If all is going according to plan, I’m already rolling South-east from Grand Bend to London while you read this.
I got up at 4:30, Michel and I plunked our bikes on the back of The Natmobile and popped over to pick up Tracy & Tyler.
It’s an hours drive so a Tim Horton’s stop is “deriguer” before we coast into the motorplex, park and get ready to roll.
I love the nervous and excited energy of riders and volunteers as everyone schleps gear and runs to the bathroom a dozen times.
I’m feeling so good this year. My cycling volume is 3 to 4 times what is was the past 2 years. My legs are strong from my tiny but frequent commutes. My balance is much better thanks to physiotherapy. My fundraising is ON FIRE! So positive on so many fronts.
This year’s emotional component is much more poignant. A dear friend lost their parent to MS in the spring. Another friend is newly diagnosed has started treatment. They told me the treatment didn’t even exist 3 years ago. Wow. Talk about a concrete reason to fundraise.
My strategy for getting donations has often focused on my efforts to train up and good natured competition of who can raise the most money. I do that because it can feel icky to share other peoples’ stories and then ask for money.
Those stories are why we ride. I’ve cried a lot on rides. Tears of empathy, compassion, gratitude, frustration. All the tears.
I do get verklempt when I see the “I ride because I have MS” jerseys.
So. Rain or shine I’m riding even if the weather cancels one of the days.
It’s 80 km each day. Michel and I broughtsupplies for a self supported ride.
And if you would like to donate, there’s still time!
My partner and I took our bicycles on a short holiday road trip across part of Ontario, Canada to visit family and friends. It wasn’t a cycling holiday, but it was a holiday that involved some cycling. Road trip cycling was a new experience for us recent owners of a road bike (me) and an e-bike (my partner). Among visits, dinners, and museum trips, we managed to get out 3 times in 6 days.
Road trip cycling gives you a new way to explore new places. On ours, the weather was beautiful and the locations were scenic. After a few times, we got bike and gear extraction and repacking with the SUB down to a science. But it wasn’t issue-free.
A relatively new road cyclist training with a club, I was excited to explore longer paths mapped by other cyclists using my Ride GPS app. But I mistakenly assumed I would be leading the rides. I didn’t recognize it right away, but it turns out my partner had their own ideas about which way and for how long we should ride, decisions made more by feeling and impulse.
Our differences of opinion led to some frustration. The GPS-marked paths I chose sometimes had some longer-than-comfortable gravel stretches or were busy with “walkers.” The random paths my partner chose led to dead ends or us dodging traffic to cross busy roads. One time we each doggedly took what we thought was the best route … and lost sight of each other (phone call, waiting). Another time we got different advice from hotel staff on how to best get our bikes out of the underground parking lot, so we each stubbornly took our own ways up topside.
When cycling alone or with a club, I have learned, there is generally a single and shared vision of the ride. When cycling casually with a partner in new places, the path, duration, and speed must all be negotiated. You’d think we could have just laugh it off at the time, but when one of us had felt really uncomfortable based on a choice the other had made it wasn’t always easy to find levity.
Next time I will still plan our rides with maps, but I will also try to go with the flow, communicate more, and keep upbeat when something unexpected happens. Maybe we agree to alternate who lead the rides. Maybe we each get one “turnaround” audible per ride if things feel bad for one of us. Holiday road trip cycling is not only enjoyable; it can also be an interesting test of a partnership!
Who leads when you ride casually with a partner, family member, or a friend? How do you negotiate differences?
A map of Belleville with a red line marking the path riddenA map of Wolf’s Island with a red line marking the path riddenA map of Ottawa with a red line marking the path ridden
In two weeks I’ll be participating in the MS Bike Tour – Grand Bend to London.
The route is different this year, with a new endpoint in London. I like to practice the start of Day 2 to get a feel for what my tired legs and bum will need to do.
I checked out the route and saw a roughly 4 km stretch on Clarke Rd. It is a section of road Michel and his Randonneuring friends have been on. They decided the speed and volume of traffic without a shoulder means their routes that include that section are getting redesigned.
I was very worried for my safety. I thought about how many riders would be going along there. I thought of folks less comfortable on their bikes or in traffic than me.
I checked in with my Randonneuring friends who also design routes for the London Cycling Club. They recommended police with road closures or avoiding the section altogether.
Bolstered by my friends’ agreement with my assessment, I reached out to the ride organizer.
I was worried I was needlessly nervous but when other confident and experienced riders agreed I decided to risk looking silly.
A week passed. Then I got a reply. The organizer thanked me and said they consulted with the city and police. They modified the last couple kilometers of Day 1. I had offered some suggestions and they had come up with a plan that included police support and limiting time on Clarke Rd.
