A good day for camels

My cycling goal for the current Audax season is to ride 10,000 kms in club rides and permanents. A pretty bold goal as my highest tally to date is 7650 kms in the 2008/2009 season.  My approach is to make the most of opportunities provided by good weather in the warmer months recognising there will be weekends where I wont accumulate any mileage for whatever reason. Today was a day where the 200k didn't come easy and was hard earned. The first real heat of the summer approahing the mid 30's and the clear sunny skies combined to wear me down despite my best efforts to stay hydrated. I was pretty much toasted at the end of the ride. I am sure the camels I passed earlier in my ride faired better on the day.

Back to Back 200s

Two more pemanents over the public holidays for Christmas and Boxing Day. The first day saw me riding up through Ballarat and following an anticlockwise route. The second was the energy sapping Moorabool ride crossing the steep sided Moorabool Valley multiple times. Thousands of butterflies were present on both rides

Rest break at a ford near Happy Valley on Day1

Past Stony Creek Reservoir on Day 2

Butterflies were everywhere

Eureka

Today I rode the Eureka Dales 200k permanent. An uneventful ride. It was a very warm and very humid day. Although taking on plenty of fluids and electrolytes I was suffering with a bit of cramping in my hands after the ride. The heavy mileage I have been putting in lately though is standing me in good stead, my time was quite reasonable given the effort in the conditions and once cooled off the legs feel quite good. One property I rode past today has a train set in the front yard!

Train tracks in the front garden

Eildon Endurance

On the road again Saturday for 300k from Shepparton. The ride crosses over the Strathbogies on its way to and from Eildon. On the outward leg the route passes through Merton and on the way back through Gobur. It was a humid day and we got soaked several times. At one stage wheel spin on steepest sections of the climb before Merton on the slick road gave me something to think about. For much of the day Tim Taylor who was doing the 400 version and I swapped places. I was pleased with my form and pleased that I took 5 minutes of my total time for the ride which I had previously ridden in 2009. This included sitting out a massive deluge for 10 to 15 minutes in Euroa on the way back. Arrived back in Shep for Pizza at 6:40pm. Thanks to Garry Wall for organising the ride. Thanks to wife Carol and daughter Kelly for travelling to Shep and to other rides recently with me.

A drenched Tim Taylor at Merton

Gorgeous legs

This past weekend saw the running of Jump the Gun out of Maryborough. The ride was organised by that wee scotty gentleman Ronnie McInnes and his wife Meredith. Distances from 100 to 600k were on offer. The weather forecast was for fairly mild temperatures so I took the opportunity of trying the 600. Had it been hotter I would have wimped and settled for a lesser distance. There was quite a good turnout. The first 100 loop headed off to Carisbrook then up to Dunolly before a solid into the wind leg to Avoca but it turned out to be nothing in comparison to the next day but we will get on to that later. I yo yoed for a short while with the Maryborough crowd but somehow our pace on the undulations just didn’t quite match and they eventually fell back. This first loop finished with a comfortable leg to Maryborough. On the 2nd 200 I latched on to a small group of 200k riders who were making rapid progress with a tailwind but not wanting to overcook the goose I let them gradually ease away on the way to Maldon and caught them again in at the Newstead checkpoint. It was at the Newstead General Store  a lady commented “Don’t bike riders have gorgeous legs!” or something to that effect. Adrian suggested she was referring to my legs.  I’m not sure that was the case. They’re bloody ugly!

