Tobacco Country

This past weekend was the 5th annual Tour de Norfolk, a two-day tour through Norfolk County, the heartland of southern Ontario tobacco farming.

Invited and hosted by my friend, Brian, a native of the Norfolk County, we rode the long option both days; 160kms on Saturday and 100kms on Sunday. Both days Brian’s friend, Donnie, joined us, while our mutual friend, Darren, came out for the Sunday ride. We also had the pleasure of meeting and riding with a few other very strong cyclists both days. Chatting together we shared some laughs; riding together we shared the work-load, averaging 31.1kph for 167kms and 31.6kph for 102kms. The event afforded me the chance to explore new roads and catch-up with a friend I’d not ridden with since Los Angeles a year and a half ago. I got in some good miles of training, met some great people and even went for ice-cream in Port Dover Saturday night!

While it is the terrain and the camaraderie that make any ride a good one, it was the organization of this tremendous event that made it such a success. The routes were clearly marked and well mapped; the rest stops were well-spaced apart with a bounty of varying snacks, cold water and friendly volunteers; the start times were more like suggestions, making the event a very easy-going affair. There were cyclists of different ages, riding abilities and on a whole host of different bikes. The weather was hot but manageable with adequate water; the roads were smooth while the traffic minimal; there were old riders and young, fast and struggling. Each day started and finished at the Delhi Arena, riding through towns including Nixon, Vittoria, Normandale, Port Rowan, Fairground and Frogmore; Wilsonville, Bealton, Teeterville and Lynnville.

A big thanks to Brian for making it happen and for showing-up everyone by riding on his cycle-cross bike with 25c tires at 80psi. It was a great event and I do hope to be there again next year.

It’s a bike-geek thing

Mmmm, post-ride ice-cream!

Brian and Darren, Sunday morning.

Darren, Brian, Donny at Teeterville rest stop, Sunday

Rest-stop at the Wind-Del Park out-door velodrome

Very pretty tandem, with couplings

Rough, but ridable Wind-Del Park velodrome

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