Buckwallow Cycling Centre
posted by: lyle
2005-09-26 | 19:14:35
It was a beautiful September day. One of those days you're afraid you might not see again until next summer so I decided to make the short drive up to Gravenhurst to ride Buckwallow Cycling Centre which is located just off Highway 11.
Oakley (our chocolate lab) and I arrived in the parking lot around 11:00 where a small bonfire welcomed us. I have been remiss not to write about Buckwallow as of yet for this website because it is one of my favourite places to ride. One of the great things about Buckwallow is how friendly everyone is. Mike (the owner) or his son Jeff are always around to talk mountain biking and ask you how your ride was.
We started off on some doubletrack which connects the over 20 kilometres of singletrack together. The trail conditions were super as always. They are really well maintained and even after a heavy rain fall they are still in good shape.
The first singletrack we hit was called "Eager Beaver" followed by "Border Run" and than "Pine Pitch." At the entrance to each section of singletrack you find a sign telling you the name, description, distance and difficulty of the trail. There is also a number which corresponds to the trail maps that are given out at the parking lot. It is a really good system and very rare for a mountain biking place. It would be very difficult to get lost.
Oakley and I rode for two hours and we still hadn't hit all of the singletrack but she ran the whole time so I figured we'd better head back before I had to carry her out or something.
The terrain at Buckwallow is certainly not flat as you are constantly riding up and down steep hills but there are not really any long killer climbs which is nice for those of us who are not in peak physical condition. The trails contain a nice mixture of dirt and rock. It is very cool to ride on the Canadian Shield (as long as you don't crash) and is a different experience than riding in Southern Ontario.
A day pass this year costs $7.00 and a season pass is $35.00 which is a great deal. They remain open until the end of October which means there is still lots of time left for Oakley and I to go back and ride the rest of that awesome singletrack.
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Comments
So, did you ride your favourite log bridge?
Posted by greer on 2005-09-27 at 06:47:01
I go every night to buckwallow especially this sumer due to the perfect rain weather. the mud tastes great :). my favorite is the weasle because its te hardest and it has a 6 foot drop. I am hopeing to take my friends on my 14 birthday.
Posted by Evan on 2006-07-05 at 05:19:46
Wow, you're lucky that you live so close and can go every night - it's a great place to ride.
Posted by greer on 2006-07-05 at 05:57:15
Yeah it is..
i have started to compeat every thursday night and i have came first in both my races so far its sweet
Posted by Evan on 2006-07-21 at 17:40:58
Hi!
I ride at the Buckwallow VERY often - I am Terrence Julian's daughter, and my Dad ha been friends with Mike McLaughlin since he was a little boy...
So, we are ALWAYS permitted to enter the trails at our every whim and wish - except for hunting/out of season.
I absolutely adore the Buckwallow Cycling Centre, and, frankly, I cannot wait to get back onto the trails!! ^_^
-Heather
Posted by Heather J. on 2007-07-31 at 00:01:26
Hi Heather. Mike has certainly built a great place for us all to ride. It's too bad I haven't been up there yet this year. Hopefully I will get a chance to go in August.
Posted by greer on 2007-07-31 at 06:32:55