Sea to Sea: A ride in review

Well, I’ve been meaning to write a summary post for Sea to Sea, but I just never really got around to it.  I find often people will ask about “what was your favourite day?” or “what was your worse day?” and it’s amazing how quickly I can come up with an answer.  I guess my main summary of the tour is was that it was an incredible experience that I miss every day!  I definitely will be thinking of my fellow Sea-to-Sea-ers as I head out for my ride this afternoon!

Favourite day: Poncha Springs, CO to Canon City, CO

A gorgeous, mostly downhill day through a beautiful canyon along the Arkansas river that culminated in white water rafting through the Royal Gorge – can’t top it!!

Pausing in Salida before heading on to Canon City on my favourite day

Fastest Day: Colby, KS to Norton, KS, aka Prairie Dog State Park day

Riding with my dad in a slight downhill and a tailwind meant we were cruising at an average speed of 30km/h!  It was great!  Only downside – to get to our accommodation, we had to turn into a pretty stiff headwind.  Fortunately, my mom came along in the SAG vehicle at that moment for us to draft into camp.

Drafting the SAG on the fastest day

Most Miserable day: Fulton, IL to Shabbona, IL

I think it’s pretty good that this was the most miserable day, because we still had fun.  It was in the middle of 2.5 weeks where it rained almost every other day, and I was getting a bit sick of the cold and the wet shoes .  It was also in the middle of a few longish days in a row.  Fortunately, Adam kept us entertained by making us guess the cause of strange scenarios (a kind of 20 questions) – kept the miles clicking off!

A miserable day biking in the rain on our way to Shabbona

Most memorable day: Diagonal, IA to Chariton, IA

Blue Rodeo Day aka. Hit by a car day.  The first day riding with team Blue Rodeo (we got lost, but at least we were lost together).  We had a great day riding and a great time being on our own (it was an adventure!).  Then, I got pushed off the road by a travel trailer (slightly less than ideal).  Then, we spent some time exploring Chariton, IA.  Then, there was ice cream cake.  Then, we hung out with a few drinks, a pie, and some great friends.  Amazing!

Lost but smiling on the most memorable day of the tour

Hottest Day: Desert Center, AZ to Quartzite, AZ

The last desert riding day before the tour was suspended.  The air temperature was around 120 F (49C), but peoples’ temperature readings on their bike computers were around 125-130F (52-54C) because of the heat reflected off the road surface.  After a stop at Mcdonald’s for ice cream and air conditioning, it felt like the whoosh of hot air when you open your oven to get back on the road.  Unbelievable!

The sun started out beautiful, but quickly became unbearable outside of Desert Center

Coldest Day: Colorado Springs, Co to Limon, CO

A good day, one of the first I spent riding with Kaitlyn (one of the girls I ended up riding with a lot), but a big climb in the rain out of Colorado Springs was not a super fun start.  I had luckily grabbed a light jacket when leaving camp as someone said it *might* rain.  Then, it got cold and foggy, and we were VERY underdressed!  A SAGged rider lent me her leg warmers and toque, which, along with frequent hot chocolate stops, made the day bearable.

Rain and fog meant we were a teeny bit chilly outside of Colorado Springs

Favourite climbing day: Ausable Chasm, NY to Whitehall, NY

My biggest climbing day of the tour was in the Adirondacks, and the amazing scenery, the fact that I knew I could do the climbing (what the heck, I had already been riding 8 weeks, what could be so back about a few more hills), and great company (Malori, an excellent riding companion!) meant that the day was top notch!  Even though there were some big climbs (15%!!!), we had a great day!

Runner up: Peyson, AZ to Huber, AZ – after 4 days off from the tour being suspended due to heat, it was great to get back on our bikes.  I definitely felt a sense of accomplishment making it up an 8km, 6% grade climb!

Conquerors of the hills after climbing about 6000 ft!

Worst showers: Fairbury, NE. 

