Log Driver's
Silver, Bronze,
Tourer
"Birling", from Wade's famous song, is also known as "log rolling". Log drivers used to ride down the river while maintaining their balance on logs, no mean feat. Of course this evolved into competition and sport. The "Log Driver's" Awards celebrate riders who have "rolled" over the route facing challenges and excitement in much the same way that log drivers did as they went "birling, birling, down the whitewater..."
We feel that everyone should feel proud of their trips and their accomplishments. We are all different and we each have our own goals. Completing the Log Driver’s Waltz is an accomplishment that any rider can be proud of. That said, some of us want, or need, to gain experience before attempting an 800 km / 7,000m elevation trip. Others amongst us have limited vacation time, personal reasons, or other constraints that make completing the Log Driver’s Waltz difficult to manage.
With the goal of encouraging everyone to share their ride(s) on one or more of the routes in our collection we are introducing four categories of recognition: Gold/Or, Silver/Argent, Bronze, Tourer/Randonneur, and the Half/Demi. Those who have participated in that legendary Canadian adventure and endurance experience, the Canadian Ski Marathon www.skimarathon.ca may recognize a similarity in categories. In fact, we think the LDW is a great summer compliment and training opportunity for the CSM, and vice versa.
There is no requirement to “progress”. These are not hierarchical levels. For example a rider could complete the Log Driver’s Waltz in July for Gold and then do the Up and Over Eardley in August for a Bronze and submit both for recognition on the website.
Riders may submit their Name, Town, Route, Time, Award for inclusion on this page. We will contact you for your photo.
Riders can submit up to three rides per year.
- For riders who complete a minimum of 300 km in a single self supported trip.
John Cockburn, 662 km
Adam Desrosiers and Dominique Paluck, 415 km
Faith Tie Ten Quee, 670 km, 10 days. With Julie Weaver.
Jody Dixon, Northville, NY. 5 d, 10 h, 30 min. 2023 Grand Départ
Kevin Poirier, 758 km on the LDW. 2023 ITT
José Smolders and Tijmen Moltmaker, NL 4d on the LDW and 2 d on the Gatineau Reels
Tiago Varella-Cid, 2d11h48m, 2023 Grand Depart
Pierre-Olivier Émond, Grand Depart 2022, 3 days, including riding from home to the Grand Depart.
David White (w/ Theresa White) Grand Depart 2022, 5 days, Remix: Log Driver's Waltz and Pontiac Polka
Theresa White (w/ David White), Grand Depart 2022, 5 days, Remix: Log Driver's Waltz and Pontiac Polka
Laetitia Tam (w/ Lucas Wilson), Grand Depart, Log Driver's Waltz, 765 km, 7d 7 h
Lucas Wilson (w/ Laetitia Tam), Grand Depart, Log Driver's Waltz, 765 km, 7d 7 h
Jill Messier, L'EGGs Route, 300 km, 3 Days
Kim Fera, Log Driver's Waltz, 474 km, 5 days
Anne Drummond, BC, Log Driver's Waltz, 473 km
Stuart Doyle, Ottawa, L'EGGS Route, 400.1 km
- For riders who complete a self-supported overnight bikepacking trip of at least 50-70 km on any of the Log Driver’s Waltz routes in the LDW collection
Emily O'Connor and James Davis, LDW Spring Rally
Myriam Boudreault & Willa Mason, LDW Spring Rally (Picture from Cape Breton!)
David Tuttle, LDW Spring Rally
Kimby Barton, LDW Spring Rally
Ben Maynard, LDW Spring Rally
Mark Vukas, LDW Spring Rally
and
Adult Bronze-
QEW: Up and Over Eardley
142 km
Steve Alexander
Marianne Alexander
Arlo Alexander (9yo)
Dax Alexander (5yo)
Adam Kowalczewski, Grand Depart, 2 days on the Log Driver's Waltz
Dave Sherrard, Ottawa, "Pontiac Polka"
Parham Momtahan, Ottawa. "Pontiac Polka"
Shan Graszat, Darcy Atkinson, Hamilton, "Up and Over Eardley" 142 km
- For riders who complete the Log Driver's Walz at their own pace over one or more years. The segments may be done in any order and can include any combination overnight and day rides
Gene Villeneuve, Ottawa, Ontario, 2022
Jeff Mills, Almonte, Ontario, 2024
Jonas Barter, Almonte, 2024
Jen Adams, Ottawa, Ontario, 2024
If you enjoyed the Log Driver's Waltz or our other routes, please consider helping us cover the costs of developing and maintaining the route files and website. Thanks!