Ottawa Animalathon 300K Ride Report: June 30, 2002

Ride Organizer's Report
by David McCaw

Well, most of our rides are uneventful, we ride up hills, into the wind , in the rain, and etc. However, when I set my alarm for 3:30 am Sunday, I did not expect any problems. However some water (from the fog/mist ) the previous week must have eliminated the alarm noise from my watch. I woke up and looked out the window to see some early morning light, I turned on my light and discovered it was 4:39 am.

I quickly filled up my Camelbak, put on my cycling clothes, drank an ultra-shake, and headed out the door at 4:50. I raced 5 kms and got to the parking lot around 5:00 am. I handed out the control cards to Herb and Roy, then waited another 10 minutes for the OBC riders to leave.

The Animalathon is an event that has been held for almost 18 years with the Ottawa Bicycle Club. It is approx. 340 kms ride, however most of the riders that joined us on Sunday are of the sportif type, they averaged 32 km/hr, however had 10 flats among them, although there were 12 riders.

Roy managed to have a flat tire about 13 kms into the ride, although he had a new tire on, the potholes along Richardson Side road were unforgiving. It only took a few minutes, however it might has been less if I had turned the pump to HP (different pumps on my bikes). Roy checked the pressure several times, and then we were off. We caught up to the group at the 45 km point near the Almonte Petro Canada store.

We managed to get to the 109 km checkpoint at Calabogie at 8:57am. The group split up on the hills, with a non-randonneuring group going an alternate scenic route.

Then the problems started to happen. Les Humphreys had a flat at the beginning of the dirt/gravel road, and then Helmut had a flat about 5 kms into the gravel section. We stopped and waited for a while at the Dacre store. However, since the sportif riders wanted to do 30+km into the wind, we went ahead to get an early start on the Opeongo road. There are seven hills to climb for 11.5 kms until you reach the highest point in Southern Ontario (Foymount).

Unfortunately Herb had his first of three flat tires on the Opeongo road around the mid point. He seemed to have everything under control, however he briefed us on the other flats and a tire change in Eganville. After we re-grouped, then it was down the 2.3 kms section of Foymount heading towards Carmac. Both Roy and I hit maximums of 84 kms/hr. If you are more adventurous, then you might hit over 100 km, certainly tandems would have no problems. It was approximately 20 kms from Eganville, we had a tailwind, but with temperatures in the mid-30s and the humidex near 40, it felt like a hair dryer behind us for approx. 45 minutes. We got to the Granary Restaurant and we were all out of water. I must have filled at least six jugs of water for our bottles and Camelbaks. As soon as Paul Dauters arrived with the fast group about 15 minutes later, he asked for my glass of water and chugged it down, while blocking the waitress. The waiters and waitresses continue to bring out more jugs of water to the other 12 riders. I ordered a parmesan cheese/spaghetti with meat dish (probably enough for two people), and ate most it to the amazement of the other riders. I also followed Roy's lead and ordered a strawberry milkshake. After an hour, we left at around 2:00 pm, and cooled off after drinking more fluids. John pointed out the cue sheet might not be correct re checkpoint "Pass the Granary Restaurant on the right." Should it be "the checkpoint is the Granary and we pass it on the left." or where is the checkpoint?

We continued up the hill and another hill towards Cobden. I was always behind John and Roy, but finally caught up to them. I kept looking back to see where the fast riders were, but they were not in sight. We continued for approximately 50 kms and then had to stop. We were all running out of water again. Just as we were about to leave the fast group cycled in to the store area. They stated they had flats number 7 and 8. We left and said that they would catch up. We waited for Roy while we were slowly pedaling. He eventually caught up with us in 5 km, and explained that the coke was not settling well. We slowly made it to Arnprior, however John was having problems with his knees and took his time. We went into Tim Horton's. John and Roy had sandwiches, I had a blueberry fritter. We saw some of the fast riders pass Tim Horton. Ron Swartz, who weighs 130 lbs. wet, was looking fatigued by the heat. I went out and encouraged the others to leave. I stated that we would not see them for the next 60 kms; however, even though we had done approximately 285 km, and it was 5:45 pm, I got a burst of energy and chased the peleton down for 5 kms at an average speed of 36 kms per hour (that blueberry fritter was great!).

Now I tried to stay with the group for the next 55 kms. They really were picking up the speed on the flats going towards Galetta at over 45km/hr. I did not know how much longer I was going to hold on. Fortunately, they turned south after 10 km and then cut the pace to about 32kms/hr average. The pace did slow more when we dropped Sally Dauters from the group, which gave us time to drink. We continued at a fast pace into Carp, although I do not know why I was in front of the peleton, however it was short lived. We recorded out times at the 314 km checkpoint at Carp and continued to Richardson side road. We stopped at the light (March Road). Bram was having some trouble, I believe bonking slightly, and then I had a problem getting my shoe into the pedal and took some abuse from Paul W. and Helmut since I was weaving and they yelled, "Ride a straight line, any straight line,!" I finally did that. They stopped in a few minutes waited for Bram. I went ahead with Sally to Richardson side road and at the 321km point turned east. he group again passed me and I hung on with them until the big hill. I caught some of them near the top. Bram and Herb were at the bottom. Then the group accelerated, I caught them again at Corkstown - 330 km, however they passed me again and I never saw them for another 10 km. I was amazed how fast everyone went up the hill.

I got dropped and tried to catch up to them, however most bolted across the road without caring for any lights. I fell back about 500 meters and then 800 meters. I could see them turning left at the bike path which was the most dangerous part of the ride. I got into the parking lot a few minutes later than the group and was happy was the results. My speed was much lower than their 32 km/hr average, but we both achieved completion. We were lucky that Liona Grey was there with a cooler of refreshment (beer, soft drinks, etc.) and chips. We socialized, waited for Bram and Herb, who arrived 15 minutes later and then John/Roy in another 15 minutes. It was approx. 8:30 pm and time to head home for another 5 km ride. Almost 350 km for the day, not as much as the 620 the previous Sunday, but the heat was more of a factor. My jersey and Camelbak had plenty of salt stains. It was a good ride overall. The others from the OBC will be back in another year, however I am sure that Roy, Herb and others will be back doing it soon.

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