One of the other cyclists described them to me as the “concentration camp” showers, a description I thought was extreme until I got there.  Concrete walls and a trickle of freezing water in the open air meant that they were the dirtiest/coldest/most unpleasant place to get clean we had encountered.

Runner up: The horse barn in Poncho Springs, CO.  Good water pressure and warm water made up for the fact that these showers were IN a horse barn.  Not sure they were entirely meant for human use….

Worst road: Redlands, CA to Coachella, CA

As part of our directions for the day, we had to climb through a section of clipped fence onto a “road” parallel to the interstate.  This turned out to be less of a road and more of a patchwork quilt of pavement separated by huge cracks and littered with shredded tires , broken glass, and other manner of flat-tire-inducing shrapnel.  Zach’s Angel’s (+ George Vanderkuur) were fortunate enough to make it through flat tire free, but many other groups were not so lucky.

Runner up: I-10.  We rode a section of interstate in Arizona with large seams/bumps for about 15km.  It was incredibly frustrating/hard on the arms to make our way down this bumpy road.

Best rest stop: Donut shop in Beatrice, NE 

Beatrice, NE (pronounced be-A-trice) had a donut shop that was damaged in a fire.  Their grand re-opening was the day we rode through and between 50-75 of us stopped to partake of their incredible donuts.  Like, seriously, the best Boston cream donut of my life – heavenly!

Donuts in Beatrice

Runner up: Pierre Anne Creperie, New Buffalo, MI.  We stopped.  We ate crepes.  We were satisfied.  AMAZINGNESS

Crepes in New Buffalo

Second runner up: Breakfast in Schuylerville, NY:  My last full day of the tour.  Mostly an enjoyable stop because of the excellent company (Jess, Malori, Katie, Kaitlyn), and the extremely good chocolate milk.

Breakfast in Schuylerville

Third runner up: Croissants in Quebec.  Chocolate croissant and a breakfast crossant = une Ava tres contente!!

Croissants in Quebec

 

Closest call: Zuni, NM to Rehoboth, NM

There were a few close calls on this day, but the worst one was when I hit a huge patch of thick gravel at about 50km/h going downhill.  My back tire skidded out, then fishtailed, and I prepared myself to hit the pavement.  Somehow (I’m going to go with divine providence), I managed to remain upright and not leave any bits of skin on the highway.

Before the gravel between Zuni and Rehoboth

Most accomplished day: Coralville, IA to Fulton, IA

There were lots of reasons I felt good about this day.  It was probably the day on the tour that I felt I rode the strongest.  I started out with just  Kaitlyn and we kept a moderate pace to the first SAG, then we hooked on with a fast pace line (Shannon, Kyle, Jason) and I was able to hold on at an average of about 30km/h for about 75km before I dropped off the back (that wasn’t downhill or with a tailwind even!).  Then Kaitlyn and I finished the day up in good time.  I was still feeling good, so I rode an extra 6 km to complete my second sub-six hour century (an alliterative accomplishment!). 

A fast pace line on a beautiful day!

So, I guess to sum it up.  Amazing experience.  Great riding buddies.  Everyone should do it! :)  Can’t wait to get back on the ol’ Brooks saddle and take the Jamis for a spin!

From Sea to Shining Sea

Day 60 New Jersey to NYC, NY

Distance 51km

Saddle time 2:45

Avg speed 18.6

Max speed 44.2

Total ascent 292m

Total descent 363m

The last day of riding!  I was honoured to be a part of my good friend, Jenn’s, wedding on Friday, August 23, and it meant I missed 2 days of riding (Thursday and Friday) but I really wanted to get to NYC for the last day of riding.  I had talked with a few people from NJ who had some ideas about how to get me/my bike to the route and get to ride.  I ended up accepting an extremely generous offer from Doug, one of our SAG drivers, who arranged with a friend to pick up my bike from camp in New City, NY, and have him pick me up at Newark airport and drive me to a location on the tour route.  I didn’t get much sleep (left the wedding at around 11:15, got stuck in traffic/construction in TO, slept 2.5 hrs in a hotel by the airport before getting up to return my rental car and catch my flight), but I was so grateful when everything went very smoothly.  Doug’s friend was waiting right at the exit of the airport.  I had already changed into my cycling clothes, so I jumped in his truck and we drove to about 1 mile north of the George Washington bridge.   About 5 minutes after I arrived at the place I was supposed to meet my riding group (other riders were already passing there), Kaitlyn and Katie rode up.  We waiting for Malori (who had been with a different group) and I got to say hi to my dad.  Then we started riding!! 

