The 26th annual Paris to Ancaster Multi Surface Bicycle race looked as if it were to, yet again, run under grey and miserable skies. But as a very last minute entry, sunshine made a rare appearance. And Sol was not the only unusual entrant. This year’s race attracted some 30 professional racers. To put things in perspective, the 2018 top position was won at an average speed of 32.5 kph and this year was won at 34.9 kph – the game has changed!
Testing themselves against the pros and a field of 1,560 competitors were 17 Speed River Cycling Club members. Taking the top SRCC spot in 30th position overall (5th in the ‘day job’ class) was El Presidente, James Fedosov with a remarkable speed average of 32.7 kph (his 31.7 kph average earned him 16th in 2018). 2nd SRCC (& PCC) finisher in the 87th spot overall was Alex ‘Flave O’flave’ Lefebvre! Rounding out the SRCC podium was long time board member and P2A veteran, Mike Dennis who took the 122nd spot overall and 39th in the largest class of the event Male 40–49. Fourth SRCC member was Robert McLay (you are signing up again this year, right… Rob?). Followed by a valiant effort of weaving through heavy traffic starting way back in Wave 4, was Phil Harvey in the 5th SRCC spot. And Jim Brogden took 67th out of 355 in the 2nd largest class of the race, Male 50–59 (this is not your father’s Autumnal years!) Next fastest SRCC finisher (and first year with the club) with a monumental effort and a first place win in the Female Single speed class was Chancie Knights. She was also 25th female overall against a fully geared field of 131. Well done Chancie! Admirable finishes respectively continued with Andrew Krucker, Michael Muffels (on a SS – also first year with SRCC – welcome!), Rich Lyle, Mike Marcolongo, Wilfred & Ron Ferwerda (continuing their single speed sibling rivalry) and Lindsay Robinson (47th Female overall!) completing an excellent showing of our fine fellow SRCC members in the 7o km race. And extra special acknowledgements are in order for the father and son teams of Andrew and Noah Wayne and Gord and Sheldon Drewitt who rode the 46 km course. Well done all! Be certain to congratulate these fine club members when next you see them. Kudos all ’round, may the sun shine upon you for many more.
Full 70 km Results here and Full 46 km results here
Rusty Knutts (pronounced: kahnoots)