2014 Race Schedule

Please click on the below link to be sent over to Short Hills Cycling Club's website.
A great list showing all of the races for 2014...
Enter one's you want, and will let everyone know which one's TVG is going to.  Also, if you are planning on doing any or all of the races, click on the email link on the blog and send an email over to Tyler.

2014 Race Schedule

Weekend Ride - Sunday

Date: Sunday October 3rd, 2013
Location: Mansfield (Due to amount of Rain in the forcast)
Time: 11am
Ride Type: Fun as always!!!

With the weather that is forcast for the next couple days, I'm thinking Mansfield will probably be the best bet for where we can ride this weekend.  The ride might be splitting up into 2 groups, 1 to do the mini manchulada, and the other to do the Lollypop loop.

Ride time is tentative to 11am, with temperatures only reaching approx 4C, so dress a little warm...

See everyone out there!

*** Content Needed ***

Okay TVGers... I need your help... looking to get more content for the blog...  Do one or all of the following
- a quick Beer Review,
- Part Review,
- Music Review
- Random photos
- Random videos
- Random anything....

The more the better!

Send an email to Tyler with your write up and photos!
thanks

Picture Sums it all Up

Thanks Illona

New Blog Layout

Hi All,

Trying some different Blog layouts.  Any feedback would be appreciated.
If you like this one, or the old one leave a comment please.

Thanks!

Weekend Ride Report - Sunday

Date: Sunday October 27th, 2013
Location: Dufferin Forest

Well, we had a very good showing of people for the first Team Van Go organized ride.  Total of 19 rides, 1 trail cleaner, and 1 dog.  For anyone who thought the weather was not going to agree with us, they could not be more wrong.  The weather was perfect! Sunny, decent temperatures, and the trails were in perfect shape!!!  We had 6 new riders hook up from Etobicoke, and Bolton which was great!

We hit the trails around 12:30, and ended up being in the forest for about 3.5hrs.  The trails overall were clean, only a few new branches down, which were cleaned up by the first few riders in the group.  At the turn off to Johnny's trail, while taking a break Senn and Jeff noticed a funky looking mushroom on a tree.  Chris cut it off, as it apparently was a good eating mushroom.

We rode the North of 20 trail, which was a lot of fun as always, then back up to Ken's trail.

At the end of the day, everyone seemed to have a good time, and great ride!

This will be the start of a lot more rides like this, and who knows what is in store for the next year..

But to anyone who thinks this was the last ride of the year, think again... Last year we rode (not on the fat bikes) all the way up to the end of December.

Thanks to everyone that came out!

Upcoming Ride Guide

Date: Wednesday October 30th, 2013
Location: Mono Cliffs Provincial Park
Time: 6pm - Both Rides
Ride Type: Fun

Bring Lights! It gets dark fast.  If you do not have lights let Tyler know, and we can get a spare pair.

--------------

Might Be a Thursday night Ride.  depending on weather...

-------------

Sunday Ride - Still a GO

For anyone who has been on facebook, or watching the news, yes there was snow up this ways, but Mansfield was spared... Nice day yesterday, a little frost this morning, but no snow.
Trails should be good to go.

Plan is as follows;
- Start the Stick of the Lollypop Loop
- Drop down to Ken's Trail
- Make the Left onto Johnny's Trail
- Then Road Ride to the North of 20 trail
- Loop back on Johnny's Trail
- Finish Ken's Trail
- Down Steve's Trail
- Across the Trail to Nowhere
- Then Finish the Lollypop
- and back out the Stick....

It will make sense to people who know the trails...

See Everyone at Noon!

Weekend Ride - Friendly Reminder.

Date: Sunday October 27th, 2013
Location: Dufferin Forest
Time: Noon
Ride type: Casual

This ride will be covering the Mini Manculada, all trails in Dufferin less Simcoe forest.  This ride has been opened up to anyone and everyone, so the more the merrier.

Johnny has it posted on MTBR.com forum as well, to see if we can get more people to come out for the late fall ride.

Current weather shows a chance of showers, but that should not deter anyone, as we all know how Mansfield drains during and after a rain.

