Ironman

ROCKY MOUNTAIN 1200KM – 2016
 
I first saw this ride August 2008 just after it had taken place couldn’t make it for the 2012 which was lucky as they had real bad weather. So it was to be 2016, I did not need to qualify for this as doing a PBP the year before automatically qualified me for it but for training I did a Super Randonneur series anyway, that’s a 200km, 300km, 400km & 600km ride, completing the 600 3 weeks before the 1200km.
 Getting there was air transit direct to Vancouver on the 21st Friday July from Manchester, Hotel stay at Vancouver airport (most hotels have free bus transfers to & from airport every 20 minutes). Hired car for 21st to 31st for drive up to Kamloops & back. We were meting my wife’s cousin Alison in Vancouver & she would drive the car so that they would have it will I was cycling. So it was off to Kamloops arrived Saturday built bike up & checked so of for tea & would go for a run in the morning was feeling not to bad after being severely sick on the Sunday Monday previous was not worried about bike fitness as I would not loss any fitness in that short time, it would be can my body take the amount of food it would have to process over the next few days. Of to bed early for a 6:00 rise for cycle, there is an 8 hours time difference but when you’re going to keep the hours I will, it does not make that big a difference as long as you rest when you can before.
Well up & out the door of the hotel for 6:30 back in for 6:31 the seat rail had broke I had sat on the bike in the room the night before & it was fin but it was in 2 bits. Bike check was at 13:00. What would I do as the 3 bike shops were closed on the Sunday? It was back to the room & Jill & Alison were wakened as I came in & calmly came in & told them the news, they said I just lay on the bed thinking what I could do. In the end up we tried the social net work with my story we got 67 hits 3 offers of a saddle from cyclists in Kamloops but in the end up I when down early to the bike check & there was a local man Richard who was helping at the event, we went to his garage & offered me a few saddles which were all the same make as mine, Selle but not the same typ. I went for a Selle smp pro saddle now you’re in the lap of the gods as the saddle is one of the most important comfort points on the bike apart from the setup. It was back to the room saddle on run round the car park & off to the bike check. All boxes ticked at bike check, 2 off drop bags handed in one would go to Golden (390km) & then Clear Water (1032km) the other would go to Jasper (708km) ready as I will ever be.
Just to get a feel for the route sheet instructions we drove the first 20km then drive the last 5km it also let me have a look at their cattle grids which they recommended you should walk over, after seeing them it was the right thing to do. It’s time for dinner & off to bed at a descent time as the start is 05:00 on the Monday morning.
Breakfast consumed, shower dressed & off to the start. This is where you have time to think what next can happen after the last week let’s hope not too much I felt fine as you do at 4 in the morning. The start is at Kamloops Curling club which is literary next door to the hotel. All the checks had been the day before so of to the start. The sun is not up but you can see the red glow way to the east. We’re going to be heading east for 474km till we get to Lake Louise. There are only 61 starters.
 
Kamloops to Spallumcheen - stage length 102 km
 
It’s a fast flat run for 10km then up short steep rise this brakes the field up we climb slowly to a high moor at 710 m were there’s a lot of farms & it look very like Scottish borders rolling country side there’s a few cattle grids & rail road crossings to navigate with no trouble, you pass through Falkland at 73km which has a the only shop in this section, Falkland must have been started by some east coast settlers many years ago its rolling till 97km then you descend to the check point Arriving Mon 25TH.09:01 - 102km which is a small caravan at the side of the road in the area of Spallumcheen. Some home baking water & I fill up the water & have a short rest.
 
Spallumcheen to Revelstoke Control – stage length 138km
 
* Note
Between Spallumcheen (102 km) and Sicamous (170 km) there are many opportunities to buy food; some will be noted on the route sheet.  After Sicamous services are limited. There is a store at Malakwa (approx. 190 km) and a restaurant and store at Three Valley Gap (approx. 221 km
 
I head of on quiet roads but after 6km I join the Vernon Sicamous Highway #97A the world had woke up by now & the traffic was really quite heavy you have a hard shoulder to ride on but it does vary in width & at some bridges it would disappear altogether so you had to take the road on these occasions. Your travelling through flat farmland with not much up & down so there’s no rest from pedalling, I tend to find this quit boring but we keep at it there’s a short rest from the heavy traffic as we turn right on to smaller back roads for 10km before rejoining the #97A for 30km till it was right turn at a T junction on to Trans Canada Highway #1at 170km as you can tell I thought the #97a was heavy this is the number 1 highway that cross Canada & the Rockys at this point, thus the name Trans Canada Highway #. I was starting to feel it was time for something to eat & the route sheet said there would be a café Mal-Mar country Kitchen near Malakwa at 186km & there it was I only had to cross the 4 lane highway to get there but it was worth it out the sun & a lovely chicken salad with chips plenty water & the bottles filled up it was a nice rest before the short hope to Revelstoke. One of the interesting bits of information I gained was 45km west of Revelstoke, the site of the driving of the Last Spike at Craigellachie, signifying the completion of the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1885 the complete crossing of Canada.  I crossed the Columbia river quit spectacular at 300m wide into Revelstoke Arriving Mon 25th .03:30 – 240km, I had looked on Google maps for where I would eat as it was a free control & had spotted a Subway at the fare end of the town so 2 foot long meals for me as it was a long way to Golden. We enter the Selkirk Mountain range at this point. So I had to pay tribute to Robert with a recital of the Selkirk grace before eating my food.
 
Some hae meat and canna eat,
And some wad eat that want it,
But we hae meat and we can eat,
Sae let the Lord be thankit.
 
Revelstoke to Golden Control– stage length 150km
 
This is the note on route sheet
Note – It is 150 km to the next control at Golden (390 km). The hotel, restaurant and convenience store at the summit of Rogers Pass are now ALL CLOSED but our staff will be at there to provide baked goods, bananas, sport drink mix, water.  Please check-in with our volunteers there, even if you do not want any water or snacks however, this is NOT a control.
 
This is where the real climbing starts from Revelstoke 459m to Rogers pass at 1338m there’s a straight height gain off 2884ft never mind the undulations so its steady pace for this as its uphill for 68km getting to the pass & food stop for just before dusk, its quit important to be going down the other side of Rogers pass in the light as I was hitting  speeds of 80+km/h on occasions it was a quick 13km descent to the last climb of the day its only 754ft but with 330km in your legs you have no option to be steady. Its dark now & I start to see flashes in the corner of my eye thinking, am I that tired but after a few you could hear the thunder it got to 7 miles from me but now rain. The last 27km run in to Golden is flat so no rest, you have to just keep pedalling. I get to Golden Tue 26TH.00:07 – 390km. Golden was one of the drop bag stops so it was food & a quick shower & off to sleep on the mats provided up at 04:00 for more food & off for 05:00.
 
Golden to Lake Louise Control – stage length 84km 
 
Day 2 See foot notes on the route sheet.
Note – It is 85 km to the next control at Lake Louise (474 km). There is no place to buy food between Golden and Lake Louise.
The climbing starts from the out skirts of Golden 788m to Kicking Horse Pass at 1658m there’s a straight height gain off 2854ft & 75km of climbing or fast descents. It’s a beautiful morning climbing is quit step for the first 7 km then it a sharp drop down to the river which by the way It’s called Kicking horse River you follow the course of the river with the road on one side & the rail way on the other it must have been some feet of engineering to build this in the 1800 you can hear the labouring diesel engines pulling their freight up the valley generally 2 engines at the front 1 in the middle & 1 at the back the trains are about 1.5km long quit a site to see. This entertains me for a will as I work a way at the hill then it’s another hell rising dip down to the river this goes on for 3 hour then I see a sign start of 10 mile hill I start to wonder what I was doing for the last 3 hours. It starts easy then there are a few steep section I looked on Google earth and the gradient was 17% to 21% most of it was 7 or there a bouts but we get to the top & then hurtle the 10km downhill to Lake Louise it’s the first time you see a lot of tourist as I approach the control & hear, there he is it’s the wife & 2 of here Canadian cousins this was a real surprise as I did not think I would see them at all. They had only been there for 10 minutes so it was well time by both of us. Arriving there - Tue 26TH.09:45 - 474 km
 
Lake Louise to Beauty Creek Control – stage length 147km   
 
* Note – It is 146 km to the next control at Beauty Creek (621 km). There is a cafeteria (09:00 – 18:00 MDT), general store (07:00 to 22:00 MDT) and lodging at Saskatchewan River Crossing (555 km). Saskatchewan River Crossing is NOT a control however riders may receive personal support here. There is a cafeteria (8:00 – 18:00 MDT) and lodging at the Icefields Centre (604 km).
I set of Lake Louise & bid farewell to friends to carry on my merry way from her to my next stop at Saskatchewan River Crossing (555 km) not a control but one of the few place to get water & food. I would also go over Bow Summit at 2065m (6775ft) the highest point on the ride at 517km, from Lake Louise to there it was all uphill not particularly steep  just up & as I was now heading North West I had a slight head wind. You turn of Highway #1 onto Icefield Parkway Highway #93 as you approach the park gate there’s a bear warning for all vehicle occupants, “Bear Warning. All bears are dangerous. Stay in your vehicle if bears are encountered†I wonder what I was meant to do stay on my bike! The views on this stretch are spectacular the main Rockys are west of the Icefield parkway highway #93 & are still snow caped it was a clear blue sky so the were in there splendour also the glaciers were looking good all well sign posted for us visitors, the colours of the moraine lakes were spectacular the GoPro was going to get well used today. I only encountered one black bear in this stretch I was glad that it was on the other side of the road & was busy feeding on berries not to even notice me. Bow summit was reached with not too much hard ship then it was the fast Descent to Saskatchewan River Crossing it was getting really hot now and could feel the need for food & a rest out the shade for a short spell. Saskatchewan River Crossing reached plenty water food from the cafeteria & a rest in the shade then it was off heading for the last big climb of the day Sunwapta pass at 2035m (6676ft) the Sunwapta climb is a different climb to Bow Summit it is slit uphill then you climb to the summit in 15km with gradients of 6% to 11% there’s a large loop half way up that gives you a rest & the views from the road keep you going it takes me 1 hour to do the Sunwapta Climb main climb at 15km & 1500ft at the top there is also a small family of chipmunks scurrying about. The top reached at 599km done only 608km to go but the general dript in the ride will be downhill from now on. Just after the summit you pass the Athabasca Glacier. I you have time you can get a trip onto the glacier on a special bus from Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre which is there to. I was sorry I could not stop, no time for me just get on with it, it was all downhill to the control at Beauty Creek Arriving there Tue 26TH.19:23 - 621 km this was a small control at the side of the road so just a top up water & some coffee & cake that would get me the 87km to Jasper
 
Beauty Creek to Jasper Control –stage length 87km 
 
The run down to Jasper was uneventful as far as the ride but the sunset on the mountains was just great, I also meet up with another rider in the event Michael Tilitzky from Tofino, Vancouver Island & we chatted all the way to Jasper & before we new it, were there. It had been a hard days climbing but food sleep & some rest would have me right as rain for the next shift.  Arriving there Tue 26TH. 23:37- 707 km
 
Jasper to Valemount Control – stage length 125km
 
Day 3 up at 04:00 plenty breakfast & on the road for 05:00 see foot notes on the route sheet.
Note – It is 125 km to the next control at Valemount (831 km). ), be sure to carry enough water and food with you. There is water coming from a pipe 65.5 km west of Jasper. It has a water advisory notice but all the locals drink this water. The Mount Robson Store (794 km) has the following hours:
Mt. Robson Store and Cafe
Store – Open 07:00 – 20:00
Café – Open 08:00 – 17:00
Water tap on west side of store available 24hr
Otherwise there is no food or accommodations between Jasper and Valemount.
 
