Up, Up, and Away the Mont-Royal Way

May 28, 2005 Ride

Pilo and I were probably inspired by the song recorded by The Fifth Dimension entitled "Up, Up, and Away" or was it the song from "The Sound of Music", "Climb Every Mountain" :)

We ignored the weather forecast for the morning hours and the overcast skies (showers was in the forecast), and decided we would go for a ride. Destination: top of Mont-Royal (from 55th Avenue in Lachine). We decided to meet early, actually 9:00 AM, so that, should the weather turned out for the better, we would miss the traffic along the bike path (roller bladers, slow bike riders, etc.) We wanted to test our stamina (and our resolved) for climbing - period. It was not the desire for a self-inflicted torture :)

On regular level roads we easily do over 30 kph on our bike. The average speed going up, by the time we got to the half way point of the mountain, was 10 kph - one pedal stroke at a time. We were both dressed warmly for the cooler temperature early this morning and so I was sweating buckets by the time we reached the top. Took some photos, did not rest for long up there for the media were busy setting up their equipment for the afternoon race, besides the ride going down was a bonus one - clocked as much as 65 kph going down the mountain :)

Here are some photos.

P.S.: We miss you, the Manotick Gang: Marv, Lenny, Tim, Aubrey, Anderson, also: Paul, Trish, Tita Bebot, and our new Montreal recruit, Edmund. Oh yeah, Dave, you too :)

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Top of Mont-Royal, near the start and finish line of the Montreal World Cup Cycling Race


Uncle Pilo - CBC and other media team setting up for their coverage of the Montreal World Cup Cycling Race


Uncle Pilo relaxing, coffee stop after coming down the mountain - Le Maison De Cyclistes Montreal on Rachel Street


ahhh, we could sit here for hours, hang out, and the watch the bikers go by :)


here's to you all who love to ride (your bikes), remember to stop and smell (and sip) the coffee


and a small slice of carrot cake to complement the coffee is a good thing


recharged with fresh supply of caffeine and sugar (carrot cake) we are ready to ride some more. btw, convenient spot for a fire hydrant, we needed a stand to put the camera on.