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Did you know the OFTR and the local clubs are making the biggest investment in our trails yet? Your membership dollars are hard at work with a portion of membership being allocated to the Trail Funding Program, 90% of that goes towards Trail Construction and Maintenance (TCM) and 10% goes towards Special Trail Opportunities (STO) fund. This will allow the OFTR and local clubs to invest $198,000, for 2022.
This is a huge investment into the infrastructure of our trail system and this will enable off-road trail riders to enjoy increased opportunities, improve trail durability and create more sustainable trails.
The OFTR and local clubs are proud of this accomplishment and what it means to our local clubs and members. With recent storms causing significant damage this will allow for the building of new trails and the maintenance and repair of the damaged ones.
We couldn’t do it without you, our members and our local clubs, so thank you for your support. Now go out and enjoy the trails and thank you for being a member of the OFTR.
By Lisa Thompson
OFTR General Manager
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An OFTR membership is your exclusive access to a comprehensive trail network across Ontario on the RIDE OFTR MAP APP. We work on your behalf to advocate for riders' rights and to maintain and secure access to trails. Two memberships in one: By joining OFTR, you’re also becoming a member of your local organization and their riding community. renew your membership, click HERE!
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THE TWO DAY ALGONQUIN RIDE REPORT |
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Is it the long June days that never end, the drive through the Algonquin Park corridor or the mud, rock, and deep water crossings that create the mystique of the 2-Day Algonguin Trail Ride?
After a two-year break, the sun greeted the smiling faces of the nearly two hundred riders that gathered for the riders meeting at the Community Centre in Madawaska, Ontario. Seeing so many eager faces was great, and I was curious to know how many of them would be experiencing the Algonguin Trail Ride for the first time. When asked, nearly one-third of the riders raised their hands. Seeing this makes me believe the OFTR has a bright future.
Two of those new faces were my best friends' sons, Hogo Temperale, Todd's son and Jack McNally, James's son, both just fourteen. What an adventure at that age!
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Hugo says, "the most challenging part was Sunday on the big rock stream section, but it was super fun! and the most memorable section was crossing the river below Hey Lake Dam," and we say, "way to go, Hugo and Jack on your big adventure. (video) |
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Photo Credit of Aaron Banbury
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The trail ride began by heading west out of Madawaska from the Community Centre on the old rail bed. It did not take long to reach the first option, McCauley Lake, lake, being the key word. Not far in the trail crossed a lake with a forest growing out of it and a beaver dam across the middle, merely a minor obstacle for a Canadian Enduro Rider! Besides some wet boots, everyone managed to get across without calling the coast guard, but still, it will be one of those moments where the memories will last a lifetime. We eventually made our way to Whitney for the first gas stop. After a much-needed break, we carried on to the Hay Lake option and everyone's favourite section, The Pinery, a Moto GP-like trail through giant pines with the perfect loamy soil. The Pinery is so fun it is not uncommon for some riders to take a second lap. After some more rocks, logs and mud, we made it to Lake St Peter for some well-earned lunch of Peameal Sandwiches. At this point, we were 100k into our 140k day. The rest of the day was made up of meandering two-track and one last gnarly option for those still looking for more challenges. Sunday, we headed east out of Madawaska. It was a shorter day, but not without some gnarly roots and rock gardens to conclude the weekend. Most riders were on their way home by noon for Father's day dinner.
After an unwanted two-year hiatus, the beautiful weather and challenging terrain made for a perfect weekend. For me, it is all of the above, the drive-through Algonquin Park, meeting the challenge of the landscape and the camaraderie created by sharing your passion for adventure and riding with your friends and family. A big thank you to Pat and Paul Holden for putting on a great event and all the volunteers who spent days clearing the trails.
I am looking forward to next year already!
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By Rome Haloftis
@rome_112x
OFTR Event Coordinator
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KTM Adventure Rally Canada Ride Report
by Louise Mitchell-Pond
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With the world on hold for the last couple of years, the idea of registering and actually travelling to a motorcycle rally was excitement enough—and the build-up was worth it! The Fourth Annual KTM Rally, held in Saint-Michel-des-Saints, Québec, was spectacular. It included two days of riding following pre-loaded secret tracks. As before, this event wasn’t a race; the winners are the teams closest to the pre-determined target mileage along one of two routes. R1 took riders on various challenging single tracks that included mud, rocks and fallen logs. R2 is for adventure riders who prefer something a little less intimidating, or like me, ride a bigger bike, and are not comfortable on the single track for extended periods. I have an R1200 GS and my husband Neil chose his KTM 790. At this KTM event, I called us the hybrid team, even though our official name was “Louise and Husband.” |
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Before we started, the Day 1 route was changed because of flooding. Go figure! At the last event in BC (the 2019 rally), an entire day was cancelled due to snow, so a simple change of route was okay with me. GPS in hand, I walked to my bike excited to start. However, I unwittingly created a “route” from the KTM preloaded tracks, rather than following the track. There’s a difference!
