It is now two months after the trip as I
look back and try to evaluate my very mixed feelings about this
year's Tour du Canada bicycle ride. In some ways, the trip was a
great disappointment to me. First of all, after reading Mark
Liewicki's journal, Celia's "Romancing the Bicycle" and the e-mail
correspondence from former riders, I had expected to enjoy it a lot
more than I did. I suppose the fact that the weather was so rotten in
the West got the trip off to a poor start. When I finally made it up
to the top of Roger's Pass, I was cold and wet and had no feelings of
triumph or accomplishment (this was so different from what Mark had
experienced!); I only wanted to find a place to warm up and then get
into camp (still very far off) because I was on supper duty.
Secondly, I found it very stressful to ride
in some of the dangerous conditions we rode in: the two last tunnels
before Hell's Gate Canyon, the pitch black avalanche tunnel after
Roger's Pass, lengthy sections of the Trans Canada highway in both
Manitoba and Ontario with no shoulders and very heavy truck traffic,
stretches of Highway 132 in Quebec, and there are others. Moreover, I
almost got hit by cars or trucks at several points along the way,
including a really close call the very last day, and this through no
fault of my own. At first, I didn't notice the stress but it kept
accumulating until I couldn't get on my bike without feeling uptight
and tense. This was a complete contrast to the enjoyment that I
experienced cycling before the trip. It has taken me two full months
to "unlearn" this stress reaction and to once again feel that cycling
can be a fun and relaxing activity. There is no way that I would ever
choose to ride again on some of these roads where cyclists are so
vulnerable and so unwelcome.
The long riding days and poor maps were also
sources of frustration for me. Although I suffered from no physical
ailments (sore knees or muscles, saddle sores, etc.) and completed up
to 216 kilometres in one day with no problem, I did not find the
really long days enjoyable at all. In fact, I realized that my
comfort limit is around 100 km because after this, the ride usually
became a real drag. The only exception was when we experienced
tailwinds but these were very few and far between this past summer.
We often had to battle strong head- or crosswinds. Inaccuracies on
the maps added to the frustration of already long days because they
often led to even longer ones. I don't think that there was one
cyclist in our group that didn't have problems with the maps;
however, some weren't bothered by them as much as others.
The last disappointment for me was the
disintegration of group spirit. As in any group, problems and
conflicts arose which, at first, were discussed among certain
members, usually the women. Never did the group openly discuss a
particular irritant, although we thought that it would at first. Part
of the problem was that no one showed any real leadership in this
area, so eventually, the problems were swept under the proverbial
carpet and not dealt with. They did not disappear and this caused a
certain amount of dissension and split among us all. Towards the end
of the trip, I realized that we didn't have much genuine group spirit
at all, it seemed to be more one of convenience than of genuine
consideration for others. I realize that this is my perception of how
things were and that others in the group may not have experienced
this in the same way. However, such was my perception and after
riding up Signal Hill after yet another tough day, I didn't feel any
joy at what we had just accomplished. I was just glad that the whole
thing was finally over.
Of course, I also experienced many positive
things. I especially enjoyed the stop in Drumheller with a visit to
the extraordinary Tyrell Museum, and the stops in Toronto, Montreal,
and Ottawa where we met up with friends and family. Spending a summer
mainly outdoors was great, too, and many of the campgrounds were in
very scenic spots - that I would have liked to have spent more time
in. We saw some spectacular natural scenery, some wild animals, some
beautiful buildings. Food never tasted so good and it was great to
eat chocolate bars and ice cream, and drink milkshakes almost every
day and still lose weight! Showers were never so appreciated and beer
and Mike's Hard Lemonade never so refreshing after a hard day of
exercise. It was always fun to have company in the evening, too.
Moreover, cycling without having to carry all your personal gear was
a real convenience. The trip was certainly very affordable and I felt
that we certainly got our money's worth and more. Moreover, the fact
of being part of a group actually made the crossing possible for
Gilbert and me. Had we tried to ride across Canada on our own this
past summer, I don't think we ever would have made it; we would have
spent too much time waiting for the weather to clear or visiting
places of interest, etc. and time would have run out at some point
without the full distance having been covered.
So now, what are my conclusions and
recommendations? I think that the Tour du Canada ride is probably
most appreciated by the type of avid cyclist who already belongs to a
cycling club. It is my feeling that the majority of recreational
cyclists most likely find a great many daily distances too long for
their taste and comfort, especially when weather and riding
conditions are less than excellent. Perhaps there would be a way of
making some of the short riding days longer so that the long days
could become shorter. I would also strongly recommend that the maps
be improved either by adding accurate information to the ones already
drawn up or by using another series of maps. Perhaps one of the
companies who have placed maps on the web would be interested in
sponsoring the Tour du Canada ride, or maybe biking associations in
the different provinces could help with verifying certain routes.
Another suggestion I would have is that more SAG support be provided
to the group. In difficult conditions, several riders may need
alternate transportation at the same time and this is not always easy
to come by. Lastly, on Orientation Day, it might be worth mentioning
different ways the group could go about solving problems that arise
between its members; for example, an hour on evenings before rest
days could be officially set aside for a group meeting where issues
that have come up or that are bothering people could be addressed;
two riders (volunteers or chosen by the group) could act as chair
persons for these meetings and perhaps this might lead to better
harmony and cohesiveness in groups faced with problems.
As a general conclusion, I would say that if
someone's dream is really to cross Canada on a bicycle, Tour du
Canada is certainly a great, no frills way of doing it. As many
people have mentioned before, mental endurance is probably more
important in a trip of this nature than being an extremely
accomplished cyclist. At the very least, the ride will certainly be a
memorable experience and at the most, an extraordinary
one.
