The 13th edition of the OBC Paris-Roubaix Cyclo-sportif proved to be a cold, windy but dry event. A record 59 riders set off from Almonte in quest for the heaviest trophy in the valley. Included in this year's race was Chris Dodson who 19 years previous had lined up at the start of the true Paris-Roubaix.
This was the third year in a row that the event was held under dry conditions which usually makes for fast times. However, the cold wind on Sunday seemed to be always buffeting riders and slowed their progress. The first concession road proved to be a rude awakening for a few riders with 5 or so gathering flats. By only a few kms the pack had split with a group of four riders: Aaron Fillion, Osmond Bakker, Allan Reain and Chris Hughenholtz putting time on the next pack of riders. The chase group featured John Large the only rider of the day with bare legs. John, now long into the Vet age category held his own with his group who would end up finishing 5th proving that there is no counting out experience. By Middleville the lead pack had shed Allan Reain, and stretched its lead over the chase pack nearly 5 minutes. By then, the remainder of the racers were well strung out in small packs or often riding alone. Middleville being just over half way, tests the courage of the back-of-the-pack racers as they could easily pack it in here, and cruise down paved country road 16 back to Almonte. But no one opted for the easy way out, and determined riders forged on to be able to say that they had completed the event. After passing through Clayton on flat pavement, Aaron and Chris, riding cross bikes, dropped Os and his new mountain bike that he was breaking in for up coming Canada/Ontario Cup mountain bike races. The race was now down to two riders as they entered the last woodlot on the course. The final turn, with 400 meters remaining in the race, still saw the two riders together. With less than 30 meters to go, but with 75 kms of racing behind them, Chris managed to pull slightly ahead of Aaron and take the win and the trophy by 1 second. The winning time was 2 hours 13 minutes and 45 seconds, which I believe was the closest finish of any of the previous 12 races. The women's winner, Jen Adams was cheered on by her own "team" of husband Eric, son Miles and daughter Lois as she crossed the line to take her 2nd win in the last 3 years. Jen finished in a time of 2 hours 48 minutes 59 seconds. The winning sprint was then followed by a long stream of finishers stretched over nearly 1 1/2 hours. But as each finisher crossed the line, pride etched with a greater or lesser degree of agony showed on their faces and bodies. The finish line provided riders the relief from the long difficult race, but gave them a tremendous sense of accomplishment that they were able to finish. One lesson that everyone learns from the Paris-Roubaix ride is that it is a tough course and bikes and riders take a pounding. Flats, broken spokes, broken derailleurs, along with tired muscles are always a race legacy. The experience though keeps bring back riders year after year to the Ottawa Valley "Classic". The complete results are attached. Bob Woods -- [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------ Club Office: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (613) 230-1064 Web/mailing list: [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.cyberus.ca/~obcweb Newsletter: [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.cyberus.ca/~obcweb/Newsletter ==^================================================================ This email was sent to: [email protected] EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?aVxiDo.a2i8p1 Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