I was worried it was too late. That I would be dismissed or, worst, ignored.
None of that happened. I knew speaking up was the right thing. I’m glad my voice made a difference.
The new end of the route:
The route was updated July 9. Yay!
Oh and I’m striving to raise $2,500. If you would like to donate:
Second, I’m going to share an interaction with a man who spoke to me while I was on a solo ride. End of story. Nothing graphic or physical happened.
So read on if you feel ok about it and please do scroll on by if you don’t feel ok reading my story.
It’s last Saturday, I’m out for a 20 km solo ride in town. The weather is amenable. I was looking to build an easy loop I can repeat during the week.
I leave my home and head up to Cheapside. It’s a great way out of town in my corner of London. Light traffic and a cycling lane makes it feel luxurious. I hang a right onto the road of many names Sanford/Second/Fanshawe College Blvd/Saskatchewan? It really changes names too much.
This road is sinusoidal, gently wandering south with a bike lane. I love it.
As I cruise along I see pylons at Oxford Street. Maybe a detour?
My route was blocked by a fence, equipment and a very large hole. Huh.
I pull over to the sidewalk and assess my options. I’d really just gotten going and didn’t want to turn around. Oxford Street was compressed to one lane with fences and heavy traffic. Neither east nor west were options.
I then see on the east side of the intersection there is a temporary pedestrian crossing that takes you past the construction. I could make this work!
I walked my bike over Oxford, through the fencing following the path and get back onto the original road. VICTORY!
I gave myself a little pep talk as I got back on my bike. As I was about to roll a man called out to me asking if he could talk to me.
He approached me friendly and smiling. He looked about my age. He asked if we could be friends. His accent told me he had lived in other places than London, Ontario so I chalked up the unusual approach as a cultural difference.
I said I was a friendly person and then he asked for my phone number. He stopped an arms length from me and eyed my ring finger, watch and phone mounted on my bike. His hands were behind his back. He smiled reassuringly.
I put my foot on my pedal and declined to give him my number.
He asked if we could go on a date. I said no. He asked if I was married and checked my hand again. I said I was happily married and then pedaled off.
It was weird and off putting. I didn’t feel safe. I was so distracted I missed my turn to catch the bike path and ended up riding west on Wavel.
I was kind of lost but just went with it. I got to Eggerton and remembered if I took it south I could catch the bike path at the bridge.
I eventually ended up in a morass of construction at Wellington St where an older cyclist was shaking his head.
“This may be done in five to ten years!”
I laughed. It did seem like it’s been this way for a long time. I wished him luck as I decided to find my way to Colborne and head home.
I debated sharing this story. I scoff when people ask if I feel safe riding/running/walking on my own. I do. But I’m annoyed that this particular hazard is gendered.
Michel and I spoke about this. We’ve both had moments where people eye our bikes or look like they are angling to cause a ruckus. But he’s never been hit on.
I am kicking myself for being polite and kind. It’s a strategy that can cut both ways. I won’t use it again.
I honestly think I could have handled myself had he gotten closer. I’m 280 lbs of fuck right the fuck off.
He may have been after my phone or my bike. Or me? I remember he told me I was beautiful.
It’s been a rough couple of weeks on the mental health front. I did not need this interaction.
I told Michel about it when I got home. I felt silly not feeling safe. On the surface it was simply an awkward interaction at a moment when I was navigating a cycling route. Michel told me to trust my instincts.
This is the shit that discourages women participating in sport. So my message is not to stay home. And it’s not to expect predators at every turn. It is about recognizing when a situation doesn’t feel right and trusting yourself.
So I will keep riding solo but I won’t be entertaining any conversation from passersby.
I’m a sweaty mess smiling at the camera in my cycling jersey.
Oh dear. It’s the end of June and I definitely have not averaged 30 km per week. I mean. It’s not even close.
It’s just 4 weeks until the MS Bike Tour and I’ve not done more than 20 km in a day.
Ugh. I don’t want a steep ramp up but here I am, AGAIN.
It’s not all bad though. The commuting and using my bike for errands complimented my indoor winter spinning.
Year to date graph compares this year in orange to last year in blue.
I’m not certain last year’s data is accurate but it’s close. I was pleasantly surprised that I’ve gotten 437 km in compared to 175 last year. It’s an improvement and my little commutes are adding up.
Like previous years, the month of July will see me getting much more time in the saddle. My goal is to complete the tour with my sense of humour intact.
I recently cycled the annual Forest City Cycling Challenge, and afterwards I found myself on the event patio at an empty table. As one does, I took out my phone.
