Tinto's 600: a Blast then a bust!!!!
(Alberta Randonneurs - Lethbridge)
Ride Date: July 6, 2024
by Gary Baker

Riding brevets in new locations with vastly different conditions than what we experience in BC provide a whole new dimension to this wonderful sport. Bob Koen and I where looking afield and eying some possible routes in Alberta. The Tino's 600 out of Lethbridge grabbed our intention. Starting in Lethbridge it went SE approx. 300km into the Cypress Hills-Badlands ( where neither of us has visited) with minimal elevation gain, but with over 180km of gravel riding. We were about to get a first hand lesson on the umpteen different types of prairie gravel surfaces.

Googling the route and to describe it as desolate was being generous. On the first day there were only two supply centres ( at 120 and 260km), in between NOTHING!!!!! I repeat nothing. The first 150km the route was nominally descending with light tailwinds, followed by 90km of gentle climbing ( through the 'hill's), with the final 90+km a descent into Medicine Hat. We rode by endless fields of Canola and other seed crops but rarely saw another human being. There was one stretch of 60+km, no one!!!!!!

With the long descent into Medical Hat the day ended well. Day # 2 started well for both of us. We were on the bikes by 3:45 AM and made good time to Bow Island (with a T.H.s for breakfast.) As day # 1 was nominally descending with tailwinds it goes to figure that Day # 2 was nominally ascending with headwinds! As on Day # 1 we saw virtually no one and rode gravel and more gravel. It was stressful as we were constantly moving across the road seeking out surfaces with fewer rocks or lose sand. About 150 km into the day I was feeling lousy, really lousy. I can usually comfortably ride at Bob's speed, but I was struggling. At 170 ( approx. 20km from a control at Tabar) I was done. A quick discussion ensued, I told Bob to go on, that I'd get to Tabar and back to Lethbridge on my own.... somehow. Alberta in pickup country so I was optimist I'd be able to hitch a ride. The first pick-up ( a 5minute wait) went by me, then slowed and backed up ( wonderful). The occupants were a traditional Mennonite couple from a farming Colony about 20km back. What a wonderful conversation we had, he was a wealth of information and she had a million questions. "Best early season crop conditions in a decade", he said. They drove me to the control ( McD) at Tabar. Bob arrived about 30 minutes later.

Bob was determine to push on ( 110km) to Lethbridge via the route only 50km directly. I thought of riding the highway but honestly didn't feel up to it. I hired a taxi to take me to Lethbridge. Back at the motel after a shower and beer run, all was well, not quite as I was still feeling somewhat lousy. Best call Bob to determine ETA. "Did you get my message?" he asked." "Nope!" He had stopped and returned to Tabar explaining that he found himself on a 25km section of gravel the was 'UNRIDEABLE. He called the organizer who explained road crews, without notice, often tear up and resurface sections of road. Just bad luck! Bob concluded there was no practical way around the problem and he was thrashed! He asked me to drive out to get him at Tabar. THE BUST!

What an experience!!!! On the drive back to Bob's place in Kaslo, and then home to Cultus Lake, I continued to feel awful, coughing and hacking all the way. When I walking into the house Sheryl was concerned, she insisted I do a COVID test....POSITIVE....SH...T! I let Bob know, the follow day he called to say he had tested +, 2 days later Sheryl was also testing Positive.

I'm now testing negative, but any physical exertion and I go into violent coughing attacks which ruled out riding the Sasquatch 400, my last opportunity to do a 400 this year. No Super Series this year, so be it.