This past weekend, Rachael and I attended the IMBA Ontario Trailblazing festival at Hardwood Ski and Bike, made successful by a great group of volunteers who committed their time and energy into providing a little something for every rider.

We kicked off the weekend with a Trail Building School on Friday with the Barrie Cycling Club, working to reroute & close a steep eroded climb. Saturday was spent at the IMBA booth meeting new folks and selling memberships, gear, and gadgets – and of course getting to ride our bikes on Hardwood’s great trails! We both took part in competitions, including the Hill Climb and the Pump Track Pursuit.

Sunday was a great day for an Epic ride! Rachael and I both led 25k rides around Hardwood and neighbouring Simcoe County Forest trails, then finished the afternoon off with BBQ’d chocolate bananas. MMmmmmmmm!

The classroom presentation on Friday AM. Photo by Alex Symianick.

Our Subaru hooked up to the Ontario Tool Trailer ready for a build in the Simcoe County Forest.

Getting Ready for the Build that happened on Friday with 20 or so helpful volunteers

Tool safety is important

Rachael giving a quick demo on building benchcut trail.

Alex removing a dead log in the way of our trail.

Removing those pesky saplings.

Final shaping of the tread

Some R+R around the campsite after a hard days work

One of the many group rides leaving on Saturday

Hardwood’s pump track, sponsored by Blue Mountain and constructed specially for the festival, was a hit among participants and fielded the popular pump track pursuit competition.

This little ripper was on the pump track almost the entire weekend. Someday soon he’ll be giving everyone a run for their money

Mark on the plate tamper

Rachael’s 25K Epic group ride, with plenty of smiles at the end of the day!

More event photos