The route instructions for this section were pretty simple, right out of Jasper onto Yellowhead Hwy #16 & a bear left at 103km onto Southern Yellowhead Hwy #5 & that was it for this stage with a left turn into Valemount at 123km not much but if you missed these turns it could be a long way back to get on track especially the bare left.
From Jasper you’re slightly up hill to Yellowhead Pass at 734km you cross back into British Columbia from Alberta. You go back to Pacific Time so get the hour back that I had lost at Kicking Horse Pass on the way out. It was a beautiful morning & what a sun rise but it was one of these morning that just got colder & colder I had to stop twice to put cloths on then it was the steep desert down to Mount Robson café. On this stretch it was 1 black bear & 4 elks that were at the side of the road with one of the elks tiring to play dodgems with me, to closes for my liking. Got the timing for the café opening perfect so first customer. Minestrone soup & bacon rolls for me with large coffee & cake not bad for 8:30 in the morning. After all this food it was strip of all the clothes back to the shorts as the day was starting to warm up. The bare left turn came up without any trouble as the highway was not to busy so the crossing of the lanes was not too bad. Then I had a section of highway that was under reconstruction it was like a dirt road, lucky this was on a couple of kilometres. I reached Valemount Control Wed 27TH.10:38 – 833 km it was heating up now.
 
Valemount to Blue River Control – stage length 92km
 
Note – It is 92 km to the next control at Blue River (923 km), be sure to carry enough water and food with you. There are no services between Valemount and Blue River.
 
I headed off there was only on rise on this section a 200m climb the rest was flat or slightly down hill, it was just as well I had cared extra water as the temperature on this stretch went up to 34 degrees there was absolutely no shade on this stretch & it took its toll out off me there were part where it was such a straight road for as far as the eye could see I measured one stretch & it was 5km straight, I crawled into the control suffering from the heat you could feel you skin burning just as well I had suntan lotion on, arriving Wed 27TH.15:38 - 925 km done. I decided I would stay at this contol till 5 o’clock to rehydrate & let some of the heat come out the sun.
 
Blue River to Clearwater Control – stage length 107km
 
Note – It is 107 km to the next control at Clearwater (1033 km). There is a store at the gas station in Avola at 965 km. Avola Gas and Store Open 08:00 – 22:00.  There are no other services in this section.
 
I head off into the sun refuelled & well hydrated apart from the good food, there were plenty of options for cool drinks. It was a bit cooler, the sun was also a bit lower in the sky so you were getting some shade from the trees. I had decided I would stop at the Avola Gas station just to break up the journey. I just had chocolate milk & family bag of plain crisps it was cool now so I was starting to feel a lot better. At this point Michael from the previous night came in & he had a Star bucks chilled coffee it looked good. Then the two of us road off into to the busk of the night chatting our way to the control getting there Wed 27TH.22:19 - 1033 km. We had food & I also had a shower I was say to Michael that I was going to get up early to try & miss the midday sun on the road to Kamloops so we decided to sleep for two hours only.
 
Clearwater to Wells Gray Control – stage length 26km  
 
Day 4 - Note – It is 26 km to the next control at Wells Gray (1057 km). There are no services between Clearwater and the Wells Gray Control.
 
I get up & have some breakfast before setting out I say to Michael I was just heading out right away as I would be slower than him on the way to the control as it was a 1110ft climb in the first bit of the out & back leg to Wells Gray control it was pitch black as you leave the small town of Clearwater & hit the step sections, which were in the first 3km. the gradient was between 7% & 10% it was hard climbing in the pitch black as you don’t now were the hill ease so you just have site there & spin away. I get to the control Thur 28TH.04:16 1058km. Michael comes in just 15 minutes later were I am on my second cake & coffee. Know amenities here just the wee caravan positioned in a field.
 
Wells Gray to Kamloops Finish Control – stage length 148km
 
Note – It is 148 km to the finish in Kamloops.  Jim’s Food Market at Hwy #5 and Clearwater Valley Rd is open 24 hours. There is a Food Market in Little Fort (1113km) open in daylight hours. At Barriere (1145 km) there is a 24 hour Esso station/store and other services open in daylight hours
 
We both head of down the hill & decide to go back into Clearwater control for a second breakfast as you pass the control before heading for the finish which is only 125km.
We are just leaving when one of the tail enders get in to the Clearwater control only about 2 hours before the Clearwater control shuts & he still has to go up the hill to Wells Gray .We leave & you just get a feeling that you’re on your way home. Were following the Thompson river down to Kamloops, we stop at the Esso for some Chilled star buck coffee I even put one in my bottle for the last leg home at this point Michael notes if we don’t hang around to much we will be there in under 80 hours that sounds good to me as I was aiming at 85 hours so we ride steady as the sun really heats up then we can see Kamloops from the distance the route in was easy because I had driven it on the Sunday & could also warn Michael to watch out for the rail crossing at a angle which could have caused trouble to tired riders its right ,right & bare left & were home. The people welcome us with cow bells Michael & I congratulate each other then it’s into the control for the registration of the cards. Thur 28TH.12:21 - 1207 km Ride completed in 79:21 well happy. Richard is there (the chap that lent me his bike saddle). “Campbell do you wish a beer yes, well done I didn’t now how the saddle would go but it must have been fine, I say pretty good, going to get one to replace my broken oneâ€. Richard “do you want another beer that one gone down quick. Yes.†We site and chat about the ride for couple of hours the Jill & Alison arrive from the long drive from Banff that day. We say or farewells to the control people & we 3 head for the Hotel. Looking forward to a niece warm bath.
The serious part of the holiday over for me, we set of for Vancouver after the rape up party in the morning to later fly up to the Yukon to spend time with Alison’s family fishing, canoeing, Grizzly bear spotting, going to dinner in a float plan felt like James Bond on that one, climbing mountains & a wee visit to Alaska. It’s a hard life you know.
 
Some statistics
 
Total distance – 1207.4 km (749.9 miles)
Time allowed 90 hours time taken 79:21
Total climbing - 11847m (38868ft)
Time spent eating & resting at control – 14 hours
Time resting outside controls - 5 hours
Time sleeping - 9 hours
This amounts to an average cycling speed of 14.5 miles/hour for 750 miles
The only person from Scotland to complete the ride this year.
 
Link to route - ride with gps https://ridewithgps.com/routes/14247577  you will be able to take in some of the views from this.
 
Link to Photos of the ride -https://www.flickr.com/photos/bcrandonneurs/collections/72157669924300953/
 
Another long ride under the belt & what a time I had flying the flag for Johnstone Wheelers in Canada. You also have to thank British Columbia Randonneurs Cycling Club, Canada for organising this great ride & all the people that helped to make one of my lifetime memories. It was made all the better for overcoming being sick with a bug the week before & Richard sorting me out with the saddle. What memories.
 
Campbell
 
Ps Some inspirational thoughts
 
"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."
 
&
 
IF
 
 
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you
But make allowance for their doubting too,
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:
 
If you can dream–and not make dreams your master,
If you can think–and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build ‘em up with worn-out tools:
 
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: “Hold on!â€
 
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings–nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much,
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And–which is more–you’ll be a Man, my son!
 
Rudyard Kipling
 

ROCKY MOUNTAIN 1200KM – 2016
 
I first saw this ride August 2008 just after it had taken place couldn’t make it for the 2012 which was lucky as they had real bad weather. So it was to be 2016, I did not need to qualify for this as doing a PBP the year before automatically qualified me for it but for training I did a Super Randonneur series anyway, that’s a 200km, 300km, 400km & 600km ride, completing the 600 3 weeks before the 1200km.
 Getting there was air transit direct to Vancouver on the 21st Friday July from Manchester, Hotel stay at Vancouver airport (most hotels have free bus transfers to & from airport every 20 minutes). Hired car for 21st to 31st for drive up to Kamloops & back. We were meting my wife’s cousin Alison in Vancouver & she would drive the car so that they would have it will I was cycling. So it was off to Kamloops arrived Saturday built bike up & checked so of for tea & would go for a run in the morning was feeling not to bad after being severely sick on the Sunday Monday previous was not worried about bike fitness as I would not loss any fitness in that short time, it would be can my body take the amount of food it would have to process over the next few days. Of to bed early for a 6:00 rise for cycle, there is an 8 hours time difference but when you’re going to keep the hours I will, it does not make that big a difference as long as you rest when you can before.
Well up & out the door of the hotel for 6:30 back in for 6:31 the seat rail had broke I had sat on the bike in the room the night before & it was fin but it was in 2 bits. Bike check was at 13:00. What would I do as the 3 bike shops were closed on the Sunday? It was back to the room & Jill & Alison were wakened as I came in & calmly came in & told them the news, they said I just lay on the bed thinking what I could do. In the end up we tried the social net work with my story we got 67 hits 3 offers of a saddle from cyclists in Kamloops but in the end up I when down early to the bike check & there was a local man Richard who was helping at the event, we went to his garage & offered me a few saddles which were all the same make as mine, Selle but not the same typ. I went for a Selle smp pro saddle now you’re in the lap of the gods as the saddle is one of the most important comfort points on the bike apart from the setup. It was back to the room saddle on run round the car park & off to the bike check. All boxes ticked at bike check, 2 off drop bags handed in one would go to Golden (390km) & then Clear Water (1032km) the other would go to Jasper (708km) ready as I will ever be.
Just to get a feel for the route sheet instructions we drove the first 20km then drive the last 5km it also let me have a look at their cattle grids which they recommended you should walk over, after seeing them it was the right thing to do. It’s time for dinner & off to bed at a descent time as the start is 05:00 on the Monday morning.
Breakfast consumed, shower dressed & off to the start. This is where you have time to think what next can happen after the last week let’s hope not too much I felt fine as you do at 4 in the morning. The start is at Kamloops Curling club which is literary next door to the hotel. All the checks had been the day before so of to the start. The sun is not up but you can see the red glow way to the east. We’re going to be heading east for 474km till we get to Lake Louise. There are only 61 starters.
 
