Rona MS Bike Tour Diary
2010 Grand Bend to London Bike Tour
150Km over 2 days – July 24 and 25, 2010
75Km Canada Day training ride
When I started out on this adventure I was looking for a physical challenge and a summer goal. Until I participated in the ride and met the other cyclists I had no idea what I was getting myself into...
Driving in for early check-in last Friday evening there was an air of excitement with many riders and their families setting up tents and lighting barbecues. We had decided to forgo camping for a quiet night at the Little Inn in Bayfield.
I checked in and received my standard participant’s T-shirt plus my bonus MS Club 1000 Jersey and MS Club 2000 cycling shorts presented to riders who collected $1,000 and $2,000 respectively. Neither the jersey nor the shorts fit a big guy like me but they are really good looking and I will treasure them.
Sally registered as a volunteer and received her T-shirt and identification.
I have been training hard for the past couple of months and feel confident that I can ride these two days comfortably and still feel good at the end. Besides there are so many people who believe in me and have donated so generously that I would hate to let them down.
Driving in for early check-in last Friday evening there was an air of excitement with many riders and their families setting up tents and lighting barbecues. We had decided to forgo camping for a quiet night at the Little Inn in Bayfield.
I checked in and received my standard participant’s T-shirt plus my bonus MS Club 1000 Jersey and MS Club 2000 cycling shorts presented to riders who collected $1,000 and $2,000 respectively. Neither the jersey nor the shorts fit a big guy like me but they are really good looking and I will treasure them.
Sally registered as a volunteer and received her T-shirt and identification.
I have been training hard for the past couple of months and feel confident that I can ride these two days comfortably and still feel good at the end. Besides there are so many people who believe in me and have donated so generously that I would hate to let them down.
Day 1 - The Rain Day
It is overcast and humid.
I have packed my Camelback backpack and filled it with 2 litres of drinking water. I also have 2 water bottles - one with water and the other with my Infinit Nutrition custom electrolyte supplement. My handle bar pack has sunscreen, ID and phone all in a waterproof bag just in case. I decide against putting on the sunscreen though the optimist in me thinks it may help keep the rain at bay but the reality is that the clouds look ominous.
We arrive at 7:20 for breakfast for a scheduled 8am start for the first heat. From about 1Km away we see police car lights flashing and a sea of rear brake lights twinkling in the morning sun as cars of riders are pouring into the Port Blake Conservation Area for overnight parking and surrounding designated “day parking” areas.
As we pull up riders have already begun to line up with their bikes on the large driveway leading to the official start line. Ten abreast and about 75 yards long when we arrive with a steady stream of riders walking and slowly riding to the back of the line. After a bit of fruit and peanut butter on a bagel I mount up and head to the start line.
There is music rocking and we are given instructions by Lori Anne who is working the crowd into a frenzy – single file/ announce “on the left” as you pass/ no iPods… It is very moving to approach the throng of riders and I feel a surge inside of excitement as tears well up in my eyes and I have a lump in my throat.
A couple of hundred riders at a time are sent off every few minutes. The throng moves up together with every heat sent off. There are many teams with their own brightly coloured jerseys and many smaller groups and couples. Everyone is excited and chatting. Most have been here before, some many times. I may be a rookie but feel very much a part of the magic.
I have packed my Camelback backpack and filled it with 2 litres of drinking water. I also have 2 water bottles - one with water and the other with my Infinit Nutrition custom electrolyte supplement. My handle bar pack has sunscreen, ID and phone all in a waterproof bag just in case. I decide against putting on the sunscreen though the optimist in me thinks it may help keep the rain at bay but the reality is that the clouds look ominous.
We arrive at 7:20 for breakfast for a scheduled 8am start for the first heat. From about 1Km away we see police car lights flashing and a sea of rear brake lights twinkling in the morning sun as cars of riders are pouring into the Port Blake Conservation Area for overnight parking and surrounding designated “day parking” areas.
As we pull up riders have already begun to line up with their bikes on the large driveway leading to the official start line. Ten abreast and about 75 yards long when we arrive with a steady stream of riders walking and slowly riding to the back of the line. After a bit of fruit and peanut butter on a bagel I mount up and head to the start line.
There is music rocking and we are given instructions by Lori Anne who is working the crowd into a frenzy – single file/ announce “on the left” as you pass/ no iPods… It is very moving to approach the throng of riders and I feel a surge inside of excitement as tears well up in my eyes and I have a lump in my throat.
