfield Weston Foundation, RBG says it will work with private and public sector partners to provide educational programming, access to outdoor activities and increased green space."

MyKawartha Article: $7 M water pledge announced

"The province is providing $7 million this year to help property owners, farmers and small and medium-sized business owners protect municipal drinking water sources.
Environment Minister John Wilkinson made the announcement Wednesday morning (Jan. 26) at what he felt was a very appropriate place: Fleming College's Centre for Alternative Wastewater Technology in Lindsay."

Ontario Water Trails

Geoportal to provide sharper window on South Nation Conservation information - News - By EMC News St. Lawrence Local Community News

"EMC News - South Nation Conservation (SNC) is developing a web-based mapping tool, which will be accessible by SNC staff, SNC partners, and the public and will provide users with access to SNC's geographic information.

'The tool will foster greater communication and knowledge-sharing with our partners, residents, and SNC staff,' Lisa Migneault explained. 'It also provides an opportunity to share personal observations and experiences, which may be added to the maps.'"

Ontario's Eastern Region Trails

North Bay News and Weather on BayToday.ca

"The North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority (NBMCA) received $261,800 through the Ontario Drinking Water Stewardship Program (ODWSP) “Early Response” initiative to protect local drinking water sources from contamination. Property owners must apply for the funds through the NBMCA. Applications will be evaluated on a first come, first serve basis. The budget provides for approximately 27 projects."

Crackdown on cycle-paths: Levy | Sue-Ann Levy | Columnists | Comment | Toronto Sun

"I will make no bones about it. Cyclists who use the sidewalks to get from Point A to Point B in this city are for the most part rude, arrogant and a pain in the neck.

I’ve lost count how many times I’ve been startled by sidewalk cyclists aggressively pedalling behind me — without warning — as I walked my two dachsies or jogged on the city’s sidewalks, forcing me and my dogs to quickly jump out of their way.

Dare tell them the sidewalks are for pedestrians. Even dare."

Ontario On-Road Cycling Trails

Land Information Ontario

"Land Information Ontario (LIO) can help you find and access geographic data about Ontario. You can make online maps, search for data and even catalogue your own data so others can find it. Read about some of our exciting initiatives."

Ontario Trail Maps