Kamloops to Spallumcheen - stage length 102 km
 
It’s a fast flat run for 10km then up short steep rise this brakes the field up we climb slowly to a high moor at 710 m were there’s a lot of farms & it look very like Scottish borders rolling country side there’s a few cattle grids & rail road crossings to navigate with no trouble, you pass through Falkland at 73km which has a the only shop in this section, Falkland must have been started by some east coast settlers many years ago its rolling till 97km then you descend to the check point Arriving Mon 25TH.09:01 - 102km which is a small caravan at the side of the road in the area of Spallumcheen. Some home baking water & I fill up the water & have a short rest.
 
Spallumcheen to Revelstoke Control – stage length 138km
 
* Note
Between Spallumcheen (102 km) and Sicamous (170 km) there are many opportunities to buy food; some will be noted on the route sheet.  After Sicamous services are limited. There is a store at Malakwa (approx. 190 km) and a restaurant and store at Three Valley Gap (approx. 221 km
 
I head of on quiet roads but after 6km I join the Vernon Sicamous Highway #97A the world had woke up by now & the traffic was really quite heavy you have a hard shoulder to ride on but it does vary in width & at some bridges it would disappear altogether so you had to take the road on these occasions. Your travelling through flat farmland with not much up & down so there’s no rest from pedalling, I tend to find this quit boring but we keep at it there’s a short rest from the heavy traffic as we turn right on to smaller back roads for 10km before rejoining the #97A for 30km till it was right turn at a T junction on to Trans Canada Highway #1at 170km as you can tell I thought the #97a was heavy this is the number 1 highway that cross Canada & the Rockys at this point, thus the name Trans Canada Highway #. I was starting to feel it was time for something to eat & the route sheet said there would be a café Mal-Mar country Kitchen near Malakwa at 186km & there it was I only had to cross the 4 lane highway to get there but it was worth it out the sun & a lovely chicken salad with chips plenty water & the bottles filled up it was a nice rest before the short hope to Revelstoke. One of the interesting bits of information I gained was 45km west of Revelstoke, the site of the driving of the Last Spike at Craigellachie, signifying the completion of the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1885 the complete crossing of Canada.  I crossed the Columbia river quit spectacular at 300m wide into Revelstoke Arriving Mon 25th .03:30 – 240km, I had looked on Google maps for where I would eat as it was a free control & had spotted a Subway at the fare end of the town so 2 foot long meals for me as it was a long way to Golden. We enter the Selkirk Mountain range at this point. So I had to pay tribute to Robert with a recital of the Selkirk grace before eating my food.
 
Some hae meat and canna eat,
And some wad eat that want it,
But we hae meat and we can eat,
Sae let the Lord be thankit.
 
Revelstoke to Golden Control– stage length 150km
 
This is the note on route sheet
Note – It is 150 km to the next control at Golden (390 km). The hotel, restaurant and convenience store at the summit of Rogers Pass are now ALL CLOSED but our staff will be at there to provide baked goods, bananas, sport drink mix, water.  Please check-in with our volunteers there, even if you do not want any water or snacks however, this is NOT a control.
 
This is where the real climbing starts from Revelstoke 459m to Rogers pass at 1338m there’s a straight height gain off 2884ft never mind the undulations so its steady pace for this as its uphill for 68km getting to the pass & food stop for just before dusk, its quit important to be going down the other side of Rogers pass in the light as I was hitting  speeds of 80+km/h on occasions it was a quick 13km descent to the last climb of the day its only 754ft but with 330km in your legs you have no option to be steady. Its dark now & I start to see flashes in the corner of my eye thinking, am I that tired but after a few you could hear the thunder it got to 7 miles from me but now rain. The last 27km run in to Golden is flat so no rest, you have to just keep pedalling. I get to Golden Tue 26TH.00:07 – 390km. Golden was one of the drop bag stops so it was food & a quick shower & off to sleep on the mats provided up at 04:00 for more food & off for 05:00.
 
Golden to Lake Louise Control – stage length 84km 
 
Day 2 See foot notes on the route sheet.
Note – It is 85 km to the next control at Lake Louise (474 km). There is no place to buy food between Golden and Lake Louise.
The climbing starts from the out skirts of Golden 788m to Kicking Horse Pass at 1658m there’s a straight height gain off 2854ft & 75km of climbing or fast descents. It’s a beautiful morning climbing is quit step for the first 7 km then it a sharp drop down to the river which by the way It’s called Kicking horse River you follow the course of the river with the road on one side & the rail way on the other it must have been some feet of engineering to build this in the 1800 you can hear the labouring diesel engines pulling their freight up the valley generally 2 engines at the front 1 in the middle & 1 at the back the trains are about 1.5km long quit a site to see. This entertains me for a will as I work a way at the hill then it’s another hell rising dip down to the river this goes on for 3 hour then I see a sign start of 10 mile hill I start to wonder what I was doing for the last 3 hours. It starts easy then there are a few steep section I looked on Google earth and the gradient was 17% to 21% most of it was 7 or there a bouts but we get to the top & then hurtle the 10km downhill to Lake Louise it’s the first time you see a lot of tourist as I approach the control & hear, there he is it’s the wife & 2 of here Canadian cousins this was a real surprise as I did not think I would see them at all. They had only been there for 10 minutes so it was well time by both of us. Arriving there - Tue 26TH.09:45 - 474 km
 
Lake Louise to Beauty Creek Control – stage length 147km   
 
* Note – It is 146 km to the next control at Beauty Creek (621 km). There is a cafeteria (09:00 – 18:00 MDT), general store (07:00 to 22:00 MDT) and lodging at Saskatchewan River Crossing (555 km). Saskatchewan River Crossing is NOT a control however riders may receive personal support here. There is a cafeteria (8:00 – 18:00 MDT) and lodging at the Icefields Centre (604 km).
I set of Lake Louise & bid farewell to friends to carry on my merry way from her to my next stop at Saskatchewan River Crossing (555 km) not a control but one of the few place to get water & food. I would also go over Bow Summit at 2065m (6775ft) the highest point on the ride at 517km, from Lake Louise to there it was all uphill not particularly steep  just up & as I was now heading North West I had a slight head wind. You turn of Highway #1 onto Icefield Parkway Highway #93 as you approach the park gate there’s a bear warning for all vehicle occupants, “Bear Warning. All bears are dangerous. Stay in your vehicle if bears are encountered†I wonder what I was meant to do stay on my bike! The views on this stretch are spectacular the main Rockys are west of the Icefield parkway highway #93 & are still snow caped it was a clear blue sky so the were in there splendour also the glaciers were looking good all well sign posted for us visitors, the colours of the moraine lakes were spectacular the GoPro was going to get well used today. I only encountered one black bear in this stretch I was glad that it was on the other side of the road & was busy feeding on berries not to even notice me. Bow summit was reached with not too much hard ship then it was the fast Descent to Saskatchewan River Crossing it was getting really hot now and could feel the need for food & a rest out the shade for a short spell. Saskatchewan River Crossing reached plenty water food from the cafeteria & a rest in the shade then it was off heading for the last big climb of the day Sunwapta pass at 2035m (6676ft) the Sunwapta climb is a different climb to Bow Summit it is slit uphill then you climb to the summit in 15km with gradients of 6% to 11% there’s a large loop half way up that gives you a rest & the views from the road keep you going it takes me 1 hour to do the Sunwapta Climb main climb at 15km & 1500ft at the top there is also a small family of chipmunks scurrying about. The top reached at 599km done only 608km to go but the general dript in the ride will be downhill from now on. Just after the summit you pass the Athabasca Glacier. I you have time you can get a trip onto the glacier on a special bus from Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre which is there to. I was sorry I could not stop, no time for me just get on with it, it was all downhill to the control at Beauty Creek Arriving there Tue 26TH.19:23 - 621 km this was a small control at the side of the road so just a top up water & some coffee & cake that would get me the 87km to Jasper
 
Beauty Creek to Jasper Control –stage length 87km 
 
The run down to Jasper was uneventful as far as the ride but the sunset on the mountains was just great, I also meet up with another rider in the event Michael Tilitzky from Tofino, Vancouver Island & we chatted all the way to Jasper & before we new it, were there. It had been a hard days climbing but food sleep & some rest would have me right as rain for the next shift.  Arriving there Tue 26TH. 23:37- 707 km
 
Jasper to Valemount Control – stage length 125km
 
Day 3 up at 04:00 plenty breakfast & on the road for 05:00 see foot notes on the route sheet.
Note – It is 125 km to the next control at Valemount (831 km). ), be sure to carry enough water and food with you. There is water coming from a pipe 65.5 km west of Jasper. It has a water advisory notice but all the locals drink this water. The Mount Robson Store (794 km) has the following hours:
Mt. Robson Store and Cafe
Store – Open 07:00 – 20:00
Café – Open 08:00 – 17:00
Water tap on west side of store available 24hr
Otherwise there is no food or accommodations between Jasper and Valemount.
 
The route instructions for this section were pretty simple, right out of Jasper onto Yellowhead Hwy #16 & a bear left at 103km onto Southern Yellowhead Hwy #5 & that was it for this stage with a left turn into Valemount at 123km not much but if you missed these turns it could be a long way back to get on track especially the bare left.
From Jasper you’re slightly up hill to Yellowhead Pass at 734km you cross back into British Columbia from Alberta. You go back to Pacific Time so get the hour back that I had lost at Kicking Horse Pass on the way out. It was a beautiful morning & what a sun rise but it was one of these morning that just got colder & colder I had to stop twice to put cloths on then it was the steep desert down to Mount Robson café. On this stretch it was 1 black bear & 4 elks that were at the side of the road with one of the elks tiring to play dodgems with me, to closes for my liking. Got the timing for the café opening perfect so first customer. Minestrone soup & bacon rolls for me with large coffee & cake not bad for 8:30 in the morning. After all this food it was strip of all the clothes back to the shorts as the day was starting to warm up. The bare left turn came up without any trouble as the highway was not to busy so the crossing of the lanes was not too bad. Then I had a section of highway that was under reconstruction it was like a dirt road, lucky this was on a couple of kilometres. I reached Valemount Control Wed 27TH.10:38 – 833 km it was heating up now.
 
Valemount to Blue River Control – stage length 92km
 
Note – It is 92 km to the next control at Blue River (923 km), be sure to carry enough water and food with you. There are no services between Valemount and Blue River.
 
I headed off there was only on rise on this section a 200m climb the rest was flat or slightly down hill, it was just as well I had cared extra water as the temperature on this stretch went up to 34 degrees there was absolutely no shade on this stretch & it took its toll out off me there were part where it was such a straight road for as far as the eye could see I measured one stretch & it was 5km straight, I crawled into the control suffering from the heat you could feel you skin burning just as well I had suntan lotion on, arriving Wed 27TH.15:38 - 925 km done. I decided I would stay at this contol till 5 o’clock to rehydrate & let some of the heat come out the sun.
 
Blue River to Clearwater Control – stage length 107km
 
Note – It is 107 km to the next control at Clearwater (1033 km). There is a store at the gas station in Avola at 965 km. Avola Gas and Store Open 08:00 – 22:00.  There are no other services in this section.
 
