Tucked into the forested hills just outside Uxbridge, Woodnewton is more than a private patch of Ontario singletrack — it’s a living, breathing hub for mountain bikers of all ages. 

I recently had a chance to ride and chat with two guys who are at the heart of this network: Derek Brunton, owner of Radco and Corey Purchase, organizer of the Woody Race Series. With the help of a faithful crew, they’re nurturing a space where progression and fun go hand in hand.

Woodnewton wasn’t always a mountain bike haven. Once a cross-country ski destination, and then a tree farm, the property changed hands again around 2005 when the current owner, inspired by his love of riding enlisted the likes of Sean Rupple to help begin building trails. The current trail network is a testament not just to Sean, Derek and Corey, but to a broader network of mentorship and volunteer effort. For example, local legends like Mark Summers, the former owner of Joyride 150, have advised on trail construction, ensuring jumps, berms, and flow sections strike the perfect balance of fun and challenge. It’s this tradition of camaraderie that builds and sustains these trails. 

Racing Roots

The property may be private, but its impact on Ontario mountain biking is tangible. Kids and adults alike converge on these trails, learning, racing, and growing within a framework built on trust, mentorship, and shared passion.

Woodnewton pulses with a dual rhythm: the adrenaline of competition and the quieter cadence of community. 

Experienced racers used to come for O-cup races, now hundreds of riders come every Wednesday to tackle fast, flowy singletrack sections of the Woody Race Series. Regular riders know the fastest lines and are there to set PR’s and win. However, competition doesn’t define this race series. Riders of all experience and ability are invited to come, register for the night and take a lap. This spirit of inclusion brings together families, racers, and newcomers alike. In fact, many children of the community now ride the same tracks as the adults who built them, continuing the cycle of learning, progression, and camaraderie.

Grassroots Energy

For others, the trails are a playground for growth and skill development. Woodnewton’s approach to skill building and community growth is immediately obvious on all the trails: progression first, excitement second. Most, but maybe not all, the trails are designed for a wide variety of abilities: every feature is rollable or has a B-line, and the smooth trails are littered with small roots and rocks to pop off. Radco’s jump clinics are held on-site and focus on the repetition, technique, and confidence-building needed to tackle the trails. In the field at the bottom of the trails, new riders focus on rollable drops and sessionable jumps which allow them to learn the steps gradually, so should they eventually want to hit more advanced trails, such as Hydrocut, Horseshoe or The Three Towers, they’re prepared.

The sun sets as we coast through the pines back to the trail head. It’s clear that Woodnewton is more than singletrack. It’s a place where community and racing intersect seamlessly, where flowy trails teach patience, and where every berm, jump, and root carries the imprint of the people who ride, build, and care for it.

For Ontario’s mountain bikers, it’s a private, ever-evolving sanctuary where the heart of the sport beats loudly.