Buckley's Ride

In 1803 convict William Buckley escaped from a settlement near present day Sorrento. He survived for 32 years in the Port Phillip region living with the aboriginals. On the last day of January 2010 Chris Rogers ran Buckley’s ride.

Buckley’s Ride is a 219 km circumnavigation of Port Phillip Bay that for any experienced randonneur would normally be quite straightforward and routine. A flat and scenic ride ride with no real hills to speak of.

Twilight start at Albert Park

About a dozen riders left an Albert Park carpark just after twilight on their counterclockwise circuit of the bay. Gale force crosswinds dominated much of the trek to Queenscliff with an occasional direction change bringing the wind behind to accelerate riders to higher speeds. The temperature rose steadily during the morning so when riders arrived at the ferry the mercury was already above 30 degrees. The ferry crossed a very choppy bay to drop the riders at Sorrento for the return leg back to Melbourne up the east side of the bay. The afternoon was a scorcher with the temperature around 36 or so with a hot strong wind generally retarding one’s progress and sapping ones strength. A cool change finally brought relief and assistance to some of the riders later in the afternoon.

I am sure all riders felt they had been challenged on this ride with some us even suffering but surviving in the trying conditions. Congratulations to all riders and survivors. Thanks to Chris for organizing the ride.