I head off into the sun refuelled & well hydrated apart from the good food, there were plenty of options for cool drinks. It was a bit cooler, the sun was also a bit lower in the sky so you were getting some shade from the trees. I had decided I would stop at the Avola Gas station just to break up the journey. I just had chocolate milk & family bag of plain crisps it was cool now so I was starting to feel a lot better. At this point Michael from the previous night came in & he had a Star bucks chilled coffee it looked good. Then the two of us road off into to the busk of the night chatting our way to the control getting there Wed 27TH.22:19 - 1033 km. We had food & I also had a shower I was say to Michael that I was going to get up early to try & miss the midday sun on the road to Kamloops so we decided to sleep for two hours only.
 
Clearwater to Wells Gray Control – stage length 26km  
 
Day 4 - Note – It is 26 km to the next control at Wells Gray (1057 km). There are no services between Clearwater and the Wells Gray Control.
 
I get up & have some breakfast before setting out I say to Michael I was just heading out right away as I would be slower than him on the way to the control as it was a 1110ft climb in the first bit of the out & back leg to Wells Gray control it was pitch black as you leave the small town of Clearwater & hit the step sections, which were in the first 3km. the gradient was between 7% & 10% it was hard climbing in the pitch black as you don’t now were the hill ease so you just have site there & spin away. I get to the control Thur 28TH.04:16 1058km. Michael comes in just 15 minutes later were I am on my second cake & coffee. Know amenities here just the wee caravan positioned in a field.
 
Wells Gray to Kamloops Finish Control – stage length 148km
 
Note – It is 148 km to the finish in Kamloops.  Jim’s Food Market at Hwy #5 and Clearwater Valley Rd is open 24 hours. There is a Food Market in Little Fort (1113km) open in daylight hours. At Barriere (1145 km) there is a 24 hour Esso station/store and other services open in daylight hours
 
We both head of down the hill & decide to go back into Clearwater control for a second breakfast as you pass the control before heading for the finish which is only 125km.
We are just leaving when one of the tail enders get in to the Clearwater control only about 2 hours before the Clearwater control shuts & he still has to go up the hill to Wells Gray .We leave & you just get a feeling that you’re on your way home. Were following the Thompson river down to Kamloops, we stop at the Esso for some Chilled star buck coffee I even put one in my bottle for the last leg home at this point Michael notes if we don’t hang around to much we will be there in under 80 hours that sounds good to me as I was aiming at 85 hours so we ride steady as the sun really heats up then we can see Kamloops from the distance the route in was easy because I had driven it on the Sunday & could also warn Michael to watch out for the rail crossing at a angle which could have caused trouble to tired riders its right ,right & bare left & were home. The people welcome us with cow bells Michael & I congratulate each other then it’s into the control for the registration of the cards. Thur 28TH.12:21 - 1207 km Ride completed in 79:21 well happy. Richard is there (the chap that lent me his bike saddle). “Campbell do you wish a beer yes, well done I didn’t now how the saddle would go but it must have been fine, I say pretty good, going to get one to replace my broken oneâ€. Richard “do you want another beer that one gone down quick. Yes.†We site and chat about the ride for couple of hours the Jill & Alison arrive from the long drive from Banff that day. We say or farewells to the control people & we 3 head for the Hotel. Looking forward to a niece warm bath.
The serious part of the holiday over for me, we set of for Vancouver after the rape up party in the morning to later fly up to the Yukon to spend time with Alison’s family fishing, canoeing, Grizzly bear spotting, going to dinner in a float plan felt like James Bond on that one, climbing mountains & a wee visit to Alaska. It’s a hard life you know.
 
Some statistics
 
Total distance – 1207.4 km (749.9 miles)
Time allowed 90 hours time taken 79:21
Total climbing - 11847m (38868ft)
Time spent eating & resting at control – 14 hours
Time resting outside controls - 5 hours
Time sleeping - 9 hours
This amounts to an average cycling speed of 14.5 miles/hour for 750 miles
The only person from Scotland to complete the ride this year.
 
Link to route - ride with gps https://ridewithgps.com/routes/14247577  you will be able to take in some of the views from this.
 
Link to Photos of the ride -https://www.flickr.com/photos/bcrandonneurs/collections/72157669924300953/
 
Another long ride under the belt & what a time I had flying the flag for Johnstone Wheelers in Canada. You also have to thank British Columbia Randonneurs Cycling Club, Canada for organising this great ride & all the people that helped to make one of my lifetime memories. It was made all the better for overcoming being sick with a bug the week before & Richard sorting me out with the saddle. What memories.
 
Campbell
 
Ps Some inspirational thoughts
 
"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."
 
&
 
IF
 
 
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you
But make allowance for their doubting too,
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:
 
If you can dream–and not make dreams your master,
If you can think–and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build ‘em up with worn-out tools:
 
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: “Hold on!â€
 
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings–nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much,
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And–which is more–you’ll be a Man, my son!
 
Rudyard Kipling
 

ryan
 
good to read your report. i have this marked down for in 2018 as one of my rides to do.
 
campbell

ALL
 
JUST BACK FROM CANADA & WOULD LIKE TO SAY THANK FOR INTEREST. REPORT WILL FOLLOW.
 
CAMPBELL

ALL
 
JUST BACK FROM CANADA & WOULD LIKE TO SAY THANK FOR INTEREST. REPORT WILL FOLLOW.
 
CAMPBELL

ROCKY MOUNTAIN 1200km JULY 24TH TO 29TH
 
THE ROUTE - https://ridewithgps.com/routes/14247577
 
The Rocky Mountain 1200km Brevet is traditionally offered by the British Columbia Randonneurs Cycling Club the year following PBP. The club is pleased to announce this brevet will be held July 24-29, 2016. This brevet traverses four of Canada’s mountain National Parks including the spectacular Ice fields Parkway from Lake Louise to Jasper.
 
While the 2012 edition was in the words of one rider, “an epic journey†which saw riders challenged by extreme weather conditions in addition to the distance and high mountain terrain, over the years this brevet has usually been ridden under mostly sunny skies with spectacular vistas of amazing scenery and wildlife.
 
All training done so was ready to go & feeling ready.  But was violently sick there at the weekend with a bug of some sort, so I don’t know at this point if I will even start as not a 100% & you need to be, but all the stuff is going to Canada & I will give it my best shot. It starts Mon. 05:00 pdt that’s Mon. 13:00 uk time. If you wish to track me see below.
 
Rider Tracking
Rider times will be updated to an online spreadsheet. The link will be added to our home page (http://www.randonneurs.bc.ca/rockymountain1200/). Please note that some of our controls (Spallumcheen, Beauty Creek or Wells Gray) have no mobile phone coverage so riders times will be delayed by several hours after those controls close. Riders may already be at the subsequent control before these control times get posted.
 
Best Regards
Campbell

ROCKY MOUNTAIN 1200km JULY 24TH TO 29TH
 
THE ROUTE - https://ridewithgps.com/routes/14247577
 
The Rocky Mountain 1200km Brevet is traditionally offered by the British Columbia Randonneurs Cycling Club the year following PBP. The club is pleased to announce this brevet will be held July 24-29, 2016. This brevet traverses four of Canada’s mountain National Parks including the spectacular Ice fields Parkway from Lake Louise to Jasper.
 
While the 2012 edition was in the words of one rider, “an epic journey†which saw riders challenged by extreme weather conditions in addition to the distance and high mountain terrain, over the years this brevet has usually been ridden under mostly sunny skies with spectacular vistas of amazing scenery and wildlife.
 
All training done so was ready to go & feeling ready.  But was violently sick there at the weekend with a bug of some sort, so I don’t know at this point if I will even start as not a 100% & you need to be, but all the stuff is going to Canada & I will give it my best shot. It starts Mon. 05:00 pdt that’s Mon. 13:00 uk time. If you wish to track me see below.
 
Rider Tracking
Rider times will be updated to an online spreadsheet. The link will be added to our home page (http://www.randonneurs.bc.ca/rockymountain1200/). Please note that some of our controls (Spallumcheen, Beauty Creek or Wells Gray) have no mobile phone coverage so riders times will be delayed by several hours after those controls close. Riders may already be at the subsequent control before these control times get posted.
 
Best Regards
Campbell

ROCKY MOUNTAIN 1200km JULY 24TH TO 29TH
 
THE ROUTE - https://ridewithgps.com/routes/14247577
 
The Rocky Mountain 1200km Brevet is traditionally offered by the British Columbia Randonneurs Cycling Club the year following PBP. The club is pleased to announce this brevet will be held July 24-29, 2016. This brevet traverses four of Canada’s mountain National Parks including the spectacular Ice fields Parkway from Lake Louise to Jasper.
 
While the 2012 edition was in the words of one rider, “an epic journey†which saw riders challenged by extreme weather conditions in addition to the distance and high mountain terrain, over the years this brevet has usually been ridden under mostly sunny skies with spectacular vistas of amazing scenery and wildlife.
 
All training done so was ready to go & feeling ready.  But was violently sick there at the weekend with a bug of some sort, so I don’t know at this point if I will even start as not a 100% & you need to be, but all the stuff is going to Canada & I will give it my best shot. It starts Mon. 05:00 pdt that’s Mon. 13:00 uk time. If you wish to track me see below.
 
Rider Tracking
Rider times will be updated to an online spreadsheet. The link will be added to our home page (http://www.randonneurs.bc.ca/rockymountain1200/). Please note that some of our controls (Spallumcheen, Beauty Creek or Wells Gray) have no mobile phone coverage so riders times will be delayed by several hours after those controls close. Riders may already be at the subsequent control before these control times get posted.
 
Best Regards
Campbell

ROCKY MOUNTAIN 1200km JULY 24TH TO 29TH
 
THE ROUTE - https://ridewithgps.com/routes/14247577
 
The Rocky Mountain 1200km Brevet is traditionally offered by the British Columbia Randonneurs Cycling Club the year following PBP. The club is pleased to announce this brevet will be held July 24-29, 2016. This brevet traverses four of Canada’s mountain National Parks including the spectacular Ice fields Parkway from Lake Louise to Jasper.
 
While the 2012 edition was in the words of one rider, “an epic journey†which saw riders challenged by extreme weather conditions in addition to the distance and high mountain terrain, over the years this brevet has usually been ridden under mostly sunny skies with spectacular vistas of amazing scenery and wildlife.
 
All training done so was ready to go & feeling ready.  But was violently sick there at the weekend with a bug of some sort, so I don’t know at this point if I will even start as not a 100% & you need to be, but all the stuff is going to Canada & I will give it my best shot. It starts Mon. 05:00 pdt that’s Mon. 13:00 uk time. If you wish to track me see below.
 
Rider Tracking
Rider times will be updated to an online spreadsheet. The link will be added to our home page (http://www.randonneurs.bc.ca/rockymountain1200/). Please note that some of our controls (Spallumcheen, Beauty Creek or Wells Gray) have no mobile phone coverage so riders times will be delayed by several hours after those controls close. Riders may already be at the subsequent control before these control times get posted.
 
