Ride Organizer's Report
by Alan Thwaits

A total of eight riders completed this year's Georgian Triangle 400K brevet (compared to only two who rode it last year). It was the first 400K for four of them. The weather was excellent, the roads splendid (except for four or five sections of rough gravel), and there were adventures galore along the way.

Brian Armstrong, Carey Chappelle, Rolf Hauckwitz, Jaye Haworth, Don Magie, Oliver Moore, and Alan Thwaits all set out from the Maple start at 6:00 AM. Phil Piltch, who had started from home later than he intended, made a late start at 6:15 (see Phil's report below). (Dan Herbert and Marilyn Freeman, on their tandem, also started with us, but had no plans to ride the complete brevet distance. As things turned out, they rode as far as Wasage Beach (137K), then headed back to Maple.) Another rider had pre-registered, but failed to make the start. The day dawned clear and bright, with the temperature at about 10C, and the forecast for sunshine and warm weather (a high of 28C was predicted).

Brian and Oliver soon shot off the front, as expected, and the rest of us spread out along the road, sometimes riding as a group, sometimes going on as individuals or in pairs. I followed Jaye and Don through the Caledon Hills, only to see them surge ahead on County Road 50, and go off route (they were too far ahead to hear my shouts warning them to turn). At the Alliston control (81K), I met briefly with Rolf and Carey, who decided to turn aside to get water. I saw Dan and Marilyn ahead, so rode up to them, and continued. Soon we caught up with Brian Armstrong, who, it turned out, had crashed on a gravel stretch, incurring some nasty-looking road rash on hi knee, and bruising his shoulder and hip. Ever the randonneur, though, Brian was pressing on.

Dan, Marilyn, and Brian soon went ahead, and I rode into Wasage Beach alone, though I could see them in the near distance. At the Wasaga control, I met Brian and Oliver (Dan and Marilyn having met some friends from the Queen City Cycling Club, after which they turned back). After stocking up on supplies, the three of us set off again, navigating a tedious section of gravel through the town centre (it's summer in Ontario, when road construction and gravel are de riguer). I was immensely pleased to be able to keep up with these two along the shoreline road from Wasaga Beach to Lafontaine - I don't often get that opportunity, as they're much stronger, faster, and more experienced cyclists than me. (This was a case of hubris, as it inevitably turned out, for which I was to pay dearly later.)

The area around Lafontaine rises away from the shoreline to go into Awenda Provincial Park at the top of the peninsula, and the brevet route then heads south into Penetanguishene and Midland. I stopped for my main meal break of the ride in Penetang, and met Oliver briefly at the control in Midland (239K), where he'd stopped to eat. He told me that Brian was about 10 minutes ahead. Oliver then scampered on ahead, and I resumed my own more leisurely pace.

The route south of Midland (on Old Fort Road, or County Road 58) was the beginning of the serious hills on this route. But I was still feeling strong, and decided to stay on the higher gear (77 gear inches) of my fixed-gear bike. Another 30K or so, though, and things began to change dramatically. The dreaded Bonk had struck.

First I began to feel a little weak, then I realized I was going through fluids much more quickly than before. (The temperature by this time was in the high 20s, as had been predicted, but there was a thin, high cloud cover which kept it from being oppressive.) When the really nasty climbing started, I gave in to common sense, and flipped my wheel to take advantage of my "bail out" gear (68 gear inches). That meant slow climbing, but at least I wasn't walking the hills.

Soon, two more complications had arisen. First, I got off route, then I ran out of water. I knew I was only about 30K away from the Midhurst control (308K), but felt unable physically or psychologically to go on. I went to a nearby farmhouse for water, drank two bottles worth (and took another two for the next stage of the ride), and then lay down at the side of the road to rest. I may have slept - though I think I actually passed out - and opened my eyes 30 minutes later to feel rain on my face. According to my HRM, my heart was still beating, so I decided to get up and stand at the side of the road for another 10 minutes or so. Things now seemed (sort of) back on track, so I got on the bike and rode on to the Midhurst control.

Fuel was the answer, I knew. So at the control I ingested all manner of things I don't normally consume. White corn chips, a strip of beef jerky, and a bottle of blue-coloured sports drink, eaten and drunk while I sat on a park bench outside the convenience store, in darkness and in a light rain, but feeling strangely at peace. I realized I was going to be able to go on and finish the brevet.

A few minutes later, Jaye, Don, Rolf, and Carey rolled in. They'd formed a group back around Awenda (see Jaye's report below), and were in good spirits. While they got their control cards signed, and stocked on needed supplies, we shared stories about the ride so far, and set off together into the darkness.

Now all was well again. In fact, I felt better than good. My strength seemed to have returned, and riding with this fine group of people made the world just about perfect. We made a fine sight, I think - lots of light and reflective gear. There was good conversation when it mattered and determined pedalling when that was what was needed. Don had had the wisdom to bring along a map, which helped us stay (more or less) on route, and Carey had a helmet-mounted light to clarify issues at dark, country-road intersections.

We rolled into the Cookstown control (355K) at 12:07 AM. The only place open was very noisy bar, so we sauntered in and got our cards signed by the barmaid. (Carey offered Jaye a turn at a slow dance, but I think she declined.) Then we were off again through the darkness to find our way back to Maple. At this point, we may not have been the fastest group of cyclists in the world (sometimes it's fun not to be able to see your speedometer), but we sure had spirit. We chatted our way through the small roads of the Holland Marsh together, climbed the hill going south on Jane Street, and then each put everything we had into burning up the road (a relative term, but it felt like that!) getting back to Maple and the Centro Bakery parking lot.

