This past weekend I attended the Ontario Federation of Trail Riders (OFTR) Family Day. I’d never been dirtbiking before and have only been riding motorcycles for the last two years. 

This is easily some of the most fun I’ve ever had, and could be habit forming. The event took place near the Horseshoe Valley Resort and was run by Clinton Smout and the fine folks at SMART, who are the established leaders in dirt bike training in Ontario. Groups were split up depending on age and experience. I was put with a number of other street riders who already had a grasp of basic motorcycle operations, like shifting, braking and balance, but they also had children as young as six out there, learning how to ride. 

The day started with a few laps around different tracks and obstacles intended to illustrate how each one should be handled. The first was just a sandy circuit, to get us familiar with how the dirtbikes handle. As we quickly learned, the solution to almost every situation was MORE GAS. Then we got used to uneven ground, hard bumps, riding around trees and other obstacles in tight turns as slow (10-20 km/h) speeds. The rule of thumb here is to look where you want to go. Stare at a tree, you will go into the tree. Stare at the track, you will stay on the track! Also, looking as far ahead as you can helps. There’s a bit of oversimplification going on here, but it works 99% of the time.

After this we went riding on the trails in their privately owned farm, which consisted of every kind of landscape imaginable for Ontario. Flat farmland, medium height grassy fields, dense forests, hills, logging areas, you name it. Often, I’d be zipping along at 20 clicks and realize how beautiful the surroundings were. The trails are so well maintained that the ground cover around the track makes the whole thing feel like an idyllic romp through the forest.

The OFTR is staunchly opposed to needlessly noisy bikes as well. Ours were not whisper quiet, but the weren’t offensively loud either. I could scarcely hear other bikes on the trails, even when mine was shut off. Rumour has it that electric bikes, with their incredible torque and nearly silent motors, are set to take over the world of dirt biking too.

OFTR is a membership-based organization that works on behalf of dirtbikers in a number of important and positive ways. They work with communities to ensure riders can enjoy the sport without harming the natural environments, or creating a nuisance. 

Dirtbiking in a very physical activity. Studies have shown that Off Road Motorcycling is similar in cardiovascular effect to golf, alpine skiing, and rock-climbing, and that riding trails for two to three hours, once or twice a week would have a positive effect on the riders health.

We’re going to be attending another one of their events at the tail end of the road trip. In the mean time, watch for the video on the Family Day event later this week. If you want to get into this incredible sport, check out oftr.ca for all of their events!