We left Newstead pretty much together but I soon let the group move off. The leg through Campbelltown and on towards Majorca and Maryborough which in the past has been a tough one in heat and headwind was tamer this year and I finished it off comfortably. Loop 3 headed up the road to Dunolly at the same time the Great Victorian Bike Ride had riders coming down the road for their overnight stop in Maryborough.  These guys were the stragglers and it looked like many of them were struggling. Anyhow my loop wound its way around through Newbridge where I stopped to get my card signed and downed a couple of cokes at the pub. Back down through Dunolly and back to base once more against a nagging headwind. Fatigue levels were increasing and I was now undecided whether I would try 450k before grabbing some sleep or 350k after the late evening 50 to Avoca and back. Some nausea at Avoca determined that I would sleep at 350k. It was a bit after 11pm when I had the 350k completed and I resolved to get up at 2 am. I was off at 2:30 down through Talbot to Clunes but the advantage of losing elevation was cancelled by the wind that remained quite cool and strong. Just after Clunes where I ate a little I became very tired so I dismounted and lied in some long grass along a paddock fence line for a powernap. On to Campbelltown and the same again, this time I napped in a ditch on the edge of the road. A third and last time at Sandon only a few more K’s down the road and I was napping under a large gum tree. This time however it was getting light and I think my body clock clicked into day mode and I rode on turning near Newstead and heading back through Carisbrook to Maryborough. This time riders in Great Victorian Bike Ride were streaming out of Maryborough on their final leg to Castlemaine. I had about 150k still to go. Arriving back I learned that of the 4 600k starters two had withdrawn at 300 and 350 leaving 2 of us still riding on the Sunday. The next loop was to Avoca and on to Moonambel and back through Natte Yallock. The last 150 even with all the sleep had been tough as I had trouble eating and so the energy and pace had declined. Fortunately I held a bit down at Maryborough and ate more at Avoca and Moonambel. This gave me strength for one of the tougher legs I have done in Audax. The wind now was an absolutely howler of a headwind stripping leaves off trees and blowing tumble weed along the road. My progress was slow but sustained and it was around 2 when I was back at base and contemplating the final push to Dunolly and back. The ride to Dunolly was rapid and required little effort but, on turning, the ride to Timor was unsheltered and the wind was still a real menace. It was a relief to be closing in on Maryborough to begin the gentle climbing through more forested area that provided some protection and to finally finish, sit down on a comfortable chair and enjoy a drink with Ronnie. The only rider still on the road was Andy and he still had 90k to go and a bit over 5 hours to complete it. It was going to be tough ask and I later learned that the clock had won which was really unfortunate.

Spikes on the Road

Another 100k permanent in the form of Mini Moorabool Mayhem today. Yesterday we recorded over 80mm of rain in the gauge and my cycling was confined to the trainer. Today started cool and overcast and finished with occasional sunshine and peaked in the low twenties. My legs were a bit heavy from about 2000k's in total over the past 4 weeks.  My annual leave has now come to an end. Back to work tomorrow.  Ughhh!  Anyhow on the ride today it was good to see the Moorabool River running strongly and it was unusual to see spikes on the road!

Moorabool River running strongly

Spikes on the road!

Hard Laver

Hard Laver is a new 200k Audax permanent that I am offering to members. I rode it on the 21st November and had a great day. I think it is a particularly good route with some magnificent scenery and it also has some solid, about 2800m, but not horrendous climbing.

The ride starts from the rear of the memorial gardens in the centre of Colac where there is plenty of parking available. You head south out of town on C155 and go over the first bump on the way to Kawarren and then Gellibrand at 25k. Then its a climb up to Ferguson at 42k where you turn south westerly and go through Weeaproinah, the wettest location in Victoria,  before your first checkpoint at Lavers Hill at 56k.

Weeaproinah - Wettest spot in Victoria

From Lavers Hill you have a nice 14k descent to Glenaire where you get you first close up view of the ocean and a great view up along  the Aire Valley.

Coast at Glenaire

Aire Valley

After a ride across the valley you come to Horden Vale a nice 8k climb through the Great Otway National Park then 13k downhill into Apollo Bay but not before passing some fantastic scenery.

Beautiful scenery

Approaching Apollo Bay

Apollo Bay is right on half way at 103k and has plenty of options for lunch. After Apollo Bay you climb up along Skenes Creek Road for about 15k before you begin a gradual descent down towards the next checkpoint at Forrest at 141k and pass by the West Barwon Reservoir.

Up along Skenes Creek Road looking back to Apollo Bay

Past the West Barwon Reservoir

After Barwon Downs you have left the forested areas behind and the country opens up into lush rolling farmland as you pass through Murroon and Pennyroyal and on to the final checkpoint at Deans Marsh General Store at 167k. The last leg is through open rolling farmland before you reach the end of your ride back in Colac. This is a really great ride and I recommend you try it some time.

A Midweek 100

After the weekend's 600 I thought it would be good to do a midweek 100k permanent and bring up the first 1000 audax kilometres fot the club year. Wednesday 16th was forecast to be a nice day with light winds. The course was again my "Inch to Winch" permanent. Only about 450m of climbing suited as I need to recover from some solid riding in this past fortnight. I chose to start early and got away by 7:10am and managed to make it around by 10:52. A bonus not to be off all day riding and  it gave the opportinity to do more work around home which can get neglected with a lot of riding.

