Lost In The Forest

The Hydrocut trail system is consistently ranked as one of the top mountain bike destinations in Ontario and is recognized across Canada for its 35km of continuous singletrack that see nearly 100,000 visitors per year. The trails are open and free to the public. They feature board walks and bridges, switchbacks and “armoured” walls, with fast lines and technical features to challenge the most skilled of riders.

We re-visited Queenston Heights to make a loop, we have spent a long time in this area on and off and never managed to put a 100% rideable loop together until today, it does require a road section but the history of the area and the quiet road makes it a worthwhile adventure. We also bought the Niagara Parks permit to park in the actual park, a game changer for a fun experience. We found an old railway walking trail and Milkweed that we have since sampled.

We made a trip to Hockley Valley Resort to ride some trails. we had a great day all things considered. If you are going to ride here listen to this first. Golf and bikes really don't mix.Hockley Resort is worth the trip, if you go in the week the fact it is quiet is so lovely. No dog walkers or ramblers, the signs are clear bike trails only.They also have a spa at the hotel, golf and a large hire fleet.Also a bit of discussion about the Polygon Siskiu D7 a great bike for the price.Resort Here https://www.biketrailsathockley.com

Garlic Scapes, Wild Bergamot and Sickner Mushrooms all at 12 Mile Creek and Short Hills. Keeping it local this week.

On the hunt for the Chantrelle mushrooms and a good cone and we managed a good ride 3 out of 3 almost. We nearly got the perfect cone, shroom find and ride but one was not up to snuff. We did the North West part of Turkey Point today. Best part yet so far.

Spiky suckers Gooseberries are. Riding in the Waterloo area, make a day of it, Hydro Cut, Vista Hills and Laurel Creek area, great places to ride, they are quiet and easy to get to.Jessica talks about the Gooseberry and why you should risk a spike in the hand.

We did some loops on the trails today. we covered:Thorny SideLaura Secord RuinsMiddle EarthPines Mid ShelfJacksons FlatsVery BerryDriftwood (Closed)Easy MeatPumptrackTwo BridgesHumpty DumptyFence LineTight and TwistyI was parked off of the Decew Road down from the falls.Video here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bBAy21c090&t=22s

This is a short hop from the Hydrocut, Look on a map and it is a forest in a housing estate. It has 3 car parks but you want the last one on Sundew Drive and after a short ride on the tarmac you take Donkeys Trail and hang a right. Jess talks about Clover on this one and how she loved those downhills. Also on our Youtube, there is a short video.

Returned to Short Hills near Niagara, and loved the start but sadly a thunder and lightning finish to our ride and sadly a big cleanup. The mud here when sun-baked ends up like an Ice Rink. We did find Snow White, Npplewort and a few other things but know mushrooms.Not even the best ride. Check out the store.

Iroquoia Heights is on the Bruce Trail and part of the Hamilton Conservation area.You get to see the Turkey Vultures doing laps on the thermals looking for road kill or dead mountain bikers. Despite a very unpleasant man in the car park stealing laces and trying to run bikes over it was a great place to ride and something different. Unlike many other places we ride, people are not on the trails. Jessica gave a tip or two on Pheasant Backs and found some cool features in the woods.

The Friendship Trail is a tarmac old railroad that runs from Port Colborne to Fort Erie https://www.trailforks.com/trails/friendship-recreation-trail/https://lostintheforest.world/recipes/f/spruce-tip-pancakesThis is one of those little gems that you might overlook. This is a trail for the person who wants to forage or ride with the whole family, Look out for the road crossings and the Turkey Vultures.

This is an exceptional pay-to-ride trail system. If you're going more than three times a year then best just join. The Pines is a cool place with real directional trails that uses the small bit of elevation to its full advantage. We did find Catnip and had a great time. There is only one car park but it is easy to find and keep an eye out for model planes.https://woodstockcyclingclub.ca

We talk about navigation and the use of Trailforks, we try to explain our process of finding our way around new places and what we do if we take other people out for a ride. Jessica talks about wild ginger, stingers and our yard. We also explore spring being sprung.

In this episode, we chat about wild things, cleaning Ginger roots in the bath, travelling Walnuts and our delightful trip to a secret location with Peter from Pucks Plenty in search of wild things you can eat. If you get a chance check out Puck's Plenty. Peter is knowledgeable and gives great information and facts to help you on your foraging journey. I get disappointed about shopping carts in the local riding spot.Please check out the recipes on our website https://lostintheforest.world/recipesPuck's Plenty is here https://www.pucksplenty.com tell Peter if you find him through us you heard it here, please.We have our very own Get Lost self-guided mtb tours coming up and a big meet-up, maybe.......

