Gentle Start 200K Ride Report and Photos

Photo by Ken Jobba

First Brevet Experience Mother’s Day - 2004

By Anne Pokocky

I told my girls ages ago that I would be riding on Mother's day, attempting to complete my first brevet. They decided to drive out to meet me at one of the controls and also to be at the finish to cheer me on. That way we could spend at least part of the day together.

When I went to bed on Saturday night, I didn't have much else on my mind except what the weather was going to be like on Sunday. After two previous difficult rides facing wind, rain, cold and whatever else Mother Nature felt like throwing at us, I was really praying for at least a break in the temperature if nothing else.

The alarm went off at 5 the next morning and the first thing I noticed were the sounds I WASN'T hearing. No rain pelting against my window. No wind howling. No thunder. No lightning, No nothing! I went downstairs to let the dog out and on my way, tripped over a Mother's day card, left just outside the bedroom door. It was a handmade creation, with a picture of me inside, on my bike, riding through the rain and then crossing the finish line of the ride. In the sunshine. There were lots of encouraging words accompanying the picture, which made me smile and really helped get the day off on the right foot. I tucked the card in with my route sheets and map.

During the drive from Whitby to Erin Mills, the light rain which was falling stopped completely and although no one in their right mind would call it warm, it was a long way from the frigid temps we had been suffering on previous Sundays. Feeling even more encouraged, I looked up at the sky and thought, hmmm, maybe I WON'T get wet today.

At the start it was hard to decide how much clothing to wear. It wasn't warm, but not freezing either. Maple-Orillia was still very fresh in my memory so I decided to err on the side of caution and wear just about everything I brought!

What a great turnout for the ride! I had no idea who I would end up riding with and I was a little worried about overdoing it in the beginning. The nice flat terrain was a pleasant surprise and found that keeping up to a reasonable pace was not turning out to be a problem. Lisa and I rode together through much of the way to the first control, and we were both feeling great at that point, and very happy to get to a place, which had both a washroom and Kleenex!

Marilyn and Cary were riding together at a rock solid pace, which was challenging, but not impossible, so Lisa and I decided to try and remain with them. As we rode, different people joined and left us and somewhere between the first and second controls, we 'became' a group of six, Marilyn, Cary, Peter, Greg, Lisa & myself. Another rider, Jersy (sp?) joined us just before lunch and stayed with us on and off through to the fourth control. The hours passed quickly. I thoroughly enjoyed the lovely scenery, pleasant conversations and improving weather. We had lunch in Cambridge where a small child remarked to one of us that we were a 'little old' for riding bikes. After a good laugh, we got underway again.

Past the control in Maryhill, I began to feel tired. The flat sections were fine, but on the hills I started to fall a little further behind with each one. Peter encouraged me to draft as much as possible behind other riders, to save energy, and Greg was watching to make sure I didn’t get dropped off completely. Thanks at this point goes to all of the folks riding with me for regrouping and allowing me to catch up. You're the best. I think this was probably the hardest part of the ride, because I was struggling physically and getting upset with myself mentally, for holding people up. I did end up dropping off and riding on my own for a little while, which as it turned out, was a good decision. Peter was riding somewhere behind me and the rest were still in sight ahead, and I felt safe. I slowed down a bit, took time to breathe and just rode through a stunningly beautiful section of spring forest. It was serenely quiet and peaceful. Somewhere in there I got my head together and I knew I was going to be ok. We all regrouped soon after and rode into the last control together. My children arrived at exactly the same time and I had a great visit with them before pushing off for the final leg of the journey.

As it happens, the sun did come out and was there for us as we finished.and as first time riders, Lisa and I led the group into the final control back at Timmy's in Erin Mills. We made it! My daughters were there as promised, and I think the smiles in the pictures will show how truly happy I was at that moment. An unforgettable Mother's day!

To Peter, Lisa, Greg, Marilyn & Cary..you are all amazing riders and with your help and encouragement I accomplished not 1 but 2 personal bests on this ride. 214km is the longest distance I have ever cycled in a day and it was all done at the fastest average time I’ve ever achieved. Thank you!

To Mother Nature for finally smiling on us.thank you!

To my girls for their unwavering belief that I would make it. Thank you. With much love.

Hope to see you all on the road again soon.

Photo by Peter Leiss

Gentle Start 2004

By Peter Leiss

The gentle start or not so gentle I imagine for some. This ride was well attended with 19 riders starting I believe. The group left Tim's at Erin Mills at about 8:10. Unfortunately a couple members forgot some safety equipment so it was an unofficial brevet for them. We should all remember lights attached and the safety vest. It is the vest that tripped up one member...he had no reflective material at all.

