The Ontario Ride to Conquer Cancer

SilverFox · Senior Member

5 things I will and won't miss about the 2010 Ride

BAM · Veteran Member

Great List Silverfox

Couldn't agree with you more! the finish line this year was AMAZING!!! They really went way above the past finishes and made it an event, in the past we haven't really hung around to enjoy it since it was so packed and tight but this year we stayed for over an hour just talking and remembering the great time we just had.

To add to your won't miss list:
1) The start needs some work, I found it very tightly packed with the start line, tents and bike parking all in the same place it was very cramped.

Forgot to add getting a flat time on Day two but thanks to the 20-25 people that asked if I needed any help, got it fixed and back on the road quickly. All good except the dirt and grease on my hands and legs! LOL

-- Edited by BAM on Monday 14th of June 2010 05:13:30 PM

Phillh · Veteran Member

I agree, great lists!

Brewed coffee would have been nice that's for sure. I thought lunch on day one was better than just a sausage for dinner. Having done it 3 years in a row now I feel the quality of the food is dropping every year.

@BAM, I would have to say the exact opposite. I thought the start was fine (granted I was near the front). However for the final I thought it was a disaster. When I arrived, the first part was great, the street was lined with families cheering everyone on and last year that wasn't possible. But once you crossed the finish it came to a tiny funnel, with exhausted and puzzled riders (I had no clue what way anything was as I didn't see any announcements that said the finishing was different this year) and all these riders are trying to go one way, while families are coming in the other way all through a narrow road that had two massive trucks parked in it. In previous years the total area may have been smaller, but once you got past the finish everything opened up into one area and bike parking, bags and food was all there. This year there were bags at one end, then squeeze through to park your bike in another area, then squeeze through to the rest/food area. I thought it was mayhem and poorly planned. Maybe if you got in early before the crowds, but after 160km, I just want to get my running shoes on then some food, instead it took about 45 min to park my bike and get to my bag. Normally I like to stay but this year I just wanted to get out of there.

Of course I ended up staying anyways because it is a great event after all but seems logistically instead of making minor changes to improve on things they're making big changes and introducing new issues. I know it can't be easy either, if you want to finish near the Falls there's only so much room. Might be time for them to consider keeping the max number the same or lowering it instead of increasing it or a new finish area may be required.

See you all in 2011?

Happy Riding till then!

Cheers,

Phill

OFlaherty · Senior Member

Since I was so late i missed every meal...I won't miss starving to DEATH all weekend. I lived on cookies, granola bars, bananas and Gatorade.

I WILL ride alone or with anyone who allows me to pace at my pace so I don't blow out my thighs.

A mountain bike and knobby tires are not the best choice...will look for donated racer or cheap one. Those rolling hills for miles up around Guelph? Who designed that course? The Maquis de Sade?

Being dead last makes you a bizarre celebrity. Everyone knew me. LOL. I was on road at 7:11 Sunday, off at 6 pm. Breaks? 40 minutes. I thought everyone would be there. I was there, food and drinks, gone, I sat on my duffel bag eating the cold hamburgers left for me and felt kind of like a loser. I had no idea everyone just up and left.

And whoever stole my riding glasses out of my camelbak 3 minutes before we left? Thanks. I'm on a pension. Just, thanks.

Good things?
*Support crew were encouraging no matter how late or grumpy I was.
*Despite the humiliation of the last rider car and a paramedics truck with flashing lights behind me 75% of the ride, at least I wasn't totally alone.
*The tent was huge and I slept great despite all the snoring around me.
*great views.
*Taylor Strawbridge, for taking the time out to make me feel like I could do it before ride and at camp in Hamilton.
*Willie Wong, because even when he killed my freaking thighs, when we ran into eachother a couple times later he was happy and smiling on that orange two wheel recumbent and he took photos.
*the girls in the last rider car. I can't recall names, but you made me smile more than annoyed me. "Are you SURE you don't want to stop??" I think you were shocked I was riding on day two.
*Pit crew. You rocked.
and every single person passing me, and everyone did, who said "Way to go Chase!" and "Dig deeper!"

Fave line oft heard "I cannot believe you're doing this on that bike."
Me: "Buy me a road bike a level about entry and I'll leave this one for trails."

Good to meet some of you and see all of you out there.

Phillh · Veteran Member

Way to go Chase! I said Hi to you briefly at the start on Day 1 and then early on day two shortly after the start, just before that little hill that you were hoping we wouldn't have to go up.

As you said, there's celebrity in being the last rider. Even in the Tour de France the last rider is well known, the "Lanterne Rouge". Think of it the other way, there are 30 million people in Canada and a great many of them couldn't do the ride and probably more that wouldn't put the time and effort into raising the money and making a difference.

