Just a couple of simple questions for you ride vets out there:
A) Booked a tent, but might stay in a real bed: depends on how I feel. Are tent floors padded or do I need to bring inflatable air mattress...I have a bad back and worry about sleeping on solid ground.
B) Do most of you bring two sets of riding gear or is there a place to wash / dry after day 1.
C) Is parking at CNE close to start line? I have pre registered and received my package...if I arrive for 7:30 will that allow me enough time to drop of my bag and get to line for start?
D) Is it a big deal if I pack a beer or two in my luggage to enjoy following day 1? Will I get in trouble? Yes, I am over 19: thanks for asking.
E) Ride begins at 8:00am. I am estimating it will take me around 4 to 5 hours to complete which puts me in camp at say 1:00pm. What the heck does everyone do for the rest of the day?
Just some simple questions I know, however, these little things have a way of stressing me out. Thanks in advance for your responses.
This is my 6th RtCC (5th here in Ontario, plus I did Calgary last year as well), and I know exactly what you're going through. First - deep breath and relax, it'll all be fine. Also, I'm sure there are other newbies with the same questions...
Answers to your questions:
a) No, there are no air mattresses or other padding provided. If you're staying in a tent, you can expect that you will receive an empty tent, and nothing else. If you want a mattress pad (air or otherwise), bring it along. If you bring an air mattress, bring along a method of inflation other than your lungs. I watched two poor young ladies in Calgary last year trying to blow up a double air mattress through the little nozzle by blowing into it. Several of us took pity and lent them our pumps.
b) Bring two sets of riding gear if you have them. You could wash yours in the shower after riding, and you could hope it dries in time dangling from your tent - but never assume the perfect will happen - your wet gear may get rained on overnight, or it may fall off your tent peg and get trampled on in the mad rush for port-a-potties in the morning. Either way, you'll be glad you've got a clean dry set in your bag.
c) The parking is close to the start line, but you might want to give yourself a bit more time than that. There are likely to be 4,000+ cyclists arriving on site between 7 & 7:30, that's a lot of cars in a narrow area. There's going to be traffic, and you don't want that stress, too. Give yourself extra time, and enjoy the moment.
d) not a big deal to pack a beer or two, but not necessary, either. There is free beer and wine (or at least, there always has been in the past) at the camp. They'll put a little "x" on your wristband to keep track of quantity. You're officially limited to two beers/two glasses of wine. However, I learned a good tip from a fellow rider a few years ago - magic marker "x"s on your wrist band come off with Purell hand sanitizer. Having said that, you'll regret overindulging on Sunday morning (not that I'm speaking from experience, necessarily...)
e) Most people who arrive in early afternoon grab a beer and head to the massage tent, and then hit the shower truck for a hot shower (generally in that order). After that, a lot of people sit around and chat with friends / fellow riders, or listen to music (there's usually a band playing in the big tent), or better yet go back out to the finish line and cheer for the riders who are still finishing. There's lots of food / drinks (beer/wine/pop/water) at camp, and loads of people to talk to. Still, even with all that, don't feel the need to rush through the ride. Enjoy it - enjoy the feeling of community that comes from riding with 5,000 other dedicated cyclists, enjoy the food and support at the pit stops. Stop and enjoy the scenery if you want to.
Good luck, and have fun.
See you on Saturday.
Jason Toronto - 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 Calgary - 2011
Last year gates opened at 6:30 am Sunday, I hit the finish line by 11am and waited an hour for the first bus back to TO. No need to rush this year as the first shuttle isn't until 1:30.
I was riding with a guy from Steamwhistle today during the Ride For Heart. He said he'd be out next weekend with lots of beer for all the riders. No need to pack your own.
It's unfortunate that the faster riders feel they deserve to take more than their share! By the time we reached camp last year there was no beer left. I was just lucky enough that my husband was volunteering and thought enough to pack a cooler for us! I suggest you put a few in your duffle!
The entire event can't be perfect but the RTCC comes pretty damn close. To add to the list of things to do. There's a free massage (if you want it sign up right away) there's a yoga stretch class which for all the guys out there. It really is a good idea.
