I trained to a much greater extent than last year, with targetted spinning classes in the winter (led by our ace instructor, Kim Donnelly) and, eventually, getting on the road in April.
It made a huge difference, especially with the hill climbs (never easy, but manageable).
Equally important was the camaderie of the Bloor West Village Idiots. They welcomed Doug and I into their group this year and made us feel very much at home. It's a group that acts as it rides -- everyone gets a chance to contribute; everyone takes a turn in the lead in a very organic way. It was a pleasure to ride with them.
Preparations for 2010 are well underway. I have registered for next year. One of the new additions for 2010 is a 200-mile (320 km) journey. At this point, it looks like we are all going to take up that challenge...
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Final approach
The distance from the last rest stop to the finish line is a distance of between 10 to 15 km.
During that final section, we rode in formation, two by two and each row close behind the next pair. With flat terrain, little wind and the euphoria of having the end in sight, we travelled this section maintaining speeds in the high 20's. From time to time, one pair would move to the front and the others would draft along behind.
For someone who mostly rides solo, this was a new and exciting experience. The energy and enthusiasm of the team built as we approached our goal.
For the final few yards, we let Will and Doug lead us in. Still riding in pairs, we hit the boardwalk leading to the finish line. This wasn't easy to do -- there was very little room to manoeuvre and the crowds at the camp were immense. We were surrounded by friends, family and everyone else as soon as we crossed the line.
Our journey ended just after 1 pm on Sunday, a journey of two days, almost 210 km and some great memories.
During that final section, we rode in formation, two by two and each row close behind the next pair. With flat terrain, little wind and the euphoria of having the end in sight, we travelled this section maintaining speeds in the high 20's. From time to time, one pair would move to the front and the others would draft along behind.
For someone who mostly rides solo, this was a new and exciting experience. The energy and enthusiasm of the team built as we approached our goal.
For the final few yards, we let Will and Doug lead us in. Still riding in pairs, we hit the boardwalk leading to the finish line. This wasn't easy to do -- there was very little room to manoeuvre and the crowds at the camp were immense. We were surrounded by friends, family and everyone else as soon as we crossed the line.
Our journey ended just after 1 pm on Sunday, a journey of two days, almost 210 km and some great memories.
Seen on the Road
We passed a motorcycle club near Welland. One of the bikes was towing a bullet-shaped carrier with a "conning tower" on top and big enough windows to see a dog happily riding along inside. A canine submarine.
Later, as we rode though the outer edge of Niagara Falls, we passed a large, apparently abandoned factory building. A "for lease" sign was on the front lawn and someone had spray-painted "Great Location for Growing Weed" above the phone number. A different kind of cash crop.
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Later, as we rode though the outer edge of Niagara Falls, we passed a large, apparently abandoned factory building. A "for lease" sign was on the front lawn and someone had spray-painted "Great Location for Growing Weed" above the phone number. A different kind of cash crop.
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Geography
Both days featured at least one significant uphill and downhill challenge. Usually the latter led right into the former.
On Day 1, there was a long climb out of Dundas to the top of Hamilton Mountain, a trip of several kilometres at a good grade. Many people had to dismount at some point on the ascent (even walking a bike up that hill was a challenge).
It was tough but I pushed to the top, marvelling along the way that I had done the same climb in 2008 without a seat.
This climb followed a very rapid descent into the town of Dundas, a steep descent with a fantastic view of the valley. Some of the Idiots hit speeds approaching 70 kph on the way down.
Day 2 had a similar scenario. A hard right turn opened up into a steep descent and led immediately to another steep climb. Though not as long as the day 1 climb, the angle of ascent was slightly steeper and the road curved enough that what looked like a plateau was yet another ascent. We did this two or three times on the way up.
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On Day 1, there was a long climb out of Dundas to the top of Hamilton Mountain, a trip of several kilometres at a good grade. Many people had to dismount at some point on the ascent (even walking a bike up that hill was a challenge).
It was tough but I pushed to the top, marvelling along the way that I had done the same climb in 2008 without a seat.
This climb followed a very rapid descent into the town of Dundas, a steep descent with a fantastic view of the valley. Some of the Idiots hit speeds approaching 70 kph on the way down.
Day 2 had a similar scenario. A hard right turn opened up into a steep descent and led immediately to another steep climb. Though not as long as the day 1 climb, the angle of ascent was slightly steeper and the road curved enough that what looked like a plateau was yet another ascent. We did this two or three times on the way up.
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On the road...
One of the things about day 2 were all the positive comments we received about the shirts. Several times I'd be cruising along and someone would come up beside me and comment on how good they looked.
The shirts were designed by Ken Elliott, a member of the team. I joked later that we could use him as a fundraising tool by offering to design other team shirts -- at least as long as ours looked better than any one else's!
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The shirts were designed by Ken Elliott, a member of the team. I joked later that we could use him as a fundraising tool by offering to design other team shirts -- at least as long as ours looked better than any one else's!
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Day 2
Last year's Ride started in cool weather and overcast skies. It probably had an impact on the riders. As I had noted last year, the energy of the first day had dissipated (and people had started to hurt).
In contrast, we left camp in blinding sunshine and clear skies. The mood was definitely more positive and there were many more smiles on riders' faces.
Day 2 featured the red-and-black shirts of the Bloor West Village Idiots. We also made a very deliberate decision to stay together. A team both in appearance and in action.
In contrast, we left camp in blinding sunshine and clear skies. The mood was definitely more positive and there were many more smiles on riders' faces.