Hats off to you Chase, I knew your story through these boards, so when I rode by and said Hi to you on the road I was definitely inspired by you, and what you were doing for your brother Jerry. He would be (is) very proud!

Cheers,

Phill

OFlaherty · Senior Member

Thanks Phil. I actually feel pretty good today. At least next year I will know what to expect, but what a shock the first day on those rolling hills.

I remember you.

Friend told me not to use the mountain bike but I couldn't get another bike. I'm going to try hard to do so for next June. I did enjoy the very occasional downhill. Immensely. I was just so cold by the end the rheumatoid was acting up and if one more person yelled that I could do it I was going to scream something foul. I was so sure I'd make it in time for a beer and it was all shut down.

And you bet i'm doing the M200 next year. It's really only my shoulder, thumb, thighs that hurt the most. Oh, and the seat area. Apparently there isn't enough chamois cream in the world, because I was on that every stop.

and the orange port a potties? I was always last to pit stops, except for once, and they were fine. I was pleasantly surprised really. The pit crew got to where they'd say, "Hey, you made it." when they saw me. LOL

adiamond · Senior Member

Well done Chase and everyone from first to last. The weather was wrong but I wll take cool and wet over hot and humid.

I was amazed at the generosity of people on course who let me join their pace lines without my doing my fair share of the pulling, and to the one group that slowed to let me tag back on until my failing knee at about 130 k on Sunday started acting up and I insisted they drop me thank you to team Erin.

I enjoyed the two routes coming together on Sat to climb and finish together (just wish there had been a wider lane as I was out in traffic and got yelled at by the only unpleasant cop of the day).

My only regret was that my knee was bothering me to such a point that I could not finish in style...but I finished.

From a logistical stand point I was right at the front for the start so no crowding issues and the 100 m split came early, but I agree the finish on Sunday had no flow to it. I think the food and beer should be past the finish so you naturally flow to the beer tent instead of fighting your way through the crowed back up the course. I never did see the food at the end. However, these are really nits and I thought it was great.

My only two issues were (1) the guy who went down in front of me on Sat as he hit the gravel and I/he were lucky I did not go over him, and (2) my survivor flag that lasted two peddal strokes until my heel hit the base and it came flying off just through the start line. Lucky it did not hit anyone. On day two I strapped the flag under my seat with my name plate.

See you all in 12 months.

Andrew

-- Edited by adiamond on Monday 14th of June 2010 09:48:59 PM

donw · Veteran Member

Congratulations to all the riders and to the RTCC for another great event.

All valid points made and I quite liked this years set up. It was logical to drop your bike at a truck, pick up your gear and be ready for transit back to the Exhibition grounds. In reality though, the logic ended where participants wanted to grab a meal or beer. Yes Chase, there should have been a cold one there waiting for you!

Chase, given your circumstances, with a little more time and publicity, you should be able to scout out a sponsor that would supply an appropriate bike and some funding in exchange for the publicity in a local paper.

Being you intend to do this again, you should start looking now for corporate sponsorship. Perhaps even a local bike shop would help in that regard.

Good job everyone.

BrianU · Veteran Member

Hey Chase

No need to feel bad the main thing is that you finished :) and didn't give up Good work and hope to see you next year

janetg · Veteran Member

Hey Chase, glad you made it. We shook hands in yellow-flagged solidarity at the start. Anyone who can make that ride on a mountain bike has my awe and admiration.

I thought of starting a collection of the sunglasses that we rode round and over, but could never quite be bothered to stop for them. My legs were hurting too. Still are for that matter.

janetg · Veteran Member

Oh, and yes on the meal and the coffee. Turkey sausage NO. Nescafe DOUBLE NO. I hit Starbucks in Niagara Falls when we got there. Thinking about it maybe that's why I didn't sleep that well, despite a warm hotel bed and crisp white sheets.

BrianU · Veteran Member

I had a mountain bike the only thing I did was spent $40 on on less knobby tires worked great

BrianU · Veteran Member

Yes the coffee was a no first tim hortons I saw on the way home I went in smelly and all lol needed that coffee

s_luksys · Member

Hi All!

I just want to start off by saying to everyone, Great Job on a fantastic weekend!! Sure most, if not all of us got really wet at some point of the weekend, but as a 3rd time rider and a big Ambassader to the Ride and Walk, I have absolutely no negative things to say about any of the events in any of the years. And I don't think anyone else should be complaining about certain things because when you get to having events when you have OVER 4000 riders and family and god knows who else, what else are you going to do?
All the staff members, volunteers, crew members, and the folks at CauseForce did an amazing job on organizing with the logistics and everything. Every event, including the Walk to End Women's Cancers, The Underwear Affair and KidsX are amazing events and I say good on ya!!