So off we went along Eglinton and up over to Britannia. This portion is relatively flat until you get closer to the escarpment and this is where the group started to break into a couple distinct groups. Scott, Mark, Alan, Paul and company drifted off the front while another group maintained a pace suitable for our new members to maintain. I waited after one of the drops and climbs on Britannia to ensure that everyone had an ancien to ride with.

So now the chase was on to catch back up. On the way I picked up Steve and Greg. We joined together to catch up with the rest. We finally caught up to Cary and Marilyn when I spied what I though was the rest of the group up the road a bit. When we picked up this group it turned out to be a group of women racers out training. As Greg and I passed them we were in turn picked up by a group of young fellows out training for the Canada summer games. Apparently the leader of this group was not to pleased to see a couple of old fat guys with bags on their bikes sit in so he asked if we would mind riding off the back.

Never one to let a good hot ride go too early, I continued on to the Sheffield turn. This had turned out to be a 20k time trail at about 38 kph average. I would pay this early season folly later on. At turn I waited for members to catch up and to mark the turn. We then formed a group consisting of Jerzy, Marilyn, Cary, Steve, Greg, Anne, Lisa and Myself. Out to St Georges for a supermarket stop.

As we proceed out and up the East River Rd we noted at least 7 Turkey Vultures hovering around waiting for the first rando meal of the year I'm almost sure. We proceeded out to Cambridge and stopped at, were else Tim's, for the control at Cambridge. While fuelling up Greg had gone out to make some clothing adjustments when this precocious young gentleman asked what he was doing. Greg explained about the ride when this young guy blurts out "Aren't you a little old to be doing this". This got a big laugh form all of when it was related to us inside at the insistence of his father.

We left Cambridge off to the next control in Maryhill. Here we arrived a couple minutes after the store closed so it looks as if 2 controls need to look at on this route. After leaving Maryhill we cruised along the beautiful country roads when 2 deer bounding across a farmers field startled us. The first crossed just in front of us and the second turned and flipped her tail at us as she went back from whence she came. As Marilyn so aptly put it "That doe could move!" As we proceed onward I started to suffer the effects of my earlier efforts with cramping quads and calves so I drifted off the back until we reached Campbelville where I replenished with water and electrolytes. This left us about 35 K to go to the finish. Steve and Jerzy had left us some time ago and were off the front so Marilyn, Cary, Greg, Lisa, Anne and myself basically rode into the final control as group. Lisa and Anne as the new riders lead us in the finish to complete there first 200 k event. Anne's daughter had met us the control and at the finish I don't know who was more excited Anne or her daughters. This seemed to be a great mothers day event for all of them.

With the day brightening as we rode along and actual sunshine for the finish. With Trilliums blooming in the woods and fruit trees blooming the fields. With the wildlife making its presence known. With the first 200k completions and with the great company and riding together this years Gentle Start has become a ride to remember for a long time.

Photo by Peter Leiss

Another Story - My First Brevet, Mother's Day 2004

By Ken Jobba

My wife, Kathy, said, "Why do you always have to pick a ride on Mother's Day?" when she learned I'd be doing the Gentle Start Brevet on May 9th. I'd been away on Mother's Day for 13 years starting 5 weeks after our first child was born to ride TOSRV (Tour of Scioto River Valley). It's is held every year on Mother's Day weekend. Similar to Rideau Lakes Tour (RLCT was modelled on TOSRV.), it covers 210 miles on an out and back course from Columbus to Portsmouth, Ohio.

My response to Kathy's remark was, "Well, it's been quite a few years since I've been away on Mother's Day." Even though my last TOSRV Mother's Day Weekend ride was back in 1995, she still resents those absences on her special day. The only response I got to my retort was a silent scowl.

I'd had a chance to put in a few kilometers over the past few weeks and have ridden similar distances quite a few times in years past, so wasn't so worried about completing the distance as how much I would have to suffer over the last few kilometers. In fact, worried more about the weather knowing the difficult conditions that beset the last few of the Chapter's rides. Could handle wind, rain or cold but not all three at once!

After the heavy rainfall on Saturday, Sunday looked benign by comparison. There was a cool fog, but no wind or rain to speak of. This was idylic weather compared to what we've had to deal with recently.

Arriving at the Erin Mill Timmy's, quite a group had already assembled. Soon after getting my bike and gear together, we were riding out 'full force' to enjoy the kilometres before us. Expected the pace to be reasonably relaxed, and it was for the first going. More about that later.