We are back out on The Six Nations of the Grand River Reserve building trails. The second full day and we made real progress, Jessica found wild edible food, a tree did fall in the woods and it did make a noise. Turned out to be a great day and at least when we run the open day we will have something to ride. Also looking for help on bug spray.

The start of the Bruce Trail, (Brucie Baby) Nice to see you Nice, Growing up in England you can't avoid a comedian presenter called Bruce Forsyth and we nick named the Bruce Trail Brucie Baby and it kind of stuck. Anyway back to business. This section of the Bruce seems very happy to accommodate bikes and even with it being very busy everyone seems happy to see you and say hi. Some people are even pro mountain bikes.This is a Green, Blue and Black system with some exposed trails. Trail Forks works as a good guide but not all the trails are on it. Go explore and check out the caves.

Mud Lake is a lake full of Mud from the 4th Welland Canal. This is one of the few times where something we do as humans has a positive outcome. This is now a marsh area great for wildlife. Mud Lake trails I do think are a great place to try a mountain bike off-road. Just remember that they are shared trails. Keep an eye out for animals. According to a guy we met, Green Winged Teal is here too. We went on to Wianfleet Bog, created from the extraction of peat. This is not a riding spot but worth a walk around.

May the 1st is the registration day for this program on the Six Nations of the Grand River Reserve. The mission is to build trails and get those who want to out in the woods riding bikes and building trails. If things progress well we will run some bike park trips. Check out manypaths.ca and drop us a line if you would like to be involved. Today was just about figuring things out.

They say this bike is made for DOWNHILL TRAILSLIGHT DIRT JUMPENDUROThe San Quentin is for the aggressive hardtail trail rider looking for a blend between singletrack capabilities and extended air time. This is the 2021 model on 27.5 wheels check out the 29er Wheels on the 2024 model, although I do love the red. Key upgrades over the San Quentin 2:RockShox Revelation RC forkShimano Deore 6100 wide-range 12-speed drivetrainShimano MT420 4-piston brakesMaxxis Assegai 3C MAXX TERRA EXO tubeless compatible tires

Syd the cat joins us on this one if you listen. We re-visited Turkey Point today, we have been here recently but that was a winter ride on fat bikes today was a normal ish ride on the normal bikes. It was even mild no coat required. We also cover the Kernel Peanut shop, Salmon breeding and watercress.

This project is a mountain bike group without boundaries.We want to build a network of trails some on Indigenous land that will engage the local population, prompt tourism, and bring people in to ride.We want to train and inspire primarily Indigenous youth to be trail builders, bike riders, guides and bike shop owners. This is the intro to that project.manypaths.ca

We revisited today a place we would like to make an old favourite. It is a rarity to ride this place on a sunny day, we think that every time we have visited it has rained apart from today, It had snowed though. We just try to cover the trails we like and put forward a small plan of attack. Hope you have half as good a time here as we do.

Today we found an army of mushrooms that were maybe edible but almost unlikely to kill you. These fuzzy feet are worth a picture.We were riding at Kings Forest, we parked at Felkers Falls, good starting point for your ride. Close to the urban sprawlThe local trail association is the Hamilton Burlington Mountain Bike Association.We parked here https://www.trailforks.com/map/?activitytype=1&z=12.5&lat=43.20490&lon=-79.83842

This place needs you. One of the spots that could be great with a bit of love, despite some fairly negative press around the frisbee golf here, we did not get killed by a low-flying plastic disk. I do think and we will come back to check but this place could get busy in the summer months, Check this out on trail forks, https://www.trailforks.com/map/?activitytype=1&z=13.3&lat=43.09231&lon=-80.00811Jessica also found a new berry that smells like blue cheese, listen to find out more.

Let’s talk a bit about bike maintenanceTonight we thought it was time to share what we do as far as looking after our bikes.As a starter kit, you need a few brushes, rags, buckets, hex wrenches, and valve core removal tools.As you progress maybe check out the book Zinn & the art of Mountain Bike Maintenance.Build your tools as your skills grow, look after your bike and it will look after you.

