There were fastest known times and fights to survive, punctuated by a record number of riders scratching. 

Several records were broken at the 2024 Grand Depart. Shane Kramer of Lewis, New York rode an all time course record. 

Kramer finished the 800km gravel course in 1d16h56m besting Meaghan Hackinen’s ITT time of 1d19h33m by about two and a half hours.

Kramer has a discrete social media presence but a quick search reveals an extensive list of accomplishments. He has completed the [Vermont Markagram](https://bikepacking.com/news/shane-kramer-markagram-2023/), [Adirondack Trail Ride](https://www.theadirondacktrailride.com/), and even rode the Green Mountain Gravel Growler in a single day.

According to Kramer, his new bike set up helped make the epic ride more comfortable, perhaps playing a role in his minimal stopping time (only an 1h35 off the bike according to Track Leaders).

“As far as hands and shoulders, this bike has a much higher front end than my traditional gravel bike so that takes a bit of pressure off my hands.” he explained. “Plus I was running 2.25” inch tires at 20-23psi which felt super plush.” 

The fastest woman this year was Robyn Hughes from Toronto, Ontario. Hughes had very little time to recover from the Buttertart 700 where she was the fastest geared woman and 12th fastest rider overall.

Somehow despite the heat warnings, flooding, and thunderstorm Hughes averaged a monster 285.8 km per day to arrive as the first woman in the 800 km distance. 

Hughes managed to maintain a cheerful demeanour, keeping Dot Watchers entertained with her pictures, videos, and stories even while covering a huge daily distance.

<https://www.instagram.com/p/C9q7layNFoH/?img_index=1>

Spencer Gough established a course record for the fastest single speed time ever recorded on the route, finishing in 52 hours 48 minutes with only one gear. 

![spencerfinish](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/1i3Gf31yPXuqlpQIAs5A9A/216bd0a621530f580e88478993580ff1/spencerfinish.jpg)

Gough chose 32-17 gearing for this feat.

Another all time Fastest Known Time (FKT) was set this year—the fastest time for a pair and mixed pair was set by Jeff Hehn and Sarah Robbins. This power couple from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan rode an average of 235.8 km per day. 

In 2022 they [rode the Tour Divide together](https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-88-saskatoon-morning/clip/15925353-saskatoon-couple-takes-part-tour-divide), an experience that surely helped with navigating the Log Driver's Waltz extreme weather. 

If setting two new FKTs weren't enough, they’re now biking onward to ride the [Great Northern Bikepacking Route](https://www.greatnorthernbikepacking.com/).

Some couples bike together while others pursue their own journeys, while sharing in the overall adventure of the Grand Depart.

Chris Rennie biked the 800km distance while his partner, Zoë Avril Smith biked the Demi route. 

The two experienced their own adventures each at their own pace and reunited at the finish line in Almonte. 

While Rennie has participated in several Grand Departs, it was Avril Smith’s first Grand Depart. “We had some bitter sweet feelings about riding in different ways,” said Rennie “But I was happy she was able to experience it and enjoyed riding solo”. 

While Avril Smith like many others signed up solo, riders enjoying both the Demi and the 800km route reported encountering many others along the route, getting to share stories and laugh about the challenges presented by the comically awful weather conditions.

While the flooding of many sections of the route and the extreme heat warning might have seemed like an anomaly, [experts say extreme weather conditions](https://www.cbc.ca/news/science/runners-climate-change-1.7267662) due to human-caused climate change will potentially become a feature of outdoor adventuring and these types of events. 

<https://www.instagram.com/p/C9bVslfOSF9/?img_index=6>

In future years, an increase in smoke from wildfires, even more flooding, and heat waves may mean FKTs become a relic of the past.

To this day, no riders have yet to set a fastest known time on a tandem or unicycle. While two riders had signed up for the Rewind (biking the route in both directions for a total of 1,600km), ultimately no one decided to pursue that length of an adventure this year.

A special mention goes to Greg Andre-Barrett, the oldest rider of the route this year at age 70, who completed the 800 km distance on July 19th saying: "It was one of the toughest and type 2 fun rides I've done."

Rider Ben Glossop is set to become this year’s Lantern Rouge finisher later today. Glossop faced nine days of variable weather, riding with others like Serge Gouin who [documented](https://www.instagram.com/sego.touring) their ups and downs and enjoying the hospitality and cheers of Dot Watchers along the route.