There were LOTS of other cyclists on the GWB

We got onto the George Washington Bridge bike/pedestrian pathway.  It was crazy busy due to all the cyclists.  There is a big cycling route through that area and there were hundreds of cyclists in singles and groups, some with racing uniforms and shaved legs!!  Then we made our way through Manhattan along the west side of the island.  It was awesome!  We couldn’t ride very fast because there were TONS of people on the pathways: rollerbladers, bikes, pedestrians, you name it!  We made it to the Staten Island ferry terminal, where we assembled as a big group.

On the ferry, statue of liberty in the background

Once off the ferry, we had a police escort for our whole time on Staten Island.  We rode as a big group, first to Project Hospitality (an amazing mission working with homeless and  low income families and individuals on Staten Island), then to Midland beach for our tire dipping.  Midland beach is one of the areas that was hardest hit by Hurricane Sandy and Terry (the current leader of Project Hospitality) told us that there are still families who are unable to return to their homes as they are mould infested now after months of being wet and in disrepair.  We dipped our tires, took some pictures, then headed on to Mt. Loretto, where we stayed for the night.

My Dad and I!!!

MADE IT!!!

Blue rodeo at the beach!

We set up tents for one last time, boxed our bikes (I with help from Kaitlyn’s dad – THANKS!!!) and got ready for our last dinner together.  We had a great time remembering tour events as a group and hearing more about the work of Project Hospitality and some other Partner organizations of the tour (World Renew, Partners Worldwide and the RCA).  A great end to a great trip!  We spent some time saying goodbye to those heading out right away, then those of us staying hung out for a bit, but as I was still on just 2.5 hrs of sleep, I faded pretty quickly!  It’s good to know that after 9 weeks of full nights of sleep uninterrupted by calls (like my normal life), I can still function on little sleep!  Stayed tuned for a final thoughts post, hopefully coming soon!  For now, it’s back to work on Thursday after a great 3 day vacation in New York City with my parents and Rachel Kiers (another rider).  Thanks for following along with me on this trip – it was an amazing experience!

As part of the closing ceremonies, we sang as song we had written as part of a small group challenge, which was to make sounds with your bike.  This song is to the tune of “Cups” and we used our bikes for the clapping:

I’ve got my ticket for Grand Rapids now.

We’ll stop by Holland on the way.

But around me all I see

Are Dutch people surrounding me.

Oh, it’s time to play bingo, whatta ya say?

Jerusalem,

In Michigan.

We sure do miss you now we’re gone.

We do miss your bleach blond hair,

Six foot people everywhere.

Oh, you know that we do miss you now we’re gone.

I’ve got my ticket now for Canada.

We’ll take the ferry ‘cross the bay.
But the rain is keeping me

Stuck here in Imlay City

Why did we get up so early, anyway?

Canada

My home, sweet home

We’re gonna miss you when we’re gone.
We will miss your free health care

And Tim Horton’s everywhere

Oh you know we’re gonna miss you when we’re gone.

I’ve got my ticket now for Sea to Sea

To ride LA to NYC

And while we did predict some pain
We did not predict the rain

Still you know that there’s no place I’d rather be

Sea to Sea

2013

We’re gonna miss you when you’re done

We will miss your breakfast times

We will miss your dinner lines

Oh, you know we’re gonna miss you when you’re done.

Sea to Sea

2013

We’re gonna miss you when you’re done

We won’t miss flats or broken spokes

Or all those stupid marriage jokes

But you know we’re gonna miss you when you’re done.

