VICTORIAVILLE, QUEBEC 2016

ONE was the number of days we encountered rain.

SIX was the number of  Happy Hours hosted by Claudette and Warner Heiss. At these gatherings Peter Wood led the group in “show and tell”.  Each group recounted their day and regaled the group with those embarrassing stories that inevitably happen. The next day’s rides were described before people headed off to find dinner.

FIFTEEN rides and counting was the number of routes Geoff Kennedy and Ed Weber scouted out for the Victoriaville, Quebec Hub and Spoke, 2016. 

THIRTY-NINE was the number of cyclists who enthusiastically enjoyed the various routes.

PERHAPS A FEW TOO MANY was the number of hills over 14% grade that we encountered.

JUST THE RIGHT NUMBER  were the breathtaking downhills many streaked down heedlessly throwing caution to the wind. 

COUNTLESS were the beautiful vistas, rolling hills, pristine farms and well-kept upscale houses that we rolled by each day.

COUNTLESS, ALSO was the number of ice cream cones this hungry group consumed at the shop strategically located right beside the bike path (Route Verte) into town.

VICTORIAVILLE, QUEBEC which lies just east of Drummondville and north of Sherbrooke offered both flat and hilly terrain.  Geoff offered the group between two and four rides each day which varied in length from 45 to over 90 km.  There was truly a ride each day for every cyclist. 

And so, the groups formed.  The “sensible” group who generally cycled the shorter routes and smelled more roses than the rest ; the two or three “practical” or “middle” groups who completed the mid-distances each day ; the “testosterone” group with a little sprinkling of “estrogen” thrown in who took to the longest distances and toughest hills. 

THE HOTEL VICTORIN did not disappoint.  On the weekends the breakfast was a hot and cold buffet, but during the week, we ordered from the menu and enjoyed everything from the traditional bacon and eggs to French toast to granola and fruit.  A large room on the lower level was provided to store the bikes. The hot tub and pool were well used to soothe aching muscles at the end of the day. The group dinner was held on the Wednesday evening and provided an excellent array of hot dishes, salads, cheeses and more desserts than even this group could consume.

Thanks to Nel Ahmed, Geoff Kennedy, Ed Weber and Claudette Heiss whose meticulous organization contributed to another successful hub and spoke.

TO ALL OUR MEMBERS, you have less than a year to get your fingers ready to hit those keys so you don’t miss registering for 2017’s hub and spoke hosted by the Ottawa Branch of the CCCTS.

Nancy Hough