A couple of hundred riders at a time are sent off every few minutes. The throng moves up together with every heat sent off. There are many teams with their own brightly coloured jerseys and many smaller groups and couples. Everyone is excited and chatting. Most have been here before, some many times. I may be a rookie but feel very much a part of the magic.
The start
I leave in the middle of the pack at 8:20. I am pumped and excited and riding is easy and comfortable. The pack organizes itself after a few hundred meters and we are two or three abreast while heading down a beautifully flat country road with fields of corn, soybeans and wheat as far as I can see. I notice that my speed is quite a bit faster than my normal rate which I assume is just the adrenalin pumping with the moment but I can hear my trainer’s voice telling me to enjoy the moment but monitor my speed and don’t tire myself out and peak too early.
The first checkpoint comes after about 13Km and seems too fast but my plan is to stop at each checkpoint to stretch a bit make sure that I drink enough water (visiting the Porto-potty at every stop!) and fuel to make it through the weekend. Fresh fruit, water and Gatorade are available at every stop with salty crackers or chips and peanut butter at most as well.
The ride is wonderful! The roads are well maintained with lightly rolling topography. There are none of the big hills that I trained on at home. Everything seems to be happening so fast with an average of 15Km between checkpoints I never get bored. Many cyclists are passing me on their slick road bikes but I am still maintaining my speed. There are many others on dirt bikes, recumbent bikes and hybrids and a wide array of other bikes including a few bicycles built for two. There is even a fellow on an old-fashioned bike with a huge front wheel and tiny rear wheel peddling up a storm - it looks like it doesn’t have any gears though it does have “clipless” pedals which attach his feet to the pedals. Many teams have their own jerseys and colourful additions to their outfits. There is even a team called Butt Ugly with pink plastic bums that are worn on the backs of their jerseys just above their seats! Throughout the day I notice the “bums” both at the checkpoints and just riding along. It helps carry one along when other people have a sense of humour too.
It has been raining for about 40 minutes when I pull into checkpoint 4 for lunch. Sally meets me with the great news that our niece Eden had given birth to a baby boy named Owen the night before! What a glorious day!
At lunch I see Barb Elias who is cycling. Barb is a friend who was a big help in my Arts Festival days. It was great to see a familiar and unexpected face.
The rain picks up again for another 30 minutes after lunch then clears a bit before coming down very hard as we ride into London and the finish line! As I follow the fences to the finish the rain is coming down hard but there at the finish line is a soaking wet man in a wheelchair with a huge smile on his face high-fiving every rider as they come in. I later find out that this man is “Big Mike” the unofficial mascot of the ride and someone who is living with MS and has been a feature at the ride for years enthusiastically greeting and thanking riders at the finish line.
The rain is increasing in intensity so riders disperse quickly to their dorms and the beer garden and marketplace. Sally and I have opted for an outside hotel for more time together and some quiet privacy. Not staying in the UWO dorms means that we missed out on a few of the group activities but we are returning for the ceremonies later.
The first checkpoint comes after about 13Km and seems too fast but my plan is to stop at each checkpoint to stretch a bit make sure that I drink enough water (visiting the Porto-potty at every stop!) and fuel to make it through the weekend. Fresh fruit, water and Gatorade are available at every stop with salty crackers or chips and peanut butter at most as well.
The ride is wonderful! The roads are well maintained with lightly rolling topography. There are none of the big hills that I trained on at home. Everything seems to be happening so fast with an average of 15Km between checkpoints I never get bored. Many cyclists are passing me on their slick road bikes but I am still maintaining my speed. There are many others on dirt bikes, recumbent bikes and hybrids and a wide array of other bikes including a few bicycles built for two. There is even a fellow on an old-fashioned bike with a huge front wheel and tiny rear wheel peddling up a storm - it looks like it doesn’t have any gears though it does have “clipless” pedals which attach his feet to the pedals. Many teams have their own jerseys and colourful additions to their outfits. There is even a team called Butt Ugly with pink plastic bums that are worn on the backs of their jerseys just above their seats! Throughout the day I notice the “bums” both at the checkpoints and just riding along. It helps carry one along when other people have a sense of humour too.
It has been raining for about 40 minutes when I pull into checkpoint 4 for lunch. Sally meets me with the great news that our niece Eden had given birth to a baby boy named Owen the night before! What a glorious day!
At lunch I see Barb Elias who is cycling. Barb is a friend who was a big help in my Arts Festival days. It was great to see a familiar and unexpected face.
