Hills,'villes and Valleys 300K Brevet 2006


	Hills,'villes and Valleys 300K 2006 Ride Report and Photos

Text and photos by Phil Piltch

This year's run of Hills, Villes & Valleys proved extra challenging with the addition of cool temperatures and a steady unrelenting rain during the late afternoon. Five riders, including the organiser, set out on this ride, from our new start at the Tim Horton's on Keele at Rutherford Rd. This added about six kilometres to the route but we now have a start/finish that is open 24 hours.

The organiser (on the right) busy at work

The day started off with overcast skies and a hint of rain but the clouds soon broke and we even got some brief periods of sun. We took a quik break in the tiny hamlet of Limehouse, but had to make it quick as there were swarms of hungry mosquitos all around. While refueling with a nice breakfast of French toast and coffee, a number of cyclists out on a much shorter ride gathered at the Trail Eater . One of them recognised we were randonneurs and wished us luck. We then carried on to Fergus, with the long slog along 1st Line. As Henry and I were getting close to Fergus we notices a large and threatening dark mass to the east but it moved southward and we managed to the heavy rain.

Glen Williams

Rolling in to the village of Glen Willaims

Limehouse

Road crosing the railway in the village of Limehouse

The Campbellville control

The control at the Trail Eatery in Campbellville

However as we reached the next control in Erin it was looking decidely more unsettled. As we had a nice late lunch at the Bistro Riviere, the rain began to fall and the remaining 100km of the ride were cool and wet. I foolishly had left my tights at home and regretted it, but my legs managed to keep just warm enough to function. The slog through the Marsh seemed overly long and Henry wondered how many hours it would be before we crossed Hwy 9. But soon enough we were speeding (??) down Jane towards Teston Rd, and then again south on Keele to the finish. Steve had finished a few hours before us, while the other two bailed at different point on the route.

Rolling north along 1st Line on the way to Fergus

Rain in Erin

Rain finally hits - getting ready to roll (on the patio of the Bistro Riviere in the town of Erin)