After a short while, I found myself riding with Alan, Scot, Mark, Paul, Hank and Taylor. The only obstacles were the hills at Lowville, and we soon found ourselves pulling into the first control in St. George. Shared a bunch of bananas. The route so far was very familiar territory for me. I once lived just north of Erin Mills and now live in Ancaster, so I'd ridden most of the roads on the early part of the Brevet many times. Our group was pulling out of the first Control just as a second group was arriving. We didn't hold up long to chat.

Riding west out of St. George and then north along the Grand River had to be some of the nicest of the entire day. I really, really enjoyed this part of the ride. Very scenic and very little traffic. It wasn't very far to Cambridge, and we were quickly stopping for the second Control.

Some of my riding mates seemed anxious to get going from the Control. Then the pace seemed to pick up as we left the urban roads. Scot did a lot of the pacing. I enjoyed riding in Mark or Paul's draft. Behind Scot or especially behind Alan down on his tri-bars is NOT much of an assist! Tried to do my fair share of the pulling. Around this time, Hank and Taylor fell behind a bit.

We made time into the Maryhill Control. Thought this should be a leisurely rest point. Even ordered a turkey sub-sandwich to share. The others were looking at their watches a little too often. Hank and Taylor rolled into the Maryhill Control. We didn't hold up long to chat!

The roads leading away from Maryhill were some of the busiest. I was glad to turn left onto a quiet sideroad that was, again, rather idyllic. Few rolling hills with some forrest and greenery to calm and inspire the spirit. Pushing on, I knew we were getting close to Campbellville but I felt like we were riding in circles. I was getting anxious about tiring out. Wasn't exactly sure where we were but when we turned onto the Campbellville Road, I was back in familiar territory. In the early 80's, "raced" (Use this term very liberally. Was NOT competitive.) on this road as part of the Hamilton Cycling Club's Tuesday Night Mt-Nemo/Carlisle/Campelville Circuit. My riding mates might have noted my pace picked up a bit. Besides, we were just about at the final Control.

We left Campbellville and a few kilometers later, on the downhill run through the forrested section, felt like I had my 'race legs' again! Downhills can play tricks on your perceived condition, as I found out trying to charge up the hill from Lowville to Brittania Rd. Picked too big a gear, and my quads went into overload scaling the hill.

A short time later, I paid for this indiscretion. Just the far side of Walker's Line, I could no longer hold the pace line. Drats! I was so mad at myself. Really wanted to finish with the group. Luckily, my caring ridemates waited for me at Trafalgar Road. Scot kept the pace moderate, and I found my legs again on the 8th Line. Thanks fellas!

When we got back to Timmy's, bit surprised to find out that (some) Randonneurs do care about the finishing times. Some comparing of previous ride durations, and discussion of too much time spent at Controls.

Many thanks to Scot for pulling and pacing us, to Alan for leading out and sage advice, to Mark for his draft, and to Paul for the butter tarts on his carrier! Enjoyed the conversation, the roads, and the shared effort.

While I'm glad to have completed my first Brevet, am keener to find out how I'll handle the longer distances and night riding. Those will be completely different experiences for me. The adventure awaits.

Photo by Peter Leiss

A Great Start

By Cary Weitzman

Well the rando season has finally gotten off to a full start here in the Golden Horseshoe with the traditional spring brevet, the Gentle Start 200, named legitimately due to its limited climbing and tongue-in-cheek due to the high odds that the weather will step in to make it a grueling ordeal. Battling 40 kph steady headwinds over 50 k flat stretches can drive even the toughest to despair, something that's happened twice in my own recollection.

This year an extra challenge in the form of scheduling the ride on Mother's Day added to the difficulty level. Much singing and dancing was required on the part of some of us to explain how it was we could possibly "abandon your mother to spend the day riding your bike" (her words not mine).

Despite a gloom and doom forecast and heavy rain just before dawn, the rain had stopped by the 8 am start hour, thus proving once again Environment Canada's total lack of competence. In this case a least they predicted worse conditions that we experienced, usually it's the other way around.

