Fully Hard?

Full suspension or hard tail? This question is by far one of the most important questions to ask before you start looking for a new bike. The answer to this question will greatly affect the outcome of your purchase. You need to know what type of riding you will be doing and what your performance expectations are from your bike. Outside of dirt jumping, if I was asked whether I would purchase a hard tail or a full suspension I would now recommend a full suspension, even though I ride hard tail myself. A full suspension bike is much more comfortable, enjoyable and better controllable when compared to their hard tail counterparts. The trade off is a little extra weight, which is well worth it for all the added benefits. I use to disagree with this and in 2009 I bought a hard tail bike. My thinking was that I would have more pedal efficiency on a hard tail, this is true with the terrain is smooth but when is the terrain ever smooth on our rides? Another thought was that I might get into some cross-country racing and a hard tail mountain bike would be lighter than the full suspension. Little did I know that bike weight means very little when you are already over 250lbs. The rear shock can be set to the weight of any rider, and some endurance racers have switched over to full suspension. Unfortunately, full suspension mountain bikes are a bit more expensive than hard tails. If you can't afford a full suspension with decent and reliable components, then I would recommend buying a good reliable hard tail from a specialty bike shop like Bike Zone. So for now I will keep rockin' my hard tail, though as soon as I come across some extra cash I'm getting me a FULLY!

CTS Member Goes World Wide!

Wayne Legault CTS member, made the Summer Gravity Camps 2010 (SGC) video for a split second, well more his bike then him. Thou, It is a nice bike. SGC based out of Whistler, BC. is the Ultimate Week Long Freeride Mountain Bike Camp to help you take your riding to the next level! You can see Wayne at 2:37 into the video. Very cool Wayne, can I have your autograph? http://vimeo.com/14023562
Below is another photo of Wayne at SGC

Bikepacking Weekend

Next summer CTS needs to go bikepacking. A cross between backpacking, camping and bike touring, bikepacking is an easy way to get away, ride freely, and explore a new places we can't reach in a single day. I have been trying to plan this trip for years now with no success, I suggest we give it a try before we write it off. Where and When should we go? Please leave your suggestions below.

Night of the Living Deadlift

All you can drink, and live music. for just $25. RAW is holding a “Night of the Living Deadlift” Halloween bash on Saturday Oct. 30th after the trip to JoyRide 150. If any CTS members want to continue the party into the night, their doors open at 9:00pm. We are all more than welcome. Kegs and live music will be provided. Costumes mandatory. Don't get too drunk and miss the CTS halloween Ride on Sunday 1:00pm at Total Sports.

Fall Foliage

Sweet fall photo sent in from Darryl of his Giant at Awenda Oct 17 2010. Great Shot! Enjoy other autumn mountain biking photos in these scenic spots, including Aspen, Colorado go to: Bicycling.com

Past Peak

CTS -FYI: During the off season every Sunday at 9:30 a.m. the CTS Group meets and rides at Copeland Forest, (We may move to Chris R's Awenda Trail - To be Announced) this will continue while the weather is still good. I have doctors orders not to exercise for a month, so unfortunately I won't be out there with you. It's killing me not to ride, I'm hoping the snow holds off so I can get out there again once I have the green light from my doctor.

Over the winter we have planned a few group rides to hold us over until the spring, when our peak season starts back up:

1. Halloween ride http://cancelthatshit.blogspot.com/2010/09/happy-halloween.html
2. Wayne has extended an invitation to the club to hit his dirt jumps on the weekends of after work.
3. Some of the guys are heading down to Cleveland for a weekend in Nov. to ride Ray's the indoor bike park.
4. JoyRide 150 indoor bike park in Toronto - We will likely do many trips to JoyRide The first of which is Saturday Oct 30th Others will be announced.
5. Across The Ice - Jon Dunnings is leading us in in a bike trip over the ice this winter should be really cool. Date will be announced.

I hope to be riding soon All the best! Go CTS Go! Watch your email and this Blog for updates.
Greg Brewer

Kona Lisa Found!

Good News, the Kona that was stolen from Joell and Erica's garage last month was found! Midland Police returned the bike to them yesterday. I'm not sure, but I think the success of finding this bike was do to the little CTS sticker Erica put on it before it was taken.

