I would have to get arrangements made to get my bike there, I can't ride in unsupervised traffic and you can't take your bike on the metro on that day.
both? the tour de l'ile and what else? We just signed up for Metropolitain challenge on Sunday, May 31st's ride in chateauguay http://www.veloquebec.info/feria/index_e.php?page=defi Hubby is going to try for 150 - I'm going to try for my first 100...
yay! We're trying the metropolitain challenge on Sunday - wish me luck! my first 100 km... I heard for the tour de l'ile to be in the first bunch to take off (and not behind 30,000 leisurely bikers) you need to get there EARLY! like 7:15 or 7:30 a.m... has anyone else done it before. Any tips?
GRRROOOWWWNNN I am not an early riser on weekends, oh well it's be a prelude to the ride and the early morning start there. K, see ya all there. I'll be the one wearing the black conquer cancer t-shirt.
PS: Good luck Diane on your 100k ride, you'll do great.
I followed a fantastic route last weekend. I ride from Ile Perrot, to Dorion on Harwood to the turn off (left)for the 338, along there for about 7k then on to the start of the soulounge canel I rode for forever, it was wonderful, smooth, and quiet. There were many other people on the path but nothing like the zoo on the lachine canel, on weekends. There is parking at the start of the canel route if people wish to drive out and then hit the trail. I am a Westie (I live on the west island). So I prefer quieter routes without having to battle traffic and this one is my favs so far. PLUS the route neanders north westish so wind is not as much of an issue as the lakeshore has been and it is somwhat against us when we're fresh and it pushes us home when we are tired. Needless to say it's a very pretty route too. good riding to all!
This is my first tour de I'le.
-- Edited by broadway29 on Saturday 30th of May 2009 07:49:06 AM
-- Edited by broadway29 on Saturday 30th of May 2009 07:49:38 AM
-- Edited by broadway29 on Saturday 30th of May 2009 07:52:03 AM
I heard that too today..that you had to be in the front otherwise you got stuck and that some people were not particularly polite riders and you had to watch out for the zig-zaggers..A lot of stop & go..Im debating whether I should wear my clip shoes to this now..
Do they still have the tour express? When I did it they had a pack that started before everyone else. You had to cruise at 35kph to sign up. We were actually hauling at 40-45 but we were drafting off each other. You can wear clips for the express.
If you're with the main group, be prepared for a turtle ride with lots of stops. I have basket style pedals so if I'm in heavy traffic I just flip them over so I can stop on a dime if I have to. Tour de l'Ile with the regular crowd = school zone. I can't do it this year, I'm sight impaired and my guide's bike got stolen.
No I am wondering if it is worth going. I am would like to go with my 12 yr old daughter but if is going to be that crazy, I could do a 50K ride somewhere else and use the 100$ for a really good lunch. If anyone has gone before, is it worth going?
I haven't done it before and I'm only doing it to get an idea of what it is like to ride with alot of people... The metropolitain challenge did help - I noticed how NO ONE called out when they were passing me... I'm sure it will be even worse here. I'm going to do my best to be in the first 1,000 going out though...
so - how was everyone's tour??? We got there early - and were lined up at the very front of the line... Had a great view of the show (bike stunts and guys on stilts)... Had to stand around and wait almost 2 hours though. But it made a big difference being out at the beginning. I didn't realize how lucky we were until a friend of mine just sent me pics of the people about a half hour behind us... omg!! I don't think I could ever ride in that big a crowd!! Anyhow - nice stops along the way - every 15 km or so... it was a fun experience - I'm glad we did it. I loved having the streets with no traffic!!! what a pleasure - because I hate riding on city streets...
Some pics here... http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=105489&id=631252111&l=a1a6ed5396
-- Edited by ddkphotos on Sunday 7th of June 2009 10:18:48 AM
Tour la Nuit was a bit of a nightmare-got stuck behind 5 blocks of riders-didn't get actually biking until 45 minutes after start time. Half of the bikes didn't have lights which made unlit areas quite the little challenge-lots and lots of stop and go as predicted-twists and turns every two blocks-speed/left lane was not something many knew about-by the end even I was tired of hearing my bell..heh,heh. Glad I didn't wear my clips.