As is our great and glorious tradition we gathered by ones and twos at a Tim Hortons, the Erin Mills Tim Hortons to be precise. Before the start I was reminded of and reminded a certain club member that he still owed me a lunch for the pair of road shoes I gave him 3 years ago, this inspired him to ride the day in a blistering 8:48 hrs thus managing to avoid the obligation for the 1075th day in a row. Now I'm torn between collecting the lunch or using it to inspire him on to a season of personal bests. What to do... what to do... :^)

Starting out we stayed as one big chatty group until a few kilometers down Britannia where the fast folks dropped the hammer and went. Can't say I was sorry to see them go as I was getting rather tired of being sprayed with water and worm guts. Around Cedar Springs Road Scott Chisholm, who was last seen just getting out of his van as we left the parking lot, blurred by on his way up to the front of the pack magically collecting the other titanium rider, Mark Hopper, as he passed. That metal must be magnetic or something.

There was a lovely tailwind to the first control at 70 k in St. George blowing us up the Niagara Escarpment and along some lovely country roads where we were passed first by the women's and then men's summer games training camp teams out for group training rides. As happens when riding in the company of Marilyn Freeman and competitive road riders appear a "Hi Marilyn!" was tossed out when the women blew past us along with a few raised eyebrows which she explained was a reaction to seeing her on her fendered, Schmidt hubbed, racked and bagged Marinoni. "I'm going to get razzed for this." She lamented.

Arriving at the first control I implemented my new nutrition scheme based on the discovery that the prepared chocolate milk "milkshakes" you can find in the dairy section of most grocery and convenience stores have a fat, protein and carb mix very similar to a nutrition drink like Boost but with a higher protein content. The dairy case delivered a Rolo flavoured drink that boasted 450 some odd calories, 10 grams fat, 16 grams of protein and 75 grams of carbs, all in 400 ml of chocolaty goodness. Cycling fuel from heaven!! And indeed these things and other similar ones worked wonderfully for me for the whole day. Greg Amann also joined me in feasting on the wonder that is Rolo, also proclaiming it to be the veritable nectar of the gods.

30 short km after that came the lunch control, at what else, another Tim Hortons in Cambridge. Along the way we collected Pres. Peter Leiss and another rider not known to me who's first name, Jersey, was all I got. The passing of a whole dead tree full of turkey vultures along the Grand River could have been considered a bad omen, but the lineup was surprisingly fast and we got 3 tables. Heck, I even got the donut from Peter's combo chili meal when he decided he didn't want it.

The place was busy, but unlike so many other Hortons the locals were good natured and interested in what we were doing, or at least most of them were. Greg stepped outside to fetch something from his bike in the middle of lunch and was approached by a 5 year old who asked him quite seriously "Aren't you too old to be riding a bike?" I'm not sure what Greg's reaction was but the rest of us laughed our heads off when the boy's father told us the story inside. The kid himself was surprised by all this noise and clammed right up, no more precocious questions were to be had.

Riding out from Cambridge we battled traffic for almost 10 k until the highway overpass and on/off ramps. Twice during this time I was taunted by signs proclaiming "2 large pizzas with 3 toppings for $8.99" the difficulty of passing up such great deals on pizza was almost too much for me to bear. Cambridge, not so long ago quite compact, is sprawling with a vengeance and the roads are falling way behind. Eventually we hit countryside again and the delightful surprise of finding that Rozell Rd. was closed due to bridge damage. Of course we ignored the sign and went for a look, turned out to be perfectly ridable on bikes, so off we went down this lovely little stretch of road with the assurance of no traffic.

On the final stretch up to the Maryhill control on Beaverdale Road two extremely large White Tail Deer appeared seemingly out of nowhere in the field to our right and the larger of the two, a really big animal, leaped across the road no more than 20' in front of us and bounded off through the field on our left with huge leaps and flashing tail.

At Maryhill we discovered that the grocery store closed at 2:00 pm and here we were at 2:15. Luckily there was water and food enough to carry everyone on to the final control 40 km down the road although a few of us were flagging by the time we arrived. On the other hand it was suddenly warm enough to shed an outer shell and ride with long sleeved jersey only for the first time that day. We stopped briefly for a few pictures and continued on our way.

The final good old reliable control in Campbellville yielded chocolate milk, pitas, ice cream and pizza, not to mention washrooms! As an added bonus Anne's daughters had driven out to cheer her on and arrived at the same time we did. It was great to see how supportive the two girls were of how their mom chose to spend her Mother's Day.

After a longish stop we headed out to the finish with renewed vigour and had a bit of high speed action down the rollers to Lowville (yep, it's low all right) and paid for it with the climb back out. Then a final turn into the wind for the last relatively flat 20 k back down Britannia Road, arriving to find Anne's daughters waiting and the Wendy's half of the store open for me to get a really big Frosty.

Altogether an entirely satisfying day out, thanks to everyone for making the ride a great success.