Wurdiboluc Reservoir - 50k

Looking south from Atkins Road towards the Otways

So 16 days in  and 1000 audax k's is a good start to the 10,000k in a season quest. Mind you it is not a rate of progress that I can sustain and I need to be conscious to recover adequately between big rides. If I'm around 2000 by the New Year that will be fine. 

Coffee and Milk Please

The weekend of 12 and 13th of November saw the seventh running of Cafe au Lait S'il Vous Plait by Chris Rogers out of the North Eastern Victorian town of Wangaratta. Around 20 riders assembled for the 6am start with various distances from 125k to 600k nominated. It was good to catch up with a few riders that I hadn't crossed paths with for a while including Adrian Whear and the trim Tim Taylor. This well conceived ride consists of a series of loops based  from Wangaratta. After a short delay in finalising everyone's entry riders got away at 6:10 am. This is how I saw the ride.

Around 20 riders assembled

Loop 1 ~ Wangaratta - Yarrawonga - Wangaratta (125k)

Perfect conditions started the day off nicely. When Chris said go Tim Taylor leaned on his pedals and was soon dissappearing into the distance. I settled down into a small group that incuded Adrian, Igor, Rodney and Garry Wall. For the first 10 or so k's we chatted a little but soon Garry and I were happy to let the others move away up the road and out of sight. The two of us stayed in single file and swapped turns along the Yarrawonga -Wangaratta Road and were soon arriving at the first checkpoint at the bakery in Yarrawonga. The rest of the riders soon rolled in as well. Garry and I rode together back to Wangaratta where Garry headed on home to Milawa to pick up his reflective vest. I bought a sandwich and drink at a local cafe.

 First checkpoint at the bakery in Yarrawonga

Loop 2 ~ Wangaratta - Beechworth - Wangaratta (81k)

I headed off solo on this leg towards Milawa, across to Everton then up along the bicycle trail to Beechworth. It was great to see a large group of 20 or so very young riders coming down the trail on their bicycles with their parents. As seems to be the case every time I have ridden this trail it has been fairly warm on the climb through the cuttings but fortunately in most places there is plenty of shade. Beechworth Bakery was relatively quiet and made a suitable checkpoint. I was back on the bike and heading down the road to Wangaratta within 20 minutes. I had to search a while to find an open cafe when I got back to Wang and while I was enjoying a coke and ice cream Garry cruised in and decided the coke and ice cream looked so good he bought some too.

Garry with a coke

Loop 3 ~Wangaratta - Rutherglen - Wangaratta (95k)

We left together on the road to Rutherglen. Although I felt in better shape than I did at the same point last year when I road the 300k version in very warm conditions I was not feeling terrific and by the time we got to Rutherglen I was flagging. Garry suggested we share some salty chips at the local fish and chip shop but food for me was now going to be a challenge. I opted for some dim sims and Garry went for potato cakes. I marvel at what can fuel one on long rides like this. The leg back to Wang and I was slowing significantly but Garry was happy to ride with me. As I was not in great form I decided to head to the motel have a shower eat a little and put on some fresh gear.

Loop 4 ~ Wangaratta - Boorhaman - Wangaratta (54k)

I have alwys felt it essential on a 600 to get through at least 350k on the first day with 400k preferable. The 50k loop would bring up 350k and I thought then after a sleep I would feel stronger to finish the ride off. The loop was uneventful except for a brief stop where I managed to get some gel food on my hands, handle bars and waterbottles. I hate sticky! I was soon back at Wang and put the head down for 90 minutes. This was the point where I abandoned the 30 hr target I had set myself and decided riding through without any sleep was not advisable.