Tour de l'Ile was great! After Friday I had trepidations about the predicted 20,000 riders-but most seemed quite seasoned and knowledgeable about riding rules-wore my clips this time and flew through the first stop trying to shake the crowds-which worked well-the Lachine Canal bit was beautiful--holly windy but beautiful. Berri Street/hill at the very last minute--see 54-55th kilometer took me by surprise-I did it but the rest of the ride was not pretty. I'll definitely do it again next year!
-- Edited by mermaid on Sunday 7th of June 2009 03:35:55 PM
I think there was closer to 35,000 riders... Alot of people! big event - I've lived in and around Montreal all my life and have never participated - so I'm really glad I did... It was an experience!
You said the rest of the ride was NOT pretty?? I thought it was great - plus the cheerers in the neighborhoods was fun too... I kept thinking - why are they cheering us - just because we paid to have a ride with the streets closed? but it was fun - and I was imagining the ride in July - and how I'm going to cry the whole way to Quebec! I get emotional about this stuff - I've also been a volunteer greeter/cheerer at the breast cancer walk - so I know what it's like to stand there for hours encouraging people - and I figure the ride in July is for a much greater cause than today... The best is having the whole road with no cars or stops or lights... I knew the hill was coming - man do I hate hills! Chain came off just before it too... at least I got up without walking though... Oh yeah then had to ride back up Cote Ste. Catherine to get home...
Talk about crazy. 35000!!! I was in the middle of the pack and when they said 3-2-1 GO it took me 30mins before I crossed the START line. Very glad I did it, like DDK, it was my first. But I must give out a HUGE Shout to the Volunteers!!! I was defiantly no the first to pass them and the were Yelling, Cheering, Singing, the entire time. Not to mention the people that lived along the way, Drums, music playing, even a Belly Dancer in Lasalle. I was having a good time just looking at all this. One guy about 75 dancing to AC/DC! But ended the day with 70Kms, with the back and forth from the car. But my average speed was 15.9Km/hr in 4+hrs. Too slow for me.
My riding style once up the said hill and unto Rachel was not pretty-pathetic really-at one point I actually questioned if I was moving at all. The ride itself was great! So many people out there supporting us (so many volunteers too!)-like we were doing this for a cause or something! Did you see all the people along the Lachine Canal handing out free drinks, slush, popsicles?! Took advantage of the firemen sprinkler system as well.
I started just above the volleyball courts-about the same as you Dez-took roughly 30 minutes to start rolling. My breaks were brief-maybe 30 minutes total-I came in at around 1:45. I've never done long (out of city) distances before but Im assuming my time will be faster at the Ride due to less people, longer straights and less intersections, twists and turns. Im not quite sure of the logistics but I don't think they'll shut the roads down for us (like they did for Le Tour) while we're in the city anyways-for the Walk we had to abide by ALL the street lights-so if thats the case-I expect a really slow start. Hopefully Im wrong-anyone know?
Everything is back to par this morning-except for my lower thighs in the front-like Im carrying sand bags-otherwise all good. I hydrated really well all along the way but only had protein after (hot dog, chocolate milk) -the white milk with the chocolate straw was not tempting at the mid-point so I ate fruits instead that I had brought along. That might have been my mistake.
-- Edited by mermaid on Monday 8th of June 2009 12:51:47 PM
I agree mermaid, the RTCC should be faster, like we are Tour de France pro's. After doing the Metropolitan Challenge and the Tour MTL, I am really looking forward to the RTCC.
When I arrived I worked my way up to just below the announcer tower so I guess it took me 15 minutes to actually get going, after the 1,2,3, go. It was definitely an interesting experience. Now that I've ridden in a crowd I feel better about the RTCC. I deliberately skipped the first rest stop, so I was in a thinned out crowd after that. Yup it was good and KUDOS to the volunteers they sure were great.
tour de france pro's?!?!?!? umh - hello!?? did i sign up for the wrong ride!??! I know there are some serious bikers doing the RTCC and there are some so-so bikers - and then there's going to be me! I never really biked any distance before I signed up for this thing... I figure the guys in the last pick up truck will be following me to Quebec...
When I did it a few years ago there was a spot on the form where you could sign up for Express,
you had to be able to handle riding 35 kph in a peloton.
The bibs were yellow instead of white, and there was a special starting area at the front for us that was cordoned off. They got us going and then let loose the masses.
