Four years ago, I picked up cycling with one simple goal—stay healthy. Back then, even finishing 10 kilometers felt like a struggle. Slowly, with persistence and countless solo rides, I pushed my limits, moving from 20K, to 50K, to eventually hitting the century mark. This past weekend, I reached a new milestone: my longest ride yet at about 133 kilometers.
This year marked another shift in my journey: I joined the Brampton Cycling Club. Solo rides are still special—you get to ride at your own pace, on your own time, and with as much effort as you choose—but riding through the countryside with a group is an experience of its own. The casual conversations, shared efforts, and discovering new spots I would never have known otherwise have made club riding a whole new experience.
The club offers a variety of categories ranging from Easy Rollers to Sportifs. I typically ride in Touring, Classic, or Classic Plus, depending on the route, weather, and my energy levels for the week. If work has been demanding, I’ll pick Touring for an easier spin, with more emphasis on enjoying the ride and connecting with others.
Last week’s ride was a Classic route out to Kettleby, Ontario—a small, historic village nestled in King Township, north of Toronto. It’s known for its rural charm, winding roads, and cozy cafés. From the official start at Southfields Community Center in Caledon, the ride was about 98 kilometers. But I decided to add more. Starting from my hometown in Halton Hills, I tacked on an extra 35 kilometers round-trip to bring my total up to 133 kilometers.
The morning was a bit chilly, but after 15 minutes of pedaling and a few small climbs, I settled into a rhythm. I met my group at 8:20 a.m., and by 8:30 we were rolling. The roads through Bolton were bumpy in sections, but manageable. Along the way, we hit a few climbs. I’ve discovered that I really enjoy attacking hills—going full gas at 700+ watts—before regrouping at the top.
Our halfway stop was a family-run bakery-café Dorios Kettleby Italian Bakery in Kettleby, with its rustic charm and cozy atmosphere. I ordered a brewed coffee, tiramisu, and a feta cheese pastry—perfect fuel. We lingered for about half an hour, chatting about dream cycling destinations like Mallorca Spain and Colombia, before heading back out.
The return leg wasn’t as smooth. We ran into a stretch of road with a “no exit” sign, forcing us to reroute. After a few wrong turns and extra kilometers, we eventually found our way, but by then the headwind had picked up. About 30 minutes from the finish, my legs started to cramp. I relied heavily on energy gels and electrolyte gummies to keep me going, and they did just enough to get me across the line.
By the time I returned to Southfields, I had logged 133 kilometers—the farthest I’ve ever ridden. I briefly considered cycling back home to Halton Hills, but my legs made the decision for me. With the headwind strengthening, I called it a day.
Looking back, the ride had everything: climbs, headwinds, café stops, detours, and the camaraderie of fellow riders. It reminded me just how far I’ve come since those early 10K struggles—with 15+ pounds of weight loss and the added stamina that’s helped tremendously in my Brazilian Jiu Jitsu game. BJJ? Oh, that’s a story for another day! And, of course, it gave me yet another excuse to drink more coffee.
Crafting Bits, Building Bonds 
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