Loop 5 ~ Wangaratta - Myrtleford - Wangaratta (96k)

Potentially this is often the hardest part of this sort of ride. The early hours of the morning. I made slow but steady progress on the gradual climb to Gapsted. Garry had earlier warned me to watch out for wallabies. I was surprised at one point by a kangaroo lying in the middle of the road. Probably hit by a vehicle some time just before. He looked up at me as I shone my helmet light at him but he made no other movement so I continued on past. As I descended down into Myrtleford a headlight a reflective vest was coming towards me and it turned out to be Tim Taylor. We greeted each other as we passed. I made a brief stop in Myrtleford where I found vending machine where I could get a coke. The climb back up to the turn off towards Milawa seemed rather difficult and as I turned the corner I realised I had flatted the rear tyre. Under the light from my helmet mounted ayups I tried pumping up the tire but it wouldn't hold any air. I inspected the tyre which was brand new for the ride but not apparant cuts, glass or thorns. I thought the tube must be the culprit and a post ride inspection proved this to be the case. the valve and tube were seperating. I was on my way in 20 minutes as the new day was dawning. Back again in Wang, this time for breakfast at the motel but still not firing on all cylinders

Loop 6 ~ Wangaratta - Benella - Wangaratta (102k)

So with 450 k completed the end was in sight but there was still some work to do. I laboured on the ride to Benella stopped on a few occasions to have a short rest. Clearly my calorific intake had been insufficent and I forced down museli bars and lollies. There was a local handicap cycling race on as a number of small bunches of riders raced passed in the opposite direction heading up the hill along Kilfeera Road towards Greta South. I enjoyed a steak and onion pie and strawberry milk at the bakery at Benalla. The leg back from here was tough. The temperature was quite warm and there was a head wind. I resolved to ride steadily and stopped off at Glenrowan for a drink. The Kelly Country Classic was being held and there were a number of riders in town. I took my time before heading on to complete this lap. My wife Carol and daughter Kelly greeted me in Wangaratta where I had another flavoured milk before beginning the final loop.

Loop 7 ~ Wangaratta - Eldorado - Wangarattta (53k)

With the 600k almost in the bag I was confident I would complete the ride but I did curse the headwind on the way to Eldorado. I suppose I should be thankful for the cool change that swept in as I turned back towards Wangaratta after the penultimate checkpoint stop at Eldorado but it meant a headwind for the final 30 odd k as well! I was pleased to eventually  pull up at the King George Gardens for the final time.

Sunburnt but only 30k's to go

Thanks for developing and organising a great ride Chris.

Inch to Winch

Back from South Australia and I need to keep the kilometres ticking over if I am going to go close to achieving 10,000 Audax k's in the next 12 months. The  permanent in SA was a good start but time waits for no man so after a week totalling around 400k all in the hills I thought I best get some more credit and do another Audax permanent. A flattish 100k from Teesdale to beyond Winchelsea and return was in order on a humid Tuesday afternoon. This ride, Inch to Winch, is one of my new permanents now available. Two intermediate controls for refreshment were essential as was the conservative pace in fairly trying conditions. The legs appreciated the flat course and the cruisey approach to the ride that took a little over 4 hours to complete. That's 300 of the 10,000 out of the way and the next ride is the 600k, Cafe au Lait S'il vous Plait,  out of Wangaratta this weekend.

First stop Winchelsea Milk Bar

Victor Harbor Weekend

Following 5 days at Mount Barker we headed down for a weekend in a self contained unit at Victor Harbor. It was a chance to catch up with my Vet cousin and her Vet husband who live just out of town on a ridge above the Inman Valley and of course get in two more hilly training rides through rolling farmland before heading back home.

Above the Inman Valley

Through rolling farmland

Adelaide Hills & A Day Trip to Victor

Riding your bike in countryside that you don't often frequent can be really very satisfying and relaxing. Four weeks annual leave and so we set of to Adelaide for some R & R for the first week. The schedule included catching up with some relatives, doing some family research and of course some bike riding. A cabin base at the Mount Barker Caravan Park for the first 5 days facilitated some great training in an area that provided plenty of hill work on every ride. The hills were lush and green and the roads not to busy if you timed your rides to avoid the commuters.

