Upcoming road-trip events for 2010
Dec 30, 2009
As we prepare to close out 2009 and embark on our journey through 2010, there are a few dates that we would like to bring to your attention that you may want to build into your training schedule..
May 28,29,30 - this is the Gatineau Hill riding, Ottawa marathon running weekend. Each year, for the past hmm.. 4 years maybe more.. things tend to blend in together after a while... a group has gone to Ottawa on the marathon weekend and ridden their bikes multiple times up and down the hill in Gatineau Provincial Park located in Hull Quebec on the Friday and Saturday and then ran either the half or the full marathon on the Sunday.. each year it seems the group attending has gotten bigger, the beer at the restaurants has gotten a little colder, and the number of times that people ride their bikes up and down has increased prior to the Sunday run.. kinda like that old show "Name that Tune".. I bet you I can ride my bike up and down 3 times on Friday, twice on Saturday and run the FULL marathon on Sunday.. go ahead .. name that tune! Last years hotel was called the Capitol Hill and the rooms were quite large with kitchenettes and separate bedrooms .. lots of room for lots of people and their gear.. and they didn't mind us rolling our bikes through the lobby and it was close to everything.. the race start, Gatineau etc... and the price was quite reasonable. We will attempt to go back there once again.. as the date gets closer look for more communication.. cost for this weekend would be.. hmm... I would plan at $350 with hotel, marathon entry and food.. this could vary depending on race chosen (if you decide to race) hotel selection.. but just as a guideline....
June 5 and 6 - this is the Rideau Lakes Cycle Tour weekend which is put on by the Ottawa Bicycle Club. It will be the 39th year for this event so you can imagine it is a well organized weekend that consists of a bike ride from Ottawa to Kingston on the Saturday (177km) and then from Kingston to Ottawa on the Sunday (again 177km). It is much fun and while you certainly have to be in shape to successfully complete the event (and get the t-shirt and certificate) it is important to note that this is a cycling event and not a race (although some people / groups sure do pick up the pace). The event is completely draft legal, meaning you can plop yourself in the middle of a group and get the benefits that come from doing that which generally speaking means you can ride at a faster pace than you otherwise may be able to for that length of time and it is less taxing on the legs. The group of FMCTers heading to this event has generally been on the smaller side (3 one year, 4 the next year) and we would like to try and get that number up this year. The goal of the event is to ride as a group. You don't have to ride in the group if you feel like you want to see how fast you get ride the course then go to it.. we'll see you in Kingston.. once we get an idea of who wants to attend we can determine pace etc.. and we can get out and do some practicing..last year we did the ride in a comfy pace and came in just under 6 hours without too much trouble.. the stronger riders in the group take the longer turns at the front.. in some cases there are riders who never take a turn at the front and that is ok.. the goal is to get the group there and back as one.. tactic discussions later.. there are about 2000 riders in this event .. in all different size groups. some solo, some only 3 or 4 riders..others in groups of 15 and the groups get larger and smaller as the ride continues.. people latch on as you ride by.. or you latch on as a group passes you.. there are rest points along the way to refuel.. there is also a 100km each way option so if some wanted to do that distance we could pick them up along the way.. you sleep in the dorm at the university in Kingston (Queens) and the dinner and breakfast are great... We would be looking at a mid-day departure on Friday June 4th to drive to Ottawa.. .. once again look for more details as the date gets closer.. however it is important to note that this event sells out every year so be prepared to commit early in 2010.. cost is about $140 and includes breakfast on the 5th, dinner on the 5th, overnight accommodation in Kingston and breakfast on the 6th.. a good deal.. plus the opportunity to have a bike seat in your butt for 6 hours two days in a row.. priceless..
June 19-ish - The Muskoka Chase weekend has been pushed back to July this year due to the G 8 summit in Huntsville. We are in the process of communicating with the powers that be in the Huntsville area to determine accessibility to area resorts in and around the G8 time. We are going to put on another Muskoka training weekend at either Clyffe House in Port Carling or at The Logging Chain in Dwight Beach. We just need to make sure, with all the security, that we would be allowed in the area to ride and run etc.. Pencil June 19 for that. The Muskoka training weekends have also been running for about 3 or 4 years with turnouts of about 25 - 30 people each time. Good times for sure.. it is a train at your own pace and own distance weekend and we try and use the Muskoka 70.3 course as our back drop.. the resorts are both right on the water and have plenty of room.. the highlight of the training weekend for the last couple of years has been the Saturday night movie night where we play a classic flick on the wall of the cabin for all to enjoy.. last year we had the opportunity to see one Jessica Alba in Out of the Blue.. she may have been overlooked by the people making the Oscar selection but I dare say she made quite an impression on the judges present in the room at Dwight Beach
July 20-25-ish - Other tentative opportunities.. can a season really be a season without a training trip to Lake Placid.. it is just a matter of when and for how long.. info to follow but look at a July date for that.. unless I develop one of those coughs that can only be cured by a mid-week trip in June... not that I am planting any seeds..
See you out there!
Jim..
