I wasn't sure so I called the Ride office today to confirm. There's no more M200 event for the RTCC. They've created a "Classic Challenge" route which I'd taken to be the old M200, but Day 1 will apparently include more hills while Day 2 will be much shorter.
Before I offer my feedback, I want to point out that I'm not a cyclist by any stretch of the imagination. Until the 2010 event, I didn't even own a road bike. I did the 2009 event on a 12-yr old mountain bike.
Ok, now feedback:
The only reason I took on the challenge of the M200 was because it was offered in the RTCC. In honour of my Dad, I found it very cathartic to take on a physically gruelling challenge to remind myself of how he suffered before his death. Even now, after I've done the M200 twice... the distance still scares me quite a bit.
But the finish was worth it. Each day... at Mohawk and again at the Falls... the support of the crowds and the commitment of the crew have kept me coming back and strengthened my resolve to overtake any obstacle.
Now I feel like a little bit of that has been taken away. Not only will I lose the M200 challenge, but the start and finish lines are being split up... which means I won't get to meet all the same wonderful people and I won't get to share in that moment with all the other dedicated participants and volunteers.
In 2012, the Ride will be easier for me. Maybe that's a good thing. Maybe ten years after my father's death, it should be easier to deal with that pain. Maybe I'm just not willing to admit that I'd feel guilty if I gave that pain up.
I am leaving the country and will be missing next years ride, so I hope after they have fun throwing 6 routes into the mix, they go back to the K and M routes!
this does suck! I think they have no clue thinking that this will encourage more people to join. The distances are the same except for the 200M but with so many people being split up to do various starts and finishes it may prove to be a dissapointment overall in the end. I am sad did I sign up to soon for 2012? Anyway all in all its for a good cause. Hate to be on the logistic side of things....so many routes mean so much more confusion expected to happen! just my thoughts.
For me it shows that the ride is about raising money not about cycling and not about challenge. If I were to do it again I too would do the 100 miles for a third time but I am one of very few.
More routes = more people = more money. The Ride has been sold out every year. The number of riders on the k course was capped. It was hoped that the mile course would alow the event to grow; however, the same number of people (only 600 to 800) took up the mile challenge this year as last so the organizers have figured that that is not a money maker. In fact it has the same level of support as the k course with less than 1/4 of the people. So what to do? The answer is add more courses of 100 k since that seems to be a magic number. Next year I guess they will have a capacity of 6000 plus which even at the minimum of $2500 each is $15,000,000. The average raise this year appears to be about $3,600 which would equal $21.6 million.
Of course its about the money. The riding is merely a grand gesture to get people's attention. I will miss the M200 and have not decided which, if any, route I will do next year. Still, these are smart people running the event and they will understand that they may lose some people but many more will be attracted by the new options.
I have talked to several friends who rode for the first time this year on the 100k course. They are not cyclists awanted to participate in this great event they had heard about. Unfortunately that is not their impression.
Like many other comments on here they did not have a pleasant time on the 100 k course because of the congestion and number of pace lines that were constantly passing them which made them feel uncomfortable. This problem, I understand was worse on Sunday because of the rolling start. Instead of the experienced (speedy riders) getting out front on Saturday, on Sunday, because of their speed they can start later and pass those who started early (many wanting the extra time because they are not that fast).
By providing the route options I assume the thought is that the congestion maybe reduced. But if the goal is to simply increase the number of riders that will not in fact be the case, and by eliminating the 100 mile on day two the problem of fast riders passing early starting slower riders will only be exacerbated.
The other issue I noted is that the Ride, by encouraging teams, now has several large, well funded, well organized teams who dominate the course when they are riding together which does not encourge the feeling of community and inclusivness that the event had origionally.
The one suggestion that makes sence to me is having stagered start times on both days depending on predicted average speed (35 + kph followed by 30-35, 25-30, 20-25, and then the rest. This would result in a better distribution but obviously very hard to enforce particularly on day two.
My 2 cents.
-- Edited by adiamond on Wednesday 15th of June 2011 03:23:09 PM
And that's with pretty hefty entry fees. I hope they have some room to grow. I was limiting myself to one big fundraiser this year. I had been considering the Tour for Kids for 2011 but their registration wasn't open before the RTCC reg closed. I opted not to risk being in neither event.
i can't even begin to imagine the logistics that go into supporting one route, let alone two (kudos to RTCC over the past couple years). And with 2012 and the new multiple routes and options i'm sure they'll have their hands full. The M was great this year and we enjoyed it, however because of the changes and a couple other reasons we've opt'd out of riding in 2012 and will focus on other personal goals.
I'll continue to fundraise and ride as long as the PMH allows me to do so. My feedback on the loss of the M200 was simply a very personal emotional response to a challenge that I enjoyed taking on.
I've been reviewing the other courses carefully and I'm not particularly worried about safety being an issue. There really aren't very many new routes. They've just allowed riders to go a variety of directions on the existing routes. If there is ONE place I'd be worried about congestion / crowds / traffic being a problem, it's at Mohawk where all the riders from both directions will converge on Saturday evening.
As for losing the M200, well... I guess I'll try a different approach in team-building and fundraising to maximize the benefit of the new developments. It won't be as challenging a ride next year, but maybe we can make it more fun... and raise more money in the process!
Here's an idea: if, on day one there is going to be 100 k routes from both Toronto and Niagara Falls to Hamilton why not offer a one day 200 k ride from Toronto to Niagara Falls?
The pit stops will be up and staffed and the intersections controlled, one would just roll through camp (maybe using that as lunch stop and then keep on going.
A loss for sure. It will complicate things and dilute the finish for everyone.
Although I did ride the 100 miles on Saturday this year, I decided to accompany my wife in the 100 km. ride on Sunday...it was a blast, fewer hammer-heads, more fun.
So I ended up, sort of, riding one of next years versions and it was great.
I am very disappointed to see this one go. This was my first year riding RTCC. I signed up for the 200k but changed to the first day to 100M. the second day I did the 100k due to some sore areas and I wanted to experience the different atmosphere of the 100k ride. I enjoyed talking and socializing with the 100k riders but the 100mile route is where I belong. I like the speed, the pelotons and the challenge. I was looking forward to the double century next year. It is disappointing. Also as some have said ...some of the riders on the 100k are very very nervous when riders get close or pass by with speed or in pelotons. I am sure they would much rather have us type on our own route.
Great question and corresponding response from a PMHF representative on the rationale behind the new route choices for 2012 at this discussion thread: http://theontarioridetoconquercancer.activeboard.com/t43885595/concerns-for-2012/.
