Blog
& Article
We at ONtrail are lifelong readers and enjoy the simple pleasure of reading – especially reading about Mountain Biking in Ontario.
Check out our ONtrail blog to find out where we’ve been, what we’re up to, and where we’re going.
![Bateman's Bike Shop Intermediate Group Ride group photo. Many riders taking a break before hitting the trails again](http://ontrail.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Screenshot-2024-06-02-at-9.44.18 PM-300x143.png)
Discovering the Thrill of Mountain Biking: Join a Group Ride
Most group rides have built-in breaks for snacks, water, and to reorder the groups as needed.
![Salsa mountain bike showing handle bars, fork and ONtrail sticker mountain bike upgrades dropper post bike tires full suspension pedals bike saddle ontrail.ca](http://ontrail.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/D3BFA362-8BA9-4CFD-B1AC-BDA8F850EAC0_1_105_c-225x300.jpeg)
Top Bike Upgrades Recommended By Regular Riders
Essential bike upgrades recommended by avid riders: dropper post, tires, full suspension, pedals bike and saddle.
![View of the bottom half of a mountain bike as it races down a dusty trail.](http://ontrail.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/mountain-biking-dust-up-300x201.jpg)
The Best Mountain Bike for You is the One You Already Have
An Ontrail blog about how to choose the right bike for you. Turns out, you already have it.
![Golden Horseshoe Cycling Hub logo](http://ontrail.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/LogosGHCH.png)
Golden Horseshoe Cycling Hub
The Golden Horseshoe Cycling Hub wants to build life-long riders and does so by appealing to everyone from the youngest beginners to those who are ready to race.
![Riders resting before a bike race begins.](http://ontrail.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/ONTrails-PPP15-300x225.png)
A Community Of Mountain Bikers
ONtrail i looking to be part of Ontario’s mountain bike community. We also hope to showcase the community members who make it happen.
![Selfie of a smiling man sitting by a river/](http://ontrail.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_8614-300x225.jpg)
New Year’s Resolutions
Here are 5 New Year’s Resolutions for ONtrail and myself. This image is a selfie of the author, Tim Durkin. He has a small smile on his face. He is in a forest with a river in the background. He is taking a break from a mountain bike ride in Ontario.
![Child Pushing a Mountain Bike in the Snow](http://ontrail.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/IMG_4494-1-300x225.jpg)
New Bike Day
Christmas is coming and for lots of us that means a trip to your local bike shop to buy a new bike – either for yourself or a loved one.
![](http://ontrail.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Copy-of-coffeecology-just-good-coffee-copy-copy-1-300x79.png)
Coffecology On and Off the Trail
Coffeecology is a small batch specialty coffee roaster located in Hamilton Ontario. We roast-to-order sustainable coffee for delivery to our household subscribers and retail partners. We believe that business ought to be a force for good.
![Chilling by the van. Van life PRFCT Line](http://ontrail.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/1-300x225.jpg)
Celebrating the Visual Side of Cycling Culture
I want to focus more on celebrating the visual side of cycling culture and the creatives behind it. I love curating work that inspires me and meeting the artists and designers behind it. I will still celebrate my local trails on t-shirt but in a different way than I currently do. Stay tuned for more on what that will look like.
![](http://ontrail.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/ONTrails-PPP-bw20-300x225.png)
New Skills
Learning a new skill is always challenging. Or at least it should be. Add age, low-average athleticism, and a fear of failure to the mix and new skills can suddenly seem overwhelming.
![](http://ontrail.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/ONTrails-PPP-bw15-300x225.png)
Half an Idea
We’ve been making the rounds trying to spread the word of ONtrail to as many bike shops by dropping off stickers.