Flat 400

Martin and Libby Haynes put on this ride which began in Marong near Bendigo headed to St Arnaud, Charlton, Boort, Kerang, Cohuna, Pyramid Hill, Mitiamo and back to Marong.
Well I thought Flat 400 meant it wasn't hilly. To tell you the truth it wasn't at all hilly but at about 350k into the ride I felt flat. Flat as a tack. Tired and cold. Probably the result of a lot of hard riding over the past month or so and not enough food intake during this ride. After 3 or 4 years of solid Audax riding I feel I am finally getting better on the hydration side of things but every so often, particularly when I ride outside the comfort zone a bit I find I have trouble taking in enough food. On this ride it was probably exacerbated a bit by the longish distances between fuelling stops and my poor planning. One day I'll get it all right. Thanks to Mick Creati, David Eales and Phil Giddings for great company for most of the the ride, sorry I had to drop off towards the end. Thanks to Martin and Libby for organising it and braving the cold at Mitiamo to feed the riders. The ride also attracted a bit of spectator interest from attendees at a local wedding in Mitiamo and also the local lady priest!

Coming into Boort (181k)

Madness in May

The first of May saw the running of Moorabool Mayhem. Carol and I organised this ride which was largely unsupported. The ride is over 158 km and climbs in and out of the Moorabool River Valley that runs north of Geelong through the Brisbane Ranges. The climbs are not long but several are quite severe. The steepest known as "Godzilla" in Perdrisat Road Maude usually requires a short walk on the steepest section. This was case this year as all riders walked some of it. All riders I think felt it was quite a challenging ride but they all enjoyed it. The weather was cool and there was frequent drizzle. One experienced Audax rider suggested the ride should be renamed "The Valley of Pain". I am thinking about adding a few k to make it a 200 next year. Perhaps running it as a 150 and 200k ride.

Carl

Stephen

Ken

Philip

George

Young, Younger Youngest

The Easter weekend provided an opportunity to ride with some interstate members when I undertook three consecutive 200k rides from a base in Young on the south west slopes of NSW. This series of rides were organised by Kerri-Ann Smith and Michael Bentley of the ACT region. I had a great weekend and thoroughly enjoyed the riding and the company.

Looking fresh early on the Young 200

Kerri-Ann briefing. Some of the riders before chilly start of Younger 200