Cycle South West Rocks had their biggest crew yet for an away ride, with seven riders plus families taking the challenge. I'll provide some of my experiences here, feel free to add comments and your own stories. Oh, and send me your photos so I can put 'em up!!
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Five groups of Cycle SWR converged on the Central Motel in Blayney on Saturday April 12. In attendence was Gavin, Tracey and family, Nick and Wendy, Brian B2 and June, Brian B1, Kaye and Neil, and Harald and myself (who got kinda, ummm, lost, after a publican in Bathurst gave us a weird direction to Blayney via Orange). All up, we had a crew of forteen, with seven riders.
A cozy meal at the Tatersalls Hotel (famous for their Hot Rocks meals) was enjoyed by all. Photos coming soon!
Race Day, Sunday April 13
Awake at 6AM, the weather out was very cool, but the clear skies looked promising. I opted for a quick 5K ride around town, looking for a shop to buy some brekkie. Hmmm, no-one open except the newsagent, who had orange juice and picnic bars. I shoulda taken gloves, my hands nearly froze off!
The ride was started in separate "waves" depending on age group. The 110K riders from SWR all decided to start in the same wave. As soon as our wave was mustered to the start, up comes a gusty southerly wind! Oh well... The pace was high right from the beginning, with dark clouds looming in the distance. The first ten klm went fairly quickly, through gently rolling countryside. Then after the first hill, splat! Right into a cold, windy rain storm. By then, I'd eased my pace to better deal with the mild cramping in my legs, but kept Harald and Gavin's group in sight. After ten or so minutes in the rain, I lost sight of my crew and found company with some Bathurst CC members and a few other lone rangers.
After climbing out of Trunkey Creek, I'd found my legs and decided to play catch up with my crew. I mustered a rag tag bunch of five riders, and we took turns maintaining a fairly high pace, with the nice tailwind helping us along. About 50ks into the ride, I'd caught Harald, just as we passed a poor guy who came to grief whilst feeding. We maintained a steady pace for our growing bunch as we approached Rockley Mount, along the inappropriately named "Cow Flat Road" (Cow Mountain Road would be more appropriate - perhaps there are a lot of cow to steam roller incidents along here). An ominous sign read "KOM 5ks". This is gonna hurt. Up we went, a fairly gentle ascent at first, that got steeper and steeper... then eased off... then kicked uphill for the last 200 metres... on dirt road!! I had a few choice words for the sadistic bastard that put that on the course, I can tell you!
After Rockley Mount, I'd lost contact with Harald again, so a daring downhill blast down Rockley Road at 70kph in torrential rain seemed in order. The long course joined the short course again at Perthville, with vocal locals cheering us on from the pub. 10ks to go. I kept the hammer down riding solo along Vale Road into Bathurst, but couldn't pull back Harald.
At last I was at the foot of Mount Panorama, alone and tired. Passing under the big tyre at the end of Conrod Straight, A woman was stretching her legs. "Better do it now, rather than halfway up" she said. "No worries" I thought, and kept going, eager to rejoin my crew at the finish.
Up a little rise, there was an old dude waiting at the top. "Wait 'till you see what's coming" he said with a grin. I looked straight ahead at the mountain road that looked like a solid wall ascending straight up. I suddenly realised that the old grinning dude was, in fact, the guy who planned the course to include a dirt road climb and a mountain top finish, and that he was, in fact, Satan, dark lord of the underworld. Oh well, you gotta do what you gotta do. Grind grind grind, spin spin spin, grind grind... you get the idea. The famous esses were much steeper than they appear on TV, but after a fit of cramping, requiring a shake and breather, I made it to the top. My grandpa once told me to "always listen to the girl under the tyre". Now I know what he was talking about... I think... {rubs chin} Oh well, that's another climb under the belt, and I even accelerated toward the finish line.
I was great to catch up with every one after the race, well done CycleSWR! And special thanks to Nic, Wendy, Gavin and Tracy for driving Harald and myself back to Blayney. We avoided a nasty headwind, a long 10% climb and another rain drenching!
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