18th Annual Paul's Dirty Enduro

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It is often said that when it rains, it pours. Well, on Saturday–and all Friday night, for that matter–the rain pummelled the Ganaraska Forest and the nearly four-hundred participants of the 18th Annual Paul’s Dirty Enduro.

More than just one of the toughest mountain-bike races in Ontario, Paul’s Dirty Enduro is a fund-raiser for the Canadian Mental Health Association. Paul Rush, after whom the race is named, killed himself nearly twenty years ago. This laid-back, family-fun event was created by Paul’s friends in his honour. Since that first race, thousands have participated and hundreds of thousands have been donated.

Located south-west of Peterborough, Ontario, the Ganny has hundreds of kilometres of nearly exclusive single-track. Typically, the rain helps to tamp-down the many sandy sections of these twisting wooded trails. This was no typical fall shower.

With more than an inch of rain received over-night it continued to fall–heavily at times–through-out the day, turning the trails to an absolute grease-pit. Dark black mud made every corner and descent treacherous, slowing everyone’s pace to an abysmal crawl. The slick tree-roots became deeply exposed, making corners dangerous. Fortunately, and miraculously, there were but two minor spills requiring medical attention. It was so bad in the Western Forest[where only the 100km racers ride] that a dozen of the forty-seven 100km starters abandoned after just forty kilometres, the mud having destroyed their brake pads. Forty-one would abandon before day’s end. Even the race-course designer and previous 100km race winner, Zac, was forced to quit as the weather and mud conspired to wreak menacing havoc upon his bicycle.

As spirits began to sag and people began to abandon, the safety of those still on trail was discussed. Prudently, it was decided that the time-checks be shortened in order to get people off the course sooner. A smart decision that also pleased the many who preferred riding home in a warm truck than continuing to slog away in misery.

More accustomed to really long days on the saddle, the relatively short and certainly higher-paced 60km course took it’s toll on me. After four hours six minutes, I rolled-in feeling tired, worn-out and of course, soaked to the bone. However, I was able to finish 10th in my category. My dear friend Claire–who happened to raise a record amount of donations for the Canadian Mental Health Association–persevered in her longest-ever mountain-bike ride; the 30kms race. After more than five and a half hours in the rain, Claire crossed the line all smiles and rightly proud of her accomplishment.

Back at the Forest Centre, the atmosphere was mixed, though certainly moistened. Since many didn’t finish their intended races, the day felt a bit anti-climactic. Equally, this group of soaking souls understood just what a brutal day it had been; for participants, organizers and volunteers alike. We communicated that knowledge with silent glances, muddy smiles and big appetites. For those four hundred riders and the dozens of volunteers, the 18th Annual Paul’s Dirty Enduro truly was a day to remember. And with that, Paul’s memory lives on….