I chose the 600k as this would complete a super series for me this Audax season and I felt I need the longer ride to put me into the right shape and mindset for my first 1000k event next month
A group of about 25 riders set off on various distances at 7am on Saturday morning. My plan was again to ride conservatively and this was how I set off. A bit towards the back of the field on the way out of Lancefield but slowly moving forward. Eventually a reasonable size group formed as we headed through Carlsruhe and in through Kyneton. Things split up a bit on the way out of town and I seemed to be between two groups so I pushed a little harder to catch the front group. This eventually broke up and for the next 40 to 50k to Bendigo I yo-yoed with Kathryn Temby, Peter Curtis and Peter Martin. Spending minimum time at the Bendigo controle I set off in the rising humidity. The afternoon was warm on the return leg to Lancefield and as I reduced my effort a number of riders passed me but that was fine as most of them were riding a lesser distance. I topped up my water bottles at a Kyneton servo and just around Carlsruhe the first rain began. On with the wet top when it got heavier but 5 minutes later the rain had stopped. I arrived at Lancefield around 3pm and then the first serious rain began with some decent sized hail to boot. After eating some lovely soup I then set off in light drizzle that proceeded to get heavier as I climbed into the range just out of town. This cleared soon after for the ride through Kilmore then Wallan. Once on the road to Wandong the heavans opened up - big time! It rained torrentially for more than 20 minutes. I made it into a servo to escape the deluge, and took a break, but they had water gushing through the roof as well. Once it eased to normal rain I set off again and 10 minutes later the sun came out. The rain top was on and off several times for the rest of the leg back to Lancefield. The enthusiasm was now waning a little for it was now wet and dark. The leg out to Riddells Creek wasn't that much fun in these conditions and with a reasonable amount of traffic on the road. My plan to ride through the night went out the window as I was having lighting troubles and it was wet and it was cold. After 350k I decided to grab some food, baked beans on toast, and some sleep and see what Sunday morning would bring.
Not feeling like eating I headed off at 5:45am and it was still raining for the ride to Woodend and the grind to Trentham. I stopped at Trentham and had a homemade pie and cappuchino that really hit the spot. A further stop at Kyneton for a flavoured milk and I felt like I was now fuelling appropriately for the day ahead. I arrived at the Lancefield controle about 11 am and had some lovely pumpkin soup.
450 of 600k completed
The next leg was again warm and humid and very hilly as I worked my way to Pyalong and on to Tallarook. Cold drinks and a toasted sandwich and the knowledge I had less than 100k to go boosted my confidence. Climbing out of Pyalong on the return it started to rain. Then it started to pour. Then it just pelted down with lightning and cracks of thunder close by. As I was descending approaching Lancefield the wind was stripping bark off nearby trees and moving the bike a half metre at a time. I was pleased to get to the shelter of the final controle which had moved from the tennis clubhouse to the Lancefield caravan park where I was greeted by my wife Carol, daughter Kelly and Stephen. Two bowls of pumpkin soup warmed me up and when I finally hit the road for the last 35k it was still raining and a bit of lightning was still around. I was initially quite cold and shivering was causing my steering to wobble but I soon warmed up and rode strongly to finish before dark. Thanks Merryn and Stephen for organising the series of rides, all the work they put in to the club, and thanks to the other helpers over the weekend
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