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.

 

From Dave, posted by Guy

12:20 at Napanee -- Brian chasing Marcel

Brian is 15 minutes behind Marcel. 

 

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

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."