The rain picks up again for another 30 minutes after lunch then clears a bit before coming down very hard as we ride into London and the finish line! As I follow the fences to the finish the rain is coming down hard but there at the finish line is a soaking wet man in a wheelchair with a huge smile on his face high-fiving every rider as they come in. I later find out that this man is “Big Mike” the unofficial mascot of the ride and someone who is living with MS and has been a feature at the ride for years enthusiastically greeting and thanking riders at the finish line.
The rain is increasing in intensity so riders disperse quickly to their dorms and the beer garden and marketplace. Sally and I have opted for an outside hotel for more time together and some quiet privacy. Not staying in the UWO dorms means that we missed out on a few of the group activities but we are returning for the ceremonies later.
Day 1 Stats -
Total Kilometers 90.24 - the official total is 84Km but this is the distance according to my odometer
Ride Time 4:24:05
Avg. Speed 20.50 Km/hr
Evening Ceremonies on Saturday Night
After a shower and some stretching back at the hotel we visit the VIP Lounge for team captains and $1,000 plus Club members for my glass of complimentary wine. Everyone is wearing badges with their names, and an array of colourful ribbons announcing what they are doing there (cyclist, staff, volunteer) and how much they have raised. There I find Martin Lewis, the head of phys. ed. from Selwyn House School in Montreal when I was there 40 years ago. His wife Martha who had noticed my name on the list of riders had contacted me through the MS Society. Martin is 75 and is riding for the 14th time! We have a great chat and I meet his son Owen. We vow to get together soon for a visit.
A magician/hypnotist is entertaining the crowd as we arrive a few minutes before the ceremonies are to begin. The rink of the hockey arena is packed with riders and volunteers.
Lori Anne is back as our host for the evening. There is a feeling of family in the room. Most of the riders have participated a few times and some even 15 or more times. Most of the evening is a pep rally to celebrate the all of the work of the more than 1,725 riders who raised over $1,124,000.
Everyone is celebrated and introduced. Riders living with MS are warmly greeted. Lori Anne introduces every type of rider - the youngest rider is 8 years old while the oldest is 82. First time riders “Rookies” are celebrated and thanks to the very generous help of my sponsors I am singled out as the “Rookie of the Year” who was able to raise the most money - $10,175 and rising. I receive a prize of a bike rack from Thule, one of the sponsors. The top dozen or so fundraisers are brought up on the stage and I have the honour of standing there with a group of people who have raised something in the neighbourhood of $100,000 this year alone. Some have raised that amount and more by themselves over the years.
To be completely honest with you when I embarked on this summer project I was looking for a challenging ride to help me get into shape. Once I started putting out the word and looking for sponsors for an MS ride I was amazed how many emails I received from friends who either had MS or had friends or family with MS. The more research I did the more I learned about the condition.
After my trip up to the stage a number of people in the arena wearing “I have MS” shirts or nametags made a point of coming over to thank me for helping and wish me a safe ride the next day.
Dozens of groups participate in this ride. Some have 2 or 3 members and handmade jerseys, many are corporate teams and have fancy custom designs and the Butt Ugly group, which has raised almost $40,000 this year numbers over 100 members in their team.
A staff of 7 and a small volunteer board coordinate this amazing operation. Along with 300 volunteers they coordinate the whole event, arranging food and lodging for the more than 1700 people , set up the start and finish lines and the dozen checkpoints with registration, food, toilets, first aid, bike repair tents and much more. These are dedicated people who make this entire experience special for the participants who become one big family for a weekend each year.
A magician/hypnotist is entertaining the crowd as we arrive a few minutes before the ceremonies are to begin. The rink of the hockey arena is packed with riders and volunteers.
Lori Anne is back as our host for the evening. There is a feeling of family in the room. Most of the riders have participated a few times and some even 15 or more times. Most of the evening is a pep rally to celebrate the all of the work of the more than 1,725 riders who raised over $1,124,000.
Everyone is celebrated and introduced. Riders living with MS are warmly greeted. Lori Anne introduces every type of rider - the youngest rider is 8 years old while the oldest is 82. First time riders “Rookies” are celebrated and thanks to the very generous help of my sponsors I am singled out as the “Rookie of the Year” who was able to raise the most money - $10,175 and rising. I receive a prize of a bike rack from Thule, one of the sponsors. The top dozen or so fundraisers are brought up on the stage and I have the honour of standing there with a group of people who have raised something in the neighbourhood of $100,000 this year alone. Some have raised that amount and more by themselves over the years.
To be completely honest with you when I embarked on this summer project I was looking for a challenging ride to help me get into shape. Once I started putting out the word and looking for sponsors for an MS ride I was amazed how many emails I received from friends who either had MS or had friends or family with MS. The more research I did the more I learned about the condition.