Several Dot Watchers went above and beyond again with their hospitality this year. In particular, Rodd Heino welcomed riders into his backyard with a tent and tools, capturing pictures of riders on the Renfrew covered bridge at all hours of the day and night.

The enthusiasm of Dot Watchers like Heino are a testament to the community Jen Adams and Eric Betteridge have created through establishing the Log Driver’s Waltz route. 

The route and [level of detail shared online](https://www.logdriverswaltz.ca/) about accommodations has encouraged many to tackle their first ever bikepacking adventure.

For others, it has allowed them to test their limits in new ways, pushing the limits of their body and bike in a corner of Canadian wilderness steeped in pre-colonial and post-colonial history. 

With Glossop finishing his adventure in Almonte, this year’s Grand Depart is officially over. 

But the next Grand Depart is only 11 months away.

Grand Depart 2024 Wrap Up

After a day like today, all riders will have tales to tell. From another heat warning on Sunday to thunderstorms on Monday, it has been a Grand Depart of epic proportions. 

Defying the odds, several riders have already arrived at the James Naismith statue that marks the end of the adventure.

American Shane Kramer was the first to arrive after 1d 16h 56m of riding. This was an extreme feat given the heat warning.

Kramer told Dot Watcher he tried to drink as much as possible on day one. “Probably close to a bottle per hour, 20-24 in total,” said Kramer. According to Strava, Kramer rode with an average speed of 21.2 km/h.

Sunday’s relentless heat took a toll “The second day it became much more of a fight to eat and drink. My body just didn’t want it”.

Achieving this time took everything he had: “I was totally empty at the finish.” said Kramer. 

![Shane](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/1KA2x8MB2iBGqz1rVTKsC1/e2b14d265b9fa84a2b20a114388a7b6d/Shane.jpeg)
Shane Kramer spotted at 9:00pm in the Experimental Farm in Ottawa by Dot Watcher Nathan Starzynski

Kramer’s ride has been reviewed and officially validated as a course record, setting a new fastest known time.

About four hours later, Brook Smith rolled up to the statue of the inventor of basketball. 

![brook](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/700gQvIWmmupes24MU4TdU/ad91c5006c12a6f01a4b00df4d439b00/brook.jpeg)

Smith in a self-portrait at the finish line.

Smith slept for a couple hours in Renfrew on the first night because as he explained “I don’t enjoy nodding off while riding.” 

Smith also struggled with the heat and told Dot Watcher he doused himself with so much water that he became more seal than man. 

The first place woman earlier today was also doused with water, as she waited out a thunderstorm in Chelsea with the local culinary delicacy, a poutine, her first real meal since starting her ride. 
![Robyn](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/3OuYQImc4lcR8OppTybqLs/0411411a637d0513dcbe66a4bb3b9079/Robyn.png)
Robyn captured grinning in Chelsea by Dot Watcher Chris Panasky

Meanwhile, several other riders made it to Almonte, Ross Weir and Eric Moisan, followed by Chris Rennie and James Lindsay. The top six riders of the first day averaged 500 kilometers in 24 hours. 

Spencer Gough landed in Almonte at 12:48 pm today, for a total time of 52 hours 48 minutes. His ride is being validated as a potential new single speed course record.

Riders biking at all paces are being closely watched by friends, family, and dot watchers. 

With each pause in movement, those watching wonder with baited breath whether a rider has stopped for a mechanical, injury or simply to buy a dozen chocolate bars.

One such family member is the daughter of the current second place woman, Jen Adams. 

[Lois Betteridge](https://www.instagram.com/loisbetteridge/) is an Olympic athlete preparing to compete in Paris. When asked what it meant to her to see her mother leading as the second woman at the Log Driver’s Waltz, mere weeks after being the second fastest geared woman at the Buttertart 700 Betteridge said "I'm super excited for my mum," Betteridge went on to explain “She’s so passionate about bikepacking and I inherited much of my competitive drive from her, so to see her in the mix is thrilling.”

While Adams ride is a solo endeavour, signing up for Track Leaders makes it possible for friends and family to experience the thrill of the adventure, from afar.

