Friday Chuckle: Reading While Paddling
/Now that the new issue of Explore is out, there is nothing like flipping through it while drifting along a river.... just be sure to watch what is downstream.
MEC Bikefest Burlington 2013
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Mountain Equipment Co-op is hosting this year's Burlington Bikefest at Christie Lake Conservation Area in Dundas (Map). It is taking place June 8th from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is free to attend. There are numerous helpful clinics and rides to attend ($5 each) that span bicycle repair, nutrition, riding styles, Yoga and nutrition. Be sure to sign up online, as they fill up quickly.
There are also free basic check-ups, a gear swap, used bicycle drop-offs, numerous exhibits and demos from Contour, Giant, Ghost, Marin and Trek. To top it off, there is also a 25k group ride from MEC Burlington to Bikefest that you can take part in as well.
MSR Gear Blueprint Shirts
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MSR, makers of Stoves, Cookware, Tents, and camping gear have come out with a fun line of t-shirts. I picked up one at Adventure Guide in Kitchener, which goes along with my MiniWorks EX water filter.
MSR will be at Adventure Guide (225 The Boardwalk) tomorrow (May 23rd) from 4 to 8 p.m. to demo their stoves and water filters. Don't miss this chance to learn more about their great camping gear.
How To Help a Turtle Cross The Road
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It's Turtle Season! Here's how to help a turtle across the road (The turtle in the video probably wondered what he did to deserve this).
On The Newsstands: Explore Summer 2013
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Taking a break from paddling to catch up on the latest issue
The Summer 2013 issue of Explore has hit the Newsstands....
- 27 Ways to Do Summer Right
- Essential Skills, Outdoors Tips & Tricks
- 40+ Gear (Tents, Packs, Sleeping Bags, Footwear & Buyers Guide)
- Wilderness Canoe trips made easy
- Algonquin Park Canoe Adventure with a twist
- Poisonous plants to know
- Clayoquot Sound 20 Years later
- Get started in SUP
Explore is $5.95 at your local newsstand, or $4.99 through the Zinio app on your iPad, iPhone, Android or computer.
Trail Swag's On the Newsstands: covers the latest Canadian magazines in an effort to let you know what great new content or digital issues that have hit the shelves.
Ontario Canoe & Kayak Clubs Now Listed
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The goal of Trail Swag is to get you outdoors and our latest initiative is to help you find a local outdoors club. Our newest section is a listing for Ontario Canoe and Kayak Clubs. If we've missed your club, send it on in, we would love to add it to our listings.
Roof Rack Toy Count for Victoria Day Weekend 2013
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On the way to MEC Bikefest in Toronto on Saturday morning, the Trail Swag: Department of Investigations in VEhicular Roof Rack Toys (DIVERT for short) were conducting a count of what kind of toys were headed North on HWY 401 and HWY 115. Last year's August weekend count found kayaks were the clear winner, but this weekend's results shattered that record...
Canoe - 36
Kayak - 20
Road Bicycle - 6
Mountain Bike - 7
SUP - 4
Mattress - 3
At one point three cars were together in a clump all with Canoes on their roofs. I hope they all waved to each other and weren't all racing for the same campsite.
Snapshot: 2013 MEC Bikefest Toronto
/Here are a few photos from Mountain Equipment Co-op's Bikefest which was held at Trinity Bellwoods Park in Toronto yesterday. I enjoyed the outdoorsy-feel it had versus a previous year when it was held at the Distillery.
People were casually dropping by on foot and bicycle and the weather was perfect. With clinics, a gear swap, group rides and many vendors, there was something for everyone.
Ontario Parks Campsite Vacancies & Alerts
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If you're making a last minute dash for the wilderness and wondering if there are any available camp sites, check out their Campsite Vacancies & Alerts page. It just launched for 2013, is updated daily, and also keeps you up to date on any alerts such as firebans, boil water advisories and beach advisories.
BOATsmart! Awareness Week 2013
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2013 has proved to be funny, weather-wise. Its possible that we can point the blame at Wiarton Willie, who predicted an early Spring. While we all gnashed our teeth, hoping to get out on the water, we had weekend after weekend of returning snow and cold temperatures.
Finally, after many false-starts, we have a long-weekend AND gorgeous weather, and that means time to soak up the sun on the water. Before you drive up to the cottage and get your boat out of storage, don’t forget one very important thing... your Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) as you can be fined if you don't have one while operating a motorized boat.
This boating license is not only law, but ensures you know the fundamentals which will keep everyone safe within the boat and around you. Key points such as wearing a lifejacket, having no open alcohol on board, making sure to check safety equipment and having a pre-departure checklist will all help prevent the 100 yearly Canadian fatalities that happen on the water.
Not quite sure you are ready to write the exam yet? Try brushing up on your knowledge using BOATsmart!'s online study guide which includes practice quizzes and learning modules that will walk you though everything you need to know. BOATsmart! is a company that certifies boaters for their Pleasure Craft Operator Card, and to help spread awareness, have launched BOATsmart! Awareness Week. They will be in Barrie this weekend, check to see if they are coming to a Canadian Tire near you.
When you're ready, the exam is $49.95 (find a testing centre near you or sign up online), which includes free re-tries and is good for life once you pass.
To learn more, head over to BOATsmart!'s website, and you can follow them on Facebook, Twitter and watch their videos on YouTube.