- Canadians have one of the highest rates of multiple sclerosis in the world. Saskatchewan is the province with the highest number.
- MS is the most common neurological disease affecting young adults in Canada.
- Every day, three more people in Canada are diagnosed with MS.
- Women are more than three times as likely to develop MS than men.
- MS can cause loss of balance, impaired speech, extreme fatigue, double vision and paralysis.
After my trip up to the stage a number of people in the arena wearing “I have MS” shirts or nametags made a point of coming over to thank me for helping and wish me a safe ride the next day.
Dozens of groups participate in this ride. Some have 2 or 3 members and handmade jerseys, many are corporate teams and have fancy custom designs and the Butt Ugly group, which has raised almost $40,000 this year numbers over 100 members in their team.
A staff of 7 and a small volunteer board coordinate this amazing operation. Along with 300 volunteers they coordinate the whole event, arranging food and lodging for the more than 1700 people , set up the start and finish lines and the dozen checkpoints with registration, food, toilets, first aid, bike repair tents and much more. These are dedicated people who make this entire experience special for the participants who become one big family for a weekend each year.
Day 2 - Headwinds
At The Finish Line
It is still basically overcast but not quite as humid as the day before and it is supposed to clear.
The day got off to a bit of a rocky start. I’ve lost my little trip computer – the device that is attached to my handlebars which displays my speed and mileage. This may not sound like much to many but these little devices are essential to many like me for keeping an eye on my pace, which is important on a long ride. I was waiting in the line ready to go while Sally made a quick trip back to the hotel to find my computer. About three or four groups had left and I was now in the front row of the next group when Sally showed up computer in hand.
Sally said that it was quite a picture to see a couple of hundred cyclists at a time hit the streets of London in one large mass. As we turn the first corner, a man next to me with whom I had been chatting in line, said that the next two miles would separate the wheat from the chaff. It was all up hill from here for 3.25Km! It is interesting how this same route, in the pouring rain the day before, did not seem like such a big downhill after cycling 90Km but it was a challenge that morning for many. A few resorted to walking up the worst of the hills but fortunately for me the hills in the Town of Erin and Caledon on which I had been training for the past couple of months made these hills a breeze.
City traffic is heavy and we quickly align into a single file for the trip out of town. Very soon we are at the first checkpoint surrounded by fields and we can relax. The morning is going well and my pace is good.
Throughout the day at checkpoints or as people pass me or I pass them I am recognized as the “Rookie of the Year” from the night before. One woman who has been following me for about 15 minutes while several groups of riders passed me and called me “rookie”. She finally speeds up and comes up beside me to tell me that it had taken her some time to figure out what the others were talking about but that she was riding with MS and was very grateful that people like me were riding to help fund research into her disease. She is truly thankful and appreciative and her sincerity is obvious and moving.
Around checkpoint #3 about 30km into the ride the sky is beginning to clear and the sun peeks out but a significant headwind out of the northwest begins to blow. Unfortunately our trip for the day is north and west along the perfect grid of Huron County roads. We just can’t ever escape the winds, which are relentless and unforgiving.
This is when the work begins and I wish that we are allowed to carry iPods to get a rhythm going to help me through this. Some of the riders have helmet or handlebar speakers for their iPods and I have decided that one of those will be on my Christmas list for next year.
By the time I make it to lunch I am tiring under the constant wind as are many others who have all slowed considerably. There were still the skinny riders on skinny bikes with skinny tires who have little wind resistance and still passed me with regularity but even some of them are looking tired.
Sally had been peeling carrots and cutting cucumbers and watermelon for hungry riders at the lunch stop but stopped to have lunch with me. Many riders seem to take longer for the Sunday lunch stop resting in the shade. I do some stretches and load up my water before taking off. As soon as I turn out of the parking lot and head north the wind hits hard.
The next 20Km take about 90 minutes and are the biggest challenge that I have had in all of my training. To make matters worse, Sunday afternoon traffic into Grand Bend is heavy along a few kilometres of the route and many of the group are inching forward at 14 – 16Km/hr which frustrates the faster riders who aren’t able to pass as easily.
About 2km from the finish we are on a quiet and straight road heading due west towards the Conservation area and I can see the buildings ahead drawing me there. I am trying to remember my good riding songs and sing them to myself to keep my legs moving.
A burst of adrenalin makes riding to the finish line easy. This adventure was a great thrill and to see Sally’s smile as she runs up to me with her homemade “GO JEFFERSON GO” sign is the perfect ending to a lovely ride while raising money to help some wonderful people.