Dominique Laliberté finished the Demi yesterday in 1d 07h 49m. She said that she wasn't sure about registering on Track Leaders but her partner Marissa was really keen to dot watch and follow along, so she registered. 

Dot watching can be a meaningful way to share and connect with others through an otherwise individual experience. An uplifting text from a loved one when a rider has slowed down or stopped can be key for some riders to persevere. 

Others are dot watching right after riding themselves. Brendan Calado-Luke is one such dot watcher who started the Grand Depart on Saturday but eventually had to scratch because of an injured knee and heat exhaustion. 

Since then he has been dot watching to support his friends Emily Artemis and Carl Presseault, a pair who have been pressing on despite the heat wave, flooding, and today’s thunderstorm.

![DSCF0635](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/hrFCaGT8HhT5PHXPihmsd/9effdd36a33ab9af2ad4b9028036e430/DSCF0635.jpeg)

Emily and Carl on the right, photographed by Darren Yip at the Grand Depart 

Maureen Wolfson is currently the third fastest woman, another Toronto rider in a year that has seen great participation from the provincial capital. 

Paul McEvoy is the only rider aiming for the Rewind and is at the 430 kilometer mark at the time of publication.

Jeff Hehn and Sarah Robbins from Saskatchewan continue to be the leading pair. The two report that a very sweet dot watcher met them in Wakefield where they are bunking down for the night. They’ve been using ice packs on the back of their necks to try to avoid heat exhaustion. 

![pair](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/kygP3iseDjZF9qbi7WQBp/e5dfa4032a8f603b00815221631dccce/pair.jpeg)

A photo of Sarah Robbins by Jeff Hehn

At the time of publication, 22 out of 57 riders on track leaders have decided to stop their ride and Dot Watcher received messages from more than a dozen others who weren’t on track leaders that they’ve also stopped. 

Others are adapting to the extreme conditions through alternative adventures. For example, Remi Bedard, switched to the Demi route. 

As he shared on Instagram [Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/p/C9cKPlPuhPA/) “The demi connector is not a bail out route, it was still pretty challenging. I had a chat with Mr. Naismith and he told me it was the right call for a ginger in a heat wave.”

Day 3 of Waltzing

It’s hot, it’s hilly and the flies are out. The third Grand Depart has been defined by grueling conditions, the recent rains mean there is water accumulated in several sections of the route. 

Relentless heat with a high UV index means the sun is pounding down on riders as they meander through the Ottawa valley and up into the Gatineau Hills. Riders have reached out all day to say that these conditions have proved to be too much and they’ve decided to stop.

But at the front of the pack, Shane Kramer appears to be doing what many thought was impossible, challenging Meaghan Hackinen’s record-breaking ITT time, during a Grand Depart. 

This seemed unfathomable because Grand Departs begin in Almonte, which means doing the most challenging part of the course near the end. With her course record ITT, Hackinen chose to begin with Gatineau Park to be able to tackle this section at a more efficient pace.

![Shane](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/v0ylPSoUYGC8IWB6DDz41/0c88502b18a20e567d74d38ac266a8a9/Shane.jpeg)

Shane captured flying through Renfrew by Dot Watcher Rodd Heino

At the time of writing, Kramer has ridden 642 km, with much of that taking place under a heat warning and with only 1h29 minutes of stopping time. Time will reveal the impact this has on his body and his approach to the rest of the race. It’s still anyone’s game because Kramer isn’t alone at the front. 

Brook Smith and Eric Moisan are close behind. 

According to Dot Watcher Rodd Heino, Smith stopped for a short sleep in Renfrew which could be to his advantage compared to Kramer and Moisan when it comes to maintaining his impressive pace heading into Gatineau Park. 

But Moisan has a leg up on his competition thanks to his familiarity with the remainder of the route. As reported yesterday, Moisan has ridden the Gatineau Park section five times, at night. Today it looks like he will be starting this section with the benefit of some sunlight.

While it might seem crazy to bike through the night like most of the front runners have done, Chris Rennie, currently fourth place told Dot Watcher this was a calculated decision. “I rode all night to avoid the heat” he said.

During the day Rennie has taken several short breaks to cool down, riding hard when he can.

