There are many times when I’m working on the MOMAR that it hardly feels like ‘work’ and this weekend is right up there on the top of that list!

I made the trip over to Shawnigan Lake to finalize a few sections of the MOMAR course route with Course Designer, Jason Sandquist, and to do a site visit of Merridale Estate Cidery. Joining us on the trip were Michelle Relf and Kari Frazer.

Longtime MOMAR volunteer and formerly my sponsorship contact at the Sandman Inn, Trina White, and her husband Jason Ware were our hosts as they welcomed us to stay at their new vacation rental home “The Shawnigan Chalet”. We were their inaugural guests and it was nothing but awesome. The place had a great view of the lake and a very cozy atmosphere.

Michelle and I started Saturday with a drive through the rural pastures and a stop at Merridale to meet with owner Janet Docherty. The estate is massive with apple trees everywhere, a big cellar where they make their cider, and a bistro where they serve lunch and dinner. Merridale is going to make the MOMAR Friday Night Registration truly special and I highly recommend that you come early and stay for dinner.

We left Merridale excited to meet up with Jason and Kari and get the rest of the course finalized. I haven’t been on those trails since the last year’s MOMAR and we were treated to some great single track that was in great shape following the BC Bike Race. We played in the river and also vetted this year’s orienteering stage. I think everyone should find this year’s O course a bit easier in the sense that the CP flags won’t be so hidden as they were last year. Six hours later, we were back at the vehicles a bit dehydrated and hungry. Good times!

Michelle and I had bought some ribeyes for Saturday’s dinner but after our earlier visit to Merridale we decided to make the trip back for dinner. Showered and clean we all met up again and had an absolutely incredible meal. The food is all local and fresh. I had the Snapper, Jason had the Paella, Kari had the tuna/salmon salad, and Michelle had the Tandori Chicken (see photo left). For dessert we had their Apple Strudel and Apple Crumble with ice cream and of course we washed it all down with their cider.

On to Sunday… Slept in… Ribeye and corn for brunch :0). Computer work. THEN off to Mt. Tzouhalem for an afternoon ride!!! Tzouhalem is my favorite place to ride but I haven’t ridden the trails in over two years. Jason led us (sans Kari, but now with Chris) on a great route through some of the mountain’s best trails (Chicken Run, T-Bone, Field of Dreams, M-One, etc). It was a great end to an amazing weekend.

The only negative was sitting in the ferry lineup for over four hours! I’m an idiot for not making a reservation. Take my experience as a warning if you’re coming over on the ferry for the MOMAR… BOOK YOUR RESERVATIONS NOW!!! BC Ferries only has a limited number of reservation spots and they go weeks in advance especially now that summer is in full swing.

Thanks again to Trina and Jason for having us stay at your chalet! Thanks to Merridale for the awesome dinner! Thanks to Jason, Kari, Michelle, and Chris for the great weekend of riding and running!