Welcome To Paul Dubuc's Bicycling Page

Bicycling is my favorite form of exercise. I like to go fast under my own power, the challenge of climbing hills, the wonderful scenery and fresh air of the countryside, the thrill of trying to survive a 12-mile (each way) commute to and from work. There's nothing quite like the feeling of being able to cruise along at 20+ mph for miles without breathing hard or getting tired. Or, climbing the steepest hills I can find without having to resort to the "granny gear". Or riding 100 miles in a morning and afternoon and still being able to function normally the rest of the day. I also like the mechanical aspects; repairing and maintaining my own bike.

Those were the days... A four-year climb through some very surprising and satisfying achievements. I was riding over 3500 miles a year in the last two or three of those years. Alas, I haven't ridden much since the end of 1995. I got tired of riding alone so much. (I never could seem to meet friends on bike rides.) It took a lot of time away from other things I enjoyed in life, like family time. After riding the Fall Challenge for the third time, finding it too easy (I should have ridden faster) and not wanting to go on to more demanding feats, the challenge wore off a bit. I also suffered some big disruptions in my professional life that left me struggling with depression. These things combined to get me away from regular bicycle riding. But I miss the sport and hope to get back into it actively soon (maybe not quite so intensely as before).

So this page is more nostalgia than current events for me. But maybe, in God's good time, these memories will be relived. I sold my nice Trek 2120 bike, but I've still got my Schwinn Worldsport.

Favorite Rides in Ohio

MS Bike Tour - 1 day, 100 miles

This was my first real bike tour. Back in 1992, when I first got very interested in bicycling, I wanted to see if I could ride a 100 mile tour. To make myself train, I committed to this fundraising ride for the Multiple Sclerosis Society. The first time I rode 50 miles, I thought there was NO WAY I could ride 100 miles on one day. But the human body is an amazing thing. I worked up to 80 miles and finished the whole 100 mile route the day of the tour. I rode the tour the next three years as well. The weather was always great. I don't know how they arranged that.

Heart of Ohio Tour (HOOT) - 1 day, 100 miles

This and the "Covered Bridge Tour" are very similar (use many of the same roads). The HOOT is a supported tour. You get 2 food and drink stops and pizza for lunch whereas "Covered Bridge" is a "budget tour" (map and road markings only). Both rides offer a nice mix of challenging hills (on roads aptly named "Revenge", "Savage Hill" and, worst of all, "Chicken Coop"). The shorter routes offer easier terrain.

Hocking Hills Tour - 1 day, 110 miles

This is a beautiful ride in the Hocking Hills area. It includes several challenging hills, but plenty of relatively flat roads as well. This is a (COP-sponsored) "budget tour". For the $2 fee you get a good map and road markings, and you're on your own. Finding good sources of food and water along the way was no problem as long as you pay attention to where the map says to load up on supplies before a 30-35 mile stretch through state parks where there are no stores.

Midwest Double Century - 1 day, 200 miles

I've only ridden this one once, but it was significant in many respects. It was the first and only time I have ridden 200 miles in a single day. I think it took me nearly 15 hours. The terrain was mostly flat and that helped. Having a couple of good friends to draft helped a lot too.

Columbus Fall Challenge - 2 days, 215 miles, lots of hills

This is a COP sponsored Tour that will really test your endurance. It's a weekend tour from Lancaster to Marietta (Ohio) one day and back the next day by a different route. The terrain is very hilly, but you get wonderful scenery and a great sense of accomplishment for all your trouble. I first rode this tour in 1993. It was cold and rainy the whole first day. I can't remember ever being more miserable on a bike ride. I wasn't quite in good enough shape to make it up all the hills without stopping to rest, but I never got off and walked. I had real doubts that I would make it back the second day, expecting to ride home in the car with my wife from one of the food stops. But I did end up making it all the way. I even rode all the way up the very steep Savage Hill Road on the 95th mile of the second day. (I had pooped out on other hills, but was determined to get that one.) I also rode this tour in 1994 and 1995. The weather was great both those years and I was in much better physical shape and enjoyed the ride more for that.

Tour of the Scioto River Valley (TOSRV) - 2 days, 200 miles

I can't end the list without mentioning the big one. COP sponsors this one every year on Mother's Day weekend. It runs from downtown Columbus to Portsmouth and back the next day. It attracts nearly 6000 riders of all ages and abilities every year. I rode this tour once in 1993, when the weather was near perfect both days (a rarity for TOSRV). I never really had the desire to do it again. The crowds were too much for me and I'd rather spend that time with the mother of my children.

Other Bicycling Resources:

• Westerville Bicycle Club
• Ohio Bicycle Federation
• Onondaga Cycling Club (Syracuse, NY)
• Schwinn Bicycles
• Trek Bicycles
• Bicycling Magazine
• Cyber Cyclery