Going Down :)

Thanks to the opening of JoyRide 150 last winter, with all the obstacles that pushed me to improve my biking skills, I was trying more stuff out on the trails this season. A few months back I was thinking about how crash free my season had been, and how much new stuff I had been trying. Most of the time I was able to keep it rubber side down, but sometimes the trail just wants to remind you who's boss. I had been relatively 'crash free' but that all came to an end one ride at Hwy 26 in Barrie. At one point in this particular ride I found myself 6 feet up on a wooden ramp without enough speed to get over... I had hesitated out of fear, and I found myself staling and falling off at the highest point. This crash really shook me up, it took me a long time to build the courage to get back on that kind of stuff. My confidence was gone and I found myself falling on a lot of obstacles that normally I would ride without incident. As soon as I realized that my crash happened because of self doubt, my confidence came back, and so did my skills! My point is this, if you fall off the horse get back on. If you ride with confidence you will keep the rubber side down. And, if by chance you don't, I'll be there with my new GoPro camera to catch it on video.

Team CTS Dirt Jump Freaks

I would like to share with you guys what some of the CTS bike club do in the off season/spare time/almost every night.........all at Wayne`s World! So feel free to come hang out on a Saturday, or even some nights during the week(ride till 7 or so) Oh and if you like to dig let us know too.

Wayne:



Chris Mak:



Jerett:



Chris R:



Denis B:

Members Only Deal

CTS Members Only, get 20% off a RAW CrossFit On-Ramp program if you come in with your CTS jersey on. CrossFit is a great way to stay in shape during the off-season. CrossFit is the principal strength and conditioning program. Their program delivers a fitness that is, by design, broad, general, and inclusive. Their specialty is not specializing. Combat, survival, many sports (MTB), and life reward this kind of fitness and, on average, punish the specialist. CrossFit is delivering results like no other fitness program before it. info@rawcrossfit.ca / 705-529-9348 / 19 Laurier Rd., Penetanguishene, ON. L9M 1G8

5 Secrets to Speed on your MTB

I think it's a common goal for most of us in CTS, to get faster on our bikes. Now most of you will know I'm not the fastest in the club, but I have found some great tips for speed from Dirtworld.com
1. Moving out of our comfort zone. Speed is our friend; Speed brings stability; Stability is good.
2. Go with someone that is faster than you. Try following them through some singletrack. Notice how much they pedal and where they put the rubber.
3. Try not to apply the brakes for each corner. Remember that every bit of speed that you can carry through the turn is speed you don't have to gain back on the next straight.
4. Avoid the temptation to brake too early or when you really don't need to. Ride with all eight fingers wrapped around the bars. Don't have one or two hanging over the levers just in case. You know where the brakes are, you'll find them if you need them.
5. Keep your head up and keep looking well down the trail.
Even though improvements may seem small one corner at a time, it will add up and it will make a difference. You worked way too hard for that speed to just turn it into break pad heat for no good reason.

October Glow

Wow! What a great ride this past Sunday. Copeland Forest never stops surprising me. Even after four seasons of riding there, we keep finding new trails to ride and this Sunday was no exception. Did you know that Copeland has an O-Cup DH track? Man, what a rush! October is such a great season to ride. Too often riders will pack it in by the middle of September, but they are missing out on so much. In October the temperature is much more moderate allowing you to bike longer compared to those 30°+ summer days. By October the buzzing of our friend the mosquito has stopped, making our top of the climb rest breaks more restful. As well, in October the greens of the forest turns into a spectrum of colours making every turn a stunning photo opportunity. So, don't rush to hang up the bike this October, get ready to cancel some $#!% and get out here. Enjoy the Video! All the footage was captured on new GoPro camera. (thanks guya) Music by: Two Fingers - Fools Rhythm
Watch the video on PinkBike

Stolen bike recovered, two men charged

There seems to be an epidemic of stolen bikes. Joell LaBrie's wife, Erica & a friend some of you many know, Marc Matthews have had there bikes stolen from their garages only two weeks ago. This week, the Midland police caught two bike thieves, maybe they are the same guys? The following comes from the Midland Mirror. A call from a bicycle owner who spotted someone riding his stolen bike last week helped Midland police solve a number of area break-ins. After receiving the call on Sept. 20, police captured a 20-year-old Barrie man riding the bike, but were unable to stop a second man from fleeing. However, an 18-year-old Midland resident turned himself in some time later, telling police he was responsible for a number of recent shed break-ins. The teen has been charged with possession of stolen property, plus three counts of break and enter to commit an indictable offence. The Barrie man was charged with possession of stolen property. Both men were released with a court date of Oct. 28.