May 2009
70 posts
Ross Rader Breaks UCMA Cross Ontario Cycling... →
This is a bit surreal for me. I’ve been a BikeRumor reader for a long time. I never really thought that I’d ever see myself up on the screen as I was scrolling through my news feeds!
Ross, everyone in the crew - David, Larry, Des, Greg and Bob - would like to thank you for being part of such an intense and rewarding journey.
Seeing you do battle on your bike compensated for 35 hours spent looking at your ass!
He did it! Ross finished his cross-Ontario ride in an unofficial time of 35 hours, knocking 45 minutes off the previous record. A Herculean effort from Ross, battling rain, wind and fatigue like a hero.
Congratulations Ross!
Ross is 8 km from the finish!
Ron dossenbach, who set the current cross-Ontario cycling record, came out to offer words of encouragement to Ross. What great sportsmanship!
Ross is 60 km from finishing his ride. The wind has finally subsided, the rain has stopped, and Ross is picking up his speed. He says his knees hurt and his butt hurts but he’s primed for the final push. Go Ross!
“No sleep, just coffee.”
– Adil, UMCA Official on Ross’ ride
Wind from the SW at 32 km/hr is the last thing a cyclist needs when they’re riding southwest. Especially when they’ve been riding for 26 hours. Through a rainstorm. But that’s what Ross is dealing with right now. He’s fighting the headwind, thinking about Windsor City Hall, 186 km away.
Ross is in Rockwood and has covered 475 km.
Ross just passed the 350 km mark in Goodwood, nearing the halfway point in the ride. The rain has subsided and the temperature is a comfortable 14 degrees.Ross is still smiling.
The rain continues to pelt Ross as he makes his way toward Port Perry.
Sorry we’ve been out of touch. It’s been raining! Ross has just passed the 300 km mark, 30 km west of Peterborough. He’s enjoying a change of clothes and some nutrition.
LARRY OPTIS - Pushing the body, mind and spirit reveals the very core of an individual. There will be a full moon tonight, and two great spirits will join in harmony under the stars that watch over us.
LARRY OPTIS - Ross looks settled into a rhythm, his cadence and fluidity of the pedal stroke evidence of his committment and determination.
The back country roads and windswept fields give way to breathtaking scenery. There’s a stillness and calmness that surrounds us. But for Ross, the interior battle and fire within grows stronger and brighter. It won’t be till nightfall where his...
170 km in. Ross is feeling some soreness in his back, and is pushing against a 15 km/hr headwind, but is holding a great pace.
Since starting the ride 5 hours and 15 minutes ago, Ross has spent only 6 minutes and 27 seconds off the bike.
We just had our first conversation with the OPP. But the officer called Des ‘Bud’ and just made a few kind comments so everything’s good. 140 km and counting.
“100 km - 10:48 AM”