I hope to ride with you again next year and even again this year in some great training rides that I have planned.

See you guys again!

Cheers and God Blessed!

LiveStrong!

OFlaherty · Senior Member

Andrew, I had to cut my flag off with a knife to get it home, but it's leaning proudly against my wall. I feel you on the knee. My left one is swearing at me.j

DonW....I tried desperately to get a corporate sponsor. Cannondale outright told me they only sponsor "professional racers", and every business ignored me completely or just sent a nice form letter that went on and on but was NO.
i tried the local paper, the local news (right behind my apartment building...and i tried them 3 times), everything I as a non-networked guy on a disability pension could. I was told off as not being disabled (anyone see me at the pit stops? I wanted to lay down and just weep, even with pain meds and the inhalers), told to get an effing job and get my bike, called a loser in email, messages, and by family.
I would love a sponsor. I saw people go by on specialized Tarmac and Allez bikes and moaned with the thought of being on one.

Janet. I remember that handshake. It made me smile. Thank you very much.

All: It was fantastic to meet you along the way. Hey to Taylor Strawbridge again and a huge thanks to the crew and all the volunteers who went above and beyond in truly appalling weather. You were great.

And the girl who rode past me and told me I rocked on day two? Bless you. I was really in pain at that point and you got me through to the other side.

-- Edited by OFlaherty on Tuesday 15th of June 2010 03:49:13 PM

BrianU · Veteran Member

hmmmm.......

RSinfield · Veteran Member

heh, I have to complain about the coffee too. Maybe we can collectively get Tim Horton's or Starbucks to sponsor the ride and equip every pit stop and the camp. The first pit stop on day two 200M I went to the restaurant next door and bought a hot coffee.

Gotta give a shout out to the tech crew from bike sauce. at 80K into day two my ride partner broke two spokes on his rear shimano wh-r550 wheel. With the low spoke count on the wheel it was rendered useless and too dangerous to ride. I had to abandon him at the side of the road hoping he'd be swept to the lunch pit stop where they could repair the wheel. Turns out the spokes are pretty unique to the that wheel and they couldn't get any.

They took him to a Canadian Tire where he purchased a crappy, mountain bike that needed to be assembled. While racing him back to the lunch pit stop the tech was assembling the bike in the back of the van, they discovered the rear wheel was untrue. He started truing it and three spokes broke and the wheel wouldn't freely move even with the calipers disconnected. Not to mention the danger of riding on a damaged wheel. At this point he gave up and was going to be swept to Niagara. He called me and I reluctantly continued on solo, an hour and a half behind schedule.

I'm not sure of the particulars, but they ended up getting someone to open a shop in port colborne, but they didn't have the spokes needed for the road bike so the tech took two regular spokes, filed and bent them into the the shape nessesary to make the wheel safe if not true.

I was dissapointed that we didn't get finish together, but those guys wouldn't give up, spent three hours driving him all over the place and got him over the finish line on his bike.

Awesome event, awesome people.

Can't wait until 2011

(I'm the guy on the right)

-- Edited by RSinfield on Tuesday 15th of June 2010 03:30:18 AM

OFlaherty · Senior Member

I'm really sorry I didn't get a shot holding up my bike. It's a great shot, RSinfield.

wharapiak · Member

Enjoyed this event tremendously. Well organized and executed. Looks like they must have done this before. As a first time participant and survivor, the only suggestion I would have is to consider something alternative to the survivor flag. While the flag is truely a great way to spot the survivors in the crowded start and along the route, it's realy not helpfull on a 200 mile journey. My flag was with me through day 1, though it came off somewhere near end. Took the yellow pole off for day 2.

Suggest they consider an alternate event shirt color for survivors, in the same manner that they produced the blue ambassador jerseys. If someone is a survivor and ambassador they could choose which one they wish to wear.

Day 2 our team grew to about a dozen and it was an excellent group that shared to load. The pace allowed us to talk along the way to share our stories and have some laughs. Really enjoyed this part of the experience.

Signed up for next year's Hatch team which we hope to grow.

SMariano · Newbie

I really enjoyed the ride, it being my first time and all. I found out i was going to do the ride on may 3rd, 3 days after my dad passed away due to cancer. He originally wanted to do the ride, but his condition slowly worsened as the months went on. With only a month to train, i didn't think i would be ready in time. I had only been on the bike about 10 times, collectively riding about 120km. Then, as the ride started, i had the energy and the motivation to keep going. The 4107 other riders all around me helped me get through. Even though i had minimal training, i was surprised at my progress. Then, with about 18 km left in the ride, my rear derailleur completely broke, pieces falling all onto the road. That's when another rider (i regret not getting his name) stopped to help me out. We made an adjustment to my bike that would help me finish the race, only i was in one of the hardest gears the entire way. But with my dad helping me every step of the way, there was no chance i was going to let a sweep vehicle carry me over the finish line.
The one thing i am very grateful for is the attitude of all of you other riders, willing to give a helping hand to anyone in need.

