by Galit Minuskin
This year marked the 15th annual Cyclon celebrated in Guelph and it was HOT—in every way!
On Saturday, the short tourist ride to Elmira found itself facing as an unexpected obstacle in the form of a missing bridge!!!
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Given the option of retracing the ride back a few kilometres to detour or taking an unplanned hike through a golf course intrepid TBNers naturally took the "road less travelled". At one point while stepping through the manicured fairways we stopped behind a novice golfer about to swing so as not to disturb him. As he lucked out to make a fantastic shot, he turned to the clapping of an audience … on bicycles! We moved on through the golf course and used a cart bridge to cross the river, walking our bikes up a steep grass hill, the most difficult hill of the day.
After Saturday's rides, over 70 cyclists were pleased to take advantage the University's swimming pool and whirlpool. Some lucky cyclists also took advantage of massage services available for the first time at a Cyclon event.
Those with energy left after dinner on Saturday went into town for the second annual Pub Tour in downtown Guelph. By the end of the evening, most pub-crawling Cyclon participants found themselves on the back porch of the Woolwich Arms listening to the relaxing live music of a singer-songwriter. Presumably, a fun time was had by all, although some of us had to go to bed early!
Breakfast on Sunday brought the usual Cyclon conversation starter "Which ride did you do yesterday?". Typical answers included "I can't believe we did 47 kilometres." (Leisure Wheelers and Easy Rollers), "We did the 79 but it was really 85." (Short Tourist), and "We did the 117 but got lost so it was really 130." (Long Tourist).
Sunday rides set out on a clear day with the promise of more high temperatures. My ride was interrupted by a couple of broken spokes coming out of Elora.
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While riding with a warped wheel, I was pleased to spot the Cyclon sag wagon and hop on for a lift along with a rider from Michigan who had been having problems with her "highly recommended" bicycle.
The dinner dance on Sunday brought the usual hungry crowd indulging in the buffet and dancing the night away. Adding to the evening's excitement was the presence of a bat (yes a bat!) chased out of the building by the staff and into the Cyclon crowd sitting on the stairs outside. Thanks to John who brought out the freezees at just the right time, they hit the spot!
Monday's rides offered the option of stopping at the Halton County Radial Railway Museum.
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Those who took advantage of the stop were pleased at having done so. With my bike out of commission, I navigated the sag wagon with Cathy Conway who did a great job as the driver all weekend. Finding a strategic (but too sunny) stop on the side of the road we were able to offer water to all riders (even the occasional Long Tourist and Sportif riders who were willing to stop!). Having applied my sunscreen that morning as a cyclist would, it was too late when I realized that I was wearing sandals under the hot sun with the tops of my feet unprotected… ooops! Riders received a refreshing welcome and a delicious lunch at the Springfield Golf and Country Club and were pleased to only have a short distance to ride back to the residence.