The Power of the Pie (and Soup)

Stephen Rowlands run a new version of the the Wild Wild West 300k on Saturday 9th June from his new home base at Little River. The weather forecast early in the week was for light winds and no rain. By the time Saturday came around south westerlies to 20kph and isolated showers were the promise.
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.

The battle along the Shipwreck Coast

Even before the season began I had the Great Ocean Road 600k pencilled in as an essential ride to do.  The first class support and menu provided by Peter Donnan, his wife Eileen and his sister Joan has to be experienced to be understood. Eighteen riders left the 24 Hour Cafe in Latrobe Terrace Geelong on Saturday at 6am.

The weather forecast was a little ominous with strong westerlies forecast for Saturday with similar strength winds from the south west on the Sunday. No one relishes 280 kms of head wind but you have to take it as it comes and this was a weekend when we had to take it. My plan was to ride well within myself for the first day and see how the second would work out.

The bakery at Lorne where I normally stop was closed as I sought out something to eat so I made do with a banana from my pocket and a milk from a cafe to see me through to the first checkpoint at Apollo Bay at 111 kms.

The early part of the ride was remarkably pleasant but by the time I arrived in Apollo Bay it was turning decidedly cooler and the wind was lifting in strength. I imagine it was around 15 minutes before I left with good buddy Steve Xerri who was undertaking his first 600k ride.

Steve at Apollo Bay

Leigh Paterson with Peter Donnan

Ian George and Hamish Moffat

The Horden Vale and Lavers Hill climbs came with some rain. The road in parts was very slick and to add to that oil or diesel that was visible all the way along the road added to my concern and meant that I was gently squeezing my brakes and focussing on my line through corners more than ever before on the fast descents.

The cafe at the top of Laver's provided a welcome break before things to come. As we descended from the high point of the ride and out of the protection of the Otway National Park we were hit with gale force side winds that made riding at times near impossible. A side wind of such strength is infinitely more difficult than riding straight into it. It was quite a battle getting to Port Campbell and the 5k sign seemed like about 20k out of town.

Port Campbell was decision time for riders deciding whether they would continue through the night in the appalling conditions or pull the pin and have a good nights sleep before a ride back to Geelong the next day. There were a number of riders that understandably took the latter option.

Steve and I joined Ian George for the ride to Warrnambool. It served up more wind and rain but getting to the most westerly point on the ride was a psychological boost for me as surely the hardest work was done. Ken Morgan joined us after taking a longer break at Warnnambool. The wind pushed us along at a cracking pace for about 10 minutes or so but then a shift from WNW to SSW suddenly meant the ride back to Port Cambell was not so easy at all.  The roaring wind and boiling ocean was almost deafening along with road signs and loose tin rattling madly and powerlines producing a booming howl in and around the small towns.

We had lost valuable time through out the day and night so a break of a little more than 2 hours was all we could afford for sleep. It was a 4:30 am get up to complete a ride to Timboon and back before breakfast to round out 400k.

The wind continued to be a real nuisance back along the Shipwreck Coast pushing the bike sideways but at least it was towards the edge`of the road not towards the middle like the day before. Not until we got to the more protected areas of the climb to Lavers Hill did we get real respite from the conditions.  It was raining and very cold at the checkpoint so the warmth of the cafe was difficult to leave. The skies cleared by the time we got to Horden Vale so the rain coat was removed for the last time but the wind was continuing unabated.

Peter greeted`us at the checkpoint at Apollo Bay and hot soup warmed us up for the next leg to Lorne. Another break there before embarking on the final 65k to the finish. Ken was having a few issues with his bike so Steve and I stopped under lights of a Torquay servo to check things out. Ian continued on but he needed to stop for a while on the outskirts to sort out some lighting issues.

It was great to be welcomed at the finish by my wife Carol, several riders and Peter.

Smiling Jim Chant at the finish

Everyone was smiling at the finish

Most of the riders described it as the hardest Audax ride they had ever done. I totally agree.

Thanks again to Peter, Eileen and Joan for fantastic support. Thanks to Steve, Ian and Ken for their company during the ride which would have been even harder if completed alone.

Congratulations to Steve for completeing his first 600k in such difficult conditions.

A rock - to - a hard place

The Moorabool Mayhem 200k was run on Sunday 6 May 2012. Fifteen riders entered but there were three no shows. Riders left Teesdale at 7:30am in cool overcast conditions. I remained at base having undertaken the ride the previous weekend.

The quicker riders (Leigh, Mark, Sean, Adrian and Ian) led the way.

