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| At Narrows Locks on Big Rideau Lake with fellow KNBC riders Terry, Tony and Neil |
Less than 6 days until the big ride for ACV 401 Bike Challenge for Children's Hospitals and I'm READY. Clocked over 3000 kms of riding since early June most of it with the Kanata Nepean Bicycle Club. The weather has been mostly fantastic although there were a few hot and humid days in late July. Very little rain, although I did get in a rain ride last week, just to be prepared.
I feel like I've ridden every cyclable road in Eastern Ontario 😀. West to Renfrew, North to Buckingham Quebec, East to Hawkesbury and South to Portland.
In July, I had the great opportunity to ride with some of my 401 Challenge colleagues in upper New York state on a route called the Lyon Mountain loop. It was a great chance to meet some of the Montreal based riders beforehand and it was also a good hill workout with 1200m of ascent. The rural roads in upper New York state are so great for cycling - smooth and very little traffic. First time I've crossed the border on my bike! So weird that Canada Customs officials ask you if you are bringing back any cannabis 🙄. "Yeah I have some stuffed in my seat tube...."
A week and a half later, I did my peak training distance ride - 228 kms from Barrhaven, to Perth, around Big Rideau Lake and then back. Started at 6 am and ended at 7:15 pm, but the lunch stop was like 90 minutes (too) long. I met up with KNBC riders in Perth for the loop portion. The point of this was mostly psychological - had to convince myself that I could do the middle day portion of the 3 day Toronto-Montreal ride which is 260 kms (Belleville to Cornwall). It worked. I now feel confident that I can handle it - bring it on!
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| 33% of this is on stone dust railway beds. Ouch my arms. And butt. |
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| Century ride with fellow 401 Challenge riders Matt and Gustavo |
On the fundraising front, I'm at 85% of my goal of raising $3500, which is kinda in line with the overall event fundraising which is also at 85% of raising $200 k from combined sponsors and riders. So I'm going to do a final fundraising push this weekend.
For updates during the ride I will primarily use my Facebook account for posting. For anyone who is interested in following my live progress, send me an email or FB message and I'll send you a Google maps tracking link at the start of the event.
Now let's hope for some great weather! And a tailwind!
Take care,
Dan
Help kids with cancer at both Toronto SickKids and Montreal Children's hospitals and support my fundraising goal. You can donate to my ride via Dan's donation page at the Air Canada Vacations 401 Bike Challenge website. 100% of your tax deductible donation goes to the hospitals
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