The hills were lush and green

A mid week 200k permanent was part of my plan and I was fortunate enough to have Graham Stucley the South Australia Region President accompany me on "A Day Trip to Victor". The forecast was for fine weather as we set off from Glenelg at 7am. We also had one of Graham's ridy buddies Bronte with us for the first part of the ride. The first serious climb came quite early in the ride in the form of Cement Hill and it had us working very solidly. We then passed by Christies Beach on the way to the first control at Port Noarlunga South.  Following this came a long climb of several kilometres up Sellick's Hill to Myponga for the second control at the General Store. The next leg was through some very scenic coutryside as Graham and I predominately descended to the seaside resort town of Victor Harbor. A lunch in the sun before continuing along through the coastal towns of Port Elliot and Middleton then turning back inland where from Currency Creek you constantly climb towards the third significant "peak" at Meadows and a control at the bakery. Following further food and drink we rode down to Clarendon before ascending this time to Chandlers Hill then again descending towards  Coromandel Valley and a final major climb to Belair and a control at the BP servo. From Belair it was downhill all the way into Adelaide for a control at the Alfresco Cafe in Rundle St. Then came an "excitng" 10k through the peak hour traffic on the way to the finish at Glenelg. Thanks to Graham for leading the way and his company on the ride and thanks to Richard Scheer for suggesting the ride and for suggesting that Graham might be interested in riding with me.

Graham and I at the finish

I thoroughly enjoyed what is a reasonably challenging ride through the lovely hills of Adelaide.

All in a days Audax

Flowerdale Jaunt last Sunday was not without its moments. A small group consisting of Steve Xerri, Hamish Moffat, Ian George and myself were moving very nicely at around 35kph along Donnybrook Road when as described by Hamish a "kamikaze" kangaroo slid along the tarmac just a few metres in front of us. Then his desperate efforts to U turn and get to his feet it threatened to take us out on the return as well.
Steve pretty much set the pace for a lot of the ride after the first stop at Whittlesea where we separated from Ian and Hamish. I did a lot of following and admiring of Steve's smooth riding style in the hills around Kinglake and Flowerdale on his new stealthy looking Specialized.
The wind was absolutely howling in from the west when we returned along a now busy Donnybrook Road where our rapid heartbeats were briefly elevated even higher by a real yob in an oncoming car who thought he would overtake towards us on the relatively narrow shoulderless road . Ignorant bas......!

Finishing with Steve

The day proved to be a very solid workout and I think everyone would have had some lingering effects for a few days following.
Thanks to my wife Carol for assisting with organising the ride and to Hamish, Ian and Steve for doing the 200. Thanks to Heather for doing the 100k solo in the very  difficult conditions.

Hamish and Ian finish

Two more of the permanent kind

Well I did the Moorabool Mayhem 200k permanent last Sunday. This is one of the permanents I currently offer and it starts not far out of Geelong at Teesdale. The ride essentially is in and out and up and down the Moorabool Valley. As river valleys go the Moorabool is a fairly deep cut river with some steep sides.

The day begins as an undulating ride from Teesdale to Bannockburn. Once you cross the Midland Highway on Clyde Road you have a fast downhill to Russell’s Bridge where you cross the river for the first time before climbing past the Eagles Rise vineyard. It soon flattens out as you proceed onto Maude before turning into Thompson Road at Maude for another rapid descent, river crossing and a slightly harder short climb at 16%. After a few more k’s you drop down again and head toward the Geelong Ballan Road. Soon you are at the first checkpoint at the Anakie General Store at around 42km. A u-turn and a quick right into De Motts Road and the next climb arrives and the GPS again shows around 15% for a short while. You now find yourself in forested area that was hit by bushfires in January 2006. The road then dives down before recovering some elevation on the way to a high point just beyond Steiglitz cemetery before dropping into Steiglitz. The climb up and out of Steiglitz is not too hard before a fast sweeping drop down to the Moorabool for a one lane bridge crossing. Again you briefly hit around a 15% grade on the way out but it soon eases back and before you know it the road opens up just before the township Meredith. From Meredith you take the Ballan Road briefly before turning eatwards past the cemetery and along Slate Quarry Road that then dives down to the Moorabool yet again before a challenging climb out that exceeds 15% for a few hundred metres. Once you have conquered this section it is a pleasant ride to the Geelong Ballan Road at Durdiwarrah and a gradual climb to Mt Wallace.   Then its across to Ballark before a steep descent again into the valley but this time the climb out is more gradual as you set your sights for the half way stop at Mt Egerton.

Before a steep descent

Unfortunately the General Store in the town has closed so I had to rely on carried food to refuel.

