ANZAC Day

A pre lunch 100k on Anzac Day. It was cold and winter gear was called for. There were wreaths laid at the monuments in all the towns I passed through. Veterens were gathering at Winchelsea Oval for a function as I passed.  

Lest We Forget

Storm clouds over Wurdiboluc Reservoir on Anzac day

Wheels to Dereel

An easier weekend was called for so I set off at around 7am for a 100k permanent that inclines gradually for 30 odd k across the plains towards Mt Mercer. The negative to this was a headwind of significant proportions slowing my pace to 20 kph and below. A few undulations and a gradual loss of elevation through Dereel and Rokewood Junction before hitting the main road for a glorious and rapid downwind 50k back to Teesdale. On reaching home my cool down consisted of a gentler 10k ride with Carol around the town. This brings my Audax tally for the year to 6300k.

Mt Mercer

A ride with Steve

An invitation from Steve "The Tooborac Terror" to ride his Rock to Lock permanent was too much to pass up when it arrived mid week. Yes, I had just ridden 3 x 200k the previous weekend, had already entered the 100k Blackgate ride on Saturday and the garden is in need of manpower but opportunities to ride with a great bloke like Steve on a beautiful near windless Autumn day don't come often. An 8am Lancefield start required a 5 O'clock wake-up followed by a 2 hour drive north. Carol and Kelly came along for the drive and they spent the day researching in cemeteries whilst Steve and I were on the road.
The countryside was spectacular, Lake Eppalock was looking great and Hanging Rock and Mt Macedon added to the stunning landscape. We had a great day, it got reasonably warm but not too hot and I think we both felt we had earned our brevet by the the end.

Steve

Googy55

Blackgate Saunter

Saturday 14th April and the 100k of the Blackgate Saunter seemed like a good idea. A flat and fast 100 (actually 106k) in the form of a loop from Grovedale to Moriac then a loop to Ocean Grove in the tracks of Cadel on a warming day was most enjoyable. Only a pesky westerly wind on the return leg prevented what would have been a very quick time for me over the distance.

Riders arriving before the start

Young, Younger, Youngest at Easter

A brilliant Easter weekend of cycling through the South West Slopes of New South Wales. Three 200k rides in the great company of several of the ACT Region members. The weather was great and the routes varied from flattish for the first ride to a consistent variety of hills and undulations for the following two.  It was great cycling with Kerri-Ann, Michael, Don, Russell, Alf, Kevin and Tom

Kerri-Ann briefing riders

Refuelling (Photo credit: Kerri-Ann Smith)

Undulations

Grinding the Granite

Virtually no wind and cool to mild conditions are just perfect for riding from my point of view. This was my experience on Sunday when I rode “The Granite Grind” permanent for the first time. The ride travels from Teesdale to Little River then Anakie and Meredith before returning to Teesdale. Its  a not too difficult 150k with only a few climbs of any substance and a lot of flat. Elevation gain only approaches about 1000m over the distance. The ride travels through granite  country and goes around the You Yangs before heading over to the Brisbane Ranges. It made for a pleasant Sunday morning and afternoon with no stress.

I am now looking forward to Easter and 3 X 200k in Young NSW