ARC Merrell Outventure
Racing season starts in Toronto
01.05.2006
Racers arrived back at the start well spaced and proceeded to head out down into the park on bikes. Shortly after beginning this ride racers would face one of natures great obstacles…water. Due to flooding that occurred last year several of the main pathway bridges had been damaged or destroyed. While not deep, the river crossing gave racers a chance to get wet and dirty before reaching the bike trail on the other shore.
They continued on the pathways down to Lawrence Ave. where they would take a combination of roadways and paths over to Frenchman’s Bay. On a small spit of land separating the bay from Lake Ontario is the West Rouge Canoe Club. It was there that racers dropped their bikes and got into boats for the paddling section.
Paddling as fast as they could, racers made their way north and searched for a buoy in the water. On this buoy was the secret word they needed to collect in order to prove they had completed the trip. Once they had the word they could turn around and proceed back to the canoe club.
Once racers were back on their bikes it was a short trip over to the East Point Park and the start of the trail run. Racers were led down onto the shore of Lake Ontario and ran west until signs directed them to proceed straight up the bluffs. This leg burning hill climb ended with racers gaining the ridge and then following a winding course back to the parking lot.
The only thing remaining was a bike back to the finishline at the U of T campus, where they received a post race Xilarate Sports Power Fluid drink to re-hydrate, and then a BBQ meal.
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