The General Store is now closed

We might have to supply a little support for riders here on the audax ride next May. The last kilometre into the town is also a bit of a shock to the legs.  There are a few undulations along the road to Yendon but the road to Lal Lal is nice and flat. It’s a nice road to Clarendon where you ride down the Midland Highway for about a kilometre before turning onto Blue Bridge Road and follow back roads to Elaine. There is a general store at Elaine so I took the opportunity to get some real food as I was feeling a little flat. More back roads from Elaine to Morrisons and another dive in and out of the valley and onto Meredith.

Morrisons

 You now follow the same road back to Steiglitz that you had ridden in the morning but this time you head onto Maude. The climbs and descents do not seem as bad on the way back as overall you are losing altitude. At Maude you turn onto Pedrisat Road for the best descent and climb of the ride. I always seem to do this climb at the end of my rides when my legs are near dead and consequently I find myself walking some of the steepest section.

Best descent and climb

The reward after that is you don’t have to enter the Moorabool Valley again and have a basically flat to undulating ride of less than 20k through the canola fields of the Lethbridge area to Teesdale.

Through the canola fields

Overall the Garmin shows a little over 1900 metres of ascent making this a good ride to tune up your climbing legs. If you are interested in doing the ride as a permanent please get in touch with me.

Saturday 8^th of October and I headed out early to do another 200k permanent. I chose Eureka Dales this time with fewer steep grades than the previous weekend. I left at 7am and got around it in eight and a half hours. The ride was quite uneventful, cars were courteous, the weather held out and the only shock was the magpie careering into my helmet on a busy street in the middle of Ballarat. I must say daylight saving really helps to leave time to do a few things around home after a long ride before the evening.

Teesdale Trot

The inaugral Teesdale Trot was held on Sunday 18th September. Carol and I organised this supported ride from our home in Teesdale. Options of 50, 100,150 and 200K were available to riders. In total 32 riders started the day and 31 were to be successful in achieving their nominated distance.

 Being one of the organisers permitted me to do this ride in the days prior. I chose the Friday beforehand and copped a very stiff north westerly crosswind for much of the day but I thoroughly enjoyed the mild temperatures. I made a number of stops to record changes required om the course notes I would be issuing to riders.

The 200k  course headed down through canola, wheat and cattle country to Winchelsea where it crossed the Barwon River and looped around Wurdi Boluc Reservoir before heading back to Winchelsea for the first checkpoint then on to Inverleigh before a lunch stop at Teesdale.

The 200k course headed down through canola, wheat and cattle country

Near the Barwon River at Winchelsea

The second loop was the course that the 100k riders had followed. It travelled through Bannockburn before diving in and out of the Moorabool Valley on the way to Maude, Meredith, Morrisons and Elaine before turning back towards the finish.

Morrisons

Weather on the day was superb, light winds, mild with some sunshine.
Thank you to all the riders who attended including some new faces, some audax regulars, some of the Maryborough crowd and some members of the Geelong Touring Cyclists.

Two riders readying to roll after lunch

Spring into Seymour

No photos from this ride held about a fortnight ago. I spent much of the ride in the great company of Garry Wall and thoroughly enjoyed hearing about his experience at PBP. It was good to see Kirwan's Bridge open to traffic again and the weather was pretty good except for some annoying head wind at times on the way to Tatura. We completed the ride in a little under 9 hours.

A Sunday Jaunt through Greendale

Seven riders rolled up at Werribee for the Greendale Jaunt 200k. It was pleasing to have two ladies and two riders from north of the Great Divide come along. It turned out a perfect winters day. Topping out at about 20 degrees with sunshine and light winds. Feedback from riders was positive. Fewer rides tend to be run during the winter months and for some a 200k ride close to Melbourne at this time was convenient to keep a year rounder award alive or for others  just enjoying a long ride. This was an unsupported ride with check points in Bacchus Marsh and Meredith. It features a few short sharp climbs and some nice country through the Pentland Hills and Brisbane Ranges.

Fraser and Frank at the Bacchus Marsh stop

Around the dales again

So I spent a cool Saturday on yet another permanent ride. Eureka Dales is a new permanent that I first rode a fortnight ago. The key features of the ride is that it passes or can start at the Eureka Stockade and it passes through Scarsdale and Smythesdale as well as Teesdale where it can also alternatively start.

