We're having a wrap-up call tonight with the Granite Anvil organizing committee. We've received many positive comments and a few actionable suggestions from riders, actually more critical commentary from organizers. It can always get better, but not much, from the comments that we've received.
We are also assembling photos, so if any riders have some to share with us, please send them along and/or provide a link.
We have found a few blogs from riders. If you have blogged about the ride, let us know. We're interested !
Dave.
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Sunday, August 25, 2013
The sun is rising over Oshawa
We've had another DNF - Bob C.. He wasn't going to have time to sleep in Napanee and bailed short of there.
That makes four, so with 45 starters and three already complete we have 38 riders on the road.
I'm expecting Ken and Michael in the next hour or so unless either of them found somewhere to sleep along the way.
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That makes four, so with 45 starters and three already complete we have 38 riders on the road.
I'm expecting Ken and Michael in the next hour or so unless either of them found somewhere to sleep along the way.
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Saturday, August 24, 2013
Sunday 00:50 Sharbot Lake -- Final Rider Through
Another close encounter with a closing time. This time 3 mintues.
Bon Courage!
Now rewarded with a relatively easy 80km of flat and steady 100m decent into Napanee control, 10-13C, calm winds, waning gibous moon for company.
Guy
Renato in @ 00:56
We now have three riders in. At this point several riders are on the course between Napanee and Oshawa but no one is expected for the next couple of hours so it's sleep time !
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First riders in !
Marcel and Brian came in at 11:55. Renato is 27 kms out.
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Saturday 20:12 -- Lead riders approaching Rice Lake
Brian Brideau and Marcel Marion are approaching Rice Lake. Renato Alessandrini is about an hour behind them. Ken Bonner is also on the road past Napanee. It looks look first finishers will be in between 23:30 and 01:30.
Guy
Saturday 20:09 -- Plevna Done!
As the sun set in Plevna, the last rider arrived with 42 minute margin to closing time. It was a different rider than the one that previously achieved the 1 minute margin in Barry's Bay closing time. Carey and Terry, the roaming and rhyming duo, the coffee-fairies who yesterday delivered sunrise coffee to Central Control, are closing Plevna.
Guy
The day & a spot of confusion 6:20
A snapshot of life on the road supporting Randonneurs ...
Met with Stan and Paul
> . Drove back up route intercepting riders to Sharbot
> . Continued back to Plevna
> . Waited as riders in now up to 10 - Brideau Alessandrini Bonner akbarian Rosburg Kenny Sturgil Jagel perman Marion
> . Headed back to Sharbot and updated Vytas
> . late lunch at spuds and made sure that arrangements were squared away
> . Forward on route passing Renato
> . Got call from Nuala because she heard from Brideau that there was no one at Colborne - we hadn't told the riders that this was store control
> . Gave sign in sheet to Macs clerk which might or might not get completed
> . Stan will tell riders about control procedure
> . Now waiting for Renato and will then advance and wait for riders to catch up
> . Will end up in oshawa to check riders in and help Nuala and Guy.
> . Drove back up route intercepting riders to Sharbot
> . Continued back to Plevna
> . Waited as riders in now up to 10 - Brideau Alessandrini Bonner akbarian Rosburg Kenny Sturgil Jagel perman Marion
> . Headed back to Sharbot and updated Vytas
> . late lunch at spuds and made sure that arrangements were squared away
> . Forward on route passing Renato
> . Got call from Nuala because she heard from Brideau that there was no one at Colborne - we hadn't told the riders that this was store control
> . Gave sign in sheet to Macs clerk which might or might not get completed
> . Stan will tell riders about control procedure
> . Now waiting for Renato and will then advance and wait for riders to catch up
> . Will end up in oshawa to check riders in and help Nuala and Guy.
From Dave, posted by Guy
A Close Shave at Barry's Bay
Final rider in at high noon, one whole minute ahead of the cutoff. Fortunately, there is a 30km of "relatively" flat section before the next series of hills to rebuild some cushion. Unfortunately, this section alos has Schutt and Snake River climbs that would make nice downhill ski runs in a different season.
Guy
04:40 Saturday -- All riders safe into Bancroft
Last arrivals at 3:30 and 4:40. Unfortunately, the final rider had taken a wrong turn en route to Bancroft. Most riders have left Bancroft
Guy
Friday, August 23, 2013
Three Amigos
Renalto and Brian arrived at Barry's Bay at 00:34 and can "smell the barn". They announce they plan to ride straight through to Durham. Meanwhile, one wonders about the sleeping plans of Marcel who arrived/left Barry's Bay some 4 1/2 hours earlier and is somewhere down the quiet roads.
A calm cool and potentially foggy night with Bancroft currently reporting 6C, 6C dewpoint and calm winds.
Guy
Antici....pation
Hills??? Only 50% done and the worst individual climbs yet to come: Siberia, Schutt, Snake River, ... and that's only the first half of tomorrow. More to come. Hope your low speed balance is good.
Guy
Images and sentiments from riders in Bancroft
Renato Alessandrini and Brian Brideau were first into the overnight control in Bancroft at 15:49 Friday. First to bed also.
I did not immediately recognize Ken Bonner when he arrived. He looked a bit ragged. Quote, "This is a hard course."
Quote from Alberta Randonneur Steven Kenny, "This is harder than Paris Brest Paris. These hills... wow."
I did not immediately recognize Ken Bonner when he arrived. He looked a bit ragged. Quote, "This is a hard course."
Quote from Alberta Randonneur Steven Kenny, "This is harder than Paris Brest Paris. These hills... wow."
Friday 15:50 -- Riders beginning to Arrive at Bancroft
The blackout period is over. First group of 3 riders in. Based on Midland departure time, at least one did 311km in 10hr45min for a 29 kph average speed through some pretty and hilly terrain, some of it wickedly steep (up to 18%). Fast.
Guy
All riders through Housey's Rapids
Last rider through at 13:58, 50 minutes cushion to the closing time.
Guy
No news from Eagle Lake but don't worry
First riders into Eagle Lake were expected about 9-10'ish. However no news to report due to very poor/no cellphone coverage from Control. Got a text message warning about the poor coverage. Wonder from where it was sent :)
Guy
9:20 -- All riders through Big Chute
Big Chute closes with 40 minutes to spare. 42 riders on course. Pierre Coutu dropped by Central Control at Oshawa bringing back 2 drop bags and 1 bike from DNF riders. He wryly reported that one of the riders was "not happy" being woken up from the comfy bed at Midland. Ah, one of the heartbreaks of randonearing ...
Guy
Fort Irwin 8:00 a.m.
Arrived in Fort Irwin a while ago. Tried forward and back tracking looking for cell service without any luck. The plan is to staff the Control but we won't be able to provide updates unless we find wifi.
Pete Dusel and Michele Cannedy are on their way here, I believe. Michele has had to DNF but she's going to pitch-in.
Dave.
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Pete Dusel and Michele Cannedy are on their way here, I believe. Michele has had to DNF but she's going to pitch-in.
Dave.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Aug 23 5:18 am
Renato and Brian arrived at Housey's Rapids a little while ago. They are warming up in John Maccio's car. The temperature is just over 10C / 50F.
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