![Spencer-s lunch](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/2rguk2GdQfwCLdnqCHVshp/f4146c0288d0c4dba05503fc107ab0a1/Spencer-s_lunch.png)

Spencer Gough shares the kind of lunch required to tackle the route with only one gear

Fueling and hydration is key on day two. Dot Watcher caught up with Edouard Gaillard and Mathieu Latulippe at the 300 kilometer mark and heard they had to ration tuna salad when they ran out of food near the end of day one.

![mtl guys](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/6MtgDlg7ZWCmYoCM2tf59t/55ee4c4b3d94afb77fb70339d68d9b7a/mtl_guys.jpeg)

Edouard Gaillard and Mathieu Latulippe of Montreal, 300 km into the 800 km route

“With our experience last night, our best meal will [hopefully] be in Renfrew” exclaimed Latulippe. 

At the 310 kilometer mark, American James Rath told Dot Watcher he had also bonked on the first day. 

![James](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/6rj4Z7br7T7y4J0wLOAyVr/ab92d165d672d1bec0e2e18a6084f6f8/James.jpeg)

James Rath pictured on Culhane Road

“I felt awful until Sharbot Lake” said Rath. After food and water he felt better both physically and mentally. 

Rath said knowing these ups and downs will happen is key to perseverance in difficult moments. 

“I also picture people I love,” said Rath “My sweetheart is always at the top of the list and some really good friends.”

However, sometimes these mental tricks are insufficient and riders decide to stop their adventure. 

14 riders on Track Leaders have scratched at the time of publication, with about a dozen others who were not Track Leaders reaching out to say they have also decided to stop riding.

Kevin Poirier decided to stop at 2pm today after biking a surreal 530 km in 30 hours. Poirier told Dot Watcher he had knee pain and felt gutted he had to stop. 

But no event is worth doing permanent damage to one’s body and with the difficult conditions this year, it is unsurprising that so many people have decided to tackle the route another day.

Scratching is a part of ultra racing that most riders will have to deal with at some point and Dot Watcher has covered this topic extensively in a [two-part roundtable](https://dotwatcher.cc/feature/roundtable-scratching-from-ultra-distance-races-part-1).

Julie Toole is a testament to the positive side of scratching. On June 21st she attempted a solo ITT of the Demi route in extreme weather conditions, ultimately deciding to stop that ride 70 km before the finish.

Today, she used her recent course knowledge to be at the front of the pack into the night, ultimately finishing the Demi route at 1:43am. According to Track Leaders, she completed this 400 km route with only 27 minutes off the bike.

The Demi is Toole’s debut in the bikepacking racing world, she told Dot Watcher it was a great day on the bike. 

“It was so cool to be part of the Grand Depart!” said Toole “I felt good having ridden much of the course and knowing what was coming but it also highlighted the contrast where the part I had not ridden is what I ended up riding in the dark.”

The current fastest woman tackling the 800 km route, Robyn Hughes, updated Dot Watchers from Shawville at 1pm: “I’m really glad I had the extra sleep last night, I overslept my alarm but honestly I’m glad I had the extra sleep given how hot it is today, I know my body needed it.”

![Hughes](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/3pGbGC5fNaonV1yK3DNyck/0e351098d8425f6f4416abdf17924dcb/Hughes.png)

Hughes pictured with a creative strategy for combating the heat warning

Hughes mentioned that many of the people she had been riding with were disappearing but she was keeping her spirits high and stocking up on salty snacks for the upcoming exposed climbs.

Jen Adams is the second leading woman right now, having tackled 312 kms in brutal heat. Adams has been spotted grinning from ear to ear in several pictures, appearing to maintain her trademark positivity despite the conditions.

![DSCF0569](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/4wzf0szLpyTd0Bb43PpaZU/da7f437c51c4a9eb943a39c662c21c60/DSCF0569.jpeg)

Jen Adams captured by photographer Darren Yip at the Grand Depart

Her husband Eric has tackled 22% of his attempt to be the first person to ever complete the “Rewind” which consists of doing the route twice, in both directions for a total of 1,600 km. 

It has been a tough day of riding, while some riders may not have had the outcome they planned, simply showing up to an event like this is something to be hugely proud of.

The weather takes its toll

The parking lot in front of Equator Coffee was full of bleary eyed cyclists admiring each other’s bikes at 7:00am on Saturday, July 13th. 

Riders from as far away as the Netherlands and the United States descended on Almonte for the Log Driver’s Waltz 3rd Grand Depart. 

