+1 agreed, I've done the ride once fixed (downhills sucked a bit, rest is fine) and once geared on platforms - that wasn't so bad, but I wasn't in nearly anywhere near the same shape as the fixed ride. The hills seem daunting, but they're not so bad - if there's a few of us doing it, we'll group-up and help each other up. I don't mind just pulling on that ride.

That being said, I'm going to assume the donut ride is a bit of a different league and I'll have my ass handed to me on a silver platter, but that's OK - I want the challenge and will do what I can.

Riding east across town today going TO work made all that "I hate headwinds" effort worth it... the tailwind coming home was insane.

From Whitby (Mary/Brock) to Queen/Roncesvalles (Hwy2/Kingston/Danforth/Parliament/College/Lansdowne then some sidestreets):

Top speed: 34.9mph
Average: 18.8mph
Time: 1:43:43
Total distance: 32.6 miles.

Fastest I've ever got home before, man that tailwind was incredible. It got a little shaky on Kingston Rd in Scarborough (around the Guild) when it was gusting crosswinds rather than behind me, but sheesh... fast as hell.

After moaning about the Rouge Hill so much, I decided to just stick it out and ride Hwy2 all the way to Kingston Rd/Danforth split, the hill isn't terrible, but I much prefer the scenic route - was getting a lot darker by the time I hit Pickering so I stayed on the main drag.