Best Regards
Campbell

ROCKY MOUNTAIN 1200km JULY 24TH TO 29TH
 
THE ROUTE - https://ridewithgps.com/routes/14247577
 
The Rocky Mountain 1200km Brevet is traditionally offered by the British Columbia Randonneurs Cycling Club the year following PBP. The club is pleased to announce this brevet will be held July 24-29, 2016. This brevet traverses four of Canada’s mountain National Parks including the spectacular Ice fields Parkway from Lake Louise to Jasper.
 
While the 2012 edition was in the words of one rider, “an epic journey†which saw riders challenged by extreme weather conditions in addition to the distance and high mountain terrain, over the years this brevet has usually been ridden under mostly sunny skies with spectacular vistas of amazing scenery and wildlife.
 
All training done so was ready to go & feeling ready.  But was violently sick there at the weekend with a bug of some sort, so I don’t know at this point if I will even start as not a 100% & you need to be, but all the stuff is going to Canada & I will give it my best shot. It starts Mon. 05:00 pdt that’s Mon. 13:00 uk time. If you wish to track me see below.
 
Rider Tracking
Rider times will be updated to an online spreadsheet. The link will be added to our home page (http://www.randonneurs.bc.ca/rockymountain1200/). Please note that some of our controls (Spallumcheen, Beauty Creek or Wells Gray) have no mobile phone coverage so riders times will be delayed by several hours after those controls close. Riders may already be at the subsequent control before these control times get posted.
 
Best Regards
Campbell

I'm planning ahead a bit, but am keen to go and enjoy the delights of Arran before the end of the season.
 
It will be a full day out, getting the 09:45 ferry out and the 16:40 back.  Both these link to trains for anyone who doesn't want to cycle both ways and it gives us 6 hrs on the island which should be enough to do the 55 miles and have a lunch stop.  If we were to miss the 16:40 return ferry there is a contingency 19:40 ferry which is also met by a train so there's not much chance of being stranded!
 
Miller Street to the ferry is 26 miles, so that makes 107 miles in total for anyone choosing to do the whole route.
 
Meeting at Miller St. at 07:30 should give us time to get the ferry, with an expected return time about 19:30 if cycling back.
 
The ferry train leaves Johnstone at 08:54, returning at 18:28, so a bit more time in bed for anyone looking to save their energy for the island.
 
Anyone like to join in, either for the full version or just the island?
 
Note:- This trip should not be confused with any DA trips, it will not be a Team Time Trial, but there will be time to enjoy the views and the hospitality on offer on the island, as well as stopping for a few minor mechanicals should they occur!

2 FOR ME THANKS
 
CAMPBELL

I have been encouraged to put this up by Chung and am not sure what's etiquette- so here goes.
 
GHK playing fields at Anniesland Cross to just before the pier in Dunoon. Starting at 2145 and finishing hopefully before 0700 (there's a reason for this which I will come onto later). Now I know you top guys are doing 100 for fun at the weekends, but maybe crank that up to 200 to make a more equal comparison and for the audax guys- maybe 350!!!
 
So my good friend Gordon from the Glasgow Nightingale (a very good junior cyclist in his day, which is code for.. this could be boring for him but he's coming along as my super domestique) chose the 109, why? we're members of a cycling club and wouldn't dream of doing less!!!!
 
So we set off at 2200 in the third group of 20ish riders by mistake as all the 109s were in the first group- but we didn't know. A total of 68 starting. Anniesland cross to Helensburgh with a stop in Helensburgh for those that wanted- we didn't stop.
 
Then we were joined by 4 guys who wanted to "take spells" which lasted 20 mins before I said to Gordon "let them go as 20mph at this stage going up the road by Faslane will only end in disaster for me", and so we did. Then we hit the loch long road in complete darkness, pedalling past a lone chap and onto Arrochar. A quick stop at Arrochar to allow the midges their supper and fill the bottles. (At this stage I started feeling sorry for the lone chap we passed on the loch side- so when he arrived at Arrochar we asked him to join us- I mean - come on- it's not a race!!)
 
So Bob sat in for the next haul, up the 'rest and be thankful' and despite dropping the speed to 5 mph before we got to the climb, he asked us to go on and thanked us for the company.  Now it was very, very dark. No noise and two cars passing us all the way from Arrochar to the top of the RABT. But wait,  what yonder be that commotion at the top of the Rest- A bloody disco no less- that's right, a disco- or a night club as you young people call it nowadays! So we pulled over to see what was 'gong down with the young crew'. Crispy cakes, coffee, tea and 'Insomnia' by Faithless being played at full pelt (now for you Neil Diamond lovers, Faithless are a hip and happening pop group). How cruel those organisers can be playing Insomnia at 0100 at night!!,  In saying that I did feel very sorry for the couple who had parked their campervan just up from the discos and until then were probably having a peaceful and relaxing evening.
 
So on we pushed to Strachur, all the way with not a sight of a car or another cyclist, although we did see some flashing lights over the other side of loch Fyne heading towards Inveraray!
 
Through Strachur and onto Kilfinnan,  narrowly missing the drunk walking in the middle of the road on his way home who wished us all the best, well,  we think that's what he said! 
 
The sportive splits at Strachur- those doing the 77 are held here until 0300 so that they are not in Dunoon until the coffee shop is open- they go straight up the Glen Branter/ Loch Eck road to Dunoon. The 89ers go along the Colintriave road - as I call it-  to then climb up and over to Loch Striven and we headed along the Otter Ferry road to meet up with the 89ers on the Colintriave road after going through Tighnabruiach.
 
I have done the Tighnabruiach to Starchur road before, but not the other way and I have to say that with no visual references, just smells (wild garlic, cows and lavender) and the little light you have from the front of your bike, this bit wears you down.
Met a few guys along this bit, some on their last legs or as we renamed them-'got excited and stared too quick', two that thought they were lost, but didn't want to join us - or as we called them- we started too quickly but are just kidding  that we are lost so that we can get a break and two from the earlier group of four we met who just so happened to be looking at a mechanical at the top of the wee climb out of Otter Ferry and breathing heavily or as well called them- 'should have done the 77'!
 
By the time we had a bottle fill up and yet another crispy cake at Kilfinnan the dawn chorus had just started.
 
On a serious note, this was a beautiful moment, peace, the low light on the hills, the gentle lapping of the loch wate,  the birds singing and...... BLOODY HELL WHERE THE **** DID THAT ROE DEER COME FROM AND WHY DOES IT WANT TO PUT IT'S HEAD INTO MY FRONT WHEEL!!!-  locked up, skidded to the side and managed to miss it on a fairly fast decent. A close one and a the lesson learnt?.- Roe deer are just as mad as Italian cycling fans on a stage of the Giro!!
 
 
So on to Tighnabruiach the site of many a classic shinty match and up the hill out of this lovely village- by now this hill is tough.
 
Onto the hill up to the descent down into Loch Striven and now feeling tired, not n the legs, but just sleep tired.
Dawn has fully broken and the front lights are off, no cars and just some nice pedalling until we get onto the last undulating climb up to Loch Tarsan. This was tough, but we knew that after this it is just rolly road all the way to Dunoon.
And so with a tail wind just after hunters quay helping us to the finish we roll along easily at 19 mph, tired, weary and covered in midges onto the salubrious electrical tape on the road which signified the finish line.
 
Post ride-  we enjoyed the free roll and sausage and then prepped for the next stage of this sportive- Oh yes and you thought it was finished?
 
At 0645 one of the boats that they normally use for booze cruises, came to pick up those that had paid for the return trip back up the Clyde to the Science Centre. Now,  I would have to say that I was very sceptical about this, but it was well worth it. Even if you wanted to just sleep, dance at the dance thingy on top deck with free cans of alcoholic beverages, sit down stairs chat and drink coffee or as I did stay up deck to see parts of the Clyde I had never seen before. We past the very large cruise ship at Greenock, all the stands for the speed boat racing,  the Waverley past us just at Renfrew on its way 'doon the water'- all lovely
 
We arrived at the Science Centre at 1000 just as the Glasgow mens 10k was starting which provoked all those warming up to come and see what the hell was going on. As we clambered off with our bikes, making throw away comments of, (needs to be done in a slightly RAF posh voice )"yes-just rode through the night to a disco thingy at the top of the Rest and decided to carry to for a bit. Venison at Kilfinnan, before scaling the hills of Cowal- just the 109 today, but back for more next week- enjoy your plod!"
 
And so the Dunoon Chase the Moon sportive was over- in summary- well worth it and well worth doing next year, a great experience shared with a great friend, well organised and plenty of provision at each stop. So whether your a 'pushing it to do 77' or a 'bring on the 109' it isn't a race, but good fun.
 
And finally- the flashing lights on the other side of the loch?? the two boys who we met earlier at Faslane, who didn't turn off at the big signs for Dunoon- needless to say.... they missed the Boat!
Alan
 

Those of you who read the comic will have come across features they do on clubs the length and breadth of the country.
 
I think ours has a story to tell so have been badgering/trolling the editor to do a feature on us.
 
He has got in touch & promised a visit to do a ride and a feature on us in the next 2-3 months.
 
I'll let you know the date once it's confirmed.

ALL
SEE BELOW A TRAINING RIDE FOR YOU, START EARLY.
CAMPBELL
 
 http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/16-213/
 
Distance:
300 km   
Date:
Saturday 16th April 2016
Time:
06:00   to finish by + 02:00
Starting from:
Musselburgh
Sunrises:
06:07 BST
Sunsets:
20:22 BST
Weather:
Metcheck
Total Climb:
4200m

ROCKY MOUNTAIN 1200km
JULY 24TH TO 29TH
 
The Rocky Mountain 1200km Brevet is traditionally offered by the British Columbia Randonneurs Cycling Club the year following PBP. The club is pleased to announce this brevet will be held July 24-29, 2016. This brevet traverses four of Canada’s mountain National Parks including the spectacular Icefields Parkway from Lake Louise to Jasper.
While the 2012 edition was in the words of one rider, “an epic journey†which saw riders challenged by extreme weather conditions in addition to the distance and high mountain terrain, over the years this brevet has usually been ridden under mostly sunny skies with spectacular vistas of amazing scenery and wildlife.
This challenging ultra marathon cycling event is an unforgettable experience for riders and volunteers alike. If you are interested in riding or volunteering on this event in 2016, please contact the BC Randonneurs Cycling Club.
 
 I HAVE SIGNED UP FOR THIS ANY OTHERS INTERESTED.
CAMPBELL
 
WEB SITE http://www.randonneurs.bc.ca/rockymountain1200/
 
ROUTE http://ridewithgps.com/routes/11381755

ROCKY MOUNTAIN 1200km
JULY 24TH TO 29TH
 
The Rocky Mountain 1200km Brevet is traditionally offered by the British Columbia Randonneurs Cycling Club the year following PBP. The club is pleased to announce this brevet will be held July 24-29, 2016. This brevet traverses four of Canada’s mountain National Parks including the spectacular Icefields Parkway from Lake Louise to Jasper.
While the 2012 edition was in the words of one rider, “an epic journey†which saw riders challenged by extreme weather conditions in addition to the distance and high mountain terrain, over the years this brevet has usually been ridden under mostly sunny skies with spectacular vistas of amazing scenery and wildlife.
This challenging ultra marathon cycling event is an unforgettable experience for riders and volunteers alike. If you are interested in riding or volunteering on this event in 2016, please contact the BC Randonneurs Cycling Club.
 