When you drive into a spot down a road called Spooky Hollow Road you kind of know you might be in for a good time. In this episode, we give a really high-level view of the trails from a Fat Bike Winter point of view. We will be back in the spring for sure to check out some of the single track, 90 km’s worth to be precise.We also stopped at the Cider Keg Farm Marketckfarmmarket.comSay hi to Tracy and Clark, if you join the club you get a discount.On that, a day pass is 10 dollars and a year membership is 35, it’s likely one of the only places in Southern Ontario that is rideable in the early spring, it drains fast due to the sand base to the land.Go see for yourself https://www.tpmbc.com

We discussed our Fat Bikes we have Rocky Mountain Blizzard 10 and 20, the 10 is the better bike by miles.We talk about using them, how to carry them around and even what clothes to wear.These do anything Swiss army knife of a bike is just the best.Hope you find this useful.Our Fat Bikeshttps://ca.bikes.com/collections/blizzardHeated gloves https://gerbing.com/collections/12v-heated-gloves?gclid=CjwKCAiAqY6tBhAtEiwAHeRopUPOVXwpkQQnSnTlXqxTbaNCJvkC1AFNoDr4TkIf43Fbq3fyjks6BRoCv5MQAvD_BwEThese seat covers https://www.browning.com/products/lifestyle/automotive/browning-bench-seat-cover.htmlWhooper Swanhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whooper_swan

So this is what they say.....A bit mild for us.Named for a long-time conservationist, and former NPCA Chairman, this conservation trail extends east to west across the Township of Wainfleet along the former Grand Trunk Railway Corridor and runs parallel to the Lake Erie shoreline.A travel corridor for area wildlife means you are likely to see an abundance of birds and small mammals throughout the wooded areas, open fields and quarry lake lines. This 13 km trail has barrier-free access with gated entries at each road crossing. The Gord Harry Trail connects directly to Wainfleet Wetlands Conservation Area, and passes near Long Beach, Morgan’s Point and Wainfleet Bog Conservation Areas. Parking is available at the Station Road and Quarry Road entrances in Port Colborne.We like the Quarry to ride around and it's close to Limestone Hill and the Hood if you want to make a day of it.Also, there is a cafe on the Promenade in Port Colborne.

We re-visit today and find Rosehips, A new berry and also get to ride this Cool little trail system. Pick up your spade and come build more stuff here.

Oysters and canons, well we mention them once. A lovely ride up the Welland Canal and down the other side after a little rail crossing. Have fun on this ride and look out for the shrooms on the way.

Today we talk about how to become a Mushroom Hunter.Our early days on learning the mushrooms you can eat, spore prints, books, photos, and the habitat. What field guide or digital application to use, and the tools you might need?We talk about the issue with mountain biking and mushroom hunting.The store we mentioned.https://mycoboutique.com

This old railway line was part of the old railway that went between Hamilton, Toronto and Buffalo. It goes through farms and woods. It ends at Fenwick there is a very easy green at the end of the trail and a potential for some trails to be built if we get permission. https://www.pelham.ca/en/recreation-and-leisure/resources/Documents/berkhout-trail-brochure-.pdfhttps://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/news/mesmerizing-starling-formation-glides-through-the-sky/vi-AA17ahD1

Today we talk about using the winter, riding BMX at Bay View BMX Park, Joy Ride and the joy of Fat Bikes maybe even at night. We also cover exercise bikes in the garage and are concerned about losing some fitness.https://www.joyride150.comhttps://canada247.info/explore/ontario/toronto_division/toronto/north_york/bayview-bmx-park.html

We started at Woodend Conservation Area and took the Bruce, Margaret Kalogeropoulos Side Trail and a few other trails to land up at Fireman's Park in the middle of a frisbee golf game. An easier ride back along the road after the shoe tree and the screaming tunnel. This is where we parked https://www.trailforks.com/map/?activitytype=1&z=12.0&lat=43.14747&lon=-79.13058 GPS, Address is Warner Road and Taylor Road Niagara,

Don Valley or The Don and not Doncaster the Yorkshire town in the UK, as it's known here in Toronto is today’s location. As we mention there is even a Trail Shop (Batemans) at one of the more urban trailheads.We remember someone sending it on a Bixi bike on one of the Black Dimond trails. It also has a Dirt jump spot under the road bridgeA few Parts I have ridden are Sunny Book, Crothers Woods and Warden WoodsThere are a number of Green and paved trails as well as a large number of Black Trails. There is a lot of blue, though some of it is harder than it looks.Many of the Don Valley trails involve steep descents and assents with some built features.Practice makes perfect here and trying to get a handle on the direction to tackle some of these trails makes things easier.Jessica talks about, Garlic Mustard, Nettles, Black Raspberries, Pheasant Back Mushrooms, Japanese Knotweed, Puff balls, Oysters and Sumac. We also talk about birds and animals.Also early spots of Shaggy Manes.https://www.trailforks.com/map/?activitytype=1&z=14.7&lat=43.72519&lon=-79.36133

Mushrooms and Trails in Mono Tract.We love this place, it is a great Fatbike system, spring system and any other time. I found it by mistake when the Albion gate police said no you can't come it like a grumpy bouncer on a nightclub door in Nottingham in January.https://www.trailforks.com/map/?activitytype=1&z=13.0&lat=44.03907&lon=-80.09499

