A Typical Day |
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A Typical Day |
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At the risk of sounding maudlin, each day is what you make it. The TdC is a tour, not a race; some days you will want to ride like the wind (which will hopefully be at your back), some days you will want to stop a lot and explore where you are.
That having been said, yes the weather can definitely influence what kind of day you're going to have. Basically you get up each morning and go to work - your assignment each day is to get yourself to the next campsite. If you're cooking that day you'll have to get there a bit earlier. How hard you push yourself depends on how much time you have, given conditions and the desire/need to stop and actually see the country, talk to the people, or just eat. There's a tremendous amount of daylight available so even "a non-fanatic recreational cyclist" (which in my experience accounts for the majority of TdC riders) can handle the cycling.
The crucial thing is to determine what's most important to you and then ride accordingly. There's no prize for being the first one in camp, nor any sanction for being the last - and the first one in may even have missed all sorts of things the last one stopped to check out. There are no rules on how to approach the tour, you make them up each day as you go along. Be flexible.
Yes, some days the riding will be difficult (headwind, road conditions, fatigue, illness, distance, ...); other days it will be a charm. Each day is different, but "typically" you go over the map, try to gauge how much an effort you'll have to make to get to camp, find someone (or no one) you'd like to ride with that day, and head off. More often than not people get together (possibly several times) during the day - faster people pass slower ones, folks meet at previously agreed-to lunch spots,wonderful scenery compels everyone to stop and take lots of pictures, you all take shelter from the passing storm, etc. The fastest rider is not necessarily the first one in, either.
In short, *every* day on the TdC is above average (or has the potential to be).
OK, you probably think I haven't addressed your concerns. Like you I was full of questions before the tour, wondering what I had got myself into. Like me, those in the know seemed to refuse to give simple answers. The reality is that each rider not only has his or her own experience, he or she creates it. Bud is absolutely right when he says that attitude ismore important than anything else: one person's dream day is another's ride from Hell.
You're going to be on vacation for 10 weeks. During that time you'll have the chance to discover a lot about yourself and how you react to different situations. Take comfort in the fact that others have gone before you and survived. In other words, Just Do It.--
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I also agree with Mark's comments. I would also like to add that I found the real fun for me began when I stopped "riding" and started "touring". Like many other TDC riders I remember being nervous when starting out. In fact, I know I rode much faster and saw a lot less than I could have in the begining. For me, this riding too quickly was a result of a desire to"prove to myself that I am up to this challenge".
After a while I realized that the longer I stretched the daylight the more fun I had. In fact, I remember swimming in seven different lakes in one day (on the way to Manitoulin Island). There are many wonderful opportunities to explore Canada's beautiful and varied offerings during this trip. And yes sometimes flying across the praries in a tight paceline can be equally rewarding. I hope that you enjoy the tour as much as I did, what a great way to spend a summer !
Mike. You are correct in what you say.
On the other hand, for me most of the joy of riding a bicycle is simply riding a bicycle, and to that end the more efficient it is, the more enjoyable the trip.
But, I am not totally obsessed with speed. I have crossed Canada at least twice by vehicle, on 90% of the same highways. I grew up in the mountains. So what are the most scenic days for most participants provided for me a different challenge. As you put it, to see if I was "up to it." The big hills and passes were there to be overcome, and the glimpses of the mountains through the overcast we rode in were bonuses.
Also, all my drivel re light bikes, drafting, drop bars to reduce wind drag, etc. are my long winded efforts to say the following: We all have a pace that we most enjoy riding at. One we can hold all day, and enjoy each moment. Let's say that this effort provides a pace of 15 kilometres/hour on a mountain bike. On a hybrid, ones speed would likely increase to 18 kph. On a full touring bike with a couple panniers, 20 kph. On a bike with no panniers, 22 kph. On a lighly laden sport bike, 25 kph. On a lightly laden racing bike, 27 kph.
The numbers are only guesses, and perhaps not even in the totally correct sequence, but I hope the point is made. The point is--why not enjoy the quicker speed available for the same amount of effort? Arriving first yields no rewards. Nor does last penalize. But I sure enjoyed being able to have lots of time available because of the extra few kilometres per hour. On the road the speed gives you time to stop and sight-see, or take the odd sidetrip on the bike. Once into camp there is extra time to shower, work on the bike, prepare supper when it was our turn, or just put my feet up and enjoy a cold one.
I again agree with you, though, when you say there is no rush. Don't go past things you want to enjoy. Don't EVER be going so hard that you miss the scenery. Very few will ever ride this trip again.
Be a tourist. I wouldn't have missed this trip for the world.
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