What a fantastic day for a ride! The group comprised Carole, Megan, Bernard,
Dave and Terry honourable leader for the day. We reviewed ride rules to start
with so that we all left knowing that nobody would get dropped, that hills would
be climbed at each riders preferred pace but that there would be a regrouping
and, if necessary, recuperation at the top of the climb.
The route planned was to go to Waterdown, stop for coffee and then work our way
back via Millborough Line, Britannia Road and #1 Side Road. The way out was
beautiful, along #2 Side Road and then along #1 Side Road. There were more
cyclists than cars and many local clubs seemed to be out on the roads for this
near perfect day. When we got to Waterdown the group decided that they were
ready to add a few more kilometers to the route so Bernard showed us the way to
Carlisle. There we had coffee and butter tarts (just Dave and me) and met Jim
Gilroy, and Irish rider in his late 70's riding an original English "Roberts"
frame with rat trap pedals. Jim is quite a fixture in the local community and
lives in Oakville, perhaps we have a future member!
We then returned via Derry Road, Bell's School Line and retraced our steps to
our starting point.
Statistics for the day were:
total course distance : 88km
Ride time: 3 hours and 13 minutes
Average Speed: 27.6 km/hr
Top speed: 59km/hr (coming down the escarpment)
My computer does not record slowest speed but I did notice that I climbed the
escarpment on the way out at about 12.5km/hr at one point. The respected leader
of the ride turned out the be the slowest rider on the day and therefore, like
the Modern Major General, lewd the ride from behind most of the time. Thanks to
my fellow riders for letting me sit our their wheels for most of the day!
See you next week. Dave Harris is the ride leader and I know he has a real treat
in store for his ride.
Terry Rooney

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