This year’s ADAR (All Day Adventure Ride) took place last weekend.
As one of the sponsors of the annual event, CMG sent
photographer/reporter Sarah Moffat along to see how it all went down.
One does not partake in an ADAR without a very clear understanding of what ADAR stands for. ALL DAY ADVENTURE RIDE – a 500km dual sport ride through southern Ontario, which caters to the hard-core rider as well as the novice.
Brainchild of boy-scout at heart, David Van, the ADAR is a test of endurance and stamina, with a focus on fun. It’s also an event to raise funds for MADD, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, raffling off tickets for some slick riding gear.
THE ADVENTURE BEGINS
During the sign in at BMW Durham, and talks from the sponsors and supporters, ADAR riders were treated to a complimentary breakfast sandwich and ride t-shirts.
Lawrence Hacking, the first Canadian to complete the Paris-Dakar in 2001, was there and talked about his adventure and book, "To Dakar and Back." With BMW as a key sponsor for the ADAR, Lawrence also gave us a great demo of the new 2009 BMW G450X.
With Autumn in full swing, the ground was wet, the air was cool but sunny. After a quick briefing the group was ready to begin the adventure northeast towards Haliburton, across the Canadian Shield. The country roads stretched and wound around beautiful scenery, and the leaves on the trees became more stunning as the ride took us farther north.
These peaceful stretches were interjected with clear GPS directions (downloadable from the ADAR site) as we picked up a trail-head, or flew down some doubletrack for a change of pace. From trails to logging roads, and back to the pavement, ADAR can be as challenging as you like.
Do note though that one main factor determining part of that challenge for you is your tires. Even on some of the fairly simple Novice Route double track, the larger bikes with stock tires worked up a good grease. Aggressive tires make for an easier ride.
Another rider with an orange 950 in a water crossing pushed through a deep channel, and flooded the bike. He was eventually towed out by friendly local ATVers and hauled off to the lunch location in Kinmount. Unsuccessfully he tried to resurrect the bike, but ended up loading onto the support trailer for the long haul home.
Support crew: one thing the ADAR would not be the same without. They were the first to arrive and the last to leave, they signed everyone in, pointed you in the right direction, made a great BBQ lunch at a park in Kinmount, and stood on the side of random country roads waving riders along on not so obvious turn-offs.
BMW Durham brought along a trailer to transport any broken or tired bikes and riders along the way.
AT THE END OF THE DAY
The only downside of this year’s ADAR was due to the shortness of daylight – meaning that the final section of the route was cut out, as it was getting dark fast, which meant a cold and dark ride on the highway back to the starting point at BMW Durham.
In hindsight, it would have been better to turn the ride back south after lunch in Kinmount, instead of touring further north to Haliburton. This would have allowed for all other trail sections to be enjoyed, along with a chance to stop and smell the roses, without having to book it back on a cold highway late at night.
In all, the ADAR was a great success for 2008, and David and his volunteers should be proud of their efforts! It takes a lot of time and personal energy to organize something like this, and to have everyone smiling at the end, I hope, makesit all worth it.
Seriously, where can you cram in that much adventure in one day for only $40?
For more info on the ADAR ride click here.
I was there. Did the pre ride, and volunteer to be the tail gunner bringing up the rear. It was long cold and wet. And I will do it again. Food was awsome and second to none. Had lunch in Kimount then pressed on from there.
Let’s pony up.
CF