 I HAVE SIGNED UP FOR THIS ANY OTHERS INTERESTED.
CAMPBELL
 
WEB SITE http://www.randonneurs.bc.ca/rockymountain1200/
 
ROUTE http://ridewithgps.com/routes/11381755

ROCKY MOUNTAIN 1200km
JULY 24TH TO 29TH
 
The Rocky Mountain 1200km Brevet is traditionally offered by the British Columbia Randonneurs Cycling Club the year following PBP. The club is pleased to announce this brevet will be held July 24-29, 2016. This brevet traverses four of Canada’s mountain National Parks including the spectacular Icefields Parkway from Lake Louise to Jasper.
While the 2012 edition was in the words of one rider, “an epic journey†which saw riders challenged by extreme weather conditions in addition to the distance and high mountain terrain, over the years this brevet has usually been ridden under mostly sunny skies with spectacular vistas of amazing scenery and wildlife.
This challenging ultra marathon cycling event is an unforgettable experience for riders and volunteers alike. If you are interested in riding or volunteering on this event in 2016, please contact the BC Randonneurs Cycling Club.
 
 I HAVE SIGNED UP FOR THIS ANY OTHERS INTERESTED.
CAMPBELL
 
WEB SITE http://www.randonneurs.bc.ca/rockymountain1200/
 
ROUTE http://ridewithgps.com/routes/11381755

ROCKY MOUNTAIN 1200km
JULY 24TH TO 29TH
 
The Rocky Mountain 1200km Brevet is traditionally offered by the British Columbia Randonneurs Cycling Club the year following PBP. The club is pleased to announce this brevet will be held July 24-29, 2016. This brevet traverses four of Canada’s mountain National Parks including the spectacular Icefields Parkway from Lake Louise to Jasper.
While the 2012 edition was in the words of one rider, “an epic journey†which saw riders challenged by extreme weather conditions in addition to the distance and high mountain terrain, over the years this brevet has usually been ridden under mostly sunny skies with spectacular vistas of amazing scenery and wildlife.
This challenging ultra marathon cycling event is an unforgettable experience for riders and volunteers alike. If you are interested in riding or volunteering on this event in 2016, please contact the BC Randonneurs Cycling Club.
 
 I HAVE SIGNED UP FOR THIS ANY OTHERS INTERESTED.
CAMPBELL
 
WEB SITE http://www.randonneurs.bc.ca/rockymountain1200/
 
ROUTE http://ridewithgps.com/routes/11381755

ROCKY MOUNTAIN 1200km
JULY 24TH TO 29TH
 
The Rocky Mountain 1200km Brevet is traditionally offered by the British Columbia Randonneurs Cycling Club the year following PBP. The club is pleased to announce this brevet will be held July 24-29, 2016. This brevet traverses four of Canada’s mountain National Parks including the spectacular Icefields Parkway from Lake Louise to Jasper.
While the 2012 edition was in the words of one rider, “an epic journey†which saw riders challenged by extreme weather conditions in addition to the distance and high mountain terrain, over the years this brevet has usually been ridden under mostly sunny skies with spectacular vistas of amazing scenery and wildlife.
This challenging ultra marathon cycling event is an unforgettable experience for riders and volunteers alike. If you are interested in riding or volunteering on this event in 2016, please contact the BC Randonneurs Cycling Club.
 
 I HAVE SIGNED UP FOR THIS ANY OTHERS INTERESTED.
CAMPBELL
 
WEB SITE http://www.randonneurs.bc.ca/rockymountain1200/
 
ROUTE http://ridewithgps.com/routes/11381755

ROCKY MOUNTAIN 1200km
JULY 24TH TO 29TH
 
The Rocky Mountain 1200km Brevet is traditionally offered by the British Columbia Randonneurs Cycling Club the year following PBP. The club is pleased to announce this brevet will be held July 24-29, 2016. This brevet traverses four of Canada’s mountain National Parks including the spectacular Icefields Parkway from Lake Louise to Jasper.
While the 2012 edition was in the words of one rider, “an epic journey†which saw riders challenged by extreme weather conditions in addition to the distance and high mountain terrain, over the years this brevet has usually been ridden under mostly sunny skies with spectacular vistas of amazing scenery and wildlife.
This challenging ultra marathon cycling event is an unforgettable experience for riders and volunteers alike. If you are interested in riding or volunteering on this event in 2016, please contact the BC Randonneurs Cycling Club.
 
 I HAVE SIGNED UP FOR THIS ANY OTHERS INTERESTED.
CAMPBELL
 
WEB SITE http://www.randonneurs.bc.ca/rockymountain1200/
 
ROUTE http://ridewithgps.com/routes/11381755

Night ride on minor roads at a fairly pedestrian pace, mainly to get some miles in. Just wondering if anyone else would like to come along.
 
Here is the route:
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/11108168
..it's 25 miles, mainly on c-roads, quite hilly. Be aware that there will be a lot of wet leaves and some gravel on the roads.
 
The plan is to leave Miller St at 1830 and be back between 2030 and 2100.
 
You will need good lights and the front one needs to be powerful enough to light up the road. Also bear in mind what I have said about leaves and gravel - these and other small obstacles are harder to see at night even with a powerful headlamp.

Johnstone Jets Youth Cycling is delighted to announce its new sponsor, Dooley's Cycles of Paisley. Dooley's will sponsor the Jets until the end of season 2018.
Dooley's Cycles, established 1951, is Renfrewshire's longest established cycling shop and has a great history of supporting local, regional and national teams and events.
 
Owner Ian Dooley said "I'm really looking forward to helping support the Johnstone Jets. The club is doing great work at the grass roots of cycling as well as identifying and developing talent to a national level. Our shop caters for beginners, amateur and professional cyclists, so I believe this is going to work well for Jets members and their parents."
 
Johnstone Jets secretary James Simpson said "This is fantastic news for the Jets. Dooley's financial support is great, but it's also great for us to have a partnership with a local bike shop where members can go for help, specialist advice and member offers"
 
http://www.dooleys-cycles.co.uk/
 
Note:
Dooley's Cycles joins Tarmac as sponsors of Johnstone Jets Youth Cycling

PARIS BREST PARIS 1200KM - 16th to 20th August 2015
 
The morning has come Sunday 16th August I have until 17:45 tonight until I start so it’s a rest, eat & sleep as much as possible day. The 3 of us check out from the hotel at 13:00 & head for the velodrome Robert & Neil do not start till 19:30 so I wish them luck & off I go to the pre event meal, the food is good. I watch the first too lots off vedets set of & think, that was me 8 years ago they’re in for a hard ride. I find a nice seat on the grass in the shade & wait for my time to go to get my brevet card stamped, (the brevet card is a small book that has to be stamped at all the controls, signed & time written in to prove your passage on the event. The chip is only for back up & people at home). Brevet card stamped and I am ready to go I know there is one other Scot in my start, Martin but in a crowd of 300 it’s hard to pick each other out. We move up to the start ready to go, the countdown is on, the hair is up on the back of my the neck. I know this will be fast for the first 5km until it splits up. You need to have eyes everywhere, bad group riding, street furniture, you name it, it can happen. Then its 5 4 3 2 1 & were off.
 
Velodrome St Quentin-en –Yvelines to Mortagne-au-Perche - 140km
 
(Food only) – Stage length 140km
 
This stage was fast as the bunch speeds through the suburbs of Paris. You are lead out by police & motorcycle escort. It’s still daylight so you can see the cheering crowds that line some of the streets. This is where you have to watch for the street furniture! You don’t have to worry about any off the junction as they are all policed for you then you’re out into the countryside it’s still light as you speed through small villages with quaint squares. The riders have settled down now as the sun starts to set. There’s a trail of tail lights snaking through the countryside on the way to Mortagne-au-Perche. We reach Mortagne-au-Perche at midnight food & drink is consumed & we leave after an hour. 
 
Mortagne-au-Perche to Villaines-la-Juhel 221km
(First Control) – Stage length 81km
 
The drop out this control is very steep at first then eases & goes for about 2 miles this will be tuff on the way back. You are chilled by the cold night air so you are glad it’s a climb to get you warmed up, it’s a rolling stage so the lights are stretched out before you, with small brakes as the field starts to break up.  We stop for a few minutes at the side of the road as a family had set up a table with coffee, hot chocolate or water for any rider that stopped there was cake to. Martin & I set of agene after a short brake. Martin & I had been cycling from the start together, but we manage to loss each other just before the control so I go into the control, this is the first control, Arriving 03:21 on 17/08/15. Card stamped and more food not knowing wither he was in front or behind, I set of for Fougeres.
 
Villaines-la-Juhel to Fougeres – 309km
(2nd Control) – Stage length 88km
 
It is cooled as I leave glad of the uphill to heat me up, the sun will not be up till 7 in the morning this is a rolling section to, not much happens except the sun coming up to provide some warmth to the air, it had been quite chilly & with 20km to the control I snap a rear spoke, so its quick stop to open up the brakes & of I go there will be a mechanic at the control that will hopefully put in a new spoke. As I was riding a bit easier than I would normally not to do any more damage to the wheel Martin caches up with me we ride in with a small group. Arriving 08:13 on 17/08/15. Its strait to the mechanic & I leave my wheel with him & go and get my card stamped & more food. On returning to the mechanic he was just finishing but while waiting the man next to me collapses so the medic is called he was ok in the end but it just shows you the toll it was taking on some people all ready, you have a area in the brevet card the doctors can write up what they have done & what has happen so the if something ells happens further on in the ride there is a record that another doctor or medic can look at.
 
Fougeres to Tinteniac – 363km
(3nd Control) – Stage length 54km
 
Martin & I set of it is quit warm & there is not a cloud in the sky from memory this was a easy section, well this & the next proved to be hard it was constantly up down up down all the way & the heat just kept building, but it got done as one would say & we Arriving 12:08 on 17/08/15. Food & watered.
   
Tinteniac to – Loudeac (Control) – 448km
(4nd Control) – Stage length 85km
 
This is also a hilly section in the heat of the day & did not ease till just short of the control the sun was still very hot we get to the control & it is packed with spectators 2 to 3 deep, they are out waiting for the first riders on their way back to Paris. One of the crowd reads the name on my number on the bike & shouts out bravo Campbell this put a spring in my step on the way to the control. We are eating when the first rider goes through on their way back then there is a group of say 20 riders the German rider would make it back to Paris in 42 hours. We were glad to get to the control, Arriving 17:39 on 17/08/15 the food is good here with soup, chicken rice with a mushrooms sauce, rice pudding you can’t beat it.
 
