The lure of the Ocean Road and a ride organised by Peter Donnan was too much for me. I just had to take time off work, an easy decision, and prepare The Oppy for the distance and night riding. The weather was ideal, unseasonly cool with no rain. The route was quite familiar, along the Ocean Road from Geelong, over a few bumps on the way to Port Campbell, Warnnambool, a mid ride loop into the hills out of Port Campbell then over the bumps again and back to Geelong. This was very similar to my first 600k ride on the 2008 Great Southern Randonnee. The good thing was this ride started at 6am rather than the more challenging 8pm.
Early 6am start
I rode the early part of the ride in the company of a few riders but taking a nature break I was alone for a while before picking up with a few riders at various stages to Lorne and on to Apollo Bay.
Apollo Bay checkpoint under the rotunda
Leaving Apollo bay I chatted with Fraser Rowe for a while but eventually settled into my own comfortable pace matching the effort I was looking to sustain for the entire distance. Out of Port Campbell I rode with Richard Scheer for a period as we passed a DSE burn off of undergrowth adjacent to the road. Smoke filled air is not exactly ideal for the travelling cyclist. Richard eventually pulled away as I made my own pace again to the turnaround point at Warnnambool. I had become a little ill feeling and it was an effort to get the food down. On the ride back to Port Campbell I made the strategic decision to sleep at the 350k mark rather than pushing on for an extra 50 which I felt could degenerate into a real slog given my knowledge that it was quite a hilly loop and my distinct lack of zip. This turned out to be a great decision because when I left in the morning at some time after 4am I was feeling refreshed and enthused. Back again at Port Campbell for breakfast then off towards Geelong at a conservative pace to ensure the Lavers Hill and Horden Vale climbs could be negotiated in comfort. Final official stop at the Apollo Bay checkpoint then a break at Lorne for a drink and some more food then I set the radar for the finish. I pushed on strongly through Aireys Inlet, Angelsea and Torquay only pausing to ring Carol so she could come and pick me up from the Kardinia Cafe at the finish.
All in all another memorable ride made great by Peter and the enthusiastic volunteers. Thanks!
Happy finisher
