- Basics of how the ride works
- No one gets there first
- There is no prize for leading the ride
- If you pass the pilot car, you're gone. Our permits require us to be contained in what we call "The Package"
- We will use the pilot cars to control the pace of the ride.
- New riders tend to want to climb the first long climb too fast... this is a huge mistake that is paid for later in the ride. Any time gains here are doubly lost later... Thus the pace will be controlled.
- The pace is the pace... For some it will be too hard and for some too easy.
- If it is too easy for you, please put your hand on the back of another rider who is struggling.
- If you are just plain having a bad day and the support folks ask you to get in the van, listen to them. We are not allowed to have riders way off the back as The Package gets too long.
- While there is a history of folks pushing a lot up the hills, this is not something to be expected as it jeopardizes their chance of completing the ride.
- If your support crew tells you that you need to eat and drink, Do it! Our amazing volunteers can see riders change and notice when they are not doing so well.
- How fast do we ride?
- 24.5 to 26.9 kmh avg
- 10.5 to 14.5 kmh up the 32 km climb to the summit of the Coq. We have paid the price for climbing this hill too fast. Any gains here are lost later when fatigue kicks in.
- 30 to 35 kmh or more in 2-up formation on the flats.
- What are the benchmarks I need to be at in order to have a good chance to complete the ride? ... remember we only have so many spots in the support vans so not everyone can get in!
- 300 to 400 km in a week - a few of them.
- 200 km day
- How is the ride "Escorted"?
- Delta Police provides escort from beginning to end. We have RCMP join in a various locations.
- With this escort and with our pilot cars, we essentially have a lane to ourselves for most of the ride so it is very safe.
- While we have ride captains and pilot cars, the Police escorts have the final say in calling the shots.
- Please be aware of these Motorcycle Police as they pass on the LEFT.. Thus it is critical you maintain ride formation and keep space between you and the yellow line - space for the "Motor" to pass.
- What do I need to bring?
- Rider Checklist
- Bring all your cycling gear - it could snow!
- Pack for all four seasons of weather - temperatures can range from 2 to 35 degrees celsius.
- Label your clothing with your initials.
- Bag Balm, Shammy Lude, Vaseline..
- Do not change anything on your bike just before the ride except new tires!
- Make sure you put 50km or so on those new tires so you don't discover a pinch flat at 3:45AM just before starting the ride!
- Check your Rim Tape before your change tires
- Change your tubes
- Get a good tune up done 2 weeks in advance and put some miles on your bike before the ride
- Know your Bike
- Know how it descends
- High Speed Wobble is not always the Bike!
- Understand your gearing - for flats this is important... do you have a 10 speed Shimano or some other wheel? Call it out if you have a flat so we can get you the right wheel.
- Be comfortable reaching for your Water Bottle and drinking from it while riding
- Be comfortable eating on the bike - many riders us a "bento box" on their top tube to help with this.
- Understand your Ability
- Listen to your body. Drink and eat every 20 Minutes.
- Understand the draft and pace line, be comfortable in a pack and in that regard, read this following article:
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