The Ontario Ride to Conquer Cancer

SilverFox · Senior Member

Routes are online

twobrokenarms · Senior Member

Looks like a good ride! I'm sooo excited!

MysteryBee · Senior Member

Actually, I'm disappointed in the changes to Saturday. I enjoyed the Ride last year, but a bunch of overmatched whiners complained so they shortened the 200m course and made it easier. Maybe if those people had bothered to train, they wouldn't have complained so much. Now the m route looks like a very straight, very boring snorefest. I don't even get to climb the mountain! Pity.

SilverFox · Senior Member

True, it doesn't look as challenging. If it holds true, it will take us through different areas. I for one will not miss Golf Links Road.

RSinfield · Veteran Member

if you're training has included hill intervals, this is certainly going to be an easy day 1

MysteryBee · Senior Member

I signed up for the 200m because I didn't WANT easy. I don't LIKE easy.
*sigh*
Ok, day 2 is easy but day 2 is also a pretty ride along Lake Erie.
Now day 1 isn't pretty and it isn't even challenging anymore.

*deep sigh*

slalom_ · Veteran Member

Could be worse....the RTCC in Quebec (which I did two years ago) is no longer Montreal to Quebec City, but is now Repentigny to Donnacona (read some place east of Montreal, to some place west of Quebec City)

The change was just announced and people have been fundraising for Montreal-Quebec (Repentigny to Donnacona just doesn't sound as impressive).

SilverFox · Senior Member

MB, I'm having a hard time sympathizing with you on this one. From the outset the organizers indicated that changes were coming to the 100mi route to make it more attractive/less formidable. Going easier on day 1 may encourage more riders to do the 100mi on day 2. I too would prefer to have the second ride up the escarpment. However, if the course was identical to last year that would be boring as well.

In the end, for most people the actual route is not the motivation for riding.

ricky · Veteran Member

I trust that a double century will be difficult enough. Last year I enjoyed day one but found that I was too wiped out to enjoy myself at camp. Day two was not hard, but it was wet...

MysteryBee · Senior Member

My first year, I did the 200k on an old Kona mountain bike. The hills weren't much of a challenge, but maintaining a high cadence for that long was just miserable. I ended up with plantar fasciitis all summer.

Last year, I bought my trusty Trek 2.3 and undertook the 200m. Day 1 was challenging, but not unbearably so. The on-again / off-again light rain was nice and I had trained well and was riding with a good team. By the time I started up Hamilton Mtn, I was tired but thrilled at what I had accomplished. Day 2 was harder, with the driving wind and rain, but it cleared up by the time I reached the shores of Lake Erie, and I have to say I truly enjoyed that part of the Ride. It went by like it was nothing. Again, our team set a strong, steady pace.

At the finish, it felt great to have accomplished that distance. I had heard that some people didn't enjoy it but I can say without reservation that I loved it.... and I'm not a cyclist by any stretch of the imagination. If not for the Ride, I wouldn't even own my current bike.

I guess I'll just get out on the course and see what it has in store for me this year... I've already registered for next year, so I'll be sure to provide feedback this time!

adiamond · Senior Member

While day one may be easier, time will tell, I do not understand the comment about not getting to climb Hamilton Mountain. The camp is on top of Hamilton Mountain and I don't care how far west we go we have to climb the escarpment to get to Acton and Cambridge and then desend again (even though we do not go through Dundas) and then climb again.

The only part of the ride on day one i did not enjoy last year was the climb because it was too busy. I could not climb slowly enough to be with the pack in the bike lane and I got yelled at by several cops as I climbed in the traffic to avoid the 100k riders. So I am happy to ride the climb alone>

Having said that I would like to ride with the 100 k people at some point on a wide flat portion so I could also participate in what I understand is a powerful group feeling.

Lastly with this spring being as difficult as it has been and all of next week forcasting rain I am not as ready as I was last year. I did 105 k today and that was tough. Will make the best of tomorrow and hope to get another 100 k in tomorrow. Last year i was doing 100 mile days in training.

