Maple-Conestogo 300K Ride Report: May 4, 2003
Fixed-Gear Follies
It was a rather chilly morning, and Martin Heath, who was subbing for Fred Weinstein, was sitting in the back of Fred's car eating breakfast, waiting for the rest of those registered to show up, when Paul Regan and I arrived at the start. The rest arrived soon after: Michael Thomson, Scott Chisholm, Jaye Haworth, Don Magie, and a former member of the club, Mike Seager, who had driven up from Rochester (having spent the night in Toronto). Jaye, having ridden up, sought shelter from the cold in Paul's car. Brian Armstrong had also signed up, but arrived well after our 6 am departure. Two others had also signed up, but once had to cancel, the other was a no-show. Two of those doing the brevet were riding fixed; Michael Thomson on his Tamarack, and me on my Dawes, now with a 40x15 gear ratio.
Reports by Phil Piltch and Jaye Haworth.
by Phil Piltch
As we rolled north on Keele, we split into a fast group and a slower one. Jaye, Don, and Scott were in the lead, when the rest of us hung back. Even so I could still see the lead group as we headed north to King City. Just after the turn from Kings Cross on to Jane, Michael suddenly sped up and quickly caught the lead group, and they quickly disappeared over the rolling hills on Jane. I hung back with the rest.
Soon enough we turned west and then descended the long hill on Lloydtown-Aurora Road towards Schomberg. I sped down the hill but was soon caught by Mike Seager who shouted to "you know they make bikes that coast now", obviously noting my frantic pedalling downhill. We were a bit ahead of Martin and Paul, and stopped briefly at Hwy 27 to regroup with the others. Although it was still quite cool, we had clear, sunny skies which accentuated the profile of the rolling countryside north of Schomberg. We noticed piles of junk near each mail box - spring cleaning was clearly in full swing. Various birds were actively chattering around us, mostly redwing blackbirds, but also black-capped chickadees. I picked up the pace a bit as we turned north on 15th Sideroad, feeling the urgent need for a serious pit stop at the first control in Beeton. As I rolled up to the doughnut shop, I saw the fast group getting reading to roll. After a quick greeting, I dashed inside. The others arrived soon after me, and we took a quick break.
Soon enough, we began the mostly gradual climb through the Hockley Valley. Since this was an out-and-back route, I knew we would enjoy the descent on the return. I'd done this route two years before, and knew that we were in for much more climbing. Just after crossing busy Hwy 10, we quickly regrouped. The route took us south through the outskirts of Orangeville, then southwest, first on Caledon-Garafaxa townline, then after an extended jog on Winston Churchill Blvd, southwest on Erin-Garafaxa townline. Mike wondered over such naming of a humble country lane. We discussed the conventions of naming town and roads, and speculated over the process. It was at about this point that the route proved most hilly. The landscape up ahead almost had the appearance of a stormy ocean with huge swells. The strong south-easterly wind only added to the illusion. No coasting for the weary. Mike and I managed to stay together, but Paul and Martin fell back with each climb. We regrouped at a couple of points to keep the group together before reaching Fergus.
Fergus and Elora are always visual treats, with many buildings using stone rather than the usual red brick. As we pedalled along the river road down to Elora, the peace was suddenly broken by the load sputterings of dozens of motorcycles, nearly all of them "Hogs." It was quite a sight. When we arrived at the control in Elora, we found them gathered at the Legion Hall. We decided to use the local Foodtown as the control, and bought food and water there. Martin found some rather tasty home fried potatoes at the store's deli and shared them with the rest of us.
After a quick break, we continued south to the next control in Conestogo. We cycled south on Middlebrook Rd, past Elora Gorge park, where I've had the pleasure of camping twice. Further south on our right was an odd little tower-like castle sporting a flag with a dragon - shades of Harry Potter? In West Montrose, we saw the fast group going the other way, but missing Don. After crossing the covered bridge (the only one left on Ontario), we found the park and the road full of people which we had to carefully dodge. Just before the turn west on CR 17, we were passed by dozens of Jaguars, new and old. This seemed to be a day for curious events. Mike asked me how many had vanity plates, but I really couldn't see. Just outside Conestogo, we saw Don riding the other way - there was our answer. We decided to make this control a lunch stop and took advantage of the picnic bench on the deck outside the general store. Across the street were some interesting looking old buildings with shops Near that was a house that reminded me of the Adams Family. Soon after we sat down, Brian Armstrong rolled in. He said he was making this stop short, since he wanted to finish in daylight. We quickly realised that our pace would mean a night finish.
The wind was only marginally in our favour on the return to Elora. We decided to stop at K's Corner restaurant, where we took another break. Martin and I ordered the soup of the day. As we were leaving the restaurant, Martin handed me a curious looking route sheet he had found in a planter outside the restaurant - a copy of the one our motorcycle gang had used. I folded in and put it in my map case. After our little break we then had the long, hilly slog back to Orangeville. In spite of a couple of regroupings, Martin dropped well back from Mike and I and Paul was even further behind. The hills and wind had take their toll. Oh what fun it is to ride on a fixed-gear bicycle. In Orangeville, Mike and I turned east on Broadway and stopped at the Tim's. Mike kept a watch for Martin and made sure he saw us. Martin and I ordered coffee and food, and the three of us kept watch for Paul. After waiting for a while, unsure where he might be, we continued on.