Montreal, QC to Albany, NY (3 blog posts in one!)

Monday

Day 56 Montreal, QC to Ausable Chasm, NY

Distance 123km
Saddle time 5:10 123km
Avg speed 23.7
Max speed 41.5
Total ascent 451m
Total descent 363m

We had a rough start to the morning, a headwind coupled with some pretty brutal roads made for some slow going to start.  We spent about 3 miles on a gravel road which was difficult and slow riding.  One highlight of the morning was watching Kaitlyn deal with a couple of aggressive unleashed dogs while we were riding. We could see them ahead, playfighting, and thought we might get chased (there were 3 reasonably sized dogs including what looked like a shepherd and 2 other dogs).  Sure enough, as we got closer, they abandoned their play and started chasing us.  Kaitlyn did all the right steps: stopped her bike, dismounted so the bike was between her and the dogs and said in a commanding voice, “No!  Go home!”  The dogs slowed slightly but were overall undeterred.  Then Kaitlyn sprayed them with her water bottle.  They took off for home so quickly!  Excellent work!  On behalf of all road cyclists in the country:  please contain your dogs, both for our sake and for theirs (we didn’t/wouldn’t hurt them, but what is keeping those same dogs from getting hit by a car on the road?).

Our last State sign photo opportunity!

After we crossed the border into New York state, the roads improved quite a lot and the wind seemed less of an issue.  We made much better time and barring a few stops (mmmm….ice cream) we got to camp.  We are a bit away from the lake, which was sort of disappointing, because after riding along it for 20 km, I kind of wanted to go for a swim.  There were some like minded people so we ended up shuttling down to the lake for a glorious swim.  Tomorrow we’ve got some climbing as we head through the Adirondacks!

 Tuesday

Day 57 Ausable Chasm, NY to Whitehall, NY

Distance 132km
Saddle time 6:19
Avg speed 21
Max speed 62.1
Total ascent 1739m
Total descent 1826m

Today had the biggest elevation gain of any day that I have ridden so far on the tour (there was one day in NM where the elevation gain was more, but I was sick that day, and the biggest elevation day was to be in AZ, but the tour was suspended due to heat).  1739m of climbing over the course of the day!  And it was not just little piddly hills, either.  These were big ol’ hills.  Two of the hills in the first 50km were over 15% grade and I lost count of the number of sustained climbs (up to 3-4km) at 10-12%.  It got a bit brutal.  Still, it was a really beautiful day through the Adirondacks and along the shores of Lake Champlain.  What an incredible area.  I had a great time riding with Malori, who is a faster climber, but slower descender than I am, which means we end up together at the tops of hills or the bottoms of valleys!   It was gorgeous and sunny all day, and I spent quite a lot of time on my bike reminiscing about previous climbs: Roger’s pass last summer, Box Canyon, a big climb at the end of a hot day coming into Quartzite, AZ, some mountain passes in Colorado, our big climbing day in Iowa.  I am so grateful to have the physical ability to do a day like today, and although I’m exhausted, overall had a fabulous time!  Looking forward to slightly less climbing tomorrow for my last full day of the tour!!!!

The Adirondacks are nicer to LOOK at then to CYCLE over

 

Wednesday

Day 57 Whitehall, NY to Albany, NY

Distance 125km
Saddle time 5:06
Avg speed 24.2
Max speed 47.2
Total ascent 562m
Total descent 515m
 
Today was bittersweet as it was my last full riding day of the tour.  I was feeling pretty bummed this morning and Katie suggested we start my last full day with a prayer, at which suggestion I burst into tears!  I was just feeling a bit ripped off about having to miss the last few days.  Once we started riding, my mood definitely improved and we had a great meandering day to Albany.  We stopped when we felt like it (breakfast at one restaurant, a nice long break at my mom’s SAG, a chat under the shade of some roadside trees, and ice cream as we got close to camp).  I did get my second flat of the tour today.  I hit a pretty sizable rock on the road, which seemed to knock my stem out of the tire.  It was a pretty immediate flat!  But a quick fix and we were soon on our way again.  It’s looking like (barring any flight difficulties) I will be able to ride on Saturday for at least part of the day, so I’m psyched about that! 