Bring a snack, if the group is large, it will be a slower paced ride keeping everyone together.

Come on out and have some fun!!

Funny But So True Video

Watch the below Youtube video.
Sums up a lot, and everyone can relate to it for sure!!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPVRU7jSYkQ&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Watch and Enjoy.  Thanks Jon for sending it over.

Thursday Night Ride - Cancelled

Hi All,

Tonights Ride will be cancelled.

Any questions, let Tyler know.

thanks!

Wednesday Night Ride Report

Our group is getting smaller, on the cooler night, only 5 riders, plus 1 four legged runner were out for the different Mono Ride.  Tyler, Johnny,Senn, Mike, Mark and Max did the chilly, but very fun tour..

The ride started out on the normal route, until the top of puke hill.  From there we did some new trails to the north of the park, which included some road riding, but were really really fun technical trails.

At the end of the ride, as we were changing, putting bikes on the roofs of cars, this odd white snow like stuff was falling from the sky.... Yup our first snow ride of the year... nothing accumulating, but still enough to see when your light is on.

That being said, the trails were in excellent shape, and dressed warm enough the temperatures were not a factor, only some cold toes.

To anyone who is thinking the riding season is, oh heck no... we are still going and going strong, all the way until there is a foot of snow on the ground... after that fat tires may be needed...

Also, remember that Sunday at noon is the big group ride in Mansfield.  Bring anyone and all who wants to come out.  Going to be a fun ride!

Weekend Ride - Sunday

Date: Sunday October 27th, 2013
Location: Dufferin Forest
Time: Noon
Ride type: Casual

This ride will be covering the Mini Manculada, all trails in Dufferin less Simcoe forest.  This ride has been opened up to anyone and everyone, so the more the merrier.

Johnny has it posted on MTBR.com forum as well, to see if we can get more people to come out for the late fall ride.

Current weather shows a chance of showers, but that should not deter anyone, as we all know how Mansfield drains during and after a rain.

Bring a snack, if the group is large, it will be a slower paced ride keeping everyone together.

Come on out and have some fun!!

Dufferin Forest Survey

Hi All,

For anyone who hasn't filled in the survey please do so.  Everyone knows how fun Mansfield is, and we want to keep it for biking. Below is the link.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DVGS75J

Thanks!

Team Van Go News

Well, I can give some information on the news with regards to team van go.

Johnny has been working with IMBA to determine the best route on having team van go registered as a Club. Well his hard work is complete, and team van go is currently signed up as a club with IMBA Canada.

What that means to you... well right now nothing, but it is the first step.  The next will be the liability insurance, which we will be asking for anyone part of team van go to pitch in.

Some information and details are yet to be sorted out, but this is a big deal.  We are becoming either more professional, or growing into adult hood.... i think...

At the end of the day, team van go wont change what we do, rides, the odd pint, and good times and laughs....


Below is the link for the IMBA site.

http://www.imbacanada.com/

Oh yes, and we are on the website for IMBA too...
http://www.imbacanada.com/near-you/ontario

Upcoming Ride Guide

Date:  Wednesday October 23rd, 2013
Location: Mono Cliffs
Time: 6pm - Both Rides
Ride Type: Fun
Bring Lights!!

----------------

Date:  Thursday October 24th, 2013
Location: Erin Rail Trail
Time: 5:30pm
Ride Type: Rail Trail, so flat, chugging/cruising ride.
Bring lights

Gonna start in Erin at the rail trail parking lot, and head out towards Orton.  Should be about 30-40km ride.  Testing out the fat bike....

----------------

BIG Team Van Go Announcement Coming Soon!!!!

Oh yes, now the suspense.... big announcement coming soon for team van go

Weekend Ride: Misfit Cycles - Collingwood

Hi All,

Bernie passed along the following link for a ride this weekend that Misfit Psycles is putting on.

http://www.misfitpsycles.com/blog/antirace/

Check it out and head up there if you have the day.

Comments!!!

For anyone who reads the blog, you can add your own comments below the posts.

Feel free to leave a note for other people, a comment about something you've read on the blog, really just anything.

We would like to use this as a forum as well for people to banter back and forth...

