The Big Loop Ride - July 20th

[John D]

Date: Sunday, 20th July 2014

Start Time: 6:00am at the Starbucks on Alpha Street (across from Mayfair mall)

Route: Victoria-Sooke-Port Renfrew-Lake Cowichan-Duncan-Mill Bay Ferry-Victoria via Wallace.

Total Distance: 286 km
- Victoria to Port Renfrew 80 km
- Renfrew to Lake Cowichan 68 km
- Lake Cowichan to Duncan 50 km
- Duncan to Mill Bay 50 km
- Brentwood Bay to Victoria 38 km

The ride will be designated “No drop”. Since we anticipate having “A”, “B” and “C” riders sign up for the ride we plan to ride in two groups – a faster group (averaging at least 27 km/h) and a slower group.

Support: Marcus and Nancy will once again provide “Chuck Wagon” (and moral) support in their VW Westphalia. They will stop at Sooke, Jordan River, Port Renfrew, Lake Cowicha and the Mill Bay ferry. New for 2014, we will also have two motorcycles supporting us along the route (thanks to Al and Shannon Wilhelm). Tripleshot will pay for the basic “road food” provided by the Chuck Wagon (water, juice, Gatorade, fruit, salty snacks, and a big pot of Nancy's chili). Riders are expected to bring any additional food supplies that they require (e.g. gels, bars, sandwiches, human growth hormone, etc,). These can be placed in the support vehicle between scheduled stops, as can any additional clothing, sunscreen, etc.

The Mill Bay Ferry: Leaves Mill Bay at 3pm, 4:10pm and 5:20pm. We anticipate the fast group will catch the 3pm ferry and the slower group the 4:10 ferry.

Fee: There is no cost for Tripleshot members in good standing. Invited riders will be charged $10.

[John D]

If you are planning on participating in the Big Loop Ride please add your name to the list below so that we can get some idea of numbers. Remember that this will be a "non-drop" supported ride with a faster and a slower group to choose from.

Thanks,
J.

2014 BIG LOOP RIDERS:
John Dower

[Rolf]

2014 BIG LOOP RIDERS:
John Dower
Rolf W. (subject to a veto by the Security Council)

[barton bourassa]

John Dower
Rolf W. (subject to a veto by the Security Council)
Barton

[John D]

2014 BIG LOOP RIDERS:
John Dower
Rolf W. (subject to a veto by the Security Council)

The TSC Black Ops team can arrange an, um, "intervention and extraction" if you get vetoed. Basically, they show up unannouced and toss you into that big backpack that Neil wears. They even wear a special matte-black argyle kit so your neighbours won't notice anything.

J.

[Peter M]

I'm in. I have nothing witty to say about a 280+k ride.... other than how I feel when I sit down the next day.. Ouch..!

Peter M

[Kevin F]

In. But having trouble adding to the list using a 'smart phone'

[conway]

I'm in.

Mark F.

[roadflasj]

2014 BIG LOOP RIDERS:
John Dower
Rolf W. (with luck)
Barton
Mark F
Peter M
Kevin F
Kenji


Can't wait to suffer so much discomfort. Uber excitied.

[Fozzy]

Neil (with Rolf in backpack)

[mshepard]

In and riding a sensible pace!
...Mark

[katew]

Out of town, therefore out.

[jbarrett]

Count me in that number.
Joe B.

[stevierooks]

YABBA-DABBA-DOOOO!!!....I can come Tooooo!!

Ive missed a lot of rides that I wanted to be on this spring and summer because of work. Not this one. It'll be like getting 3 or 4 rides in on one day!

Looking forward to it. Im in

Rooks

[chrisb]

Looks like I can make it too!

[Paula]

I am feeling intrigued by the idea of this so called 'big loop ride'. I don't think I've ever ridden over 120km in one go, so is this a dumb idea? Are these support vehicles also there to take riders who have had enough? Or to shuttle such riders to the front where they can carry on ?

Paula

[mfarnham]

I'm in.

Martin

[John D]

I am feeling intrigued by the idea of this so called 'big loop ride'. I don't think I've ever ridden over 120km in one go, so is this a dumb idea? Are these support vehicles also there to take riders who have had enough? Or to shuttle such riders to the front where they can carry on ?

Hi Paula...you and I talked about this earlier this morning, but I thought it worth posting something here, too, for anyone else who may be thinking of joining us.

Yes, this will be a no-drop and supported ride. However, the expectation is that anyone who signs up really should expect to be able to finish the whole 270km route. I was unable to do so last year - my back seized up on me about half way through - and fortunately was able to catch a lift (and a beer) from Marcus and Nancy in their Westie. That said, we really don't have the capacity to get more than a couple of people home if they simply run out of steam.

Cheers,
John

[Rolf]

Which is why I have to back out. Riding an average of 60K per week ain't getting me up to Big Loop fitness. Hopefully by the Aug. 17 Wheelers' Vic to Cow I'll have some more mileage to work with.

Maybe I'll just rent a little tourist scooter and motor pace you guys. <BRAAAAAAAAAP, BRAAAAAAAAAP!>

[Alan]

2014 BIG LOOP RIDERS I've gather up the names and here's what we have so far:
John Dower
Barton
Mark F
Peter M
Kevin F
Kenji
Neil
Mark S.
Joe
Rooks
Paula (is that a maybe? )
Martin
Alan C.