South Bruce 200

Ride report from Carey Chappelle:

YES … HONEST TO GOD … THIS BREVET ACTUALLY HAPPENED IN THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY!

Congrats to all of the participants who were comfortable enough to even attempt Huron Chapter’s South Bruce 200km Brevet this past week-end … Ken Jobba, Tim O’Callahan, Liz Overduin, Patrick Whitehead, Brenda Wiechers and myself.

Patrick completed this Brevet, but was over the time limit of 13.5hrs. He let me know how much he loved the ride, but picking up Orange peels and dropped route sheets simply cost him too much time!

Ken, Tim, Liz, Brenda and myself all stayed together and finished successfully in 10hrs 47mins.

Friday at 1600hrs, I only knew that Liz and myself were going to attempt the South Bruce 200 on Saturday. Friday’s weather was wet and windy, so it looked like no one else was going to attempt it. Later in the evening, Tim e-mailed me to let me know that Brenda and himself were on their way to Port Elgin to join us Saturday for the Brevet. Perfect, 4 people anyway! Ken had asked me to prepare a Control Card for him, just in case he made it up. Patrick let me know he was not going to attempt the South Bruce 200 but do another ride from home. Surprise! Surprise! Saturday morning, Ken and Patrick showed up! Fortunately, I had an extra Control Card with me!

Traditionally, February winter in Port Elgin means … closed roads … stop signs no longer exist … and snow blowing was what everyone did for fun! This past Saturday, no snow blowing was going on, roads were open and we had to actually Stop where Stop signs existed!

Pedalling to the first Control in Walkerton, five of the six Randonneurs planned on a 10 minute stop at Tim Horton’s, which turned out to be 30 minutes. We headed to the next Control in Wingham only 43 km away. Scenery was breathtaking! Some roads had snow and ice on both sides but nothing but asphalt for us to pedal on!

Weather -2 deg C to 3 deg C, SUNSHINE and amazingly …only 12km/hr Winds!

Having a great lunch in Wingham, we headed towards Kincardine. Again, with only 12km/hr winds and SUNSHINE, everyone was simply loving the ride! Personally, having done this Brevet many times, this one is my favourite! Pedalling along, loving life … then …

SURPRISE … SURPRISE …. SECRET CONTROL just outside Kincardine!

The INFAMOUS Bill Little had set up a Secret Control, provided hot coffee, water, beverages and butter tarts for everyone!

We then stepped back to get a photo of the river behind us! Notice the SUNSHINE!

Back on our bikes, we headed to the Hawgs Breath Saloon in Kincardine for our final break before heading to the finish in Port Elgin. Everyone loved this Brevet, the Scenery second to none and above all … attempting an actual Brevet this time of year in Bruce County…

PS: Patrick actually stopped in Kincardine for supper before heading to the finish!

2017 Annual Awards Dinner

2017 CLUB AWARDS PRESENTATIONS

Outstanding Performance on a Brevet Brian Brideau and Renato Alesandrini

PRESENTED BY: Joey Schwartz

Awarded to the club rider who has: Demonstrated significant fortitude, courage, or generosity on a brevet ride. Demonstrated physical or mental abilities beyond the usual in the conduct of a brevet ride.

Jock Wadley Award (Outstanding Rider)John Cumming

PRESENTED BY: Mike Barry

Awarded to a club rider who is outstanding in one year or over several years and has: Shown interest in the club and has provided support and assistance Helped on rides or helped other riders.

Beryl Burton Award (Best Female Rider) – Erin Marchak
(Also winner of Female Distance: 763 km)

PRESENTED BY: Dede Barry

Awarded to a club rider who is outstanding in one year or over several years and has: Shown interest in the club and has provided support and assistance. Helped on rides or helped other riders.

Coronation Cup (Most Improved Rider) – David Hamilton

PRESENTED BY: Bob MacLeod

Awarded to a club rider who has at least one previous year riding with the Randonneurs Ontario, and has: Shown consistency in appearing and in cycling; Demonstrated improvement either in cumulative mileage ridden from previous season, or in brevet finishing times over the previous season.

Jim Griffin (Rookie of the Year) – Don Williams

PRESENTED BY: Peter Leiss

Awarded to a club rider who has: Joined the Randonneurs Ontario in the year of the award or who rode their first brevet in the year of the award;  Shown ability in the year & shown interest in the club and in other club riders.

Half Wheel Award – Jerzy Dziadon

PRESENTED BY: Stephen Jones

Awarded to a club rider who has consistently forced the pace of the group during brevet rides.

Best Fleche Team – Hogtown Express

Dick Felton
Stephen Jones
Andrea Ferguson Jones
Bob MacLeod

PRESENTED BY: Carey Chappelle

Awarded to the members of the fleche team who record the most kilometres on the club’s fleche ride in the year of the award.

Organizer of the Year – Granite Anvil Organizing Committee

PRESENTED BY: Tim O’Callahan

Awarded to that person(s) who has: Provided support to the club’s riding events in the year of the award or over several years. Demonstrated care for the well being of the club’s riders. Consistently taken on the task of organising and supporting club rides.

Special Recognition Award – Dave Thompson

PRESENTED BY: Dick Felton

Awarded to a club rider who has: Completed a cycling event in the year of the award that merits commemoration. Made contributions to the club that merit commemoration.

Dan Herbert Memorial Award – Tim O’Callahan

PRESENTED BY: Arthur Reinstein

Awarded to a member who has in one or more years: Benefited the club by mentoring one or more members (generally but not necessarily new). Mentoring is to be defined as encouraging, educating and assisting riders to achieve their full potential as bike riders and club members.

Long Distance Award(s)

PRESENTED BY: Peter Leiss

Awarded to the rider(s) who has:

Completed the highest number of Kilometres on:

  1. Randonneurs Ontario Brevets – Jerzy Dziadon 
  2. All ACP Brevets – David Thompson
  3. Randonneurs Ontario Permanent Rides – Dave Hamilton

Creemore Classic Bowling Champion – Carey Chappelle

PRESENTED BY: Terry Payne