Champagne Scramble, September 12, 2004

Eleven riders pre-registered for today's Champagne Scramble and we had ten of those riders arrive in time to start the ride.

The finishing times were as follows:

Henk Bouhuzen - 3:06 pm.
Peter Leiss -3:07
Peggy Haworth - 3:44
Anne Pokocky - 3:55
Karen Scaife - 3:58
Alan Thwaits - 3:58
Keith McEwen - 4:05
Scott Chisholm - 4:09
Isabelle Sheardown - 4:09

In additon to the aforementioned riders an enthusiastic wannabe Randonneur joined us today, unfortunately Fernando got himself of course just south of Inglewood. Fortunately he was able to get himself back safe and sound, but we had already officially listed as MIA.

The time bonus finishing times were as follows:

Henk - 2:51
Peter - 2:40
Anne - 3:19
Alan - 3:22
Keith - 3:26
Peggy - 3:32
Scott - 3:39
Karen 3:43
Isabelle 3:43

Four prizes were awarded Henk for the first rider back, Peter for best time bonus finish, Peggy lowest time bonus score and the fourth prize was from a draw pool that was open to the remaining riders. Alan was the lucky recipient of the draw prize. Thanks to all who participated in this year's edition of the C S and a special thanks to Graham who volunteered his time to come out and man the finish line.

Ok, I have to admit, when I first joined Randonneurs and read about the Champagne Scramble, I thought...no way, no how...would I ever be able to race 100km with these guys!

However, Scott's proposed plan sounded like just too much fun to pass up, so I signed on.   The ride is set up in a race format, but in an effort to keep the group together as much as possible, there are penalties for finishing too far ahead of the last person.  There are bonus points for finishing first, second etc....but also bonus time chips which are awarded or taken away based on where you finish in the group.  The bonus time chips have an unknown value until you reach the finish, so riders have no idea if what they are holding is better or worse than the person they are riding with.  Confusing?  Yes, but all part of the fun of this ride!

We started in Kleinberg.  10 riders gathered in the parking lot behind the The Doctors House restaurant, which at 9:30 a.m. on a Sunday was pretty much deserted.  Isabelle & Keith, Alan, Karen, Henk, Peter & Peggy, new member Fernando, Scott and myself were all ready to take on the challenge!  It was a picture perfect day, weather wise....sunny and warm with a very light breeze.  Knowing that I was in the market for a new bike, Scott very kindly offered to loan me his Litespeed that day, so that I could see for myself what riding titanium was like.  Changing the pedals and getting the saddle set up took up a little time (thanks Scott for your help), so I found myself reading over the rules kind of quickly....trying to figure out if having extra time chips was a good thing or a bad thing!  We set off promptly at 10 with me still scratching my head, but sure that everything would sort itself out in the end.

We travelled along Rutherford, Gore and Countryside Drive, heading towards Heart Lake Road.  Fernando suffered an early flat and Scott stayed behind to help him out.  I was riding with Isabelle and before too long we saw Scott and then Fernando coming on up behind us.  The traffic on Heart Lake Road was a bit heavy for the first few km...but soon settled down.  Turning west onto Baseline, our climbing started in earnest.  Now, here's a neat part....climbing is totally different on a Litespeed!  That bike loves the hills, I kid you not!  We stopped to regroup at the top before turning towards Belfountain and in the space of 3 or 4 minutes, 2 people in cars pulled over and asked Scott for directions to one town or another.  Did we look like tour guides???

Mississauga Road heading in to Belfountain is an absolute treat.  We passed through lovely forested areas banked high to either side, and still quite lush thanks to all of the rain this summer.  We arrived at the restaurant in Belfountain to find the rest of our group having lunch on the outside patio.  It was wonderful to just sit down and relax and enjoy a meal and pleasant conversation together.  Lots of stories and laughs, good food, ice cream... and a little advice on gearing choices for new bikes!   sigh....so much to learn.

Leaving Belfountain we travelled east on Forks of the Credit...DOWN the switchback (yes you heard me right!)  and on out through the countryside where very rich people build very big houses!  Travelling with Isabelle, whose knowledge of the general area and local real estate made for a very interesting ride!  At the TL onto Mountainview Dr., I looked behind me to check for traffic and saw a car coming up.  Accelerating into the corner, the most amazing thing happened.  That titanium bike just literally jumped ahead, like a jackrabbit!  Holy smokes, I thought I had died and gone straight to heaven.

On Castlederg Road, there is a field where the fenceline is dotted with bluebird houses....lots of them!  It's been a long time since I've seen an Eastern Bluebird, and I was quite hopeful that I would spot one, but no luck.  At the Caledon/King Townline, Isabelle and I met up with Scott, Alan, Karen & Keith who were very kindly waiting for us.  Alan made a comment about my being on a titanium bike...and that I should just go....so I took him at his word....and took off!  A little climb and then 10km of relatively flat roads back to Kleinburg.  I flew!  It was just amazing.  I arrived at CR27 and faced the last hill going into Kleinberg, hot, sweating profusely and completely exhilarated.  What a ride!  At the top of that last (steep!) hill, Peter and Henk were waiting to take pictures and advise us of our finishing times.

Back at The Doctors House, a wedding reception was in full swing and there were cars and people everywhere.  Our riders all came in fairly quickly....we 'did' end up staying together for the most part!  We had fun afterwards trying to figure out what everyone's time chips added up to and who in the end, came out the winners.

Huge thanks go to Scott for organizing this event and also to Graham for volunteering at the finish.

Fernando, I'm sorry you got off route, but equally happy you found your way in the end.   Believe me, it happens to us all.   Hope to see lots and lots of people out for this event next year!