The day got off to a bit of a rocky start. I’ve lost my little trip computer – the device that is attached to my handlebars which displays my speed and mileage. This may not sound like much to many but these little devices are essential to many like me for keeping an eye on my pace, which is important on a long ride. I was waiting in the line ready to go while Sally made a quick trip back to the hotel to find my computer. About three or four groups had left and I was now in the front row of the next group when Sally showed up computer in hand.
Sally said that it was quite a picture to see a couple of hundred cyclists at a time hit the streets of London in one large mass. As we turn the first corner, a man next to me with whom I had been chatting in line, said that the next two miles would separate the wheat from the chaff. It was all up hill from here for 3.25Km! It is interesting how this same route, in the pouring rain the day before, did not seem like such a big downhill after cycling 90Km but it was a challenge that morning for many. A few resorted to walking up the worst of the hills but fortunately for me the hills in the Town of Erin and Caledon on which I had been training for the past couple of months made these hills a breeze.
City traffic is heavy and we quickly align into a single file for the trip out of town. Very soon we are at the first checkpoint surrounded by fields and we can relax. The morning is going well and my pace is good.
Throughout the day at checkpoints or as people pass me or I pass them I am recognized as the “Rookie of the Year” from the night before. One woman who has been following me for about 15 minutes while several groups of riders passed me and called me “rookie”. She finally speeds up and comes up beside me to tell me that it had taken her some time to figure out what the others were talking about but that she was riding with MS and was very grateful that people like me were riding to help fund research into her disease. She is truly thankful and appreciative and her sincerity is obvious and moving.
Around checkpoint #3 about 30km into the ride the sky is beginning to clear and the sun peeks out but a significant headwind out of the northwest begins to blow. Unfortunately our trip for the day is north and west along the perfect grid of Huron County roads. We just can’t ever escape the winds, which are relentless and unforgiving.
This is when the work begins and I wish that we are allowed to carry iPods to get a rhythm going to help me through this. Some of the riders have helmet or handlebar speakers for their iPods and I have decided that one of those will be on my Christmas list for next year.
By the time I make it to lunch I am tiring under the constant wind as are many others who have all slowed considerably. There were still the skinny riders on skinny bikes with skinny tires who have little wind resistance and still passed me with regularity but even some of them are looking tired.
Sally had been peeling carrots and cutting cucumbers and watermelon for hungry riders at the lunch stop but stopped to have lunch with me. Many riders seem to take longer for the Sunday lunch stop resting in the shade. I do some stretches and load up my water before taking off. As soon as I turn out of the parking lot and head north the wind hits hard.
The next 20Km take about 90 minutes and are the biggest challenge that I have had in all of my training. To make matters worse, Sunday afternoon traffic into Grand Bend is heavy along a few kilometres of the route and many of the group are inching forward at 14 – 16Km/hr which frustrates the faster riders who aren’t able to pass as easily.
About 2km from the finish we are on a quiet and straight road heading due west towards the Conservation area and I can see the buildings ahead drawing me there. I am trying to remember my good riding songs and sing them to myself to keep my legs moving.
A burst of adrenalin makes riding to the finish line easy. This adventure was a great thrill and to see Sally’s smile as she runs up to me with her homemade “GO JEFFERSON GO” sign is the perfect ending to a lovely ride while raising money to help some wonderful people.
Day 2 Stats -
Total Kilometers 78.81 - the official total is 77Km but this is the distance according to my odometer
Ride Time 4:21:23
Avg. Speed 18.09 Km/hr
Cycling in Burgundy in 2006 with Laura
Thank you to all of my friends and family who supported my fundraising efforts and helped me find a whole bunch of new friends who each worked so hard giving up their weekend and helping others. They were the inspiration that kept me going for those last 20 Km.
A big thank you to Laura who put together a training regime that made me work hard for a couple of months so that I would have a great couple of days and finish my ride feeling so good. And thanks also to Laura for our 2 hours in the pouring rain cycling the hills of Erin followed by a mad dash up the horsefly infested rail trail.
A big thank you to Laura who put together a training regime that made me work hard for a couple of months so that I would have a great couple of days and finish my ride feeling so good. And thanks also to Laura for our 2 hours in the pouring rain cycling the hills of Erin followed by a mad dash up the horsefly infested rail trail.
Biking the Collingwood Trail
A special thank you to Sally the love of my life for the last 32 years. Thanks for taking care of me so well through the weekend and for allowing it to be all about me. And thank you for so much more.
