HAFTA’s second birthday

04/17/2017

On March 30th under freezing rain warnings and wind gusts the community gathered in the warmth of Mohawk Inn’s Conference centre to celebrate the end of another successful year with HAFTA.

Just like the year previous, the second year had brought yet again a new round of challenges and victories for us. President Peter Weldon led off the night with his President’s report which detailed in specific what had been accomplished. Most of these accomplishments are listed in our news section.

After the President’s report our financial officer Barry Szydlik presented our financial status.

We have new t-shirts out for 2017 (softer fabric, casual fit and black) and some of our riding jerseys are still in stock as well. Local Artist Jany Mitges brought a piece of her work in to share.

Our sponsorship coordinator Paulo gave us an update on which organisations in the community are helping out the club

After the various reports on HAFTA’s year we got to some more exciting things such as the raffle of various goodies from sponsors for our members!

After the last raffle prize was handed out we relax and begin the socialising.

This year was short and sweet. Time is flying by so we hope you’re getting out there and riding your bike!

Stay tuned to the goings on in the AF through Facebook, Twitter or the schedule.

See you out there in 2017!

Soapy rocks

04/16/2017

Have you ever wondered why rocks are so grippy in the winter and early spring, but really slippery in the summer (humid rocks are THE worst) and fall? It’s not just rain because the spring is pretty darn wet isn’t it and the rocks are the same. What gives? Well first lets talk about those rocks.

I ain’t a geologist, but seems to me the type of rock in the AF is primarily something called dolostone – Also known as dolomitic limestone.

According to some geologists the majority of rocks in the AF began forming approximately about 450 Million years ago at the bottom of a then tropical sea. First as limestone from shells of dead critters and then later morphing into the tougher dolomitic limestone we have today. Obviously the sea has since disappeared and exposed what we now call the ground – Something composed from the shells of billions and billions of dead sea critters. Maybe the goth kids were right? Anyways.

So we have rain and limestone, what on earth is the third factor? – It’s living stuff like algae and moss.

Combine these three factors in a stable and warm enough environment and you get soapy rocks – Read on:

Temporary closure of Robbie’s Challenge

04/09/2017

In addition to being badly flooded this trail is temporarily closed for the swamp critters in the pond to the north to do their thing over the next month or until our section of it sufficiently dries.

Do your best to respect the land you ride on because you are connected to it! Other trails are drying, but we have had overland flooding so most trails are no good as they have large swathes with lots of ponding.