2022 Grand Départ


What is a Grand Depart?
A group of bikepackers who meet to ride a predetermined route, leaving at the same time and riding in a self supported manner. There is no registration, no support, no insurance and no prizes. It is not a race or organized event. Each rider assumes complete responsibility for their own safety.
Riders may indicate their intention to ride by filling out this form after reading all the following information. 

​Ayant l’habitude de rouler en solo, sur de moyennes distances, il y a quelque chose dans ce type d’événement de groupe qui me motive à ne surtout pas abandonner!
(Being used to riding solo, over middle distances, there is something about this type of group ride that motivates me not to give up!)
Marie-Pierre Savard, Montreal QC First Woman and new LDW FKT 3d 15h 41min

Riders may ride alone, in pairs, or small groups, it is entirely up to them. One of our goals is to make the Log Driver's Waltz and  bikepacking in general accessible and riding as a pair or small group can provide a level of comfort and security. 


Of course riders who cannot make it to the Grand Depart are welcome to ride the route at any other time of their own choosing.
Riders who complete all (or some) of the route may submit a photo for inclusion in the appropriate "Log Driver's Waltz Awards" page! Please do, as well as recognizing your accomplishment it is encouraging for other riders who are considering the route! It is also a bit of a serotonin boost for the route developers ;-) . Thanks! 
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Fastest Known Time (FKT):
Solo:
Riders who are attempting a "Fastest Known Time" (FKT) start at the same time but must complete the ride as a solo effort. All the other rules below apply. 

“This was the first time that I had tried to ‘race’ anything like this and for most of the time I didn’t think I could actually complete it. The amount of fun riding, climbing, problem solving and junk food crammed into 68 hours was surreal.”
Ben Hamilton, Grand Depart, 2d 19h 56min
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Pairs:
Within a pair riders are able to share resources, draft and otherwise support each other. Time is based on the based last of the pair to arrive. All the other rules below apply. 

Two routes to choose from:
In order to provide an option for riders on a tight time frame or who may wish to test themselves on a shorter route, riders may choose between two routes: The start date, time, and place will be the same.
Date: August 20, 2022
Time: 8:00 AM
Location: Almonte/Mississippi Mills, Ontario @ Equator Coffee Roasters
Routes: Log Driver's Waltz (800 km) or L'EGGs Route (350 km) ​Inspiration:
This ride is in the spirit of the big event in North America, the Tour Divide. 
​It is highly recommended that anybody interested in this ride read the relevant information on this site

Things to keep in mind, and rules of the ride:
  • Some parts of this route are remote, with minimal services during long stretches and through forested areas home to Black bears, raccoons and other forest animals.
  • Carrying a Tracker device is recommended  but not required, cell service is "limited" to "none" in some areas of this route. 
  • Flashing (blinking) lights, reflective gear and light coloured clothing to make riders more visible are highly recommended. Bikes should be outfitted with lights for riding in the dusk, night or dawn. 
  • This is a self-supported ride, and outside support is strongly discouraged.  If you need it, or think you might need it, better bring it.
  • Services along the route are fair game; hotels, restaurants, pubs and stores are all available for use, as long as goods and services are not pre-arranged, eg., no food or equipment drops/delivery unless it is to a Canada Post Outlet c/o General Delivery.
  • Camping options both primitive and at campgrounds, and other accommodation options can be found on the RWGPS map and supplemented with your own research. Due to Covid  the hours/days of operation of some establishments may have changed. 
  • Leave No Trace. This route goes through communities and wilderness areas, please respect all areas of the route and leave it as you found it.  If you packed it in, pack it out.  More information on "Leave No Trace": https://www.leavenotrace.ca/principles
  • This ride and route rely on the goodwill of the many communities along the way. Please be kind and respectful of private property and generous with your support of local businesses.
  • If you need to leave the route for any reason, you must return to your last location and continue on from there.
  • A rider's time is the total elapsed time, including all stops, that it takes to complete the route.  FKT hopefuls must provide a Strava or RWGPS file of their ride. FKT solo riders may not draft.
  • No "sag wagons" or following vehicles as this is not in the spirit of "self supported". This would include leaving gear and retrieving it later by car. If you wish to leave gear you must mail or courier it to your home address.
Covid-19
Before and during your ride it is your responsibility to:
  • Educate yourself about current health guidelines, vaccination requirements, proof of vaccination, etc., in all applicable health units/regions in both provinces and follow them.
  • Modify your plans to meet health directives if the situation changes.
  • Be respectful of the people you encounter in the areas you are riding through. 
  • Always make your safety and the safety of others your priority.

​Change in Plans?
Life happens. Sometimes plans need to change. If you sign up but then cannot come, please send an email via our "Contact" page and we'll modify the sign up list. Thanks!

2o22 log Driver's waltz Grand Depart 

David White, Guelph, ON
David Tuttle, Brantford, ON
Marie-Pierre Savard, Montreal, QC
Alex Stephan, Toronto, ON
Ben Currie, Australia
Jen Adams, Ottawa, ON
Eric Betteridge. Ottawa, ON
Matthieu Sanscartier, Montreal, QC
Matthew Scott, Beamsville, Ontario
​Jeff Mullen, Richmond, Vermont USA
Paul McEvoy, London, ON
Theresa White, Ontario
Lee Robinson, Toronto, ON
​Zachary Rayner, Toronto, ON
​Travis Guile, Bowmanville, ON
Brad Johnson, Cobourg, ON
Cory Ostertag, Squamish, BC
Matthew Kadey, Waterloo, ON
Mike Lapcevic, Turrialba, Costa Rica
Spencer Gough, Waterloo, ON
Geoff Agnew, Ottawa, ON
​John Swarbrick, Waterloo, ON
​Yves Poirier, Apple Hill, ON
​David Campbell, Thunder Bay, ON
Justin Campbell, Thunder Bay, ON
​Phil Clarke, Grafton, ON
Dave Ebert, Pickering. ON
Laetitia Tam, Newmarket, ON
Bastien Jean, Montreal
Roger Moore, Beeton, ON
Mike Framst, Guelph, ON
Robert Lesmerises, Franconia 
Hoiy Yhon Ho, Ottawa, ON
Lucas Wilson, Newmarket, ON
Charles Jamieson, Everett, ON
Alex Garcia-Nguyen, Ottawa, ON
Emily Barrette, Ottawa, ON

2O22 L'eggs Route GRAND DEPART 

Liz Overduin

2O22 Individual Time Trials

Riders may leave at a time and point on the route of their own choosing.​​
Trevor Brown, Montreal, QC
Emily Lafleche, Kanata, ON
Carl Presseault, Gatineau, ON
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Disclaimer:
  • This ride is not an official event, nor is it sanctioned in any way, there is no entrance fee, and there is no prize for finishing.  
  • All riders are solely responsible for their own safety and security along the route.
  • Riders must recognize that there are inherent risks in this undertaking including injury and death.
  • This route incorporates multi-use trails, off-road trails and on-road riding. All cyclists are responsible for their own safety, must use both trails and streets with caution and do so at their own risk.
  • The route should be evaluated by each individual cyclist based on their level of experience and comfort level in cycling on trails and roads.
  • Riders need to consider weather conditions, time of day, and any road obstacles when making their decisions to ride. 
  • Always wear the proper safety gear when cycling, ride sensibly and abide by all laws. 
  • This website and the associated Facebook page/Instagram account are only used as a meeting place and area for collaboration and information sharing. The Log Driver’s Waltz website and any and all others involved in the development of these routes do not assume any liability whatsoever for cyclists using this information and travelling upon these routes.
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