We basically zoomed 70 km through Montreal like an express train. I was with a peloton that kept splitting smaller and smaller until it was me and 3 guys. Finished in 1h45, then I wiped out in the grass because I was wearing clips and my legs were too tired.
I won't be doing that at RTCC, my guide just got her new bike and she goes 17-20... I'll need to wear my GPS for sure !!
DDK, don't sell yourself short. You did the Met Challenge, Tour MTL, and coming up in only a FEW DAYS!!! ok 32 days!!! you will be going the RTCC. You are better than most of the population of MTL, and in this one speed is not a issue. I bet on our ride there will be almost 2000 rides wearing 2000 smiles no matter how fast they go. So Tour de France look out! here comes DDK! And another congrats for being one that goes on stage.
GRRROOOAAANNN I am not an early riser on weekends, oh well it's be a prelude to the ride and the early morning start there. K, see ya all there. I'll be the one wearing the black conquer cancer t-shirt.
PS: Good luck Diane on your 100k ride, you'll do great.
I followed a fantastic route last weekend. I ride from Ile Perrot, to Dorion on Harwood to the turn off (left)for the 338, along there for about 7k then on to the start of the soulounge canel I rode for forever, it was wonderful, smooth, and quiet. There were many other people on the path but nothing like the zoo on the lachine canel, on weekends. There is parking at the start of the canel route if people wish to drive out and then hit the trail. I am a Westie (I live on the west island). So I prefer quieter routes without having to battle traffic and this one is my favs so far. PLUS the route neanders north westish so wind is not as much of an issue as the lakeshore has been and it is somwhat against us when we're fresh and it pushes us home when we are tired. Needless to say it's a very pretty route too. good riding to all!
This is my first tour de I'le.
-- Edited by broadway29 on Saturday 30th of May 2009 07:49:06 AM
-- Edited by broadway29 on Saturday 30th of May 2009 07:49:38 AM
-- Edited by broadway29 on Saturday 30th of May 2009 07:52:03 AM
yes but somehow I doubt you'll like waiting for me! I know Serge Tessier has a very interesting training ride on Saturday to Oka (it's listed in the training rides here).... We've been out with him a couple of times - he's such a great guy! Very encouraging - great tips on how to ride in a group etc... I'm not joining them on Saturday because it will be too fast for me... Hubby is going though. Looking for something to do on Sunday though...
I'd love to go for a long ride-but I don't quite know where to go-being a parent-my alone time is limited-I can be gone for only so long. But my work is starting summer hours this week-so Im off on Fridays as of 1:00. A friend who lives & bikes to and from the South Shore suggested I try this route: head from downtown to Old Montreal, Pont de la Concorde, and head East on that little strip of land. Im not sure though if it goes all the way to Pont Mercier /Khanawake and if I can cross back to the LaSalle and head back to Old Montreal that way? The path seems to stop in Sainte-Catherine..Worst case scenario I head back the way I came from and start again, or head East to Varenne and back-sounds better then riding up and down the mountain near my place (10km/round)..has anyone done this route before? Hard to tell from the map but looks like 30+ km for one round no?
-- Edited by mermaid on Wednesday 10th of June 2009 12:55:30 PM
Yup - I've been that way - although didn't cross at Pont de la Concorde - crossed at the ice bridge (next to the Champlain). Went west the strip of land to Ste. Catherines and then back - it's an easy flat ride. http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/qc/montreal/865124183194457939
You can use mapmyride to figure out distances for rides. I work until at least 3:00 on Fridays (every day really). This week I have something Friday evening. No chance of coming out for a ride early on the weekend?
Sharkies - I hadn't heard they were thinking of closing it to cyclists... why?
They are saying Elite cyclists are scaring pedestrians, rollerbladers, and recreational cyclists.
So they put orange blocks at 3 points on the track that generate two back to back 180 degree turns with a 3 meter radius.
So guess what happens:
Elite riders have to slow down but can get through. The Joe / Jane everyone riders can't get through and so they are the ones that are now unable to ride.
Wheelchairs can't get through either, some are resorting to going off into the grass.
I think that bomb blew up on the idiots that launched it.
Thanks, I'll ask my friend to see if she wants to go on a practice ride.