Today, in addition to an actual stone, I also hit a milestone!  Last Sept 1, I set a goal to ride 10,000km before next Sept 1.  I hit 10,000km today!  Woohoo!!!

At 10,000km since Sept 1 of last year!

 

Bievenue a Montreal!!!

Day 54 Cornwall, ON to Montreal, QC
Distance 105km
Saddle time 4:18
Avg speed 24.4
Max speed 40.7
Total ascent 179m
Total descent 226m
 
Kaitlyn, Malori and I took a nice leisurely day today.  Katie wanted to ride by herself, so we just toodled our way to Montreal.   It was a beautiful ride, again along the St. Lawrence. We stopped at a patisserie once we were in QC for some croissants and other goodies and then we continued to our camp.  We are staying the weekend at Kahnawake Survival School in Kahnawake, just outside Montreal.  We were having trouble finding a place big enough around Montreal to host us and the people in Kahnawake stepped up to help us out after hearing that we had also been aided by the Zuni and the Navajo while in New Mexico.  Pretty neat!

Entering La Belle Province!

Cool tunnel shot

Sunday we headed to Montreal for an excellent church service at a Presbyterian church in downtown Montreal.  The building was absolutely beautiful.  Then, 5 of us decided to head down to Boul. Rene Levesque as the Pride parade was happening.  I’ve never been to a Pride parade before, so it was certainly an experience!  We loved the dancing and the drums and the environment in general.  Then, Justin Trudeau came walking down the parade route!  I was so excited, I yelled “Justin!!” at him, which led him over for a photo op!  Most excellent indeed!  After the parade, we headed  to Old Montreal for a much needed lunch (mussels!) and a stroll around Vieux-Montreal.  It was a great break from cycling!  This week I only have 3.5 cycling days, as I will be headed to Ontario on Thursday to stand up for my friend Jenn in her wedding (Friday) before busting it back to NYC to make it for the end of the tour.

Brockville, ON to Cornwall, ON

Day 53 Brockville, ON to Cornwall, ON

Distance 114km

Saddle time 4:14

Avg speed 26.6

Max speed 45.3

Total ascent 348m

Total descent 392m

 

Another beautiful riding day along the St. Lawrence River.  We left Brockville just before 8 and we were already treated to goodies at 10km when one of the riders’ parents set up a stand for us outside their house with boiled eggs, tea and homemade cinnamon buns.  Delicious!  By 47km there was more churches, this time with cookies.  Some of the riders decided to do a time trial from here (a race), but Malori and I wanted to continue our perfect pace, so we just cheered as they zoomed past us.  Part way to Cornwall, there was an option to take a scenic parkway over some islands, so Malori and I decided to head that way and enjoy the scenery while Kaitlyn and Katie (the two members of Blue Rodeo who had raced and therefore were more tired) decided to continue on the regular route.  Otherwise, not too much else to report.  I’m well on track to making my 10,000 (if I ride all the remaining miles until I leave for Jenn’s wedding, I will be at 10,050!!!) and things are going well!  I can’t believe this is almost over, I will be very sad to go!!!

Along the St. Lawrence

Ajax to Trenton to Kingston to Brockville

Tuesday
Day 50 Ajax, ON to Trenton, ON
Distance 137
Saddle time 5:27
Avg speed 25.1
Max speed 46.8
Total ascent 944m
Total descent 944m (!!! THE FIRST DAY ON THE TOUR THE ASCENT AND THE DESCENT ARE EXACTLY EQUAL!!!)

