Local BLOGs to Visit

Lots of great information, photos and videos.

Visit our Local BLOGS

Bondi Village Cottage Resort BLOG by Nancy Tapley

Colonial Bay Cottage Resort BLOG by Bruce Howell

Beauview Cottage Resort BLOG by Gord Bell

Hooray for Wet People Cheering

One of the competitors in the Muskoka Ironman 70.3 hollered this back to Dave and Carol, who were at the end of the Fox Point Road, slightly damp, cheering for the cyclists. There was quite a little crowd out there at the 20 km. mark. We had a sign out to cheer the athletes, but it was probably blocked by specators -- and they were cheering enough to more than make up for that!


There were people out at the ends of driveways, clustered at road junctions and all the way long the route, despite the overcast and sometimes rainy weather. Nobody's spirits were dampened. Ashley took refuge under Dad's umbrella at Dwight, but was glad to be there watching. Her class wrote to one of the athletes last spring, as a pen pal exercise, which we think is an inspired way to get the community connected.It's always more fun when you've got someone you know to cheer for!

Congratulations on a great job to all the volunteers who turned out in droves -- be it to staff the water stations, direct traffic or paint the kids' faces. You are the cogs that make the wheels turn.

Congratulations to all the athletes, in all the categories. We were delighted to see you here in the Lake of Bays, and are looking forward to your return next year. Now that you've seen the lay of the land, we're sure you've discovered that in addition to the big hosting resorts and the Huntsville motels, there are plenty of smaller resorts around the Lake of Bays that would be ideal bases for training camps, support people, families and athletes. Down the Fox Point Road, our resort, BONDI VILLAGE, and FOXWOOD INN offer housekeeping cottages. Along South Portage Road, you bike right past the door of BEAUVIEW. And of course Dwight Beach is the home of LOGGING CHAIN LODGE and NOR'LOCH LODGE. COLONIAL BAY is just up Hwy 60, enroute to Huntsville. There are also plenty of motels out here, and resorts offering meal plans as well -- check us out at www.northmuskoka.com.

It's a little shameless self promotion, but -- to be really honest -- we'd all love to host some of the athletes to promote that community connection to this race that makes it so very special. It's a great way to get to know some of you -- and we don't see why Huntsville should have all that fun :) We'd like to meet you too!

Welcome Athletes, Muskoka Ironman 70.3!

The athletes are rolling into Huntsville and the area for the Ironman 70.3 that takes place this Sunday.
Saturday, in Huntsville, the main street will be closed for the Ironman Festival, an open street celebration with entertainment, special sales, and food. The Terry Fox Run will also be held that day, so there's plenty to do. There is even an Athletes' Forum at the Algonquin Theatre from 11 a.m., where you can drop by and talk to some of the competitors about how they train, what they eat, etc.
There's nothing like the personal touch to make an event like this more interesting to the general public, and getting to know some of the athletes is the best way to do this.

On Sunday, the bike portion of the race comes around Lake of Bays. While the athletes will be working hard, we hope they'll have a moment or two to admire the view. (and look for the sign of encouragement posted by BONDI VILLAGE RESORT!) This course really is spectacular. There are a ton of volunteers working to provide the water stations, ensure the roads are clear of debris, and generally assit the competitors towards a smooth competition. The roads are OPEN, so motorists are asked to use EXTREME CAUTION when encountering or overtaking the bikers. Give them lots of room, please!

There are competitors here from Ecuador, Europe, England, the USA and Down Under. With our Australian connections, we'll be out cheering for the Aussies and the Kiwis (and of course, for our friends from Huntsville who will also be out there, pedalling their buns off)

Some of the competitors have brought their families along, and are making it a bit of a vacation. Next year, we hope they'll consider staying here with us at BONDI VILLAGE RESORT www.bondi-cottage-resort.com We've got a brilliant base from which to train, and can offer a true Muskoka lakeside experience, complete with our dark skies programs, wolf howls, and our own organic garden to help them 'eat healthy'. We're close to the action, to Huntsville and Algonquin Park, yet far enough out to ensure a quiet, restful location.

Best of luck to the competitors, and our best wishes for a safe, exciting day of competition here in God's Own Country, Muskoka!