Maybe some bigger tents for 2011?

Great job everyone!

Ashley Costa · Veteran Member

Amazing story RSinfield!

I know at my pit (2 on the mile) we had a bike shop on day 2 and it was packed with people needing new spokes etc. too.

I love hearing the determination with everyone involved in this event.

If you live in Toronto or have time to do some online reading, take a look at today's METRO and look at page 21. The article is called "Cancer's Close-Knit Community". I think this article sums up basically everyone involved in this event.

biggrin

OFlaherty · Senior Member

Ashley? Link or email that to me if you can? catholiccyclist@live.com
Thank you.

Ashley Costa · Veteran Member

Hey Chase,

Page 21 - http://reader.metronews.ca/digital_launch.aspx?id=ae45d194-e887-4f4e-bfc7-62a403de57df
:)

OFlaherty · Senior Member

Ashley: Ta very much.

BrianU · Veteran Member

It was a great weekend and everyone that was there was helpful THanks to everyone and the ones that kept me moving

ehmbee · Member

Chase, don't feel bad but feel proud of what you've done no matter what type of bike you used for your mission. I'm sure Jerry's laughing his head off and proud of what you've done for the both of you.

Hhmmm, just wondering though, whatever happened to the mobile crew watching all the riders? The last I saw rumbling towards the finish line were the cavalcade of motorcyclists who helped us through the ride routes. So when I saw that, I thought the last rider was already at the Finish Line. It's just hard to believe that there was no longer a welcome party to greet you home Chase. I also believe that before they pack up for the day that word is already out that no other biker is on the road anymore.

A big thank you to all the support crews by the way, particularly the crew at the pit stops!! Thanks for feeding us, treating us, and caring for us all throughout. This is my third year to participate and perhaps my last. The ride indeed made a big impact in my life and I'm glad I've been part of it three years in a row. My hat's off to all you riders for taking on this physical and emotional challenge. For those continuing on, may God continue to bless you and and keep you safe and when we finally have the cure to cancer, a bigger jubilation will happen at the end of our journey.

Good Luck everyone!!

OFlaherty · Senior Member

I had an ambulance (kind of ominous) and car with ride person in it crawling behind me. A few times two motorcycles came over twenty miles and told me I could do it, dig deep....i nodded and they went away. I heard one radio "Well, i can see him." and there were a few people at the finish, but it was pretty much shut down when I got there.

My nephew looked at me and grinned "You got tan in the rain??"
"I have magic powers. You're out there long enough in the outdoors, the sun is out there somewhere." Blink. "PLEASE FEED ME NOW."
Mike and Kathy were freaking amazing. COnsidering Kathy saw me in a major snit. It's amazing how snarky a person can get hungry wet, cold, and last all the time.
Then my nephew (second cousin...Jerry didn't have kids and it was just Jerry and I...my daughter doesn't call. I don't think she or the grandkids know I actually did the ride) handed me a coffee and said, "But they remember the last one just like the first, right? You didn't give up. I couldn't do it."
I closed my eyes, listened to the tv at my cousin's and nodded. "At least I finished. Maybe I should unofficially call it the FinishED line."
He's probably still laughing. THe boy did my laundry. God love him. All I said besides he was a wonderful human being was, "DON"T DRY THE BIB SHORTS!!"

EHMBEE, you were on a bus yes? I said, "I still have that song in my head 'Just riding my bi-i-ike..." Right person? Everything okay? I mean, you just retiring or taking some time off?

And yet, I can't wait to do it again.
Night folks.

ehmbee · Member

Good run for you Chase. I would have played you the "Call To Glory" theme from my CD had I been there to see you cross the Finish Line! Very appropriate as you're riding in.

No, I wasn't in the bus but that's good to know that the tune's still playing in your head. The CD's full of inspiring tunes to motivate you for the next year.

That's it for me (at least for now) for the ride. Never say never, however, three's a charm as they say and I feel I've done my part and made my dent on it. Besides, it's harder to ask the same people to donate each year. Unless you get corporate sponsors so you can meet your minimum all in one shot, I find it more difficult to reach your goal with just individual donations.

Cheers, ... signing out ...

Garbo · Member

Brewed coffee next year...please

Other than that, kudos to the organizers. Particularly the volunteers and police controlling the intersections.