Orono Crown Land today, It has been on my list for a while, good beginner spot to ride but the blues were very easy, also we had Simon running up the river so it felt a bit somber as they go up to die. We did see an old railway line and found a nice apple tree. Winter is coming, also we did find mushrooms a few types.We parked here https://www.trailforks.com/map/?activitytype=1&z=13.0&lat=43.97299&lon=-78.66108

My new best place to ride is in Southern Ontario, I am going to do some POV here it is that cool. Next to Albion, you could make a real day out of this place. and then there are Happy Days in Bolton. http://www.happydaysicecream.com and the link https://www.trailforks.com/region/palgrave-conservation-area/

Always better than expected to ride here, with lots of potential for edible items even if it is only apples. Not the find in mushrooms we had last year even in the same spot.Some cool turtle surveys going on today.

Not the first place you think of for a mountain bike ride or a mushroom hunt. We parked here https://www.trailforks.com/region/balls-falls-conservation-area-26601/There was a wedding on and it was quite busy, we did get to see the falls though and the trail Forest Frolic and blue trails were good enough and quiet to hang out.

Last day in the Soo new trails on the Crystal side, family loop, big air, broken dropper posts and mushroom finds, I did a quick repair on the trail side and got bucked a few times but did hang on. What a great last day to a cool trip.

Today we were in the Red Pine side of Hiawatha, not only have the trail builders been busy on the new trails around Farmer Lake they have been adding trails on this side too, including a black trail that I love and a few repairs here and there. Crystal can fee like an English seaside town on a holiday weekend (busy) but you can ride this side and see know one. Jessica had less mushroom success today but did manage a green trail.

If you plan this road trip this episode may help you pick a few places to go and sample the food options of the Soohttps://www.sandrosrestaurant.ca/menuhttps://www.peacerestaurant.cahttps://ginosfiredup.cahttps://www.facebook.com/people/Ernies-Coffee-Shop/100062975332743/The machine districthttps://machineshopinc.ca

The tale of a broken Wahoo, saddle and a Porcini Mushroom, this trail has a bad omen for us, last time Jessica got hurt, I had a big off before I started and then I set the record straight, at a cost!Swamp Donkey is worth the ride, Mushrooms everywhere and some home recording for a change. Sault St Marie is becoming the place to ride for sure.

Lake Laurentian Conservation Area is such a cool spot and the rock is grippy. We parked on Ida Access Road straight off the highway, It is 400 meters from the main road to the North or the South. If you're on a road trip to the North to ride bikes, you must stop here. it's cool. We had a great time, my best time was on Back 42 and the descent down to the parking lot. You can see it on our YouTube Channel.I think we could spend a whole day here.https://www.trailforks.com/map/?activitytype=1&z=13.2&lat=46.44838&lon=-80.96333https://www.waldenmbc.ca

Not far from Highway 6 and the 403 this little gem of a trail system is easy to access from Walmart's car park. A lot of blue, a few green and even some red and black trails. Easy link to Kerncliff where there is a small downhill trail. You get to cross a cool railway line, it looks like BC, not Ontario a few moments away from the Highway. We parked in the residential area, we decided not to share this exact location, You can figure it out if you look at Trailforks.

We did a bit of a special one today, easy on the green rail trail and then some simple greens, blues and blacks, such a cool little network. We parked here https://www.trailforks.com/map/?activitytype=1&z=13.2&lat=43.18851&lon=-80.35429 At the Paris end of the SC Johnson trail. Oh we also found 80lbs of Chicken of the woods.

So we went to Arkell Spring Ground and Starkey Hill today. We also visited Flow State Cafe and Bike Shop https://www.flowstatebikeco.comWe had a great day though with some challenges.Parking here https://www.trailforks.com/region/arkell-spring-grounds/?activitytype=1&z=14.8&lat=43.55048&lon=-80.15703England Arkell here https://www.arkells.comFrom the Arkells website John Arkell was a remarkable man. Born into a farming family in 1802 in Kempsford, South Gloucestershire, he emigrated to the New World in his late twenties and took with him a group of local people who sought a refuge from the tough conditions endured by agricultural folk at that time. It was a brave step.They arrived in Canada and established the small community of Arkell - which still exists today - but three years later, John returned for love. His fiancée preferred to live in England so he came home to marry and set up a home in Stratton St Margaret, near Swindon, where he grew barley on his farm.

Short Bonus update on Ravenshoe, trails but mostly mushrooms

Actual ride around East Duffins Headwaters and Norton Tract also known as Walker Woods. We found Lobster and Lions Mane today in the woods.Lobsters are hard to spot despite being lobster coloured. These woods are a lovely place to just go ride and not have to think too much about what's under your wheels. Also, less people if you want to just have some peace away from the send-it crowd.