Have a few drinks and soak up the fun. There's so much emotion from camp. Great speeches, chats and stories! Camp is one of my favorite parts of the weekend
Hey teambreezyriders - the biggest problem with some of the things to do at camp as Kaerevel mentioned is that the slower riders don't get to participate in them. I'm not saying that the fast riders don't want/need or deserve the benefits of finishing quickly its just that some of us prefer to take our time and enjoy the ride with friends and to come into camp in the afternoon and find out that all the massages are booked and the beer is gone is kinda frustrating. I agree that the staff of the RTCC is great and put on a great event but i just wish there was a way for everyone to be able to take part in the activites.
Hey BAM - I understand your concern but I'd challenge you to come up with a better system than what they have in place. If you wait to open the bookings, and serve food and beer until later in the day when the slower riders finish what do the faster riders do all day?
And if a couple free beers is that much of a motivator you could always put in the time all year long to train and get faster... (Please read this with a bit of humour as it is meant to be a joke.)
Well it does not sound like a joke, albeit, I take your word for it. Having said that, I plan on stopping along the way otfen to take photos of some of the areas of Ontario I never get to see. I will pack some beer into my duffle for camp so the beer issue will not be a factor, plus drinking more than a couple is not wise with 100KM to do the next day. I will probably not be one of the faster riders and I do not worry about it. This is my first year and I am determined to have fun and not worry about such things.
Wow!!! Tongue firmly in cheek I guess. I'm doing this amazing event with some of my amazing friends and going to have a blast doing it, I could really care less about the beer so feel free to have my allotment at camp.
8toes - you are going to have a blast! Its a bit crazy but really exciting at the beginning of the route with all those riders but once the fast guys push their way past you it really is a fun time. Good Luck and enjoy it!
It's a charity event - meant to raise money and awareness. The free beer, massages, etc, are all secondary, or even tertiary to the point of the event.
And to Kareevel, it's a bit presumptuous to say that the faster riders feel they deserve more than the slower riders... It's just that they are at the camp and the finish line longer than the slower folks. What else do you want them to do?
I did the ride last year and it was my first time. I am not an experienced cyclist but finished the ride in 5 hours both days. Let me tell you, this is the best and most organized event I have ever seen and the experience was second to none. I lost my father to cancer the year before and found myself in tears of emotion the entire ride. Fast or slow, beer or no beer, massage or no massage, it doesn't matter. I had a beer at camp, had dinner, no massage but still had the time of my life and did it solo. Every aspect of the event is life changing and let's all look at the purpose of the event and look at the positives here.
Wow...appears that I have touched a bit of a nerve between fast / slow riders...I certainly didn't see my initial post unfolding like this.
First of all, I am not a Steamwhistle fan...can't see myself having more than the allotted amount. I will bring my own. If there is no beer left, it is not my fault. Second of all, I will leave the Purell at home. Finally, I hope we can all get along at camp. When tents are assigned, perhaps we can all drop by my place and raise one in friendship, one in the spirit of the day, and one to the memory of those we have lost.
By extension you could say that those who do the 100 miles get shorted, or those visitors that purchase drink tickets are the problem. I don't think this is a big issue at all. I've never felt slighted being out on the road for the longer route. They should really bring more beer to sell if that's the case - with all the money going to charity obviously. I think the organizers do a pretty good job making sure this doesn't transform into a Woodstock environment and we should all be happy. If you're really into the beer I would suggest you bring a couple extra in your bag, or a tetra pack of wine. FYI - suggest that by officially publishing the purell 'secret' I think we may have just challenged our good friends at Steam Whistle to come up with a method of preventing it.
The longer I stay out on the road, I figure I'm getting a better bang for my buck (my big $50 entry fee)
If I'm done in 5 hours, that's $10/hr. If I'm done in 8 hrs, that's a bargain of $6.25/hr... hahaha.
Just looking to enjoy riding with others, seeing areas of ON I've never seen and be inspired by those that have been through a lot worse than missing on a few beers and massages.
This is coming from a non drinker but I know people who had several glasses of wine last year and then spent half the night running to the bathroom. It seems to me we should all get a real good night's sleep for the 100km planned for the next day. (I know- I'm a party pooper)
I plan on bringing my own beer as well, and I am more than willing to share. I will be riding with Steves Cycle Paths (green and white kit).....easy to find....see avatar....likely huffing and puffing a lot.