Weekend Ride: Saturday

Date: Saturday October 19th, 2013
Location: Albion Hills
Time: 9am
Meeting Point: Main Chalet
Ride Type: On your bike

Sorry for the early ride time, but I  have to do some running around etc in the afternoon.

-----------------

If other rides are happening let Tyler know and it can be posted on the blog

-----------------

Product Review: ODI Rogue Lock-on Grips

Time for another product review.  This time a review for the one of biggest parts of contact with your bike, your handle bar grips.  These little rubber pieces can make or break your ride.  If you have a good set of grips, you will never even think or notice them, if you have a set of grips that are not comfortable, your be riding trying to adjust your hands on the bars, finding that comfortable spot, which in turn takes your focus off of your ride.

This review will focus on the ODI Rogue Lock on Grips.  These grips seem to be one of the best and most comfortable out there, for both male and female rides.  You can fully customize the grips to your liking, whether its different coloured locks, to having custom writing on the lock rings.

If you look online and check other peoples reviews, the main problem that people  have with the grips is the weight... which for most of us, the couple grams heavier they are compared to the race versions isn't a big issue..

For comfort, the rubber on the grips are soft yet still have some rigidity... if that makes sense... If you are at a ride with someone with these grips, take a grab hold of their grip... yup that sounds bad..

The wear and tear of the grips on my bike have been great.  I'm on my second year with them on the bike, and they haven't worn out that much at all.  Good for another season for sure.

Below is a link to the ODI website, you can buy them direct from the manufacturer which is always nice.  You can also get a hold of them from any bike shop too, only thing is you can't get the custom engraving on the lock rings.

http://www.odigrips.com/roguelock-ongrip130mm.aspx

Rating: 4.5 out of 5
I would recommend these grips to my enemies for sure... and friends..

Weekly Rides

Hi All,

To anyone that was riding, or wants to ride in the middle of the week, our Tuesday Night Rides will be changing over to Thursday Nights, starting October 24th.

You will see the ride updated on the weekly Ride Guide.

Also, Johnny will be doing Spin Classes at Headwaters Racquet Club in Orangeville.

Thanks!

Upcoming Ride Guide

Date: Tuesday October 15th, 2013
Location: Dufferin Forest
Time: 6:30pm
Ride Type: Fun!

--------

Date: Wednesday October 16th, 2013
Location: Mono Cliffs
Time: 6pm Ride start for both Rides
Ride Type: Fun!!!\

--------

Weekend Ride - Monday

Location: Angus/Base Borden
Time: 11am at the Angus Arena Parking Lot
Refer to the below for directions.

New Trails for the majority of the tvg riders.  Jonathen knows the trails and will be leading away... mostly singletrack, and the trails are in good shape.


View Larger Map

Weekend Rides

Well there doesn't seem to be any planned rides for the weekend....

Gonna be a nice weekend, so go out and enjoy it... whether be it yard work, or a ride locally...

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Sunday Ride Report

Date:  Sunday October 6th, 2013
Location: Dufferin Forest

This past weekend, Tyler and Chris hit Mansfield for a good ride, in the midst of the OCTRA horse race.  I must say, the horse people were extremely friendly, and stayed on strictly the double track.

The weather was calling for showers, but luckily for us, they held off, a little rain at the end of the ride, but the rest was dry.... the floor of the forest was wet, with roots being a little slick, but all in all was a great ride.

Did the mini Manchulada, then ducked out to hit a few extra trails, to the south of mansfield for some added fun.

You can tell the riding season is slowly coming to an end, as we are starting to take pictures on the rides again....

Upcoming Ride Guide

Date: Tuesday October 8th, 2013
Location: Dufferin Forest (Mansfield)
Time: 6:30pm
Ride Type: Fun Touring ride

Bring Lights, it gets dark fast!!!

-------------

Date: Wednesday October 9th, 2013
Location: Mono Cliffs
Time; 6pm - Both Rides, the normal and the touring ride will start at 6pm.
Bring Lights, it gets dark fast!!!

--------------

Not sure why it didn't get posted on Monday....