Good luck to all future riders.
Acknowledgements
First of all, I would like to thank Bud and
Margot Jorgenson who, through their continued efforts, make such an
experience possible for anyone wishing to give it a try. Next would
come my husband, Gilbert, whose dream of crossing the continent by
bicycle eventually became my dream. I don't think I would have
thought of undertaking such an expedition had he not been so
enthusiastic about it. Needless to say, I still needed some
convincing and Mark Lewiecki TDC '97, unknowingly did this with the
fine journal that he made available on the net.
Once we had made up our minds to join the
TDC99 riders, I signed up for the listserv and certain former TDC
riders provided us neophytes with invaluable information. The first
and foremost person that comes to mind here is Don Peddie who
certainly spared no effort to give us excellent advice. One of the
highlights for me in the early portion of the ride was meeting Don at
Drumheller. Not only did he bring us delicious treats, but he also
shuttled small groups of people back and forth from the campsite into
town. Others, such as Mark Bazerman and Celia and Tim Hope also wrote
memorable e-mail messages and met us with much appreciated goodies.
Also, thanks go out to Marcel Ziemans and other former TDC riders who
wished us all well or offered us help in one way or
another.
A very special thank you goes out to all of Adélard Boudreau's family, in particular, his mother, brothers and sisters and their families who prepared such a wonderful Acadian feast for us in Petit-Rocher, and his wife and in-laws who welcomed us and organized a most excellent lobster dinner at their cottage at Parlee Beach. Moreover, I mustn't forget his friends who provided us with some delicious desserts, too.
One person, whom I think the entire first
group greatly appreciated without exception, was our wonderful
"Mother Trucker," Jen Conlin. Jen showed a maturity beyond her years
coupled with an exemplary sense of responsibility, organization and
enthusiasm. She always did an excellent job and often went beyond the
call of duty to help make our ride an enjoyable and memorable one.
Thank you, Jen.
Thanks also to Jeff, our substitute driver
who spoiled us with some excellent meals and desserts that he
miraculously concocted.
And last, but not least, I would like to
thank all my fellow riders for their excellent company and
help:
Vicky Blevins -
"Queen Victoria" whose company I enjoyed several days in B.C. and who
rode every kilometre of the way. Bravo, Vicky.
Adélard Boudreau
- Not only a great cyclist but the most
hospitable of hosts when we arrived in l'Acadie, NB; rode the longest
distance in one day: 256 km. Adélard also rode every
kilometre. Bravo.
Martin Brown -
Martin on his recumbent seemed like a special escort when you rode
with him; always good company. Newfoundland cyclist Tom Sandland told
us that Martin was the first person to ride a recumbent up Signal
Hill.
Roger Chiasson
- Roger regaled us with stories of his naval days, impressed us with
his Japanese and helpfulness to Yuko, and was always great fun to
ride with.
Dave Faingold and Jacqueline
Rennick - Computer whiz kids, if I'm not
mistaken; these two were always interested in the cultural aspects of
the tour; received the most packages from home and shared their
goodies with everyone.
Dave Foss - Man
of few words, amazingly skilful at making "impossible" repairs to
damaged wheels and rims; renowned at first for consuming 8 peanut
butter and jam sandwiches per day (but after a few of weeks, he got
sick of them); remarkable for enduring his painful knees.
Leo Krug - A
remarkable cyclist, quiet and thoughtful. Members of Leo's family
always seemed to be popping by with good things to eat.
Ray King -
"Uncle Ray," the unofficial leader of our group; a cyclist of
exceptional strength and endurance; Bon vivant with an impish sense
of humour. Ray seemed to have relatives in all parts of the country
who kindly brought us treats. Ray completed every kilometer of the
entire ride. Bravo.
Alison Kent -
Awesome Ali, always a smile and upbeat attitude; a great cyclist
known for her organization and ability to be first out of camp; rode
the longest distance in one day: 256 km; inventive cook. Bravo, Ali,
for cycling the whole route.
Dave Hammond -
"Fast Dave" was always ready to help a rider in need; one of the
strongest cyclists in the group, he would let weaker riders draft him
when they needed to; a wonderful leader in Newfoundland and a real
asset to the group.
Wally Henne - A
great swimmer and excellent cyclist; renowned for his special German
potato salad. Thanks to Wally's wife for her dessert one
evening.
Don Hooper -
Always good company, Don told us many interesting things about dogs;
holds this year's record for the greatest number of flats per days
ridden (Don left us in Winnipeg)
Caroline Maclean and Megan Maclean
- A sometimes slow, a sometimes powerful
mother-and-daughter team on a tandem; the "lives" of the party; great
cooks; hold this year's record for original ways of getting into
camp.
Jonathan Moore
- Alias "Sandal Boy," our lone American
rider with his mascot, Rubber Chicken; an interesting
conversationalist; a persevering cyclist.
Ngaire O'Leary
- Cycling wonder from Down under;
pedaled her hybrid with exceptional strength and endurance; made the
most of her visit to North America; also cycled every kilometre of
the trip. Bravo.
Eva Svoboda -
Accomplished triathlon participant; active athlete; intellectual
pursuits; read the most books on the trip; thanks to Eva's mother for
the tasty cookies.
Bert Vanden Heuvel
- A great runner and excellent cyclist;
brought lots of great tapes to accompany his much-appreciated,
nightly stretching sessions.
Leda - Tanned
and fit; always smiling and receptive; a very valued member of the
group.
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