SilverFox · Senior Member

I just took a closer look at the Toronto/Mississauga section and it has changed quite a bit as well, with much of it along the Queensway and a different tour through the east half of Mississauga. It will be interesting to see how the actual route matches what has been published. The flyovers published last year had several variations from the final route.

I echo adiamond's comment about sharing more of the route with the 100k riders. There is definitely much greater spirit when all the riders are together on the road.

rusty · Member

The route is certainly not as hilly. Yes, we have to go up the escarpment, but Day 1 has an overall climb of 332 m over 65 km for the first half (0.5% - might as well be flat), then it's actually downhill to Hamilton and the camp. There is a short 1.5% "climb" for 5 k around Speyside, and another 1% 5k just before the end.

adiamond · Senior Member

i will believe it when I see it. Ontario farm land seems to roll as much up as down so while total elevation change may not be so great I am sure there will still be some ups and downs and up again.

adiamond · Senior Member

While I have no sence of the elevation: my guess is that the cut between the 100 mile course and the 100 km course will be Smithville to Lincoln.

SilverFox · Senior Member

Has anyone noticed that the published day 2 route is only 92 miles long! Another reason to not take the maps as gospel.

Day 1 does measure at just barely over 100 miles.

rusty · Member

Here's the elevation profile for the route...All in all, pretty simple.

Quick screen grab from Google Earth...

rusty · Member

Day 2...

adiamond · Senior Member

Thanks for that. Any chance you could overlay last years? Just kidding (unless of course it is easy to do)

rusty · Member

Piece of cake! Can't overlay the elevation profiles, so check the scale on the side (e.g. day 1 2010 goes up to 411 m, 2011 goes to 346 m. You'll get a feel for the ups and downs though.

2010 route in blue, 2011 in red. Where the red disappears, the routes overlap.

Cheers!

Dan.

adiamond · Senior Member

Rusty:

That was truly kind of you. Thank you.

janetg · Veteran Member

Anyone got the technology to do that for the 100k ride too?

And just a thought about the routes.

This is a fundraiser, the goal is to raise as much money for PMH as we can. If changing the routes means we get more riders able to raise more money it's worth the change.

AJDad001 · Veteran Member

Here's the route and elevation profile for the 100km route - data comes from Google Earth...

Enjoy!

smile

jules18 · Member

That is amazing, thats a lot.

Really makes me feel underprepared.

rusty · Member

Thanks AJDad...I couldn't log in from work to post those...

Jules, don't sweat it...Try to ride at a pace that keeps your heart rate toward the lower end (aerobic zone), and you'll be fine! And if you are riding with a group, or can find one to jump in with, it makes it that much easier. Be very careful and 100% predictable though, if you don't have a lot of group riding experience...

Ashley Costa · Veteran Member

And note that routes can change up to the SECOND you're riding on them.

I know last year, the Mile route changed at the last minute.

adiamond · Senior Member

I have reviewed the route as posted quit carefully and have one reall safty concern: the turn from Lakeshore to Windemere to the Queensway I think is frought with danger. Two tight turns very near the start when the group will be very bunched up and some will be pushing to pass and break clear. I hope I am wrong, but heads up!!!

SilverFox · Senior Member

Plus the left turn from Windermere onto the Queensway also involves crossing streetcar tracks. Hopefully the volunteers will be out in force to guide/warn people through this section.

MysteryBee · Senior Member

Why is the finish line for the m event different from the finish line for the k event?
Is that right?
We're going to finish in different places?

That can't be right.

SilverFox · Senior Member

The endpoints look to be within throwing distance of each other. Most likely neither is right exactly right. Heck, the final segment of the M200 has us in the river! All I can be sure of is my journey won't end until I'm sitting down with a beer in hand.

MysteryBee · Senior Member

The k endpoint is in the usual place near the Falls. The m endpoint is near Lock 8. We passed it during the m route last year. It's several km from where the k route ends. That must be a mistake. It doesn't make sense to have two finish lines.