 I took my No 2 steed  today the Avanti Corsa Pro. Somewhat heavier than Oppy, particularly with the current interim wheelset incorporating a dynamo hub and too many spokes to count (actually36 front & back). Its original wheels with a low spoke count have reached the end of their useful life. I am just waiting on delivery of some new Fulcrum wheels for this bike which should help it move a little quicker. I must also say that the aluminium frame gives a harsher ride than carbon and you start to notice this towards the end of 200k.

Avanti Corsa Pro resting at Lal Lal

The weather was sort of OK for this time of year but I could whinge a little about the frosty start and cool air around Ballarat. Being the organiser of this permanent I am trying to find the optimum route for the 100 odd k from the westerly extremity of the ride to Teesdale. The major decision is whether to head down to Rokewood for a 150k checkpoint (Teesdale start) after leaving Scarsdale or continuing on to Linton for a 114k checkpoint after Scarsdale then heading straight across to Dereel, Mt Mercer etc for a little better scenery but no checkpoint for the last 86k.

Linton Piggoreet Rd - A bit of sun and nice scenery

I am not sure whether it was me or the bike today but things were definitely a little sluggish, the hills hurt and I was about 15 minutes slower for the overall time from a fortnight ago. As I sit here and write this I am sneezing and now have all the symtoms of a head cold. Maybe I should be pleased with completing the ride as well as I did. I think tomorrow will answer that question.

And yes the magpies were circling today but there was little agression - yet!

Cadel

Preparation, Concentration, Determination and GUTS.
The only way to describe the way Cadel Evans has ridden the tour this year.

Congratulations Cadel!

Eureka!

Yesterday 23rd July I rode a new permanent. Eureka Dales takes in locations such as the Eureka Stockade in Ballarat as well as dale towns, Smythesdale, Scarsdale and Teesdale. It is by no means a flat course and a lot of the climbing on this one is gradual. Steepest sections include the rise out of Morrisons on the road to Elaine, Furness and Eastwood streets in Ballarat, the climb out of Rokewood Junction and my favourite climb out of Shelford. In comparison to my previous permanent a fortnight ago the conditions were excellent. Foggy around Meredith and Elaine, sunshine by Ballarat, and just a light headwind and a little chill on the way out to Smythesdale. The undulations on the ride had my legs tiring a little towards the end. My past month of training aside from the Wandong Winter Wander and Greendale Jaunt permanent have been indoors where it is hard to replicate hill climbing. I finished the ride in 8 hrs 44 mins.

Foggy around Elaine

Blue Bridge Road

Sunshine at Eureka Stockade

Greendale - What a blast!

10th of July I rode Greendale Jaunt permanent. It was one of the harder days I have spent on the bike for a very long while. The wind out of the west was gale force for most of the day reducing my speed to a mere 12kph when it was in my face. I was drowned in an hour of torrential rain towards the end of the ride. As the ride drew to a close in sodden clothes I was chilled to the bone. This ride is reasonably challenging in good conditions as you climb through both the Brisbane Ranges and the Pentland Hills but the conditions really toughened it up. Finishing was most satisfying. I will remember that 10 hrs 10 mins for a while.

The wind was blasting across the Werribee Plains

Wandering out of Wandong

A sizeable group of riders entered the ever popular ride series "Wandong Winter Wander" organised by Lorraine Allen. It was very brisk with a chilly breeze as everyone registered for the rides. I had risen at 4:30am to get to this ride and for some reason was extremely tired on the two hour drive to Wandong. So much so that Carol was not happy as she had to stay awake on the drive rather than catch up with some sleep herself. Clearly I couldn't be trusted.

As riders left Steve Xerri and myself were soon leading the pack on the road to Broadford. Soon though to be joined by three new faces and the irrepressible Leigh Paterson. The bunch pretty much held together to Broadford. I was yo yoing off the back every time the road went up and had to ride hard to catch up on the downhills. This was a pattern for much of the way to Seymour. Leigh had headed off into the distance and  the new faces were strong riders and pulled away a little as well. Steve dropped his muslei bar and that gave me a chance to catch up and we rode to the first checkpoint together.

Steve, Jimmy Chant and myself left Seymour together. Steve took the lead and virtually didn't relinquish it till just before Nagambie and the second checkpoint. He certainly demonstrated some strength as he drove on at the front without let up. I was hanging on for grim death and cursed every rise in the road as I had certainly left my climbing legs at home and the ones I had brought were laden with lead! Leigh powered past on this leg after his usual longer stop and so for fun I surged to catch him a couple of times from about a 30m deficit. What an idiot I am! What was I thinking? I didn't have energy to waste on senseless acts like that. Jimmy supported that theory.

