Well, enough was said about these winter rides, but I never heard about the "grand finale" of the winter rides. Water Valley 200k (it was actually 220kms, but let''s call it WV200). I was feeling a bit intimidated when Craig Stapler sent out the email with the details about the ride, sometime I prefer not to know where we are riding to or what to expect, but this time I knew it was going to be a long day and that I had to keep a good pace to stay alive with this fast and strong group of riders.. Jon, Kate, Craig S, Craig M, Pat, Graham, Erik, J, Thomas and Mark.. After an
easy pace to maintain to Water Valley where we stopped for lunch I thought the ride was going to be just a long fun ride. I should have grabbed an extra bottle of fluids in WV, but headed out only with two, that 30ks before Cochrane I realized it wasn't enough, good thing I had Craig M. by my side with a bottle to share :-). From WV to the intersection with Hwy40 was a steady gravel climb, we managed to go through it quite well and put on an amazing team work to help a rider in need... pushing each other (literally) was like looking at a group of guise flying south (again amazing team work and camaraderie). The downhill was phenomenal, twisty and fast, to short though :-( .. Back in Cocharane for the last coffee break Erik had his credit card to handy and decided to invite us all for the last caffeine bust needed to finish the ride. Up to Hwy1A through the golf course the pace was set by Erik and Jon as a sub-tempo pace to finish the day. Jon attacked at the top of the hill, but I think Erik got pushed by the "invisible" wind and no one could catch him at the top ! Coming back on Hwy 1A just before Craig and I turn to 12 mile coulee we stopped as we heard a bunch of girls yelling "help" on a party bus that was pulled over.. unfortunately we were to sober to join the party and they didn't let us in the bus :-). 220kms approx, 8.20riding time and 12hours later I was home ready to take Nic for his bath after missing him all day long and let him take my place in the bed for a nice and relaxing sleep....
easy pace to maintain to Water Valley where we stopped for lunch I thought the ride was going to be just a long fun ride. I should have grabbed an extra bottle of fluids in WV, but headed out only with two, that 30ks before Cochrane I realized it wasn't enough, good thing I had Craig M. by my side with a bottle to share :-). From WV to the intersection with Hwy40 was a steady gravel climb, we managed to go through it quite well and put on an amazing team work to help a rider in need... pushing each other (literally) was like looking at a group of guise flying south (again amazing team work and camaraderie). The downhill was phenomenal, twisty and fast, to short though :-( .. Back in Cocharane for the last coffee break Erik had his credit card to handy and decided to invite us all for the last caffeine bust needed to finish the ride. Up to Hwy1A through the golf course the pace was set by Erik and Jon as a sub-tempo pace to finish the day. Jon attacked at the top of the hill, but I think Erik got pushed by the "invisible" wind and no one could catch him at the top ! Coming back on Hwy 1A just before Craig and I turn to 12 mile coulee we stopped as we heard a bunch of girls yelling "help" on a party bus that was pulled over.. unfortunately we were to sober to join the party and they didn't let us in the bus :-). 220kms approx, 8.20riding time and 12hours later I was home ready to take Nic for his bath after missing him all day long and let him take my place in the bed for a nice and relaxing sleep.... 
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