Loudeac to Carhaix-Plouguer – (Control) - 525km
(5th Control) – Stage length 77km
 
By the time we come out of this control the heat is out the air so we are moving quit quick there is a secret control in St Nicolas- du-Pelem at 493km. There will also be one on the way home. The sun set at 9 & we get to Carhaix-Plouguer Arriving 22:57 on 17/08/15 we have been on the go for 29 hours so we have food & go for a sleep till 04:30 in the morning getting 4 ½ hours sleep before more food & heading off for Brest in the cool of the morning.
 
Carhaix-Plouguer to Brest – (Control) – 618km
(6th Control) – Stage length 93km
 
As we set of in the dark it is cool we are on the biggest of the climbs on the ride up to the roc trevezel at around 700m this climbed with easy as we are fresh from our 4 ½ hours sleep & two feeds the mist is hanging in the hollows on the road as the sun comes up what a view when we get to the top. The sun is up so it is not to cool on the decent, we come into a small town of Sizung that is buzzing with cyclist so we stop for coffee & panacocolata & orange juice in the café du centre in the main square. Its then of to Brest with only 40km to the turn home half way on the descent to the port of Brest my hart sinks as another spoke goes on the rear wheel. I start to think should I cut my losses & by a new wheel in Brest but I get it fix while having food I had been lucky with the mechanic as on the 2 occasions I was looking for something to be done they were quiet & could get on with my wheel right away   Arriving 09:44 on 18/08/15 the wheel would not cause me anymore trouble on this ride but it was always on my mind.
 
 Brest - Carhaix-Plouguer – (Control) - 703km
(7th Control) – Stage length 85km
 
The return home, we set of in glorious sun shine & a tailwind it will be all uphill for 40km once we leave Brest, you go out a different way from coming in but the route is back together by Sizung for coffee & cake this makes the climb up to Roc Trevezel very present then it is a right rollercoaster of a run into Carhaix-Plouguer, it is encouraging that you are passing people still climb to  Roc Trevezel with the drop to Brest still in front of them, we get to Carhaix-Plouguer Arriving 15:24 on 18/08/15 quick feed as we were hoping to go to a restaurant for dinner that we spotted on the way out.
 
 
Carhaix-Plouguer to Loudeac – (Control) – 782km
(8th Control) – Stage length 79km
 
 
This control is still full of some of the tail Enders that are out of time but may be able to pull it back. We fill up & head of as we need to build a bit of a buffer so we can sleep this was a hard section on the way out but we make good time on it with the wind on our backs it also gets cooler. We stop at the restaurant just before the control & have pizza & ice-cream & fruit for desert. Arriving 21:43 on 18/08/15 into Loudeac this control was quit quite so we get through it niece and easy.
 
 
Loudeac to Tinteniac – (Control) - 867km
(9th Control) – Stage length 85km
 
We head for Tinteniac with the intention of sleeping at Quedillac an intermediate food & sleep stop it was quite so we made the right choice. We get a good 4 hours sleep with food before & after we set of in the early morning to get a good sunrise as we get to Tinteniac for a niece early breakfast Arriving 06:57 on 19/08/15
 
Tinteniac to Fougeres – (Control) - 921km
(10th Control) – Stage length 56km
 
This is a short section so it is covered quickly it is also were Mark Cavendish won his only stage in the tour this year. There is a magnificent castle with moat in the run in, we have to go thru a secret control in this leg its set up as there must be a short cut, a well read cyclist could obviously take, I have a map & a route sheet but the route is well signposted so there is no need to use the route sheet. We Arriving 10:18 on 19/08/15 for our second breakfast of the day.
 
Fougeres to Villaines-la-Juhel – (Control) – 1009km
(11th Control) – Stage length 88km
 
The next section starts with a pull out of Fougeres then a long drag of a hill it was also very warm at this point so with the heat & no cooling from the breeze, as we were cycling at the same speed as it. We decide to have a short brake in a field in the shad we catnap for about hour then were off. We come to a small village on route. Martin goes, do you fancy some lunch, so we stop at a niece looking restaurant & have a 3 course lunch this is very civilised don’t know what the other guests thought as we were still in the same cloths, that were had started with, I can remember the ice-cream was particularly good. We Arriving in Villaines-la-Juhel 16:38 on 19/08/15. To crowds of people bands playing, & also you get announce to the crowd, as you come in to the bike park which is the main street there is a real party atmosphere with shouts of bravo, you still have 221km to go so it not over, it had been a hot section so plenty food & water was required.
 
Villaines-la-Juhel to Mortagne-au-Perche (Control) – 1090km
(12th Control) – Stage length 81km
 
This is the section that I feel that I am on my way home as you go under the 100miles to go after the initial climb out of Villaines-la-Juhel it is rolling & very straight with only a couple of long climbs in the middle it has a small village at the top of one of them with coffee & cake supplied by the locals for the riders it’s a welcome break as it is still hot but dusk will soon be upon us, this will be our last night fall. the final climb to the control with 17% right into the control were the crowds gather to see if you have to get off & push, you get it into the low gear before the corner & just roll it up to the cheers for making it. On the way up this last hill Martin was having a hard time & I was talking him up it as I could remember this from my last two times, as we came into the town there was a woman ring a bell & shouting encouragement which Martin mistook as hurry, hurry, hurry to which I hear him muter if you say that once more I will shove that bell up you’re a??? to which I burst out laughing & nearly ground to a holt, I shout get into the low gear know to which he replied I am already f?????? in it. We huff & puff into the control Arriving 21:38 on 19/08/15. The food is really good her soup bread, beef olives rice, & you can’t beat it creamed rice washed down with Perry water, coke, coffee.
 
Mortagne-au-Perche to Dreux – (Control) – 1165km
(13th Control) – Stage length 75km
 
We had already decided that we would cycle to Dreux & lay up there till the morning before heading for home. The night is very warm so it’s only the florescent gille that is added now need for arm warmers hats or light gloves, just as we were about to leave there was a load mouth group from across the pond leaving so we let them go, but to our amassment the were not going that fast, so we sate about a hundred yard of the back off them. Were up hill at the beginning then on a long descent Martin was in front I see out the corner of my eye a left turn quick shout to martin going left then a loud shout to the group but they did not hear me, it also had a cross that they should have seen 20 meters down the road. It was more uphill for us on this rise we can see the glow of the lights from Dreux & the other major towns we end up on a high flat area of fields that seem to go on & on this is hard work when you are tired as you don’t get a rest from pedalling, then it the dropt Dreux Arriving 02:55 on 20/08/15 we have food & sleep for 2 hours to leave at 6 to head for Paris.
 
Dreux to Velodrome St Quentin-en –Yvelines – 1230km
(Final Control) – Stage length 65km
 
We set of at 6 as planed. The sun will be up by 7 we are well feed & watered it is also just a short hope but as usual there are a couple of killer hills that on the way out on the Sunday were not really notes as you were swept along, we are passing rides that are on their last legs & giving it all to get to Paris. One of the images in this run in was there was a chap sleeping on a bench right outside a monastery that was chiming all its bell & he never even stirred. We climb the last major hill & can see the motor way that we go under about 6km from the end it was over cast this morning & starts to rain but we can’t feel it, were going home. downhill then under the motorway & the run through the suburbs of St Quentin-en –Yvelines the roundabout are all manned to stop traffic to keep the tired riders going that’s me to. Then it the pull up the hill to velodrome the crowds are out clapping shouting you cycle up this as if you had just came round the corner over the timing belt, park the bike in the secure park then into the velodrome for the final stamp on the brevet card it’s such a great feeling I didn’t even know how close I was to finishing at 9 o’clock till George text me to say hay your 2 minutes early we Arriving 08:58 on 20/08/15
 
We meet other Scottish rider that are finishing & sitting and chating for an hour or so but you feel the tiredness staring to take hold so you make your farewells & off to the hotel for a sleep & beer.
 
Some stats from the ride.
Time spent going through control & eating – 17hr
Time spent sleeping - 11hr
Time in cafes & refreshments outside controls – 6hr
Total time for ride was 87:12
 
This was my last Paris Brest Paris I look back at this ride with great happiness as in doing it the way I did you get to see the full field of riders from the fast to the slow like myself but I am thankful to be go home after, there were a few how would not & my thought are with their family but to see the joy on people faces that finished you will never forget. You also have to think off all the helpers that gave of their time to make this event happen & I had a smile on my face & thanks as they served food, stamped cards or even guiding you the right way on the road. It is a mythical event & you have to work hard to get fit for this in order to join the long list of successful randonneurs who have contributed to the legend of the Paris-Brest-Paris. I have 3 under my belt & flew the Johnstone Wheelers flag in Paris.
 
Campbell
 
Ps here is a poem that gives me inspiration its 'IF' by Rudyard Kipling
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master,
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!
 

PARIS BREST PARIS 1200KM - 16th to 20th August 2015
 
The morning has come Sunday 16th August I have until 17:45 tonight until I start so it’s a rest, eat & sleep as much as possible day. The 3 of us check out from the hotel at 13:00 & head for the velodrome Robert & Neil do not start till 19:30 so I wish them luck & off I go to the pre event meal, the food is good. I watch the first too lots off vedets set of & think, that was me 8 years ago they’re in for a hard ride. I find a nice seat on the grass in the shade & wait for my time to go to get my brevet card stamped, (the brevet card is a small book that has to be stamped at all the controls, signed & time written in to prove your passage on the event. The chip is only for back up & people at home). Brevet card stamped and I am ready to go I know there is one other Scot in my start, Martin but in a crowd of 300 it’s hard to pick each other out. We move up to the start ready to go, the countdown is on, the hair is up on the back of my the neck. I know this will be fast for the first 5km until it splits up. You need to have eyes everywhere, bad group riding, street furniture, you name it, it can happen. Then its 5 4 3 2 1 & were off.
 
Velodrome St Quentin-en –Yvelines to Mortagne-au-Perche - 140km
 
(Food only) – Stage length 140km
 
This stage was fast as the bunch speeds through the suburbs of Paris. You are lead out by police & motorcycle escort. It’s still daylight so you can see the cheering crowds that line some of the streets. This is where you have to watch for the street furniture! You don’t have to worry about any off the junction as they are all policed for you then you’re out into the countryside it’s still light as you speed through small villages with quaint squares. The riders have settled down now as the sun starts to set. There’s a trail of tail lights snaking through the countryside on the way to Mortagne-au-Perche. We reach Mortagne-au-Perche at midnight food & drink is consumed & we leave after an hour. 
 
Mortagne-au-Perche to Villaines-la-Juhel 221km
(First Control) – Stage length 81km
 
The drop out this control is very steep at first then eases & goes for about 2 miles this will be tuff on the way back. You are chilled by the cold night air so you are glad it’s a climb to get you warmed up, it’s a rolling stage so the lights are stretched out before you, with small brakes as the field starts to break up.  We stop for a few minutes at the side of the road as a family had set up a table with coffee, hot chocolate or water for any rider that stopped there was cake to. Martin & I set of agene after a short brake. Martin & I had been cycling from the start together, but we manage to loss each other just before the control so I go into the control, this is the first control, Arriving 03:21 on 17/08/15. Card stamped and more food not knowing wither he was in front or behind, I set of for Fougeres.
 