The shadows were lengthening as we descended the Hockley Valley. Just one week before I had done this same descent on Maple-Erin-Hockley and it was no less enjoyable the second time around. Mike and I kept pace, but Martin was well behind us. Just before CR 10 near Beeton, I saw what looked like another cyclist off in the distance, and once I caught up, found it was Paul. It seems the route was not quite an out-and-back; at C Line, the route turn west on Hwy 9 to CR 16, avoiding Orangeville altogether. It seeems the rest of us had overlooked that small detail. We found the doughnut shop closed, but there was a convenience store nearby it in the same plaza that we used to get our cards signed. As we set down at a picnic bench outside the doughnut shop, Martin arrived. After a short break we set off for the last 50 km.
We were now facing at least 2 hours of night riding, and decided to keep the pace such that we would stay together. The climbs out the Holland Marsh and then north on Jane gave some challenge to that, but for one regrouping at the gas station in Kettleby we did more or less stay together. Finally, at 10:54, we arrived at the now closed Maple Bakery, tired, but happy to finish the ride.
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One Grrrl's Report
by Jaye Haworth
Given the gale force winds, freezing cold temps and driving, gusting rain of today, all I can say is merci beaucoup to the cycling gods for yesterday! Even though I must admit to having harboured a few moments of unjust ingratitude for the headwinds on the return trip. Ooops - dessole.
Riding up to the start was nice, and still very dark at 4:30 a.m. - aaahhh, those 6:00 starts! Birds were singing though, rabbits were busy, and only occassional taxis broke the peace and quiet.
A small group turned up, and I think we headed out on time. Don, Scott and myself enjoyed the tour through Kings Cross and did our best not to feel cold - but that was indeed, frost on the lawns.
Riding into Schomberg, Scotty proved to be a wonderful diversionary chase bunny for the two dogs which came tearing out after him. They were so intent on Scott, they didn't even notice Michael, Don or I coming up behind. Way to go Scott!
By the time we hit the first control at Beeton, we were begining to warm up - clear blue skies and sun - it was turning into a lovely day. Just as we were pulling out of the control, Phil rode in, with the rest visible just down the road a bit.
It was nice to be riding through Hockley Valley again, only this time in reverse. As we started the climb out, Don fell back and we figured he'd hook up with Phil, who wouldn't have been too far behind. We passed the police and a tow truck, pulling a car out of a very steep ditch. Yikes!
The rolling farm land between Beeton and Fergus, is, well, endlessly rolling and very hilly. At times we were riding into the wind, but for the most part, it was in our favour. The stretch of dirt road was very quiet - protected from the wind by the densely packed evergreens, and not a single car to object to our riding in the middle smooth parts. Because I had my eyes glued to the ground (I crashed on similar terrain just the other night), I missed the deer which ran out ahead of us. Doh!
The spring gardens in Fergus and Elora are in full bloom - daffodils, tulips and hyancith. And the houses! These are two of my favourite Ontario towns - so many beautiful old stone century houses. Our only error in navigation was missing the turn onto David St., right after the Elora control. Michael realized we must've missed it as it was only .5 K, so we turned back and retraced our route almost to the front door of the convenience store we'd just left, to find David St., and our correct road.
More rolling farm land. Lots of wind.
I was struggling along the picturesque, twisty riverside road, just past the bridge, and it wasn't until I was coasting effortlessly down it on our return (poor Michael - no rest for you fixie guys) that I realized it was a lot steeper than it looked - almost a false flat.
Another sign of spring, in addition to the numerous motorcycles, was the car rally we passed on our return trip across the covered bridge. Jaguars galore! It was just after crossing the bridge that we saw Phil and company coming along the other way. Don, we had passed a bit earlier, as he was heading towards Conestogo.
I know I felt pretty wiped by the time we hit Beeton, and after restocking, we slowly rolled out for the final 50 K. Michael pulled off at the gas station on highway 9 to phone home, telling me to keep going - he'd catch up. Scott was dropping further back, so I figured I'd better just keep moving, as I was having a lot of pain at this point (arm and neck from Thursday's accident - and a mysterious new painful big toe) and to stop or slow, might just do me in.
Just before making the turn off Jane and into the labyrinth of Kings Cross, the wind miraculously shifted to the north, and I had a resurgence in spirit and energy. Michael and Scott pulled up behind me just before the bridge on Keele, and we finished together, tired, and most relieved to be done. Michael and Kim (and Beckett) then gave me a much appreciated drive home.
Even though it was a lovely route, and I thoroughly enjoyed it, I always find the out and back rides a bit difficult. Mentally, it's a little fatiguing and discouraging for me to ride out so far, knowing I'll just be turning around (eventually) to retrace my way back. When the route is a circular one, there's a sense of adventure and eagerness to keep me motivated and energized. But then, I guess that's just another one of the challenges of randonneuring.
As always, I'm glad I rode this brevet and look forward to the next.