Day 2 featured the red-and-black shirts of the Bloor West Village Idiots. We also made a very deliberate decision to stay together. A team both in appearance and in action.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Boldly going
The week before the Ride, CityTV ran a news piece on a guy named Bill Wall. Bill Wall is 81 years old and legally blind and he rode the Ride as the second member of a tandem bike.
While we were having dinner, he came into camp. I can only hope to look as fit as he is when I'm 81.
If you're interested, here's the link to the story.
As it turned out, there were other visually impaired riders on the course. I saw four or five getting ready at breakfast on the second day.
While we were having dinner, he came into camp. I can only hope to look as fit as he is when I'm 81.
If you're interested, here's the link to the story.
As it turned out, there were other visually impaired riders on the course. I saw four or five getting ready at breakfast on the second day.
More Statistics
At camp on Saturday night, the organizers announced that about 3500 numbers had raised over $14.5 Million for PMH.
The first number is interesting. That's about 25% more than the first year. We actually noticed this while we were riding this weekend. We spent a lot more time riding in packs than last year, even on the country roads. While it was fun to be with other riders, it also required a little more caution on the roads, particularly in sections that were more difficult (for example, the big hill climbs). There were more inexperienced riders on the route this year and they had more trouble with the tough sections.
(as of this evening, my total for the Ride was just over $3000. My thanks to all who contributed. The "idiots" should break through $35,000 before the end of the month.
The first number is interesting. That's about 25% more than the first year. We actually noticed this while we were riding this weekend. We spent a lot more time riding in packs than last year, even on the country roads. While it was fun to be with other riders, it also required a little more caution on the roads, particularly in sections that were more difficult (for example, the big hill climbs). There were more inexperienced riders on the route this year and they had more trouble with the tough sections.
(as of this evening, my total for the Ride was just over $3000. My thanks to all who contributed. The "idiots" should break through $35,000 before the end of the month.
Thoughts on Day 1
As noted in an earlier post, using Google Latitude was interesting (I had a few folks watching my progress on their systems), but it did in the battery on my Blackberry mid-way through Saturday evening. And the one thing that I neglected to pack for the overnight was the battery charger for the BB!
Once we got into camp, we set up in the beer tent and proceeded to re-hydrate and celebrate the day's effort. For me, there was a certain relief in finishing with the seat intact and both tires fully inflated.
The climb up Hamilton Mountain was slow and grueling. On the plus side, though, even at a glacial pace, we still moved faster than the cars trapped in the gridlock of a summer afternoon.
When we finally got into the residential area before Mohawk College, I found there was a little bit of energy that hadn't been depleted on the climb. With the combination of smooth roads and flat terrain, I was able to sprint the last 2-3 km to the College. It was exhilarating!
Once we got into camp, we set up in the beer tent and proceeded to re-hydrate and celebrate the day's effort. For me, there was a certain relief in finishing with the seat intact and both tires fully inflated.
The climb up Hamilton Mountain was slow and grueling. On the plus side, though, even at a glacial pace, we still moved faster than the cars trapped in the gridlock of a summer afternoon.
When we finally got into the residential area before Mohawk College, I found there was a little bit of energy that hadn't been depleted on the climb. With the combination of smooth roads and flat terrain, I was able to sprint the last 2-3 km to the College. It was exhilarating!
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Now for beer...
We rolled into camp @ 15:30...
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Waterdown, Just after 1 pm
We're just past the 70 k mark, at a farmhouse property in Waterdown. This is the lunch stop, so everyone stops here (the food is actually pretty decent -- chicken wraps & a pasta salad).
Q107 is one of the sponsors, so we pulled in to an old Max Webster song -- is that a requirement of the contract with Kim Mitchell?
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Q107 is one of the sponsors, so we pulled in to an old Max Webster song -- is that a requirement of the contract with Kim Mitchell?
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Latitude
I'm finding that Google Latitude is a real batter killer... I may be running silent for a little while.
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Rest Stop #1 -- Erindale Stn Rd north of dundas
A little bit cloudy now, but the key thing is I have the same number of tires and seats as I started with.
It's already an improvement over last year!
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It's already an improvement over last year!
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Morning stats...
9 provinces, 17 states, 5 countries (Updated Monday June 15: The countries were Canada, US, Netherlands, South Africa & Australia)
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T-5 minutes
We're lined up at the Princes Gates. Many more people than last year; lots and lots of energy. The weather is perfect.
We're about to begin....
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We're about to begin....
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Monday, May 18, 2009
T-26 days and counting
Preparations continue for the 2009 edition of the Ride to Conquer Cancer.
It started back in January when I embarked on 12-week training course through the RPM Spinning Studios. One of the benefits of the training was that I met a bunch of local cyclists who go by the name of the Bloor West Village Idiots.
The Idiots have kindly made a spot for me and I've been riding with them since the weather finally warmed up back in April. It's been great to train with others. I've definitely been pushing myself harder.
We've been doing progressively longer rides and, next weekend, we will be moving down to Niagara to work on some hill climbs. Here's hoping for good weather!
Here's the first picture of the 2009 campaign, featuring a few of the "Idiots"...
It started back in January when I embarked on 12-week training course through the RPM Spinning Studios. One of the benefits of the training was that I met a bunch of local cyclists who go by the name of the Bloor West Village Idiots.
The Idiots have kindly made a spot for me and I've been riding with them since the weather finally warmed up back in April. It's been great to train with others. I've definitely been pushing myself harder.
We've been doing progressively longer rides and, next weekend, we will be moving down to Niagara to work on some hill climbs. Here's hoping for good weather!
Here's the first picture of the 2009 campaign, featuring a few of the "Idiots"...
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