I was really excited to ride today, as we were heading through Oshawa – the town where I grew up/my parents still live.  I didn’t sleep in my own bed Monday night because I had to meet a friend/try on a bridesmaid dress and the logistics were too complicated, so I was back in my cozy tent Monday night (it feels like home by now!).  I got up early and rode to Hope Fellowship with Julia and Shannon before the rest of my regular crew left because I wanted to be able to spend some time at the church with the people there.  What an incredible welcome!  As we rode up, there were signs every 0.5-1km with encouraging messages. Then, each rider was cheered in by a crowd of Hope Fellowshippers with flags, cowbells and other noise makers – it was pretty amazing.  Our delicious snacks were crowned by the ultimate SAG prize – a CANDY BAR!! AMAZING!  More than all those things, it was great to spend 1-1.5 hrs getting to see people from the church I grew up in!  I was blown away by all those who came out to greet us cyclists and encourage us!  It makes an enormous difference.  I really enjoyed seeing everyone (I don’t want to list names in case I forget anyone!), but it was particularly special to see some people from elementary school, high school and a lot of the other people I grew up with.  I had a wonderful time.

A candy bar for the cyclists!  Great idea!!!

 

After a long stop, I headed out with Malori at a perfect pace (we only ride at a perfect pace…) for the rest of the day.  I met the mom of one of my high school friends cheering in Newmarket and had a great visit, then headed off for two more church stops: Grace CRC in Cobourg (yummy  crackers and cheese!) and the CRC in Brighton (where we got oliebolien (!!!!!!!!) and ice cream).  It’s the first day of the tour that I ended with more food than I started with.  Ontario, you did us proud from a hospitality point of view.

Monday night we visited Kaitlyn Kuipers’ family in Brighton.  They were amazing hosts, and we passed a much too short evening of wine, steak and good company before a good night’s sleep (in a bed this time!).  Absolutely amazing day!

Wednesday

Day 51 Trenton, ON to Kingston, ON

Distance 128km
Saddle time 5:03
Avg speed 24.5
Max speed 48.6
Total ascent 612m
Total descent 628m
 
After a great breakfast of bacon and eggs at the Kuipers, we headed back to Trenton to start cycling for the day.  I was not feeling so hot overall, my legs are still pretty burned (even after trying a few Epsom salt baths, Aud, which I think helped, so thanks for the suggestion) and I just feel a bit fatigued overall.  I’m still loving it, it’s just a bit hard on the body!!

We had a great, leisurely ride through a gorgeous area today.  We had a few stops (a church stop and then we took a detour to Lake on the Mountain, a cool geologic feature where Kaitlyn met a friend of hers) but had a great day and good company.  I can’t really think of anything else exciting that happened during the ride.

Ferry ride!

Once in Trenton, we set up camp and then were treated to an amazing array of desserts by two local churches!  Delicious again!  We had a great time of worship and sharing with some local church members and then I was able to catch a sweet sunset over Lake Ontario while stretching.  Not too shabby!

 Thursday

Day 52 Kingston, ON to Brockville, ON

Distance 96
Saddle time 4:05
Avg speed 23.5
Max speed 45.7
Total ascent 554m
Total descent 559m

Nice short day between Kingston and Brockville today.  The route was absolutely gorgeous, winding along the St. Lawrence river and through the 1000 Islands.  I rode with my dad at a nice leisurely pace.  A number of people had stopped at Ivy Lea to take a boat cruise (we decided not to) and somehow everybody’s helmets ended up linked together on the picnic table after they got on the boat.  I can’t think how that could have came to be!

A helmet mystery....

 

By Ivy Lea there was a beautiful and well paved pathway along the road, so we had a lot of fun, zooming along with an excellent tailwind.  Wherever there was a driveway, there was a roller in the path, so we had fun bouncing over those.  After one particularly excellent one (at the bottom of a hill), my dad said, “That was so fun, let’s go up and do it again….”  I thought he was joking until I saw him riding back up the hill in my rearview mirror to hit it again!

Otherwise a pretty uneventful day for us.  Got to Brockville, went for lunch with my parents and some other riders and now getting some pics uploaded onto facebook!