Gentle Start 200K Ride Report: May 4, 2003
Ride Organizer's Report
There were five of us that started the ride, Bill Mercer, Oliver Moore, James Smith, Bruce Hogg, and myself. This was Bruce's first brevet. We stayed together until the start of the hills at Walker's Line and Brittania, and then regrouped in St. George. We started out together and then Oliver went off ahead. My legs hadn't recovered from last weekend's marathon. James, Bruce and I rode the rest of the ride together, helping block the wind and Bill rode on his own. We hooked up with Bill again in Campbellville and rode together until Lowville. We all finished under 10 hours and had a great day.
A Few Words
My double-scoop came with an impish grin: "I'd lick quickly if I were you, sir, it's starting to go soft." I stared back, wondering when the cute-as-a-button teenagers at the Bruce Trail Eatery started doling out lewd innuendo with their food. Unable to think up a suitably rakish line that would not land me in the clink, I murmured my thanks and turned away. Back on the bike, heavenly hash in hand, I bounced over the tracks and struggled up the hill out of Campbelville. Fuelled by fat and sugar, I fought the headwinds on the last 35 kilometres, still hoping vainly for a sub-eight. But with detours pushing the actual distance to 215 kilometres, I wasn't back at Tim's until after 4pm. Still, with only the quickest of stops, a truck-load of food in my pockets and my usual stubborn zeal, I managed to have a very good ride.
Reports by Lori Matthews and Oliver Moore.
by Lori Matthews
by Oliver Moore