Daily Trail conditions in the Don
Enjoyed the Beaver Flats yesterday. I’ve been on the section close to Catalyst, which for years just ended in the river, but was pleasantly surprised by all the fern lined trials further northwest into Sunnybrook(?). Nice alternative heading back towards the Ridge if you’re done with climbs. It also seems to have more flow in that direction. Thanks builders!
Thanks again to the kind young lady who reminded me to get my weight forward so I’d stop falling off the Catalyst bridges. (Seems I’ve forgotten everything I learned last season.) Trail had only a few wet spots through Party Atmosphere (even Rim Job was pretty dry). Climbmaxxx not too greasy, Bunny Run and Dirt Farm damp but grippy.
Things are dreamy in there this morning, at least everything Pottery to BOT, which basically means all is well everywhere. So good in there right now. No dust, few bugs, good site lines.
CAT – BOT – Climbmax – Bunny – what should these be called? The central trails? They’re not west, they’re not east…
This is a full saturation rain event complete with small rivers on fall line trails (Vanderhoof) and DEEP puddles on the flat ones. Maybe Saturday?
CAT – BOT – Climbmax – Bunny – what should these be called? The central trails? They’re not west, they’re not east…
These are the trails I’ve been referring to as Mid-West. But why not west? At the north end of the Flats the Don River forks into its East and West branches. I kinda thought everything along each branch would be called E or W respectively. That said, nothing should be called “North” until the trails reach the headwaters!
Things are dreamy in there this morning, at least everything Pottery to BOT, which basically means all is well everywhere. So good in there right now. No dust, few bugs, good site lines.
CAT – BOT – Climbmax – Bunny – what should these be called? The central trails? They’re not west, they’re not east…
I took full advantage of the conditions in the evening, it was perfect everywhere. The greatest motivator to keep going were swarms of hungry mosquitos. I’ve never done Climbmaxx all in one shot without a break until yesterday 😀
1 user thanked author for this post.
This is a full saturation rain event complete with small rivers on fall line trails (Vanderhoof) and DEEP puddles on the flat ones. Maybe Saturday?
CAT – BOT – Climbmax – Bunny – what should these be called? The central trails? They’re not west, they’re not east…
These are the trails I’ve been referring to as Mid-West. But why not west? At the north end of the Flats the Don River forks into its East and West branches. I kinda thought everything along each branch would be called E or W respectively. That said, nothing should be called “North” until the trails reach the headwaters!
You’re right, they’re technically in the west, just find the way I use the system CAT-PA-Climbmax-Bunny all fall into the “I don’t have time to go east or west” category. Crossing to the “east” and continuing on Swamp create mental barriers for me. A very biased perspective from someone who rides up the ridge to start riding, haha.
Update for today, Sat, please. Was asked to go out and rip tonight. Is it alright in there?
Just walked the dog up in the West Don Parklands and it’ still super saturated. It also started to rain up here, so this area at the very least should be considered a no go this weekend.
1 user thanked author for this post.
On foot through Beaver Flats / Cat / RJ / PA / BOT loop this morning. All good to go! The Swamp is really, really swampy. Red ants are drowned out of their homes and wandering everywhere so careful where you sit and/or lay your backpack. First mosquito bites of the year (20+) – Ground Zero for those hungry buggers is Climbmax and surrounding area. If you get a mechanical consider dropping everything and running. I’ll mail back the stuff I don’t want!
2 users thanked author for this post.
Great day on the trails, had the kids out and was thankful that wherever the mosquitoes were, they were not found anywhere on the flats or boo trail. A few little mud puddles, just enough for the kids to have some fun without making too much of a mess or trashing anything. 72 hours after 44mm of rain seems just about right.
The mosquitoes on Climbmaxxx are insatiable! What *is* the trick to doing it in one shot? (As in, how to link the short switchbacks without losing momentum or balance?)
P.S. Does anyone know what condition Motown’s in? Considering it for tomorrow.
@stephen_reese Look where you want to go, not at your front tire: best advice I have to tell myself again and again.
Motown yesterday morning was pretty decent, but you’d have to wait until later today for it to dry out (again)
1 user thanked author for this post.
On foot from Eglinton to Redway.
Boo: some fresh work, one bit on a semi-blind S-bend with a water hazard. Heads up if you can’t see around corners!
Flats: sadly losing an edge to the river nearish the N end, at the classic high-speed-S-bend-with-a-root-in-the-middle. The exit berm heading northbound ends in a wheeltrap (or plummet) to the river below. Stay inside and be sure to shoulder check for your riding partner / significant other / offspring. Thankfully there’s enough room for a higher line when the river does decide to take the whole corner.
Sorry – no idea about Motown. Could be Mow-town…
2 users thanked author for this post.
@jcitizen That’s fantastic advice, thank you so much! If the forecast only changes 10 times before tomorrow, maybe Motown might be good in the aft (my window). Last night it was Monday-Thursday nonstop rain; now, just Wednesday?
These weatherpeople really toy with my emotions.
Has anyone tried the new trails Mr Smith mentioned past 5Play?
@stephen_reese I rode Motown on Saturday afternoon. Was a little wet then, but should be good to go as the other trails are.
Having said that, there are about 30 billion mosquitos, and the forest is starting to take over. The railroad fence at the end is also challenging to get around.
1 user thanked author for this post.
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
Rob DeBoer 3 weeks, 1 day ago.
Follow Us
To RSS Feed
1,011 Followers
1,892 Likes