Don Valley Bike Trails: Catalyst Complete

Riding the 2021 Norco Revolver 120 through one of the classic Don Valley Trails: Catalyst. Catalyst trail was original two separate trails, however, recently the two trails have "merged" into one. Regardless of the name, this is a great trail and one of the most challenging in the Don Valley.

[@AdventureTrailsTO]

I've heard a few riders say Catalyst is the hardest trail in the Don. Do you agree? If not, what takes the win for most difficult Don trail?

[@chaptheman3311]

I don’t think it’s the hardest it’s just scary for me to go over the bridges

[@cobracommander17]

Man you take those rooty switchback climbs with ease! Love your videos dude, you're an inspiration and a Don lege! You gotta be close to taking the KOM

[@AdventureTrailsTO]

@@chaptheman3311 yes! Make sure you don’t look down lol. Party atmosphere has some scary bridges as well

[@AdventureTrailsTO]

@@cobracommander17 thanks much appreciated! Love riding the Don and it’s fun to make the videos as well. I have the KOM on the original Catalyst…. Just need to go a little faster for the full version now.

[@stuvie]

for me it's one of the hardest to ride no-dabs (that first switchback always gets me). Thanks for another great video!

[@alextripodi7917]

Hit this exact trail today for the first time by accident with a trek marlin 6 in a tank top and 0 gear. Let me tell you, i sh*t bricks. All credit to you. Mountain biking aint a joke. 👏🏽

[@gsguitars]

Just "rode" this (healthy amount of hike-a-bike lol) for the first time today and wow, what an absolute animal of a rider you must be. Something for a beginner like myself to aspire to!

[@AdventureTrailsTO]

Catalyst is a great trail! that entrance is pretty wild.

[@landonkeller1821]

Nice man. Love the Don. Hard af sometimes but also fun af. Cheers!

[@AdventureTrailsTO]

Cheers! Don trails are the best for sure. Thanks for watching!

[@Trinimon18]

Damn! Another awesome vid! You made it look so easy! 🤘

[@AdventureTrailsTO]

Thanks for watching! Such a fun trail. Hoping to get party atmosphere or the ridge next.

[@jasonemkay]

Awesome video, great commentary too.

[@AdventureTrailsTO]

Thanks Jason, cheers!

[@dylandaviesdiptych]

🔥🔥 man such an incredible run i hope i can ride it this well one day soon! 😅 💥💥💥

[@AdventureTrailsTO]

Thanks! the Don trails are too much fun!

[@isa4777]

Second part formally known as RimJob. Nice shread dude!

[@AdventureTrailsTO]

Thank you!

[@s.draper]

Nice run, catalyst + PA is definitely the most technical ridge in the Don. The only other trail that competes is Donaconda with the mandatory gaps, but I still think catalyst is harder!

[@AdventureTrailsTO]

Thanks! Yeah I agree Donaconda is difficult because you need to commit to the features. Catalyst is difficult due to its technical riding features and cliff side exposure!

[@jasonmurray4714]

I see you took the high line entry instead of the river level entry. I have never cleared that first steep climb on the river entry.

[@AdventureTrailsTO]

Yeah that’s a tough one! I almost always come in from the top as it’s the traditional route in. The lower line was usually taken by people riding catalyst in reverse

[@arneilson4450]

I used to be able to make it but it is so rooty and eroded now that it is way harder.

[@kiertstvlog9120]

What is the main adress of this place in don bro. I've been there so many times but I'm not familiar where your riding in this video

[@AdventureTrailsTO]

10 Redway road in the loblaws parking lot

[@kiertstvlog9120]

@@AdventureTrailsTO got it thank you bro

[@mensuddevic8983]

Thanks for another great video, I'm also looking at Norco to upgrade to full suspension from hardtail, my concern is my weight I'm 280lb and wouldn't like to have to much sag . How do you feel climbing with it.?

[@AdventureTrailsTO]

The bike climbs exceptionally well. When i'm standing and pedaling I don't notice any sort of pedal bob. One thing I was worried about was with the slacker HT angle, I thought this might impact low speed steep climbing (having the front lift up), but luckily this wasn't the case. I do run my stem with no spacers to help this but I'm pretty happy with it overall. I weight about 150lb and the bike feels very stiff and sturdy.

[@Golfman12345678]

How do bikers avoid crashing into people potentially biking the other direction?

[@AdventureTrailsTO]

While not officially marked, most of the trails in the Don are considered one directional. When on a shared trail, typically ypu give the person climbing the right of way. If you approach a blind corner, some people will ring bells etc. Things happen though and it's always good to stay in control.

[@Golfman12345678]

@@AdventureTrailsTO cool, thanks for sharing! Ive always wondered since wandering around the Don on a bike as a kid

[@alistairpimlott7754]

New bike!!!

[@AdventureTrailsTO]

New bike day = best day!

[@wahwahweewa]

@@AdventureTrailsTO How was it? Looks like you've still got some narrow-ish tires compared to a lot of others in the Don. Also, switch from Shimano to Sram. What about it?

[@AdventureTrailsTO]

@@wahwahweewa Really enjoy the bike so far. It took my a few rides to get used the modern geometry but can't live without it now. Tires are 2.35 maxxis ikons which are fairly wide and high volume! not as much tread as say a Minion DHF. I personally tend to lean towards items that increase speed vs suspension and grip. The sram 12 speed stuff is pretty nice but I would not hesitate to switch to Shimano if available. Decision for drivetrain was mostly what was available to me at the time. I have video footage for a bike "review" coming up which should provide more details into the bike. Overall positive.

[@williamrahbek2228]

did u start off on topo?

[@AdventureTrailsTO]

Yeah exactly

[@williamrahbek2228]

@@AdventureTrailsTO Ok thanks

[@cheesyrider6914]

Nice

[@kiertstvlog9120]

What is the adress of the place bro?

[@FreshToTheExtreme]

don't go over the edge :) 😎😳

[@liangkunyan373]

nb ！

[@AdventureTrailsTO]

Yep! northbound. Fortunately and also unfortunately, the trails are very directional in present day. Not too many people riding this trail SB now.