To say Roger Thomas is marking his 80th birthday by going for a bike ride is a bit of an understatement. The route is 14 clicks, uphill, all the way to Mt. Washington.

The Comox Valley man spent years with the local cycle club, even serving as race director, as heB次元官网网址檚 still an avid cyclist. HeB次元官网网址檚 been doing the birthday ride for several years, with a best time of about one hour and five minutes.

This year, he reached the top in one hour and 42 minutes, which he says was a little faster than his 2020 climb.

The road up to the lodge provides a challenge right from the start as riders face a big uphill battle almost immediately, with a 14 per cent grade.

B次元官网网址淵ou right away hit a steep climb,B次元官网网址� he says.

Thomas is quick to point out he doesnB次元官网网址檛 actually turn 80 until the last week of the month, but he did the ride on Sept. 2. A big reason is he never knows what kind of weather heB次元官网网址檚 going to get come September. A lot of it gets down to winds, which usually come from the south but have been blowing in from the northwest this year and can provide additional challenges. A lot of planning is required.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not only a physical exercise but a mental one too,B次元官网网址� he says. B次元官网网址淚 just wanted to get every advantage.B次元官网网址�

This time, the conditions seemed right early in the month, with low wind speeds, so the night of Sept. 1, he decided the next day was the day to head up the hill, starting at the chain-up area and working his way up the road, with wife Isabel traveling along the route to supply water or sports drinks when needed.

B次元官网网址淪heB次元官网网址檚 always been very supportive,B次元官网网址� he says.

The event was a family affair in another way, as his son, Tristan, helped with the bike. Tristan runs a company called Wheelworks, which handcrafts bike wheels in New Zealand.

B次元官网网址淗e made my wheels,B次元官网网址� he says.

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In ThomasB次元官网网址檚 racing days, heB次元官网网址檇 cover about 10,000 km a year. Now, he rides a few times a week, doing about 400 km a month, even working in some hills. He also did some heat training earlier in the summer to help him prepare.

B次元官网网址淢y wife says I never go out without racing,B次元官网网址� he says. B次元官网网址淓ven though IB次元官网网址檓 getting on in years, I still go out and race against the clock.B次元官网网址�

This yearB次元官网网址檚 annual ascent could end up his last hill to climb B次元官网网址� at least when it comes to the Mt. Washington ride for his birthday.

B次元官网网址淭his year will probably be my last,B次元官网网址� he says.

mike.chouinard@comoxvalleyrecord.com
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