Attempting Bluff Mtn - Griffith August 26th 2025

 After looking at maps more it appeared that it might be possible to access Bluff Mountain south of Griffith off of Flying Club Rd.. And down Raven Lane. Though this is a maybe as till go in you do not know.

 

 

Bluff Mountain Access Denied 

 I had used the GoPro during this ride however in a moment of absent mindedness deleted the footage. That sucked however it was bound to happen sooner or later. Though it kinda doesn't matter as not every adventure will be video worthy.

 

 After parking at intersection headed out on Flying Club towards Raven Lane and Bluff Mtn. It was a standard issue gravel FSR type road. Arrived at the Raven Lane intersection and headed down it towards the river. To see if the farther track coud access Bluff Mtn.

 

 Unfortunately while was nearing the far potential track came to a slight problem.The was a gate or marker claiming "Private Property" which didn't match known mapping. When compared to what was online available to what was on the ground there was some big  discrepancies.

 

 Rather then attempt to figure it out and have potential issues turned back to see of the other track spotted on the way in would be viable. It was a long no longer used am guessing skidder type track. And it turns out this track just kind of circled bluff Mtn without going higher.

 

 And looking roughly towards the peak of Bluff Mtn could see attempting to get to the high point would be a bush bashing nightmare. It was dense undergrowth which would be hard enough to attempt just on foot with a pack. Not interested in what is essentially banging one's head against a wall. No thinks.

 

 Since couldn't get to the high point it was time to head back to the Ute. It had rained a wee bit while heading out towards this point and was kind of damp from that and moving through damp brush. So back to the Ute it was to get dry and then set up camp.

 

 Unfortunately was "Access Denied" in this attempt at a Ontario mountain peak. Reality is it is going to happen when attempting things like this. Attempting to go places with a mountain bike where most won't consider attempting comes with a risk of no success. And it still is a better day then not attempting it at all.

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California ITT South PR August 21st 2025

 Decided to head up to Enterprise to ride the out and back California Rd. It has been almost a year since was here last and this time would be a solo ride this time. 

 

Cali Rd Cruise Up And ITT Down 

 

After parking at the school headed out and headed out heading up California Rd till it dead ends at Mountain Rd. It was a cruise ride up. Got to see how the swamps where during the drought.With the usual plan to head back faster aka negative split to ride.

 It was at the turn around I had a thought to maybe for a rare time treat the ride south the Down California Rd segment as a ITT. So let's check what the Strava data says with the result from a year ago. Looking at it close I think should give it a rare go.

 

 Ok so get sorted and let's see how this plays out especially with the long term injury effects having a possibility of mucking it up. Of went. 

 

 I won't give a blow by blow as can't recall most of it. Had the music going through the Skull Shox as use it to quieten a messy brain. And since no someone will as what had played. That is easy, this...

Extended version that has no interruptions. Rode the road as best could till California Rd ended at the south end at Ninth Concession Rd.  No I didn't go race hard and hope for best. Was being a wee bit wary as didn't want to have it all go wrong.  Gave it my best and thought had done ok. It wouldn't be till later when got home would know more.

 

 Wasn't till got home and plugged the GPS device into the computer to download the data and looked closer to see the days result. Well set a new PR and took 10 minutes roughly off the last time.Job well done. 

 

 Of course should admit another ride that had me considering the idea of mounting some kind of modded aero bar to it. For those long flatter sections. And to more importantly take the weight off the hands and such even for a wee bit. Something to consider in the future. Though can say the old Onza bars worked well.

 

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Setting PR's On A Hardtail- Burbrook DH August 19th 2025

On that day while I didn't set out with the goal of setting a PR on the Burbrook DH I do admit that I rode into faster then normal. More of a just hit it fast and have fun. It wasn't till later when uploaded the data that it was revealed.

New PR on Burbrook DH and Molly Time 

 

 I set a PR on the section and according to Strava am 7th "fastest" on it while on a hardtail. Yep set a PR on a heavy hardtail.

 

 Normally don't do much about PR's and just note it and carry on. However kinda felt like maybe I should start noting some and  acknowledging these things. So will do that when do one that stands out to me.

 

 

 

 

 There is a bit of pride I guess can say when you look at the Strava track of that segment and realize all those named in the other places. They all rode ode it on a full suspension bike not a hardtail. Maybe one day will get a little faster on it however will stick to the idea of just ride it fast and what happens happens.

 

 

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Black and Decker August 16th 2025

 A friend had reminded me to not just ride the usual areas have done for 5 plus years. Aka step up my game. And thinking of where could go decided that Black and Decker was the option for the next road trip.

 

 

 Black and Decker - Dust Bowl 

 Going to Black and Decker is at least to me less about how far one rode. It is more of a playground with dirt and Canadian Shield rock. None of that sketchy when damp Limestone. Granite that has a bit of traction in it. So when I go there it is about attempting different lines and routes. 

 

 It has been 3 years or maybe longer since came up to Brockville and the Black and Decker Trails to ride and play. And to be honest while can ride distance and such like others I know. Slower tech like Black and Decker is more my style. While I am not into the drops and such at higher speeds like others I know. I can still ride well in my own way.

 

 

 

And cleaned a line that cannot recall at all if ever cleaned it before 2019. No idea if it is TBI related memory issues or not. Who knows. However cleaned it so that made it worthwhile especially. 

 

 

 After a few hours with it being hot and after a few goes at the little enduro or dh runs decided to call it a day. And was thinking as loaded up that while the trails at Batawa north of Trenton are good. That iame distance to the Black and Decker trails and I like those a bit more. And to be honest the natural dirt and rocks appeal to me more then the McSurface type trails.

 

 

 And soon will go back in the Fall again though the next trip will look at possibly focus on the enduro runs a wee bit more then this trip. See if can maybe hit them a wee bit better the next time.

 

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Camden Rd East August 11th 2025

 First time in a year hit the Camden East Loop on the Rootdown aka the mountain bikers 29er. It was dusty, hot, and very dry. There was zero water in the usual ATV waterholes.

  1L H20, 2x591 ml Iced Tea, and XL Slushie When Finished Camden East Loop With Extension

 Took the GoPro to both get a rough idea of what a bar set up might be sort of a rough idea. And also for a friend who asked what some of it looked like.

 

 

 This would be the first longish ride after swapping to the old school Onza bar ends found at Our Community Bikes while in Vancouver in July. And as expected they worked well. Nice to have an alternative hand position option when one is not interested in drop bars anymore. Well long term injury effects are also a factor.

  So in analysis after this first ride is the Onza's are slightly shorter then the no names had on earlier. They are a much better size for how I tend to use them. 

 

 

 After a stop at Camden east at the gas station store for some Iced Tea on a hot day. Killed one there and put the second in the feedbag. And then resumed the ride to get back to the Ute. It was hot so admit didn't attempt to go as fast as might have tried. Got back to the Ute after another 14-16km of riding.

 

 

 Ride on a hot day went well. And will have to figure out another way to mount the GoPro if want to again as the first attempt saw it tilt a bit. Lots of time to tinker with that in the future.

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