![group](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/5WcYagBjI8UJ8GRoIEYBhu/f6aa2b09b55464656313922afcae7ac3/group.jpeg)

Today’s route started on the wide dirt roads of Lanark County before quickly jumping into more technical bits with the infamous California road. For some riders planning a big day, they'll hit the notorious flooding on the K&P trail and the famous Tatty Hill at km 255.4. 

[Paul Galipeau](https://www.instagram.com/paulmsg/), a local tackling the 400 kilometre distance said today’s route stands out for its rolling hills “From Almonte to Renfrew is the chunk that will make or break you” said Galipeau, with dramatic flair, “Bikepacking routes often have +10m of elevation per kilometre but from Sharbot Lake to Calabogie, there is an average of +13-14m of elevation gain per kilometre.” 

However cyclists need not despair about this elevation gain because with every punchy climb comes the reward of a descent, Galipeau emphasized.

In addition to the reward of flying downhill, riders might be surprised and impressed by local biodiversity even in the more swampy bits of the route.

Jane Devlin, a biologist embarking on the 400 km route as her first bikepacking event, said this area is unique for being a home to Blanding’s Turtles, a threatened species known for its bright yellow neck.

Devlin said that if riders spot this turtle, they can [report it online](https://ontarioturtle.ca/2010/06/report-your-sightings/), to contribute to conservation of this rare species. 

Some riders aiming for a Fastest Known Time (FKT) may miss out on turtle sightings but instead appreciate some nice constellations if they continue riding after the sunset. 

[Kevin Poirier](https://www.instagram.com/kpoire1970/) is one such rider aiming to tackle the 800 kilometres in just a couple days. Dot Watcher sat down with Kevin at the start of the race to understand how he trained for such an extreme challenge. 

Poirier explained that his background in adventure racing (also called expedition racing) has prepared him for bikepacking. With adventure racing, teams of participants must rock climb, navigate in wilderness, swim, and mountain bike over several days, depending on the event. 

![Kevin](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/7ENLpR6XPueim7W228aN6p/147def28f5f47056a65cd1e4ffa1a9b7/Kevin.jpeg)

Kevin Poirier at Equator Coffee in Almonte, Ontario

He explained that biking at night requires a high degree of focus, to stay safe. “I tend not to listen to music,” said Poirier “[in order] to concentrate on the road”. 

Another cyclist who will be attempting the ride on little sleep is [Eric Moisan](https://www.instagram.com/gravelmachinemoisan/), who was the fastest cyclist at last year’s Grand Depart. Early into Saturday afternoon he appears to once again be a front runner, speeding ahead despite the heat.

![eric moisan](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/7qpS8WSSWYI7UqmubmyMHU/0f5786fd2406d1cd31b13b8fb23bd6c0/eric_moisan.jpeg)

Moisan is one of the most experienced cyclists at the event after 18 years of biking daily as a professional bike messenger. He did extensive event-specific preparation, biking the most technical section of the route in Gatineau Park at night more than five times. He also tackled three 250 km night rides after his work day. 

Biking throughout the night without sleep is not without risks, even for experienced cyclists.

While riders biked under the midday sun, Dot Watcher spoke with Dr. Rabea Parpia, a family doctor in Ontario. Dr. Parpia says that insufficient sleep can have adverse effects on well being and for athletes in particular, on performance. 

“For athletes, sleep is the time where tissues repair and recover,” explained Dr. Parpia. “Acute sleep deprivation is known to have cognitive effects in terms of alertness, attention and reaction time as well.” 

While 75% of the Log Driver’s Waltz route is unpaved, 25% is on pavement and cars can appear at any time, meaning reacting quickly is essential.

In addition to the dangers posed by slower reaction times, biking without sleep is not the most effective strategy for performance. According to Dr. Parpia, acute sleep deprivation can negatively impact both anaerobic endurance as well as strength. 

Even with several bikepacking events under their belts, some experienced riders prefer to bike the Log Driver’s Waltz at an adventure pace rather than racing it. 

Monika Mannke, aged 70, is a German cyclist who now calls Edmonton home. She was the second fastest woman to finish the BC Epic in 2019. When Dot Watcher caught up with her today at kilometre 60 she said she was keen to rest a bit in the shade and adapt her riding to the heat. 