Unfortunately back behind them and just after Bannockburn only 15k’s into the ride Carl had a very bad fall. It appears he hit a rock about the size of your fist that was in the middle of the road. He sustained serious head and facial injuries, elbow and ribs. Fortunately the following riders and a passing motorist were able to assist him with first aid and care. I also arrived on the scene and we waited for the ambulance to arrive. Carl underwent surgery that night at the Alfred Trauma Unit. Everybody is wishing Carl a very speedy recovery. The signs are already good. It's Tuesday and he's already talking about getting back on the bike. Get well soon mate.

The rock

The remaining riders ultimately continued. I drove to the first checkpoint at Meredith to sign cards of the some of the riders and those who had stayed behind. It was misty rain as (Lyn, Ken, Peter, Heather and Greg) left the checkpoint heading towards Gordon.

Greg at Meredith

Lyn & Ken leaving the Meredith checkpoint

Riders reported that it was quite cold up around Gordon but by afternoon the breeze had died away and the day remained free of rain. The quicker riders were able to ride up “Godzilla” which was some achievement.

They finished inside 9 hours and all riders were in by 7pm.

 Refreshments after ride

Thanks to everyone for coming to the ride and thanks to those who assisted Carl.

Cycling about the Moorabool

I did a reconnaissance ride for the Moorabool Mayhem 200k last Sunday. I am running it as an unsupported Audax ride this coming Sunday. The route crosses the Moorabool River valley on a number of occasions. The valley has steep sides so there are some serious grades to contend with. Fortunately most of them are short and with a little straining, huffing and puffing they can be negotiated by reasonably capable cyclists. There is one real beast however that is known to local cyclists as Godzilla. Its at the 175k mark and on tired legs I generally take a walk for about 50 metres where the Garmin displays 20, 21, 22%. Other issues I noted on the ride were a number of short gravel sections on the Ballark Mt Egerton Road where quarry trucks have broken up the road. Riders will need to be cautious. A good number of people have registered for the ride, the weather forecast currently is for the occasional shower and light winds so its all good to go.


Having ridden the route last week I’ll sit out the ride myself this week as I try to freshen a little for the Great Ocean Road 600 the following weekend. The GOR600 is also quite a challenging ride that is similar to the Great Southern Randonee 600 I did in 2008 and the mid week 600 I did last year. The ups and downs of the Great Ocean Road, the Otways and the hills around Timboon will provide some great riding.

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

Return to Spa Country

Today I returned to Hepburn Springs to do Greg Martin's new permanent Spa Country Reel. This ride is leg 2 of his annual Spa Country Flings ride. Each time I have done the flings ride I have faded badly in the conditions on this leg and so have not been able to appreciate the great scenery nor enjoy the challenge of the constant undulations. You head out and down to Franklinford before turning and climbing past Mt Franklin and back towards Daylesford. Then off through Glenlyon before turning at Drummond and on to the the mid point at Kyneton. Then its due south till you hit the Tylden Woodend Road. Through Tylden then onto Springhill Road with some nasty pinches, beautiful views down toward Lauriston Resevoir, then again rejoining the Daylesford-Malmsbury Road. Turning right when you hit the Midland Highway its a fast  ride till you hit the turn for the springs, a little uphill then straight down a fast descent to the Spa centre and the finish.  The GPS said about 1400m of climbing in the 102k so its no picnic but just a great ride.

Checkpoint activity on Spa Country Flings in February

A "rash" of injuries

If you ride a bike one day will have a crash. I seem to come to grief about once every couple of years. Analysing my last 5 crashes I find that two have been caused by gravel when cornnering, one by a dog, one by a car failing to give way and one by a pedal failure. Three weeks ago I hit the deck after losing my rear wheel in a corner on little blue stones. I lost skin off my fingers, forearm and thigh. Not having time to put my hand down probably saved me an injured collarbone. Everything has healed except the thigh which has an ugly collection of fluid over an area the size of my hand. I count myself very lucky that I have not experienced any great pain and have been able to continue to ride since. Lucky too that I was on my training bike and not the more fragile carbon bike.

I rode the You Would Have to be Crazy 200k ride on Saturday from Lancefield to Bendigo and return and was pleased with  a time slightly slower than last year but among my quicker rides over that distance.
Anyhow my injury was put in perspective when I met Steve at the finish of the ride. He had been hoping to do his first 600k ride but he too had had a crash. He came off somewhat worse than I did when he crashed a week ago.
Read about it at:
http://lancefieldlairs.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/just-what-i-thought-it-would-feel-like.html

Anyhow I think there is a message in all this spilt blood and general carnage. I think the bike jersey I am wearing in the picture below says it all.