-- Edited by 8toes on Wednesday 6th of June 2012 10:07:33 PM
Sorry, I didn't mean to start anything! I was explaining why we should pack our own if we intend to drink. We are told each rider is to get two free, but it doesn't happen. (I was talking to other riders last year who informed me that they had as many as five or six) I understand the fast riders need something to do at camp all day. I get it! But it's disappointing for a first time rider to expect and not receive. This ride to me... is not about how fast you can get to your destination...it's about the joy in the journey, the friends we make in the process, and the people we help along the way! Because of this, I have realized I will never be at camp in time to book a massage, but I am Ok with that! Cheers everyone and have a great ride!
Well said Kareevel! Have a great first ride. Our first year was supposed to be our only time doing it but by the time we got to camp on that first day we all signed up again, that was 5 years ago!
Hello Newbie - I am riding in my 3rd RTCC this year. I hope I can answer your questions
A) Booked a tent, but might stay in a real bed: depends on how I feel. Are tent floors padded or do I need to bring inflatable air mattress...I have a bad back and worry about sleeping on solid ground.
Tent floors are just the nylon tent on a grassy field. Bring a thermal rest pad or air mattress.
B) Do most of you bring two sets of riding gear or is there a place to wash / dry after day 1.
Bring an extra set of riding gear. Things just don't seem to dry out...plus they can be a bit gross especially if it's a hot day. There are transport trucks converted into multiple shower units...bring a towel, soap and shampoo...and sandals that you don't mind getting wet.
C) Is parking at CNE close to start line? I have pre registered and received my package...if I arrive for 7:30 will that allow me enough time to drop of my bag and get to line for start?
Parking is within 200 m. There will be lots of time...but it's mass confusion with over 4,000 riders and their friends converging on the same place at the same time. Try to arrive by 7 latest.
D) Is it a big deal if I pack a beer or two in my luggage to enjoy following day 1? Will I get in trouble? Yes, I am over 19: thanks for asking.
Not a big deal - but WHY? Steamwhistle will take care of your cravings. They have tents set up at camp AND at the finish line. And I gotta tell you, it tastes awesome to have a cold one after a long ride... but I guess you already knew that eh?
E) Ride begins at 8:00am. I am estimating it will take me around 4 to 5 hours to complete which puts me in camp at say 1:00pm. What the heck does everyone do for the rest of the day?
Find your pack, find your tent, unpack, shower, change, grab a beer, grab another, find some folks to talk to, sit on the ground and stretch, walk over to see the entertainment that they always have on site, smell dinner being prepared, try to sneak another beer, have dinner, burp, go to bed. 6 am comes early.
Have a great ride...but be safe out there. The first 20 km or so is pretty crazy - a lot of riders have never ridden in a pack of more than 4 others...
Sorry Guy - I may be a 3rd time rider but I'M the newbie when it comes to the Message Board. I didn't notice that you already had like 50 responses to your question. Glad to see that mine lined up with some of the others though
Calabogie and I will come knocking around 11:00pm ...that is probably when I will be able to pull myself from the massage table. I am sure that we will run into one another and share a beer or two. See my avatar as well: probably won't be smiling. Will look for Steves in camp and on the road. Ride safe.
I seem to be easy to find no matter where I am in Canada. And you will be more than welcome. I will be riding a black Cannondale Synapse....very slowly.
Synapse...nice 5? 6? Carbon...nice ride...I looked at one last fall but went with a Felt: newer name, but man, did it fit me well! I love it!! Used to to ride an old Cannondale 300 Aluminum before carbon and brake shifters were around...just parted with it last fall. Great make.
Not a python fan...Pigdog is an old university nickname from the dressing room. Origin is classified and certainly not fit for this site...I'll explain on sat night.
My Synapse is aluminum (carbon was out of my budget at the time) I like Felt bikes but didn't get the chance to ride one. I have always wanted a Cannondale and the Synapse was right up my alley, being 51 and not as limebr as I once was. My previous bike was an aluminum LeMond Tourmalet, which I miss terribly (stolen)/
. Having said that, you'll regret overindulging on Sunday morning (not that I'm speaking from experience, necessarily...)