Villaines-la-Juhel to Fougeres – 309km
(2nd Control) – Stage length 88km
 
It is cooled as I leave glad of the uphill to heat me up, the sun will not be up till 7 in the morning this is a rolling section to, not much happens except the sun coming up to provide some warmth to the air, it had been quite chilly & with 20km to the control I snap a rear spoke, so its quick stop to open up the brakes & of I go there will be a mechanic at the control that will hopefully put in a new spoke. As I was riding a bit easier than I would normally not to do any more damage to the wheel Martin caches up with me we ride in with a small group. Arriving 08:13 on 17/08/15. Its strait to the mechanic & I leave my wheel with him & go and get my card stamped & more food. On returning to the mechanic he was just finishing but while waiting the man next to me collapses so the medic is called he was ok in the end but it just shows you the toll it was taking on some people all ready, you have a area in the brevet card the doctors can write up what they have done & what has happen so the if something ells happens further on in the ride there is a record that another doctor or medic can look at.
 
Fougeres to Tinteniac – 363km
(3nd Control) – Stage length 54km
 
Martin & I set of it is quit warm & there is not a cloud in the sky from memory this was a easy section, well this & the next proved to be hard it was constantly up down up down all the way & the heat just kept building, but it got done as one would say & we Arriving 12:08 on 17/08/15. Food & watered.
   
Tinteniac to – Loudeac (Control) – 448km
(4nd Control) – Stage length 85km
 
This is also a hilly section in the heat of the day & did not ease till just short of the control the sun was still very hot we get to the control & it is packed with spectators 2 to 3 deep, they are out waiting for the first riders on their way back to Paris. One of the crowd reads the name on my number on the bike & shouts out bravo Campbell this put a spring in my step on the way to the control. We are eating when the first rider goes through on their way back then there is a group of say 20 riders the German rider would make it back to Paris in 42 hours. We were glad to get to the control, Arriving 17:39 on 17/08/15 the food is good here with soup, chicken rice with a mushrooms sauce, rice pudding you can’t beat it.
 
Loudeac to Carhaix-Plouguer – (Control) - 525km
(5th Control) – Stage length 77km
 
By the time we come out of this control the heat is out the air so we are moving quit quick there is a secret control in St Nicolas- du-Pelem at 493km. There will also be one on the way home. The sun set at 9 & we get to Carhaix-Plouguer Arriving 22:57 on 17/08/15 we have been on the go for 29 hours so we have food & go for a sleep till 04:30 in the morning getting 4 ½ hours sleep before more food & heading off for Brest in the cool of the morning.
 
Carhaix-Plouguer to Brest – (Control) – 618km
(6th Control) – Stage length 93km
 
As we set of in the dark it is cool we are on the biggest of the climbs on the ride up to the roc trevezel at around 700m this climbed with easy as we are fresh from our 4 ½ hours sleep & two feeds the mist is hanging in the hollows on the road as the sun comes up what a view when we get to the top. The sun is up so it is not to cool on the decent, we come into a small town of Sizung that is buzzing with cyclist so we stop for coffee & panacocolata & orange juice in the café du centre in the main square. Its then of to Brest with only 40km to the turn home half way on the descent to the port of Brest my hart sinks as another spoke goes on the rear wheel. I start to think should I cut my losses & by a new wheel in Brest but I get it fix while having food I had been lucky with the mechanic as on the 2 occasions I was looking for something to be done they were quiet & could get on with my wheel right away   Arriving 09:44 on 18/08/15 the wheel would not cause me anymore trouble on this ride but it was always on my mind.
 
 Brest - Carhaix-Plouguer – (Control) - 703km
(7th Control) – Stage length 85km
 
The return home, we set of in glorious sun shine & a tailwind it will be all uphill for 40km once we leave Brest, you go out a different way from coming in but the route is back together by Sizung for coffee & cake this makes the climb up to Roc Trevezel very present then it is a right rollercoaster of a run into Carhaix-Plouguer, it is encouraging that you are passing people still climb to  Roc Trevezel with the drop to Brest still in front of them, we get to Carhaix-Plouguer Arriving 15:24 on 18/08/15 quick feed as we were hoping to go to a restaurant for dinner that we spotted on the way out.
 
 
Carhaix-Plouguer to Loudeac – (Control) – 782km
(8th Control) – Stage length 79km
 
 
This control is still full of some of the tail Enders that are out of time but may be able to pull it back. We fill up & head of as we need to build a bit of a buffer so we can sleep this was a hard section on the way out but we make good time on it with the wind on our backs it also gets cooler. We stop at the restaurant just before the control & have pizza & ice-cream & fruit for desert. Arriving 21:43 on 18/08/15 into Loudeac this control was quit quite so we get through it niece and easy.
 
 
Loudeac to Tinteniac – (Control) - 867km
(9th Control) – Stage length 85km
 
We head for Tinteniac with the intention of sleeping at Quedillac an intermediate food & sleep stop it was quite so we made the right choice. We get a good 4 hours sleep with food before & after we set of in the early morning to get a good sunrise as we get to Tinteniac for a niece early breakfast Arriving 06:57 on 19/08/15
 
Tinteniac to Fougeres – (Control) - 921km
(10th Control) – Stage length 56km
 
This is a short section so it is covered quickly it is also were Mark Cavendish won his only stage in the tour this year. There is a magnificent castle with moat in the run in, we have to go thru a secret control in this leg its set up as there must be a short cut, a well read cyclist could obviously take, I have a map & a route sheet but the route is well signposted so there is no need to use the route sheet. We Arriving 10:18 on 19/08/15 for our second breakfast of the day.
 
Fougeres to Villaines-la-Juhel – (Control) – 1009km
(11th Control) – Stage length 88km
 
The next section starts with a pull out of Fougeres then a long drag of a hill it was also very warm at this point so with the heat & no cooling from the breeze, as we were cycling at the same speed as it. We decide to have a short brake in a field in the shad we catnap for about hour then were off. We come to a small village on route. Martin goes, do you fancy some lunch, so we stop at a niece looking restaurant & have a 3 course lunch this is very civilised don’t know what the other guests thought as we were still in the same cloths, that were had started with, I can remember the ice-cream was particularly good. We Arriving in Villaines-la-Juhel 16:38 on 19/08/15. To crowds of people bands playing, & also you get announce to the crowd, as you come in to the bike park which is the main street there is a real party atmosphere with shouts of bravo, you still have 221km to go so it not over, it had been a hot section so plenty food & water was required.
 
Villaines-la-Juhel to Mortagne-au-Perche (Control) – 1090km
(12th Control) – Stage length 81km
 
This is the section that I feel that I am on my way home as you go under the 100miles to go after the initial climb out of Villaines-la-Juhel it is rolling & very straight with only a couple of long climbs in the middle it has a small village at the top of one of them with coffee & cake supplied by the locals for the riders it’s a welcome break as it is still hot but dusk will soon be upon us, this will be our last night fall. the final climb to the control with 17% right into the control were the crowds gather to see if you have to get off & push, you get it into the low gear before the corner & just roll it up to the cheers for making it. On the way up this last hill Martin was having a hard time & I was talking him up it as I could remember this from my last two times, as we came into the town there was a woman ring a bell & shouting encouragement which Martin mistook as hurry, hurry, hurry to which I hear him muter if you say that once more I will shove that bell up you’re a??? to which I burst out laughing & nearly ground to a holt, I shout get into the low gear know to which he replied I am already f?????? in it. We huff & puff into the control Arriving 21:38 on 19/08/15. The food is really good her soup bread, beef olives rice, & you can’t beat it creamed rice washed down with Perry water, coke, coffee.
 
Mortagne-au-Perche to Dreux – (Control) – 1165km
(13th Control) – Stage length 75km
 
We had already decided that we would cycle to Dreux & lay up there till the morning before heading for home. The night is very warm so it’s only the florescent gille that is added now need for arm warmers hats or light gloves, just as we were about to leave there was a load mouth group from across the pond leaving so we let them go, but to our amassment the were not going that fast, so we sate about a hundred yard of the back off them. Were up hill at the beginning then on a long descent Martin was in front I see out the corner of my eye a left turn quick shout to martin going left then a loud shout to the group but they did not hear me, it also had a cross that they should have seen 20 meters down the road. It was more uphill for us on this rise we can see the glow of the lights from Dreux & the other major towns we end up on a high flat area of fields that seem to go on & on this is hard work when you are tired as you don’t get a rest from pedalling, then it the dropt Dreux Arriving 02:55 on 20/08/15 we have food & sleep for 2 hours to leave at 6 to head for Paris.
 
Dreux to Velodrome St Quentin-en –Yvelines – 1230km
(Final Control) – Stage length 65km
 
We set of at 6 as planed. The sun will be up by 7 we are well feed & watered it is also just a short hope but as usual there are a couple of killer hills that on the way out on the Sunday were not really notes as you were swept along, we are passing rides that are on their last legs & giving it all to get to Paris. One of the images in this run in was there was a chap sleeping on a bench right outside a monastery that was chiming all its bell & he never even stirred. We climb the last major hill & can see the motor way that we go under about 6km from the end it was over cast this morning & starts to rain but we can’t feel it, were going home. downhill then under the motorway & the run through the suburbs of St Quentin-en –Yvelines the roundabout are all manned to stop traffic to keep the tired riders going that’s me to. Then it the pull up the hill to velodrome the crowds are out clapping shouting you cycle up this as if you had just came round the corner over the timing belt, park the bike in the secure park then into the velodrome for the final stamp on the brevet card it’s such a great feeling I didn’t even know how close I was to finishing at 9 o’clock till George text me to say hay your 2 minutes early we Arriving 08:58 on 20/08/15
 
We meet other Scottish rider that are finishing & sitting and chating for an hour or so but you feel the tiredness staring to take hold so you make your farewells & off to the hotel for a sleep & beer.
 
Some stats from the ride.
Time spent going through control & eating – 17hr
Time spent sleeping - 11hr
Time in cafes & refreshments outside controls – 6hr
Total time for ride was 87:12
 
This was my last Paris Brest Paris I look back at this ride with great happiness as in doing it the way I did you get to see the full field of riders from the fast to the slow like myself but I am thankful to be go home after, there were a few how would not & my thought are with their family but to see the joy on people faces that finished you will never forget. You also have to think off all the helpers that gave of their time to make this event happen & I had a smile on my face & thanks as they served food, stamped cards or even guiding you the right way on the road. It is a mythical event & you have to work hard to get fit for this in order to join the long list of successful randonneurs who have contributed to the legend of the Paris-Brest-Paris. I have 3 under my belt & flew the Johnstone Wheelers flag in Paris.
 
Campbell
 
Ps here is a poem that gives me inspiration its 'IF' by Rudyard Kipling
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master,
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!