The morning ride was sweeping roads that passed many small towns, including Saint-Donat de Montcalm and Saint Jovit, eventually leading to the town of Mont Tremblant. At Mont Tremblant, I met two brothers, riding KTMs. One of them told me he took the Chris Birch course and went from, maybe I can ride this, to I know I can ride this. His smiling face said it all! Meeting fellow riders at stops is always fun. The exchange of information can not be measured. And no matter how seasoned you are in rally life, there is always something to learn.
To find out how the ride went and the rest of the story, click HERE
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Neil (L) and Louise (R) were stoked to get out and do another adventure rally after two years off! Photo: Allison Thompson/KTM Canada |
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THINKING OF A NEW KTM ADVENTURE BIKE?
2022 KTM RIDE ORANGE STREET DEMO TOUR IS VISITING A FEW SOUTHERN ONTARIO DEALERS THIS COMING WEEK
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July 13th Peak Powersports Oakville, ON, 1174 South Service Rd. West, L6L 5T7
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July 14th GP Bikes Whitby, QC, 1100 Champlain Court, L1N 6K9
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July 15th APEX, Cambridge, ON, 8 Schiedel Court, N3C OH1
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July 16th Hudson Motorcycles, Tillbury, ON, 3900 Richardson Side Road, N0P 0A72022
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BIG IRON MOTO AND THE RODEO
Our very own board member Sean Robichaud recently competed on the legendary Erzbergrodeo. Check out his video recap of the experience.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
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The HTR Soggy Boot Trail Ride, Sunday, July 10, More info HERE
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The SCORRA Family Fun Day is Sunday, July 17, More info HERE
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The NTR Weslemkoon Ride Sunday, August 7th Cancelled due to storm damage
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The KORMA Ladies Ride and Chill, Saturday, August 13th, More info HERE
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The Rally Connex Rock Hound Rally, August 19 - 22 More info HERE
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The BMA Calabogie Boogie Trail Ride and Dual Sport Ride, September 10 - 11, 2022 more info HERE
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New KORMA Geocache Event, July 1 - September 30. More info HERE
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YOU WILL FIND EVENT FLYERS AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS EMAIL
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Conquer the Corduroy
Interested in the Corduroy Enduro but don't know where to get started? Korma will be hosting an introduction to the Corduroy Enduro on Saturday, August 27, in the Summerville Forest. Space is limited. Please contact Sean Robichaud at [email protected] to get on the list. Learn from some of Canada's best riders and Corduroy champions, and share some stories with the one and only Blair Sharpless. They will cover all the basics and give you all the information you need to tackle Canada Toughest Enduro. Intended for riders who have not done it before and want to improve their chances of completing it. Even if you don't intend to ride the Corduroy, this is guaranteed to enhance your trail riding and survival skills for any adventures you have planned! There will be a lot of informational learning like packing, preparing, bike set up, strategies, and some riding skills on mud and rocks. In addition to a full day of riding and learning, there will be a 50-50 draw, prizes, and other exclusive opportunities, with all the proceeds going to Team Canada ISDE. Lunch and swag will be included. Details will be released soon but in the meantime, get out to the Soggy Boot Trail this weekend for some practice.
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We are pleased to present The 2022 OFTR Trail Ride and Dual Sport Series Sponsored by KTM
Events will have to meet provincial and local health regulations in order to take place. There are still a few dates to be determined. We will update as soon as we have the information.
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Remember to utilize the benefits from our great sponsors |
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Click through links to our sponsors, partners and supporters |
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#thenorth #adventure #thenorden901 #husqvarnamotorcycles #enduro
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SOGGY BOOT TRAIL RIDE
Come experience some of the best trails in Ontario.
***NEW START TIME***
We are pumped to have the Boot back in Gooderham!
SUNDAY JULY 10
Limited camping on Saturday night (RSVP required) + bonus ride on Saturday for those around the day prior (MUST RSVP by email).
Arrowed options, suitable for novice to expert.
80-120 km.
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SCORRA Family Fun Day
Sunday, July 17/2022 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
This event is suitable for all levels and we’ve got a little something for everyone
- a full MX track for adults/full-size bikes
- a junior track for the kids
- 30+ km of scenic arrowed single track trails
- 10+ km of rough and tough hare scramble trail
- a fun beginners grass track to practice those skills and build confidence
- a delicious BBQ lunch included
The Fun Day event is centred around a central staging area so you are never very far from all the action. There is a grandstand for the main track and plenty of viewing spots at the Jr. track. This is a great event and format for non-riding family members to soak up some sun and join in on the fun as well, with a non-rider option which includes lunch for them as well.
Tickets are available through pre-registration ONLY. Pre Registration is limited to 200 Adults and closes at 5:00 pm Monday, July 11, 2022. No onsite registration, no refunds. Only those with tickets including spectators will be admitted to the property.
