Paris to Ancaster 2010

While the rest of the team was up at the Calabogie Classic, I made another attempt at Southern Ontario’s spring classic, Paris to Ancaster. P2A is a 60 km point to point race that has a great mix of rail trail, paved roads, farmer’s fields, and the infamous mud chutes. There is a huge draw for this event, with over 1900 entered this year with riders of all levels, including crazy people on unicycles.

The women’s field this year was competitive, with British cyclocross champ Helen Wyman making her P2A debut, and Edmontonian and Cyclocross Nats silver medalist Pepper Harlton making the trip. The local scene was also well represented with Leigh Hobson, Sue Palmer-Komar, and Laura Bietola racing.

It was pretty cool, and a little drizzly on the start line, which made it even harder to prepare for the fast and furious start. I managed to get into a decent position, narrowly avoiding a crash on the first section of rail trail. There is a lot to be said for pre-riding the start, loose gravel and trail gates can make for sketchy situations. Through the first trail section, and out onto the road I could see Helen’s Kona jersey up ahead, and with some co-operation from the men around me we managed to bridge to her. After that it was a little difficult to get a working group going. As there was no headwind I stayed up at the front for a lot of the race, with Helen playing a smarter game and sticking to my wheel.

The last 7 km race is where the mud chutes come in quick succession. Pre-riding these sections would have been a good idea. If there was a bad line I managed to choose it, and it was not pretty. After each chute I found myself having to chase to catch on, and after my time on the front, I was starting to get worn down. I lost Helen on the final dirt road section, and crested the hill just as she finished. I cross the line 46 s later, 2^nd place for the 3^rd year in a row. Laura Bietola finished in 3^rd followed by Leigh Hobson and Sue Palmer-Komar.

Although I manage to find myself in the same place every year, this year was certainly the one that I am most happy with. Definitely a great day on the bike!