Paris to Ancaster

Today was the big day. The test of the metal - how well everyone's winter training has gone. Sure there are lots of excuses, but a 60 km ride from Paris to Ancaster along gravel roads, through farm fields, hydro corridors and the Dundas Conservation Area with roadies, tri's, mountain bikers and a collection of other crazies gives a pretty good indication of how fit you are for the up coming season. This race is now the largest one day race in Ontario. This year there were over 1500 riders. If you want to check it out for yourself go to www.parisancaster.com

The temperature was 10 degrees and sunny. Sometimes there is snow for this race. The crowds were pretty happy this year.

In case anyone forgot, I managed to get Brad to marry me by promising to support him in his racing. Basically I said if I wasn't Mrs. Bradley Stevens by spring 2002 there would be no more feed zone support for him. This worked better than any ultimatum. Unfortunately, it means 4 years later I am still schlepping around to these races. Here are today's highlights.


Here's the boys getting 4 bikes on the backof a Toyota Armada. It seemed criminal.



Does this vehicle not seem just too big? Notice Peter telling Brad another war story. We heard some pretty funny ones on the way down to the race.



It all fun and levity at the beginning. Before the crying starts. This is Barry and Jo with Brad.



The race is off!



Remy and Roxanne are hamming it up before the race.



Brad picked up a bit of mud on the trail.



Everyone is so happy once they are cleaned up.



All is good over a few pints at the Rosseau House in Ancaster until Barry gets a leg cramp trying to smile for a photo. What is that saying about take 500mls every 1/2 hr until the pain is gone?

Remy's Diet Tip of the Day



Althought not captured on film, Remy's latest calorie reduction technique was reviewed with Jo. If you are crossing the road and a #$%* SUV driver gets aggressive, throw your cookie at him. It gets rid of at least 100 calories of unfinished cookie and probably consumes another 100 through the confrontation that ensues.