![Monika](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/18aBn9vHwmWMzbFwGlNgI7/03989c496389f2a6730a20c13448694e/Monika.jpeg)

As she snacked on strawberries, she explained how she started mountain biking at age 56 and is confident sending it on single track but needs to be mindful of how the heat impacts her more than it used to.

Meanwhile, ahead by Sharbot Lake, Dot Watcher heard from [Dominique Laliberté](https://www.instagram.com/les_escargots/), that the 4x4 section had more flooding this year compared to last year but fewer downed trees, meaning she found this section was faster than last year. 

Among the front group of five cyclists there’s a mix of new names and veterans. [Shane Kramer](https://www.instagram.com/kramerica_shane/)and [Brook Smith](https://www.instagram.com/brklyn__/) are swapping the lead alongside Ross Weir. Grand Depart veterans Eric Moisan and [Chris Rennie](https://www.instagram.com/christoph_bricks/) are in the mix as these five riders push towards Calabogie.

Julie Toole appears to be using her familiarity with the route to bike at a blistering pace as she tackles the Demi route. On June 21st she rode the majority of that route as a solo time trial, documenting the rainy ordeal on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/C8j_o54OFf9/?img_index=1). 

Jeff Hein and Sarah Robbins from Saskatchewan are the current leading pair. [Spencer Gough](https://www.instagram.com/spencer.gough/) doesn't appear to need gears to tackle the route's notorious elevation, as he speeds towards Renfrew on his single speed.

Another rider defying expectations is Eric Betteridge, spotted smiling in Sharbot Lake comfortably keeping up with riders pacing for both the 400 km and 800 km distance despite his intention to ride the Rewind, 1,600 km!

![Sharbot Lake](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/1FF6alZzXEMitDN5LK78JO/2e4fddeb414d064732b253399dd94bfe/Sharbot_Lake.jpg)

A photo submitted by Dominique Laliberté of several riders sharing a small patch of shade in Sharbot Lake

At Kilometer 60 Dot Watcher heard from many riders tackling the Demi that they plan to stop for the night at Sharbot Lake and enjoy a refreshing swim after a very hot day. 

![strawbs](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/3oppkX1Zd0o0jyVQEGdKn2/f90446c5e19315282b1605b5eb6772df/strawbs.jpeg)

Samuelle and Emma, both from the area and tackling the demi as a pair, said that the route thus far had been a pleasant surprise full of new discoveries.

The heat and humidity (34°c with the humidity at the time of publication) present a challenge this year and will impact how riders approach the ride and where they decide to stop for the night. Stay tuned.

 The Log Driver’s Waltz - And they’re off! 

With two days to go until the Grand Depart, riders are putting the final touches on their setups and making decisions about what to pack. Of the riders tackling the 800 km distance, roughly one third of riders aim to finish in just a few days, meaning the field will be competitive among those tackling the event as a race. 

While the overall FKT was set by [Meaghan Hackinen](https://www.instagram.com/meaghanhackinen/) with a blistering start in Wakefield (outside of a Grand Depart) for a total of 43 hours and 33 minutes, the men's FKT for a Grand Depart was 49 h 43 minutes set by [Cory Ostertag](https://www.instagram.com/full_beans/) in 2022. 

However the vast majority of riders intend to bike at an adventure pace rather than race pace, facing varied weather over the course of the week.

Saturday will feature sunshine and heat with temperatures slated to rise to 28, Sunday will be similar. But the big weather challenge is what has been in the works in the days and weeks prior to the depart: the rain.

Sections of the route are known to flood and the Ottawa region is being hit by the remnants of Hurricane Beryl. This rain will accumulate in sections like the K&P trail and impact the softness of the gravel elsewhere. 

![flooded](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/5Cj9pBlN8FpL002CfX7O9u/d84c15d9a9a5e4652b8e6e461439249b/flooded.jpg)
A picture by Christina Vietinghoff during last year's Grand Depart. Shortly after taking the picture, she was stung in the neck by a bee.

Veterans from last year’s Grand Depart cite the weather as a key factor in how their experience played out. 

