Provincials 2007

[old cervelo]

Hey Superstar. You and your teamates better not be gaining any weight over the winter:

Provincial Road Race
August 26
If you are planning to sit-in until the last lap, then sprint your way to the podium – you will be sorely disappointed. Described as "Effingham Hill times Three", this Milton area race engulfs all of the Niagara Escarpment. Organised by the Midweek Cycling Club, the Provincial Road Race will be one of the most challenging courses in recent memory.

[the Superstar]

Indeed. The diet started Dec. 1st. I'm going for the Rasmussen look.

[2nd2fignon]

one of the most challenging courses in recent memory.

Does anyone know what roads they will use?

FWIW, I'd like to see the Ritson Road race course again for the provincials.

The two memorable races I remember on the escarpment were the 1985 nationals and the 1992 olympic trials. Two 'bike bums' (as Don Zuck called them) from Alberta kicked ass in '92.

[OhSoFast]

Werd on the street is that the "big climb" is Rattlesnake Point in Waterdown (also known as Appleby Line). It is rumoured that the senior 1/2 men will make 6 trips up the climb, so look for long laps, 20+ kilometers?? But I'm sure they'll let us know a day or two before the race.

I'm quite enthused for this climb because I can just light it up at the bottom and try to force a selection early in the race.

OSF

[2nd2fignon]

The only time that I can remember Appleby Line was the 1989 (or 1988?) Sony Tour of Canada (Niagara Classic in reality) stage from Youngstown, NY to Milton. It rained and it was ugly at the top for riders who were under-geared.

If this is the hill, I wonder where the descent is? Steeles down to Tremain (which would make it a 90 turn at the bottom of a fast descent)? Or it could go all the way to Campbellville Road - a twisty descent with Rail Road tracks at the bottom.

Interesting in any case.

[Chuck Norris]

I remember watching that stage of the tour. It was so slippery up that thing, they had to take it sitting down.

Where is the rumour of Rattlesnake coming from? There doesn't seem to be any info out there regarding details. Plus Milton hasn't exactly been bike race friendly since 1989. I'm skeptical about the whole thing. Sounds too vague and grand to be true, but my fingers are crossed.

Good question regarding the decent. Appleby towards the 401 would be sketchy with the tracks. Steeles would be suicidal in the rain. Bell is just about 90km/h if you give'er - with a few hidden driveways to boot. What's the one right by Bell? The one with the left/right combo down to Tremaine? That could be useable...

[Graydon]

My vote is up Appleby line, then back down through Wizard's Way and Snakes and Ladders... now that would be an interesting race.

[2nd2fignon]

Let me tell you about that 1989 stage. Many riders didn't have anything smaller than a 21 on the back. It really rained hard and there was some silt run-off that made it ridiculously slippery. The russian who was leading (Saitov?) had what looked like an 18 (with 42 on the front!). A rider from teh German national team won the stage (I think). Lot's of riders had to get off the bike to push. I had something like a suntour superb pro 25 freewheel --- because I'd been riding that thing since I was 12.

Bell School line is steep and crosses Derry Road. The climb from the east between Steeles and Derry is No. 10 Consession/sideroad. We used to ride that when i was a kid and we called it the 'X' climb (but I can't remember why).

I'd like to see loops of the old Mt. Nemo race course. 40km laps would be a logistical nightmare but this was the first or second race of the season in 1985.

[Chuck Norris]

42x18 in the rain? Gack. I have real trouble getting up that thing in 39x19 on a dry day. Even then, it's at a walking pace.

A great course would be S/F top of Rattlesnake, right on 14th Sideroad, right on Tremaine, right on Derry, right on Appleby, rinse, repeat. Marshalling on Derry would be horrific though.

[OhSoFast]

Reliable sources from inside the Midweek boardroom say Rattlesnake. Other sources say if Peter McAffrey could come back and help get it done, otherwise it might never happen.

I think its fantastic to have a race like this, but I don't think its a great course for provincials. It is too selective and almost garuntees that a certain type of rider will win the race, especially if the finish is at the top of the climb, which is supposed to be the case.

They need to find a balance in the race, Aurora was maybe a little too easy this past season, though the headwind after the first corner did make it tiring after 176km. This proposed provincials course could be to hard and could discourage participation.

OSF

[Graydon]

Oh Please, yes, put the finish at the top of the hill!

[Wool]

I live 10 minutes from the escarpment . There are 6 good escarpment hills to train on. All of them are realtively short at no more than 1.5 km but all have very steep sections. Rattlesnake (Appleby lime south section)is clearly the steepest .

You can do some tough training rides incorporating all of the hills.

The 14th sideroad downhill is pretty safe but you will hit 80-85kph in a pack. There is a long run out before the right hand onto tremaine so I suspect it will be the downhill section.

If the London based guys want to come down we can do a training ride from my house. We did one of these rides in the summer and 100k felt like 200k by end as we didn't miss a hill.

Cheers

Dave Woolley

[Graydon]

Perfect! Dave, you should run a training camp from your house then! No need to organize anything, we'll just show up with bikes and food. You're in charge of the coffee though.

[Wool]

No problem Graydon. Rates at the Chateau Woolley are very reasonable (Tims Gift certificates will suffice)!

[the Superstar]

I've been in touch with Amit Ghosh and have a map of the proposed course, if anyone wants to email me at liokossis@hotmail.com I will forward it on. The lap is 13.75km so I assume the 1/2s will do between 11 and 13 laps, M1 probably 8-9 laps. You climb Rattlesnake, turn right on 14th Side Road, right on Bell School Line, right on Britannia, right on Appleby and up the climb again. We cross over Derry where traffic will be stopped for us.

I am thinking of going down between Christmas and New Years if there is a nice day forecast. Do maybe 3 hours and recce the actual course. This will give us a good idea of gearing as well.

I am starting an Unhealthy Weight Challenge. I've been told that it is unrealistic for a 38 yr old master training only 10-12 hours per week with a family and a job to get below 7% body fat on the calipers. I won't say which friend of mine named Chris told me this, but I am going to prove him wrong. This is going to be 100% about going vertical. Course too selective? BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

[Chuck Norris]

If it's over my 3 degrees and dry threshold, count me in. Not sure about a 3 hour ride though. That's crazy talk - even in the summer.

[JaJa]

Your race sounds like it may be fun. But if you want climbing come on out here, and race with the big boys, or slim boys.

http://www.laramiebikenet.com/Dead%20Dog/Courses.html


JaJa

[JaJa]

Or this link, sorry

http://www.laramiebikenet.com/Dead%20Dog/Courses.htm

JaJa