Training the Terrain -- the hills here matter!

Congratulations to the participants in the Muskoka Ironman 70.3 triathlon that ran this Sunday.  Over 1000 athletes took part.

This photo, taken by Gord Duncan, was the front runner coming past our volunteer station at South Portage and Dwight Beach Road.    The first riders are terribly focused -- not for them the cheery banter, they are through and gone almost before you see them.  This is a great picture to demonstrate that!

Every year, we are told, groups come up here to train for the Ironman.  We'd like to remind them that Bondi is a superb base for that. We've got the lake for the swim, we're right on the bike route round Lake of Bays, and when you're ready to run, we've got the hills you need all right here on Port Cunnington and Fox Point roads.  So if you're thinking of coming up for a training session, you should keep us in mind.  We're just sayin'....

With spacious comfortable cottages, our own organic garden, and all the room you need to train, we've got what you need, whether you're tackling your first half-Ironman, or picking off yet another trophy.

By the way -- see that high point of land just before you get into Dwight, the one that is the second highest point on that Elevation map?  That's where we volunteer, at South Portage and Dwight Beach Road. It's known as Cain's Corners. There's the remains of an old historic Orange Lodge there, if you weren't biking too fast to notice.  It really is about the longest climb, and (since we don't send you biking to the top of the Dorset Tower) it really is the highest point of land along the route.  But it is just one hill of many... and this map really brings home why athletes need to train on the terrain.  If it's hills you want, we've got 'em.

After all, if it was all played on a flat surface, we'd have to call it hockey...