Tour of the Cowichan Valley; April 11 2009

My first "official " randonneur ride: 200 km - Tour of the Cowichan Valley; April 11 2009

Great people, cloud cover, cool, spitting rain, Chilly around Shawnigan, warm at Cowichan Lake and Duncan, Overall a great day for my first 205 km Brevet

Early (4 AM) start to the day for me. A large high carbohydrate meal, Qi gong, recheck the gear and bike, then head over to Dewain's for the drive up. Arrive with plenty of time to set up yet still manage to start a little behind the group. Dewain (aka "the hammer") leads us off in a sprint to quickly catch the main group, then take the lead. A few more sprints and I become very aware I am not the athlete "the hammer" is. We manage to keep up with the lead group until the Cowichan Bay hill where they pull away. At the turn left onto Cherry Point Rd. we have the second group pass us in our confusion about road names and stop sign count. A couple more sprints along Cherry Point and we are ahead of the second group. The climb to Shawnigan Lake proves beyond a doubt I cannot keep pace with Dewain. After the 50 km checkpoint he is away to catch the lead group. Our average speed is 26+ km/hr way over what I had planned.

Google earth map of route

The trip around Shawnigan is bittersweet. I have faded back to the pace I should have maintained. Enjoying the scenery more in spite of the chill. Alas my nemesis strikes at 70km, in spite of an increased dose of calcium, light cramps at first, followed by warning cramps. Trying to keep pace was my mistake. Testosterone is such a curse at times. A stop, some stretches and a slow spin to the top of the Cobble Hill Rd was the trick. Coasting down the hill to the highway was the ticket. Another stretching break at the picnic site off the highway and that would be the last of the cramps. Doing 12 metrics since January was paying dividends. The ride through the Kokisilah is pastoral. I ask at the 100 km checkpoint; "the hammer" has gained half an hour on me.

Elevation profile

A quick couple of turns and we pass through Duncan. I find myself riding with Mike Poplawski, an experianced Randonneur. A few words of encouragement and I am mentally back in the game. I start the countdown. Psychologically I count the kilometres left once I am past the halfway point. The first hill a reminder Cowichan lake is a ways up yet. Mike is to the point, "rivers run downhill". Decievingly simple at first, the hills become steeper as we proceed. I start to slip back, catching up on the downhills. Then there are no downhills, the climb just continues, I fade back. Finally after promising myself I would stop "just around the next bend", I give in, take a short break. Refueling with ensure and a couple of boiled baby potatoes has been the mainstay this ride. Now I add dark chocolate as an incentive, from here on every 20 km I will enjoy the added treat. I have stopped counting down to the end of the ride and am merely counting to Lake Cowichan. the numbers are smaller, and then it is "flat ", so I tell myself. Greendale is a pleasant ride along the river, and suddenly I am at Lake Cowichan. Fuel and rest restore my confidence. Less than 15 km to the third checkpoint. With 10 km until I turn around, the lead pack appears, Dewain in front heading downhill for the last 50 km. "The hammer" has gained at least an hour on me.

Topographic map

A complete change of clothes is my reward for doing the first 150 km. Rest, fuel and more chocolate prepares me for the 20 "flat" km before what will be a long down hill run to the highway. Life does not get any better than this. At the third checkpoint my average speed had dipped close to 20 kph. Now with a little effort I am flying downhill at speeds up to 60 kph. The road simply disappears under my bike. Before I know it I am through Duncan and drafting behind Devon Mihalyi and Luke Galley a couple of Randoneers (who stopped in Duncan for a snack). Chemanus looms into view, and suddenly it is over. The ride is complete and the feeling of elation is grand. 205 km, 9:10 riding time, 22.3 average kph. With rest breaks a total of 10:20 on the road. I am happy with my first attempt. To think of where I was just over 2 years ago, I feel extremely lucky.

Epilogue
Dewain has had just under 2 hours to relax and have a meal while waiting. He completed in 8:30 total time. We loaded up and head for home. Today I am grateful to Stephanie and Dewain for their advice regarding the Hot/Cold treatment of muscles for recovery. I seem only to have my regular aches and pains, no residual leg muscle trouble. this can not be that bad, maybe I will try it again. Ah, how gentle my memory is. Take a virtual ride on the bikely interactive map. Zoom into Chemainus; click on the start tour button; use the <> to travel the route. It is best viewed as a "hybrid " map. Enjoy.

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