- Adults (16+) @ $50
- Youth Under 16: @ $20
- Spectator/Lunch only: $5
NOTE: A parent/legal guardian must be present to sign a waiver for participants under 18 years of age.
Event Schedule
- 08:30 – Gates Open for Registration
- 09:45 – Mandatory Riders Meeting
- 10:00 – Fun Starts (engines off until this time)
- 12:30 – Tracks close for Lunch
- 13:30 – Tracks reopen
- 16:00 – Tracks and Trails Close
Ride Requirements
- All bikes must be quiet (max 94db)
- Non plated bikes may be ridden provided they stay on RJ’s Property
- Plates and Insurance are required to ride on forest trails
- Bikes only please, no ATVs or SxSs
- Please “ARRIVE CLEAN” and be free of any mud or debris to prevent the spread of invasive species
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SATURDAY, AUGUST 13, 2022 AT 8:30 AM
KORMA Ladies Thrill & Chill
Kinmount
Ladies, it’s time to ride! Join us as we bring back the KORMA Ladies Thrill & Chill Ride through the breathtaking scenery and world-class trails of Somerville Forest in Kinmount, Ontario. Whether you are a novice, intermediate, or advanced rider, the Thrill & Chill Ride will leave you with hours of exhilaration and notable accomplishments.
This women's-only event is a social, fun, and casual event with challenges for all skill levels in a positive and supportive setting. The event includes lunch, a Thrill & Chill Ride shirt, and lasting friendships. This is an event you do not want to miss!
For novice riders, the Somerville Forest is home to flowing, smooth, and surreal single-track riding. For our more advanced riders, the southern forest and fringes of the northern forest offer challenging areas of exposed rock, stream crossings, and elevation changes.
The registration fee is $40 and includes lunch and a t-shirt. Must pre-register by August 2, 2022. Must be a member of the OFTR.
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ROCK HOUND RALLY
This is a one-day GPS-guided event in the Kawartha and Madawaska highlands. Designed for the avid trail rider or a competitive enthusiast for both Enduro/Dualsport or Adventure bike riders. The Rock Hound Rally consists of multiple off-road challenges to choose from within a prescribed loop. Challenges range from easy to very hard terrain to conquer. Complete all the challenges, collect all the check point "gems" and be the top navigator for your chance to win! Sound fun? It is! Learn more about the event HERE
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The long-awaited 2022 edition of the BMA Calabogie Boogie® is coming!
One of Ontario's premier off-road and dual-sport events is back on the calendar for 2022 and we are super stoked to announce that registration is now open!
Here are the highlights. More details and how to register for each event are below.
Date/Time: Saturday, September 10th & Sunday, September 11th, 2022
The location for Saturday will be at the Highland Golf Course and Resort. This is for both the Trail Ride and Dual sport Ride
The location for Sunday will be the Calabogie Peaks Hotel. this is for both the Trails Ride and the Dual sport Ride.
Boogie tips for newbies!
For those new to the Calabogie Boogie®, the trail and dual-sport rides are two separate events on the same weekend. The Trail Ride has a limit of 200 riders. The Dual-Sport ride has no practical rider limit as the ride is held on public roads. Please be sure to register for the correct ride of your choice! There are meal options available. See the registration pages for details.
The Trail Ride sells out early. Register early to secure your spot at the premiere BMA event of the year! Good times, great trails, new friends and old... The BMA works hard to bring it all into one action-packed weekend. Primitive, no-hook-up camping is available on the upper field near the Highlands Golf Club clubhouse only. No overnight camping at the North Side staging area! Other accommodations may be available in and around Calabogie. Check the registration page(s) for more information. We look forward to seeing you there.
Calabogie Boogie® Trail Ride
Rider limits: Limited to the first 200 pre-registered riders. No exceptions, no substitutions and no walk-up registrations. We have land-use agreements that govern the size of the event.
Cost: Early registrations: $165 until August 1st or 200 riders are registered, whichever occurs first. $180 for registrations after August 1st should space become available. Lunches, maps and memorabilia are not guaranteed for registration after the early registration deadline. (There are no one-day registrations.)
Calabogie Boogie® Dual Sport Ride
- Dual Sport Ride information: Anyone with a blue-plated, and insured bike is invited to enjoy carefully prepared routes that offer less aggressive alternatives to the trail rides. We are offering three types of dual-sport ride options: Scenic Tour consists of fun, twisty dirt, gravel and paved roads through picturesque areas where the roads are seldom straight
- For Adventure riders, (semi-aggressive), routes have been created that share some of the scenic tour but also include power lines and ATV trails.
- The Aggressive ride is for bikes limited to 650cc or less and knobbies are mandatory
All riders should have shin, elbow, chest, hand protection and proper boots. GPS tracks will be provided for those wishing them, but we will provide leaders where necessary. All dual sport rides will be swept. Riders are encouraged to bring a GPS unit to avoid creating large groups who must follow a leader. Come and be a part of the Calabogie Boogie®
Trail Ride registration and more information HERE
Dual-Sport registration and more information HERE
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