We took about 20 minutes on the stop at Nagambie where Steve and Jim were trying to convince me that my meat pie, which I had flooded with sauce and the 600ml strawberry milk was not the optimum  food I should be having. But hey it works for me. Leigh was a late arrival having punctured on the way into town.

A detour off the normal route on the way to Longwood was required but the front runners failed to take it and they added a few extra k's as they arrived at Longwood after Steve and I. Jim was tiring a little and pulled in to the pub shortly after us followed by the quick men.

Steve about to head off from Longwood

Reflective gear models - Yours truely and Jim

The leg to Seymour and I was starting to tire myself so Xerri-jet pulled away just after Avenal and I settled in to my own rythem. A quick stop for me at the final checkpoint at Seymour had me leaving with Steve again before the others. I was carrying a little extra weight now  as Leigh had given me my gloves that I had left on the bench outside the Longwood pub.

It wasn't long before I started to fall back as the undulations began. Steve pulled away, the quick riders flew past and Leigh passsed me as well before Broadford. Steadily on I rode taking time to relax a little now in contrast the first three quarters of the ride where I was really under the pump.

I finally pulled into the finish at about 4:45pm tired but satisfied. The day had been a really good workout. Thanks to Lorraine and George and their assistants. It was a great day. Lorraine had promised sunshine and the afternoon had had plenty of it. Thanks to Steve and Jim for company (and breaking the wind) during the ride. Special thanks to Carol for driving me home.

Queens Royal Tour - 3 Days in Seymour

Well the Queens Birthday weekend was an opportunity to get in some solid cycling during June. Ride organiser Stephen Rowlands devised 3 great 200 km loops each with different characteristics, the one common denominator was that they were not without some solid climbing.

Stephen is unable to ride at the moment so Carol and I took on the role of getting the rides started each morning from the rotunda. The traditional starting point of rides out of Seymour. Conditions over the weekend were generally cool with periods of sunshine and the winds were rarely ever more than moderate

Stage 1

This ride had 17 starters and for me it ranked as the hardest. The ride started at 8am and travelled up to Broadford and then headed to Strath Creek for the first control. It then turned and headed up to Kinglake West before again turning to the lunch time control at Kinglake. Then north along the Melba Highway to Glenburn before turning into Break O'Day Road which then turns on to the Junction Hill climb. Once this is  negotiated you then sweep down towards Yea for the third control of the day. Soon after Yea you turn into the Ghin Ghin Rd and have a very tough long climb to Highlands before you can set your sights on the finish. For me the finish was just after dark at around 5:40pm.

Stage 2

There were 14 starters that set off on the second day. I considered Day 2 the easiest of the three rides. This was largely due to the fact that most of the climbing was undertaken in the early part of the ride. This ride headed across to Pyalong before heading over the hills to Lancefield for the first stop of the day. From there the ride headed along the Burke and Wills Track for some more elevation gain. Once the high point of the ride was achieved it was pretty much downhill and a tailwind to Mia Mia. After that it was undulations to Heathcote and the lunchtime stop. I spent a few minutes chatting to Carol who had stopped in town also. Then it was a nice flat run to Nagambie where I could make some good speed. Fraser Rowe hooked up with me on the last leg back to Seymour. We pushed on solidly into a head breeze and reached the finish in daylight this time, at a few minutes after 5pm.

Stage 3

It was a chilly start with 5 official  riders only on the third day. This ride climbed all the way to Wandong before heading down and across to Wallan. Then it was a very tough trip across to Woodend into a pretty cold breeze and some tough grinding hills along the way as well. Then back tthrough Lancefield and the climb up to Kilmore for the third checkpoint. From there it was pretty much downhill to Broadford and Seymour with a fading tailwind. This time I finished at around 5:20pm


All in all the weekend was great fun. Thanks Stephen Rowlands for organising the rides. Thanks Carol for helping at the start each day. Congratulations to Ian George and Steve Atkins who joined me in completeing all three rides. Well done to all the other riders.

Ian George, yours truely and Steve Atkins