I was entering the ride with some trepidation. I had had an infected tooth extracted earlier in the week but the infection had not cleared up in my gum and I still had pain that I was supressing with medication.
Misty rain was falling when we set off. A lead group of about 8 held together until Geelong. I was first to drop off and the traffic lights through the town delayed me further so other riders were soon out of sight. Climbing up into the Barrabool Hills I set my own rythem and caught up with Steve Xerri as we turned south towards Moriac and the first checkpoint at the general store. A light headwind greeted us along Cape Otway Road before we turned towards Bambra for the pleasant ride through the slopes of the Otways. We took a brief stop at Deans Marsh then headed on towards Forrest. As we climbed towards the second checkpoint it became wetter and decidingly colder. Steve was having a bit of a flat spot but to be honest I wasn't firing on all cylinders either.
I couldn't resist the lure of a hot meat pie that has become a bit of a staple food for me on Audax rides. Steve on this occasion was also tempted and followed suite.
Nice pie Steve ?
After the break we headed on towards Colac through some lovely forest, timber lots, very lush fields and some prime dairy country. After Colac it was left and right several times before being greeted at Warrion Hall by Stephen and Tim ready to feed us with some lovely hot soup. We had hoped for some wind assistance from this point but it was getting later in the afternoon and the wind was dying away. I was dying away a bit too and Steve was getting stronger.
Shelford was the next checkpoint which we hit just after it had got dark. Merrryn and Rhys were manning this checkpoint and more lovely soup was on offer. My wife Carol had also popped down to greet us as we live only about 5k from the checkpoint.
The ride then took us on a constant grade to Meredith, over the Moorabool in Slate Quarry Road with its pretty severe climb out. I had laboured to Meredith but a gel had me feeling better and some more pain killing was a help.
Just after we turned onto Geelong Ballan Road there were flames and a vehicle on the side of the road. Had there been an accident? What I thought was a drunken yobbo was trying to flag us down. As we got close we realised it was Stephen at the secret control with Tim ready with more soup to get us to the finish. This time I chose the muffins and before long we were on the road again descending towards Anakie Junction.
Richard on his recumbant had missed the Granite Road turn and he soon joined us for the final kilometres. We all seemed to be riding strongly now in the knowledge that the finish was close. It had been a long, damp and cool day and I was personally very happy I had seen it through to the end.
Once more Merryn fed us with some fine food at the finish.
Thanks for riding with me again Steve I thoroughly enjoyed your company. Thanks to the Rowlands for yet again putting on a great ride and Tim Taylor for his support of the ride also.
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