Monday, June 8, 2009

Rideau Lakes, kinda.



My dad committed to doing the OBC's Rideau Lakes Tour for the first time back in the winter. Getting back into riding after years off the bike, he was to take on two consecutive days of riding that far exceeded any distances he'd ridden before. I decided to set the Sunday aside for an out and back interception ride; we'd ride his last 100k or so together.

A good group of friends signed on to take on the ride. Leaving town around 8, we were seven. While most, if not all of us tend to prefer hilly terrain - and thus do little riding on the Ontario side close to home - I think the flat day was good for all of us. Likely the best thing about it was that we were able to work on rotating through our double paceline. On rough and really hilly terrain its tough to work on this. Disparities in ability and fitness really manifest on challenging terrain. I think we all learned a thing or two during the hour or so we worked on a quick rotation. We know more experienced riders can do it efficiently; we just have to get the hang of staying tight. This spiced up the ride. 

We hit Perth averaging 32, which was pretty good, had lunch, then Jamie, Ariel and I bid farewell to the others heading back to Ottawa while we continued on toward Kingston. The idea was to hit 100k on my computer before turning around. As luck would have it, my dad pulled up as we were stopped at 85k. Homeward bound. 

Even though there were only three of us blocking wind, my dad found it quite strinking how much easier it was to ride behind us. He'd ridden every other kilometer alone. And there was wind. Jamie and Ariel doubled up and I blocked on the traffic side while my dad tried to stay close behind the the inside guy. We rolled pretty consistently at 30, 10k/hr faster than my dad's solo pace. Good news for a man with a sore rump!

Near the city limits Jamie and Ariel headed off to chase a group, and I soon followed. I caught up and we team time trialled all the way back into town. The Hunt Club stretch is strangely fast. I recall other years motoring there, and this time was no different, maintaining 48k/hr for a while. Fun. 

Passing one of the entry points to the Rideau Trail got me thinking of riding to Kingston on the trail during a Rideau Lakes weekend. We could have our bags transported and spend the day offroad. I'm going to look into it. Might be a good time. 




Jamie's computer shows he got over 200k. I've come close many times, but have yet to get there. I think I've been shy by a few ks a few times. Just a silly thing, but I had hoped to get the digits on Sunday. Ah well, I think I'll have to wait until our next Dam/n ride! 

11 comments:

The Vegan Vagabond said...

I've always wanted to do the Rideau Trail to Kingston. Piggybacking it with the Rideau Lakes tour weekend & getting them to haul your stuff is genius!

Congrats to your Dad!

the original big ring said...

Great idea on doing the Rideau Lakes Trail dealie - I'd be into that for next year.

That's a cool memory that you'll always have riding with your Dad.

Klunker said...

Thats a great story! Congrats to your Dad.

I did the Classic 177km each way for the first time this year on my new Steelwool Tweed, whata blast! Lots of great people make it a great event.

Bike did great, and I don't feel too bad either! My fenders were a big hit when the rain hit for the final 25k!

Cheers!
Stephen B

Anonymous said...

there is a trail by the mer bleu that is suppose to go all the way out to montreal. Old rail line.

http://www.rideautrail.org/

I'm not sure how doable that rideau trail is. I looked into it some years back. Suppose to be boggy and some on private land. Supposedly some of the land owners don't like bikes from what I read.

here is something though:
http://www.rideau-info.com/cattrail/index.html

http://www.ontariotrails.on.ca/trails-a-z/

here is a biggy:
http://www.igs.net/~rrodgers/Ottaw-Mtl-Ott/Ott_Mtl_Ott.html
could have a multi-stage race on that sucker!

Matt Surch said...

VV and BR, we'll see about putting together a special edition Rideau Lakes ride next year. I might be fun to do 200-220k total out and back this year on a Sunday. In theory, some of such a ride could be at a pretty good clip - around 35 - so the hours would not necessarily drag on and on. Thanks to Anon for the links. I'll spend some time going throigh them and get more familiar with the area.

Steve, I saw you in Perth as we rolled out. Good to see you had opportunity to give the bike a good outing, and try out your bag set-up. I assume all you needed to replenish was liquids. I had a moment where I thought perhaps I should have taken my fendered bike, but we never really encountered spray conditions. Way to knock off a couple solid days in the saddle!

Anonymous said...

Matt

I thought I recognized you guys rolling by as my wife and I were heading into Perth. We did the Century this year. It was the first time Sue had ridden more than 65 km at once, and she did it both ways averaging 25 km/h, on her Steelwool Tweed we bought for her last year. Good times.

I've ridden big chunks of the Catarqui Trail (Smiths Falls to Napanee). It actually intersects the RLCT route just north of Perth Road Village. It's a nice ride.

Stephen B, was that you I talked to in Westport when we compared my wife's Tweed to yours? If yes, how many gears on that internal hub of yours?

Cheers

Steve H

Anonymous said...

Shortly after seeing you in Perth Pete and I hooked up with an Aussie for about 20km. After spending a day and half with just 1 other rider to work with, that extra rider in line made quite a noticeable improvement to the draft.

I've ridden the Rideau Trail from Marlborough Forest to Smith Falls. It's about 50% pavement and gravel so a CX would do well.

Speaking of rides, I want to do the Vermont 6 Gap route in a few weeks (July long weekend latest) and while I'm prepared to go solo, company is always appreciated. Email me Matt if you or some of your battle-hardened crew are interested: fmckellar at amtech dot ca.

Fritz

Anonymous said...

"we'll see about putting together a special edition Rideau Lakes ride next year."

that would be sweeeeeeet!!!

Would be really sweet to have a cyclocross sort of ride. Some dirt, some road, and what ever else comes along the way...

everyone looks after there own expenses and stuff though... so yah don't get that ticket sell out thing happening.
Just need some sort of bag transfer thing.
Would be kind of cool if Via rail offered up some sort of service.
Load up bags in the morning.
Then they unload.
We pick up at the train station some place...

Anonymous said...

Hey Steve H

Yah that was me you were talking to about the twin Tweeds!

8 Speed Shimano Alfine setup, I had a low enough gear for the Westport hill so I was happy. Those animals from TallTree took me up worse hills on the Ride of the Damned though. I made it up those too but very slow! Thanks for waiting Will (I think he just needed a rest though).....

Thanks Matt, I have to stop putting so much crap in my bags, I think the bike weighs in at 50 pounds with all the junk I think I must carry.....

Next ride will be no bags!

Stephen B

Klunker said...

Reposting under my identity, just figuring out how this stuff works, all too complicated for me.....

Hey Steve H

Yah that was me you were talking to about the twin Tweeds!

8 Speed Shimano Alfine setup, I had a low enough gear for the Westport hill so I was happy. Those animals from TallTree took me up worse hills on the Ride of the Damned though. I made it up those too but very slow! Thanks for waiting Will (I think he just needed a rest though).....

Thanks Matt, I have to stop putting so much crap in my bags, I think the bike weighs in at 50 pounds with all the junk I think I must carry.....

Next ride will be no bags!

Stephen B

Matt Surch said...

Fritz,
Thanks for the invite to do 6 Gaps. For those unfamiliar, you can read about this ride here: http://hilljunkie.blogspot.com/2009/05/quest-for-kilojoule-dominance-aka-6.html

I caught wind of the 6 Gaps ride from the Hill Junkie's blog. I am very keen to do it. I'd like to this year, but am uncertain about whether I can pull it off. There is an organized ride on July 18th. D2R2 is on the top of my priority list for US events at the moment, but perhaps 6 Gaps can get squeezed in. Its a tough ride, without a doubt.