From the Ground Up

The homegrown stoke of Highlands Enduro

words :: Colin Field

The inaugural Highlands Enduro wasn’t just another mountain bike race—it was a passion project fueled by community. Organized by 21-year-old Hannah Rydlo, the event took over the trails at Highlands Nordic in Duntroon last summer.

“I did an enduro race in Peterborough in 2023 and about halfway through I started thinking, We could do this in Collingwood,” she recalls. “So I met with Tyler Pratt because I know he used to race enduro. I sat him down and asked, ‘Do you think this is something that we should do?’”

His response was one that Hannah encountered again and again.

“He was like, ‘Dude, this is a great idea.’ So many people in the area were just waiting for an event like this,” she says. “Right from the start everybody that I spoke to said, ‘You have to do this.’ It was really encouraging.”

What started as an idea on a long ride quickly turned into a fullon race, complete with five timed stages, 115 riders and a newly built downhill trail.

“We were one stage short, so I thought, No problem, I’ll just build one,” Hannah laughs. “That’s where most of my labour went.” With the help of local builder Jeremy Shields and a small army of volunteers, they racked up 400 hours building the new trail— complete with wood features—specifically for the event. “It’s the first purpose-built downhill trail in the CORC [Collingwood Offroad Cycling Club] network. The community really rallied around it.”

For those unfamiliar, enduro is mountain biking’s best blend of speed and camaraderie. Riders race the clock on downhill sections (called stages) but cruise between them at their own pace. You ride up as fast or slow as you like, then race down. “It’s the perfect format,” says Hannah. “You get the thrill of racing but still get to hang out with your friends. Music’s playing, you’re chatting and then you drop into your stage.”

The person with the fastest combined time on all stages wins. And that welcoming format delivered a strong turnout—not just from locals. Riders travelled from across Ontario, Quebec and even the U.S. And, thanks to the race counting toward the Ontario Enduro Series, it drew serious competitors while staying approachable for beginners.

“We hit 115 riders. Twenty-two per cent were women, which was huge for us,” Hannah adds.

For some racers, the event was about more than just competition. Local mom-and-daughter duo Maogosha Pyjor and 13-year-old Kali Tang both lined up for their first enduro—and both left with podium finishes.

“It was so cool seeing so many women and girls out there,” Maogosha says. Both Kali and Maogosha were heavily involved in building the trails, too. “It was pretty special racing features we helped create,” Kali says. “I worked on the drainage and the rock garden, and riding those sections during the race felt awesome.”

Kali loved the format. “You can chill on the climbs, talk to people, and then race hard on the downs. It’s great if you don’t love cardio!”

The two ended the day with Kali taking second place in her category and Maogosha topping the 50-plus women’s field. “We’ll 100 per cent be back,” says Maogosha.

For Hannah, the most rewarding part wasn’t just pulling off a successful event; it was the way the community stepped up. “It felt like everyone was waiting for something like this,” she says. “The support was incredible.”

Local mom-and-daughter duo Maogosha Pyjor and 13-year-old Kali Tang both lined up for their first enduro—and both left with podium finishes.

Local businesses pitched in, including Little Ed’s as the title sponsor, and donations rolled in to cover materials. Volunteers, sometimes entire families, showed up every Monday night to dig dirt, move rocks and build features. “We even had lumber milled in Owen Sound and trailered back for the new downhill,” Hannah adds.

The result? A course that surprised even seasoned racers. “Some riders said they’d never heard of Duntroon or CORC trails before this,” Hannah says. “Now they’re coming back to ride.”

With the first year behind her, Hannah’s already thinking bigger. “We’re doing it again—probably September this year so I can finish school,” she says. There’s even talk of joining forces with a new Beaver Valley Enduro to create a Georgian Bay Cup series.

“The dream is to build this into something bigger, showcase the trails here, bring people in and just grow the scene,” Hannah says. “There’s so much potential.”

For riders like Maogosha and Kali, it’s already a must-do. “We can’t wait for the next one,” says Kali. “It’s the best day on a bike.”