8hr Photos

Hi All,

Anyone who was in the 8hr, the photos have been posted on Race Day Rush, to view / buy if you would like.

Below is the main link.  If you put your plate number in the search field all the photos for you team will come up.

Some really good photos in there for sure, and the 2 buses have made it on everyone's photo set as well which is pretty cool....

http://racedayrush.zoomphoto.ca/event/18812/

Thanks,

Weekend Ride

Date:  Sunday October 6th, 2013
Location: Mansfield
Time: 11am

Contact Tyler if you plan on riding.

Based on what the weather is looking like for the weekend, it may just be a tour at Mansfield.  It drains very well and would be the best bet for a ride this weekend.

Weekend Ride - Sunday

Hi All,

We are planning a weekend ride on Sunday.  Not sure where or what time as of yet.  Currently it depends on the weather.  The Saturday rain will rule out, Kolapore, 3 stage, and probably Buckwallow.

Places that would be in are Mansfield, Palgrave, Albion Hills....

Keep an eye on the blog for an update, should be posted Friday.

Wednesday Night Ride

Times:
only 6pm ride time.
If someone can't make 6, please let Tyler know.

Long Term Product Review: Clark Cycle Systems - Cables and Housing

Well, I havent done one of these before, but figured I should.  A while back I did a review on the Clark Cables and housing, which I installed on my Rocky Mountain.  During the 8hr race, my shifting started to go wonky, to the point where I could not shift out of granny gear.  The whole thing was jammed.  After pulling to the side of the trail, and using a screwdriver i was able to fix my shifter.

The cause of the jammed shifter was origionally thought to be cable stretch, and that I did not adjust it properly.  I was able to limp through the end of the race, thinking whether my shifter was going to destruct or hoping it to limp and finish the race.

On sunday after the race i took apart the shifter rebuilt it again, to notice the problem of tough shifting was still a problem.  I then started pulling apart the cables and housing to notice that the inner sheild was coming out, and jammed inside the shifter housing.  It was not only just the cable in the shifter but every cable housing on the bike was doing it...
I look at how I Installed them and how they were meant to be installed, and it was done correctly.

Not 100% sure why they failed, but will look into it for sure.  Based on this, I would have to recommend to people maybe avoid the cable housings for now....

Weekend Race Report

Date: Saturday September 28th, 2013
Location: Hardwood Hills
Epic 8hr

This past weekend team van go was represented by 3 solo rides, a 6 person team and a 4 person team.  The day was great, with sunny sky and very nice temperatures.  i can only comment on how the solo riders did, as i was not too sure how everyone on the teams did...

Tyler, Johnny, and Senn all decided to ride the first 4 hours of the race together, which we pretty much did.... Tyler and Johnny were holding Senn back from hammering away on the fire roads... The first lap was the normal crazy bottle necks at single track, but once that all was sorted out, we started picking off more and more riders... we may or may not have been pushing a little too hard off the start as solo riders, but we were having a lot of fun, so that was all that matter.

Both Johnny and Tyler had the ipods mounted and the tunes that annoy people blaring.  Some Tom Jones, and some Sweet Caroline started off the long day.

At the end of each lap, we usually had a quick stop grabbed some more water, a snack and away we went....

Overall the first 4 hours were pretty uneventful.  Then the fun started... around the 4 hour mark we started to get a little boisterous with other riders..starting with a rider from the Trek store who almost pushed tyler off the trail, who then caught up to johnny, who may or may not have done some delirious solo swerving and cursing... senn had an issue with on of the Chinese Mountain bike clubs riders, who cut him off and put him into a tree... This was after senns steering went which again caused a crash...  Tyler and johnny were caught up in a rider who stalled on a hill, which johnny may or may not have pushed his handle bars when he was trying to get back on his bike in the middle of the trail as tyler and johnny were still riding by....

At the end of the day, Johnny finished with 11 laps, which equals 110km, Tyler with 11 laps, and Senn with 10 laps.

The 6 person team (ann and the gritty kitties) finished with 11 laps
The 4 person team (sherriffs bros and the cruz cousin) finished with 13 laps.

At the end of the day everyone had a great time, and a few fermented beverages were enjoyed afterwards.