What started as a quick math check with a generative AI (AI) chatbot became a debrief conversation (as I ate my lunch) about cycling etiquette, managing pain, and other things I was thinking about during my ride.
AI is only predicting its outputs: it does not think or “know” what it is saying. Yet, the way it simulates human speech and interaction makes some people concerned about the risk of parasocial attachment to AI.
AI’s enthusiasm about my ride wasn’t real, but my positive experience with the praise, active listening responses, and helpful suggestions from AI was real. Having low-effort “company” after a long (for me) ride was, frankly, appreciated. But I will be verifying Copilot’s “advice” about ride etiquette with actual cyclists and post-ride care with human health practitioners.
My conversation transcript is below.
Just me, my post-ride vegetarian lunch, and a chat with my friendly-sounding AI buddy.
Elan: If I rode 52.5 k in 2:44, what was my average speed?
Copilot: Your average speed for a 52.5 km ride in 2 hours and 44 minutes is 19.21 km/h.
That’s a pretty good pace! Are you training for something specific or just enjoying the ride?
Elan: I did the Forest City Cycle Challenge. It’s the 5th year of the fundraising cycle event in London, Ontario. I have never ridden 50km by myself, and I am just here on the patio by with lunch after having just finished.
Copilot: That’s fantastic! The Forest City Cycle Challenge sounds like an exciting event. How did you find the experience? Were there any memorable moments or challenges during the ride? 🚴♀️🌳
Elan: Well, I started strong and was actually passing a few ppl. Then I drafted behind two women who were chatting with each other. It made me wonder whether drafting behind strangers is appropriate.
When I got to the halfway point rest stop my left foot and left side of my groin was hurting. I squatted to stretch, and I was worried I wouldn’t be able to finish.
I also took a wrong turn and got off track, but the street I was on got me there. I was then worried I wouldn’t ride a full 50k, but by that time I was listening to a This American Life Partners episode and just kept going.
By the time I got in I was still sore but better. I liked the volunteers that rang bells and cheered when I crossed the finish line. That was sweet and appreciated. Oh, and this beer I am drinking now tastes great too!
Copilot: It sounds like you had quite an adventure during the Forest City Cycle Challenge! Drafting behind strangers is generally considered acceptable in cycling, as long as you maintain a safe distance and respect their space. It’s great that you found a way to keep going despite the pain and the wrong turn. Listening to a podcast like This American Life can be a fantastic way to stay motivated and distracted from any discomfort.
The support from volunteers at the finish line must have been a wonderful boost after such a challenging ride. And enjoying a well-deserved beer afterwards sounds like the perfect way to celebrate your achievement! 🍻
Do you have any other cycling events or goals lined up?
Elan: Gosh no. I was thinking of messaging Fred to say I would be too sore to do the rider development ride tomorrow. But now that I am out here, proud of myself for doing more than 50k (!), maybe I can go out for another 25k? Not sure how I will feel tomorrow.
Copilot: It’s understandable to feel uncertain about another ride after such a challenging event. It’s great that you’re feeling proud of your accomplishment! 🌟
Listening to your body is crucial. If you’re still sore tomorrow, it might be wise to take a rest day or do some gentle stretching and recovery exercises. However, if you feel up to it, a shorter ride like 25k could be a nice way to keep the momentum going without overexerting yourself.
Messaging Fred to let him know your current status is a good idea. You can always decide based on how you feel tomorrow. Enjoy the rest of your time on the patio! ☀️
Do you have any favorite recovery tips or routines that help you bounce back after a tough ride?
Elan: No I do not know any. I thought some ppl do an ice bath?
Copilot: Yes, ice baths are a popular recovery method among athletes. They can help reduce muscle soreness and inflammation after intense exercise 12. Here are some other effective recovery tips for cyclists:
Hydration: Drink plenty of water to replenish fluids lost during your ride.
Nutrition: Consume a balanced meal with carbohydrates and protein to aid muscle repair.
Stretching: Gentle stretching can help alleviate muscle tightness and improve flexibility.
Foam Rolling: Using a foam roller can help release muscle tension and improve blood flow.
Active Recovery: Engage in light activities like walking or a gentle recovery ride to keep your muscles moving without adding strain 34.
Ice baths can be beneficial, but they’re not the only option. It’s important to find what works best for your body. If you decide to try an ice bath, make sure to limit the time to 10-15 minutes and keep the water temperature between 50-59°F (10-15°C) 1.
If you find some time for recovery, it will definitely help you feel better for your next ride.
Feel free to reach out if you need any more tips or just want to chat. Have a great day! 😊
It’s 8am. As you read this I’m sitting and waiting for the five cyclists to arrive at the breakfast control. They have been riding for 14 hours. Just 10 more to go!