We arrived at Centro at 2:05 AM, for a time of 20 hours, 5 minutes. For Jaye, Don, Carey, and Rolf, this was indeed cause for celebration, as they had completed their first 400K brevet. For me, the time was two hours slower than my time for the same brevet last year, when I had simply chased Larry Strung for all I was worth. But I felt just as happy as the others - I'd enjoyed some spectacular roads and some fine weather, spent my time riding with good friends, and learned a lot about myself and how to cope with the vagaries of riding a long brevet.

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the entrance to Lafontaine campground
photo by Phil Piltch

First In
by Oliver Moore

Just a quick note, with a more complete report to follow tomorrow (Sunday). I can confirm that at least two of us made it back safe and sound, if a bit tired. Brian Armstrong and I finished, respectively at 11:10 and 11:20. As for the others, my thoughts are with them as they struggle through the night. Bon courage, mes amis

A First 400K
by Jaye Haworth

Merci Oliver - there were, admittedly, a few moments of struggle through the night!

I for one, was very surprised that those stories of falling asleep whilst riding, are true! I always thought - that's crazy - how could one fall asleep while actually pedalling a bike? Now I know. The final 40K was a real fight for me to keep my eyes open and to stay awake.

Thanks Rolf, Carey and Don, for being brothers in arms on our first 400. I was so glad to find Alan again at the 300 K control! Not that I lacked trust in my travelling companions, but it was just nice to have Alan back, with his confident, matter-of-fact voice, and reassuring demeanour. And experience.

The Awanda forest was absolutely lovely - even in the rain! Luckily, all day and night, for us, the rain was always light and didn't require stopping to don protection. Even though the temperatures remained warm, it got very chilly from the damp, once the darkness set in. I am glad to now have my new seatpost/rack/bag in order to bring along enough proper clothing options.

Lots of hills. And funnily enough, everytime we made a wrong route decision, it was always realized at the top of a big hill, that we wouldn't have had to climb otherwise! Beginners!!!!

(Ed. - According to Phil Piltch's altimeter, total climbing on this brevet was 2,916 meters or 9,561 feet, which is approximately equivalent to the amount of climbing on the club's Maple - Shakespeare 200K route or the Tour of Southwestern Ontario 600K.)

The views were pretty spectacular - sad though in the Toronto direction, as the yellow/brown haze completely fills the horizon line.

Thanks to the route designer(s). It was challenging, and wonderful.

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A Solo 400K
by Phil Piltch

Well, the best plans of mice and men oftimes go awry, and so it was that my intentions to leave the house no later than 4:15 to ride the 35km to the start turned into a departure of 4:50 and an arrival of 6:15am. Found my attemps at carbo loading the night before had some interesting repercussions, which lead to some of the delay.

Found my control card and route sheet, and then proceeded on the route. Made a well-needed pit stop at the Coffee Time at Hwy 50, and then continued on. Was not sure I would catch the group but did try to keep my pace steady and made the Alliston control around 10:10. Ran into Chris Raynor, who had just seen the group heading north on CR 15. Kept the stop in Alliston short, mostly for water, then headed on to Wasaga Beach. Got the area of the control around 12:40 but no sign of any rando bikes.

Stopped for a quick bite at the Tim Horton's and then continued on the route. Since I was on my own and hadn't done this route, I decided to take quick stops to check the sights and record them on the digital camera. Quite enjoyed the beach roads through the cottages - quite pretty. At this point the route turned east at Lafontaine, hit the first big hill in a while. By this point, the rough sections of road had made for tender sit-bones and relished an opportunity to stand on the hill. Arrived at the Lafontaine control at 4pm and found out the I was 1/2 hour behind the main group.

Stopped for a bit of food and liquid and topped the bottles. At Awenda Park, I tried following the route through Kettles Beach road but kept on getting dead ends. Never did find the continuation, though I did have an interesting off-road trek on an abandoned section of park road I mistakenly thought was the continuation of Kettles Beach, but found I was back on the gravel section of the main park road, and decided to backtrack to the entrance and find another way. I went along Allports Rd and asked someone I saw at one of the cottages how to get to Champlain and was put back on the route at Toange. Stopped for a rest in the waterfront park in Pentataguishine, then headed on the the contol at Midland at about 6:56 and stopped at Dimitri's Feast for dinner - a large plate of spaghetti - too large! Rode to the turn at Moonstone Rd and stopped to put on my night gear around 9pm. Made it to Midhurst around midnight, and stopped for a rest at the 24hr Macs. A few times on the way I had to just stop and remotivate myself - the tempation to lay by the road and sleep was quite strong, and I was very sleepy and tired. The odd dog giving chase helped with a jolt of adrenelin.

Realised as was going west on Snow Valley Rd that "Pumpkin Hill" wasn't going the be the last biggie - the climb out of Snow Valley is a nice one. Got to the Pete's in Cookstown at around 2:47, and found it was closed - oh well so much for another coffee. Saddle discomfort was by now extreme as was my fatigue. Climbed "Pumpkin Hill" with more energy that I had though ( wasn't going to walk that one, please). At Hwy 88, was feeling very sleepy and made a quick stop. Finally reached the Marsh, but was feeling so wobbly with sleep I decide it would safe to stop for a longer break. Listened to frogs as I tried to re-energise myself.

Finally got going and could see the false dawn starting to brighten. A last slog south on Jane and final reached Maple a minute before 6am.

Should now be well and toughened for the 300 this Sunday.

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