SilverFox · Senior Member

The maps I've been looking at show both endpoints at 7200 Niagara Parkway.

M200		K200

adiamond · Senior Member

As I rode out the Lakeshore this afternoon it occured to me that the switch to the Queensway maybe to eliminate the street car tracks on the Lakeshore. But that quick right left will need everyone's full attention

SilverFox · Senior Member

I just checked the City of Toronto web site and the T.O. section of the route has been approved as on the RTCC maps. The description reads:

Formation Area: - 7:45 am - Direct Energy Centre Lot 2 at Exhibition Place with Opening Ceremonies at 8:00 am
Cycling Starts: 8:30 am - exit Lot 2 of the parking lot to Ontario Drive (full road), south on Ontario Drive to Lake Shore Blvd West (full road), west on Lake Shore Blvd West to Windermere Av (full road), north on Windermere Av, from Lake Shore Blvd West to The Queensway (half road, northbound lanes), west on The Queensway, from Windermere Av to The West Mall (bike lane and north curblane), north on The West Mall to Burnhamthorpe Rd (east curblane), west on Burnamthorpe Rd to Mill Rd (end of Etobicoke boundary at which time Peel Region Police will assist with the cyclists).

Link: http://wx.toronto.ca/inter/city/events.nsf/bac689e8b032630485256bdd00672a6c/fe3613ecfbc0c697852577eb00561228?OpenDocument&Date=2011-06-11

Howard · Member

To all the previous riders out there - how long till the crowd breaks from the start?
I can say that I am as ready as i'll ever be, but I have not trained amongst such a crowd and to be honest that scares me more the riding 200miles.

Any tips would be great!
Thank you.

MysteryBee · Senior Member

I've found that by the time you reach Mississauga, the riders have thinned out enough that you're not constantly worried about someone running into you.
Of course, once we split off to do the Mile route, there's plenty of room.

adiamond · Senior Member

Howard: as per the Ride instructions as a 100 Mile rider you should make all efforts to start at or near the front. Last year there were 800 "milers" I assume no more than 1000 this year.

Many of those doing the 100 miles are very very fast (I am not one of those) so they will be out ahead really quickly and strech the group out (Do not be tempted to keep up with them unless you know you can. i am talking about average speeds in the mid to high 30's, as you will burn out)

Also as the 100 milers also tend to be much more experienced cyclists they are comfortable in a crowd and will not doing anything unpredictable.

Last year I started in about the 5th or 6th row from the front and really once I got up to speed on the Lakeshore at about Jameson I never felt a crowd at all. In fact the 100 mile course can feel pretty empty at times (like in the rain on day two last year when my knee was killing me).

SilverFox · Senior Member

5th or 6th row! Lucky It can be hard to press through the crowd. I was quite a bit further back and contended with a wider variety of riders. At Jameson it was still busy, but not uncomfortable. By Windermere it will hopefully be thin in enough not to recreate congestion as the course is reduced to a single lane. The key is patience. You may have to give up a few kmh in the first 15-30 minutes, but over the course of the day it won't make a huge difference .

adiamond · Senior Member

I think they will regret not having both the north and southbound lanes of Windemere available.

dumanoir · Veteran Member

Last year it went down from the full lane on the Lakeshore to just the bike lane at a hard right turn. The crowd got backed up very quickly and some people didn't unclip in time to avoid falling. I think a half lane should be fine as long as people are careful!

adiamond · Senior Member

That turn last year was much much farther down lakeshore than the turn this year.

Merc55 · Member

Did anyone notice that they made day 1 longer (113km vs 104 last year) and day 2 shorter (104km vs 112km last year). After the huge climb up Hamilton mountain, we keep going farther. This year past golf links road. Should be interesting with all the rain forecast. Lunch is not till 67km.

adiamond · Senior Member

Just think: while the 100 k riders are having lunch at 67 K the 100 mile riders still have 100 k to ride.