I just called the ride office to find out the dates for the 2011 RTCC. I know it is a bit early to start thinking about it but in the online registration, you get asked if you want to pre-register for the 2011 ride.
The dates that are planned for 2011 are July 10th and 11th.
I would have preferred early June instead of mid July.
although I don't love the possibility of crazy mid-summer heat - I think May/early June is too soon to properly train considering we have winter here in Quebec...
and to take that a bit further - having it later in the summer means every single weekend all freaking summer we'll be training. This way it only ruins (I mean enhances - lol!) half of our summer allowing us to have other vacation options in the later half of the summer...
I didn't do the 2009 ride, so I don't have that torrential rain experience to compare to, but I found the July heat really difficult to take. It's probably the only thing that might keep me from doing it next year.
I started riding outside in April this year, about the same time my friend in Toronto started. I don't think the weather between the two cities is all THAT different to warrant the Montreal ride being held a month afterwards... and there's always spinning classes!
I agree that if it were in September then the whole summer would be consumer with biking.. which was a leeeeetle bit intense at times.