When asked about how she was preparing for her second Log Driver’s Waltz Grand Depart, Dominique Laliberté, last year’s 9th fastest overall cyclist and holder of [the woman's FKT for the North Lobe](https://trackleaders.com/vtsuper8-23) of the Vermont Super 8, cited the weather: “I wanted to do more reading about the weather, last year there was a big thunderstorm.” said Laliberté, “I wanted to learn how to know when it gets dangerous with lightning.” 

The risks are varied when it comes to rain or thunderstorms. From reduced traction to reduced visibility, riders typically slow down in the rain to stay safe especially in the more technical sections like Gatineau Park. But rain isn’t the only variable.

Ben Hamilton is among the riders most familiar with the route and its variable conditions, returning for his third Grand Depart this year after having been one of the fastest riders in both previous editions. He recommends riders keep track of changing conditions throughout their ride. 

“[Windy.com](https://www.windy.com/?44.829,-75.630,8,m:eTOad2k), or the phone app, is great for weather and for smoke” said Hamilton. “It also has radar so you can see what’s coming your way.” Hamilton recommends using it a few times before the event to learn how it works.

Many riders adapt their gear according to the forecast, carrying extra dry socks or layers. But returning riders say that there is no perfect setup or perfect gear.

“Ride the equipment you got,” said Roland Fletcher, another top 10 finisher from last year and a 2024 national track champion, “You don’t have to stress too much about the gear you have and getting all the bags because it can add up in terms of cost… it doesn’t have to be a source of stress!” 

One rider especially thankful for his gear is Phil Dubé, who flew in from Amsterdam on Tuesday. Although his bike made the flight, the suitcase with his kit, sleeping mat, shoes, helmets, and tools was lost. [was lost](https://www.instagram.com/p/C9TAtoeOBhR7wbC8D0mLTy8i6Zwtwug9Wg0wQ00/)
Luckily after a couple days, his suitcase was found and he is able to assemble his bike in Ottawa. 

# Bikes of the LDW
![John-s bike](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/46GaUx61jX1VcwMhePFwt4/4ae589e6fca488f3881bffe54941aea2/John-s_bike.jpg)
Name: John Swarbrick 

Distance: 800km

Fun fact: GravZilla (his bike) climbs like an angel late for heaven - however John says, the same isn't true for him!

![Shane](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/2jBHcRbaMAQbkFHxnMyAei/82e14cfc5ab832e75b190832e726fe7c/Shane.jpg)
Name: Shane Kramer 

Distance: 800 km

![Xavier](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/6fMVMs08xpSKMoB1ENtlhY/72fd4ea07feae888fbed07eb2fc6bc02/Xavier.jpg)
Name: Xavier Bérubé

Distance: 800 km or rewind (TBD)

Fun Facts - A former bike messenger for 6 years, this will be Xavier's first ultra event. Another former bike messenger, [Eric Moisan](https://www.instagram.com/gravelmachinemoisan/), will also be riding this year. 

![Carl](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/4GuRJ0MqkffjMMDhwtht9E/c500fbaacdfbd637269502d0fb370dff/Carl.jpg)
Name: Carl Presseault

Distance: 800 km as a pair with Emily Ann

Fun facts: This bike packs more technology than his car and he uses it as a test mule to try new gear. "Do not try this at home…"

![Julie](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/2W6cRGaThWdV1kOmBAqwtH/d5990d8b8401a01404c1e44eee17e71b/Julie.jpg)
Name: Julie Toole

Route: Demi 400 km (unfinished business on this course from a few weeks ago)

Fun fact: Based on greek mythology, in DC Comics, Hippolyta was the Queen of the Amazons and mother of Wonder Woman. Seemed like a fitting name for this (size 49) Juliana Quincy with Shimano GRX, Pro Discover cockpit (including fun dropper post!) and bags.

The Log Driver’s Waltz - Race Preview #2 - Weather and Bikes 

The countdown is on to the 3rd Grand Depart of the Log Driver's Waltz, with riders setting off on Saturday July 13th from Almonte, Ontario. The Log Driver’s Waltz is an 800 km fixed route adventure, 75% of the route is unpaved with a hefty amount of climbing (+7,267m). The route winds through the remote wilderness of two Canadian provinces: Ontario and Québec. It’s an unsupported adventure, riders must navigate, carry or obtain sustenance, and find places to sleep on their own. 

