Mountainview Nine Lives Enduro 2019

Nestled in on the southern end of Georgian Bay in Central Ontario with the Blue Mountains across the bay to the west and the Muskokas to the east is the small town of Midland. But don’t let the size of the town you have probably never heard of let you dismiss it as lacking any reason visit to get your cycling fix. Midland hosts many provincial and international cycling events. Already this summer the Mountainview Cycling Club hosted XC Ontario Cup #7 and this fall the Pan-Am Cyclocross Championships and the Silver Goose UCI C2 Cyclocross races will be returning to Little Lake Park.

Along with these notable provincial and international events, the local cycling club, Mountainview Cycling Club, has hosted the Mountainview Nine Lives Mountain Bike Race for the past 14 years on their local members only trails. Over the years this race has transitioned from a 9 hour relay into the current enduro format. The enduro format of this event has two classes; XC and All Mountain. Both classes race on the same 6 downhill stages but the XC classes have a timed climb before Stages 1 and 4. A break between Stages 3 and 4 for both classes gives riders an opportunity to complete for time bonus on 3 bonus events; Rim Toss, Ghost Bike Toss and Bike Limbo. Without the mountainous trails of British Columbia or Quebec, the format and trail choice of this enduro has been adapted to suit what Ontario has to offer while maintaining the fundamental spirit of just a day out competitively riding singletrack trails with your friends.

With Midland being at the southern edge of the Canadian Shield, the trails make use of the scattered glacial erractics. The trails here are similar Hardwood Hills with their tight and twisty corners, exposed roots, and the occasional small boulder or two. The difference being between that Midland is situated on a medium sized Ontario downhill ski hill and the trails are less packed than the well used Hardwood Hills. The predominately downhill XC trails collide the worlds of enduro and XC making the decision choosing between an XC bike or an Enduro bike up to the rider’s strength. With enduro bike being the obvious choice for the tight and rooty descents of Mountainview, but with most stages incorporating some amount of climbing and flat pedaling, the bike choice is less clear. An XC bike under the right rider could make enough of a difference on sections of the stages to make or break the race.

Typically the race is held late August with this year’s race occurring on August 25th. For those interested in racing next year see the below videos of each stage and photos from bonus events.

RIM TOSS

GHOST BIKE TOSS

BIKE LIMBO

DONUT PODIUMS

Full Results

Mark your calendars for next year. Race runs late August! See you there!