Island Notes January, 2004

"Author: Charles Mandel"

Tip-to-tip race set for PEI

As races go, Prince Edward Island's "Confederation Trail Open" isn't likely to knock the TransRockies off the calendar; however, the first annual three-day stage event should attract its fair share of pro riders eager to grab the rumoured-to-be generous purse. And recreational cyclists should love the challenge of covering 300 kilometres of off-road terrain in three days.

Set for September 24th to 26th, the race's tentative course will see mountain bikers leave North Cape in the province's west end and race through to Summerside on the first day along the largely flat Confederation Trail. The second stage should satisfy hard-core racers as it follows clay roads to Brookvale Ski Park in the island's central, hilly region. While nothing is set in stone yet, the hope is that Brookvale will see an unprecedented 20-plus kilometres built over the summer in preparation for the race.

From the second stage's conclusion, possibly at Crowbush Cove Golf Course (anyone for 18 holes after tearing it up for a 100 km.?), the third day will see bikers race over clay roads and more Confederation Trail to the east tip, before looping back to Basinhead.

While distance and time might make the race gruelling, the sheer tedium of the Confederation Trail, with its soft surface and unvarying scenery of tree, bush, rock, tree, bush, rock should add to the challenge. The real race will take place on the island's clay roads, which if it rains could become very tricky to negotiate, and within the Brookvale Ski Park, home to the annual Red Mud Mayhem Mountain Bike Race.

While details are still being finalized, it's anticipated that 200 elite riders and 400 recreational cyclists will compete. The elite will race for cash prizes, while the recreational riders, who have the option of racing either solo or in teams of three, will go after trophies. It looks as if recreational riders will pay $150 to compete, while the pros will be expected to pony up $250.

Island Trails Inc. has partnered with Cycle PEI and the provincial tourism department to host the race. For more information on the race, go to www.confederationtrailopen.com

New Year's Day 2004: We rode, we ate

About 18 riders showed up for the annual Twisted Shifter's New Year's Day ride and brunch at Dalvay-by-the-Sea in PEI's National Park this year. It was blustery out, with the wind slamming off the North Shore like a Metallica guitar chord, but, hey, it could have been much worse. The pavement was unusually clear of snow, ice and even slush and generally unseasonably warm temperatures made the 14-km. loop relatively easy to endure.

The ride was only the excuse to eat anyway- the last orgy of butter, sugar and all things fat before we resumed our training for next year's race season. Mark Grimmett returned with his fabled waffle iron again, turning out griddle after griddle of stomach-busting batter delights.

Al Thompson upped the mechanically-enhanced cooking stakes with his espresso machine. Little Eric Cudmore downed four and remained remarkably calm. Yours truly slammed back three and got rather excited, but managed to forego getting restrained.

Bagels and lox, chilli, cinnamon buns, sundry sweets and cookies, and sausages were among the foodstuffs on offer. Brian Murray offered the most challenging cuisine with his rendition of blueberry grunt which... er... lived up to its name.

Naps were had by all afterwards.

Damn snow

I suppose we shouldn't complain given that we able to ride until January 13th this year, but it looks as if the most recent round of blizzards has all but killed outdoor biking for this year.

Fellow riders Larry Cosgrave, Rod MacDonald and I made various forays into Strathgartney up until then, venturing out on the fabled Goat Trail. During the first week of January, Larry and I discovered an unprecedented amount of snow-free trail, including all of the Goat Trail. Larry actually cleared all the climbs, riding smoothly on dirt - in January!

The next week, Rod and I made an ill-advised trip out in scrotum-clenching -20 degree weather. We skidded down the descent and reached the top of the Goat Trail before bailing, mostly because I began complaining of a loss of feeling in my feet.

Our final foray came on January 13th when Larry and I, exercising our prerogative as the board of directors of the Flexible Time Cyclists' Association ventured out in the morning in a relatively balmy minus-10. The Goat Trail held more snow this time, making for some slippery root riding.

Alas, it all went to hell the next day, when the 90 km/hr wind blew in and the snow with it. In the midst of the blizzard and the -23 temperatures, my phone rang. Rod was on the other end. He said, "Wanna go for a ride?"

That's the spirit!

Let Charles know what's happening on PEIso he can tell the rest of the universe.

Posted by bikergrl at January 18, 2004 05:16 PM

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