This year the start list consists of an unprecedented number of riders with 89 tackling the 800 km distance and 32 setting off for the 400 km distance. For the first time, four intrepid riders will tackle the mythical “Log Driver’s Waltz Rewind” a 1600 km odyssey that no rider has yet to complete. Will 2024 be the year someone succeeds? Stay tuned to Dot Watcher’s coverage of the 2024 Grand Depart to find out!

One such rider tackling the elusive rewind is Eric Betteridge. Eric [co-created this route ](https://cyclingmagazine.ca/gravel/composing-log-drivers-waltz/)along with his wife, Jen Adams, who will be tackling the 800km Log Driver's Waltz route only weeks after finishing the Buttertart 700 [as the second fastest](https://trackleaders.com/bt700-24) geared women. The event is unique among ultras as it is run entirely by volunteers with no registration fee and a clear focus on inclusion through its commitment to #bikepackingforall. 

In the days leading up to the event, a question top of mind for riders is what gear to take along. As returning rider, Roland Fletcher, who finished 8th last year said: “I’ve been watching a lot of camping, backpacking types of videos about being in the wilderness and I’ve found that quite helpful as well. There are a lot of tips you don’t typically see in bikepacking videos.” This research led him to consider adding a tarp to his set up. 

Robyn Hughes is tackling the 800 km distance only a few weeks after being the fastest geared woman at the Buttertart 700 Grand Depart. She’ll use a bivy for sleeping. According to Robyn the big advantage of a bivy is the fast setup and protection from mosquitoes. When picking a camping site she says she prefers discrete locations “But since I'm not stopping for long I'll probably just take what I can get!” said Hughes. 
![Robyn's bivy](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/66Neq6H8Dvq4tjnkAqhiJP/5a75a50ce9b18bb73de3eb28d54a43fb/Robynbivvy.jpg)

Biking as a pair creates different possibilities for camping gear. Emily Wong and Matt Marchildon are tackling the 400 km route and sharing a 2-person tent they purchased for the [Farmer’s Folly route](http://www.bt700.ca/farmers-folly.html) last year. 

![Emily's tent](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/4ZUPuYybOnGcEr3zl3l0PH/8f706e74fc6ab7d44db6307aa5b8f4c5/Emily-s_tent.png)

Another pair Spencer Nafekh and Vincent Kelly are using two Outdoor Research Helium bivys but taking solidarity to another level by cutting in half a Thermarest Z Lite sleeping pad that they’ll each take half of, to save space and weight. 

![Spencer and Vincent bivies](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/1NBaNJIz5hX6rQggZzDSSL/90b4076e0c5a247870d765f59def35f4/Spencer-s_bivy.jpg)

Some riders go very minimalist with both their bikes and their camping gear. Spencer Gough is foregoing gearing and tackling the route with a single speed. He echoes that minimalist approach with his camping set up which consists only of a bivy, a down jacket, and an emergency blanket. 

![Spencer Gough's bivy](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/01xmzmnUadolYs95ExQWpP/864a7e2c02adc174f338be6c6479994e/Spencer.jpg)

Still others will take advantage of some of the indoor accommodations outlined in the [route map](https://www.logdriverswaltz.ca/navigation.html). (Note that the official route maps this year are found [here](https://ridewithgps.com/collections/38559)).

Riders still have time to decide, with four days remaining prior to the Grand Depart.


The Log Driver’s Waltz - Race Preview #1 - Start List and Camping Gear

[https://ridewithgps.com/embeds?type=route&id=36762908&metricUnits=true&sampleGraph=true](https://ridewithgps.com/embeds?type=route&id=36762908&metricUnits=true&sampleGraph=true)

The Route - Log Driver's Waltz

 Christina Vietinghoff

Log Driver’s Waltz 2024 Tracking + Commentary: The Log Driver's Waltz is a long-distance, multi-day route through the Ottawa Valley including the beautiful Rideau Canal and Ottawa itself. Join along as the riders take on this gravel-grinding tour of eastern Ontario and Western Quebec.

Log Driver’s Waltz 2024 Tracking

The Log Driver's Waltz is a long-distance, multi-day route through the Ottawa Valley including the beautiful Rideau Canal and Ottawa itself, passing within a few hundred metres of Canada's Parlaiment Buildings before heading back out into the wilds of Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec again.

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Log Driver’s Waltz 2024

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