The Ride

It’s called “The Great Ocean and Otway Classic”, it’s over. The reason for the training is done. For now…

It started with a knock on the door at 6:00am. It was our cycling colleague, come to take us all to Geelong for the start of the big event. It planned to be a big day with 3000 having registered to ride. We drove down to Geelong, found a park, lathered up with sun-screen, gave our bikes one last check over, made sure we had our food and fluid then rode down to the starting line. There were quite a few milling around, applying the final coat of sun-screen and fixing inevitable punctures. The event was running about 5 minutes late and while we waited we spotted the guy that dragged the Lamborghini away from the lights on the ATB ride, so we figured we were in good company.

Eventually, at about 7:35, the horn was sounded for our group, which was the “less than 6.5 hours” contingent. I’d never experienced the sound of about 500 riders all clipping their cleats into their pedals at the same time before and I was quite impressed. As we climbed up into Geelong proper from the beach, we found ourselves a nice easy pace in among the main pack, or I should say, “the peloton” (it sounds so much better when you say it like that).

We headed out of Geelong on the stretch up to Moriac where the 90km event riders turned left and headed back toward Geelong. We had a quick stop for the purposes of relief, then continued on into the Otway Ranges for the climb to the top.

I found the country roads a bit interesting. It really is quite amazing the amount of resistance there is on those rough country roads. At one point we were all coasting along nicely on some nice smooth bitumen, then we hit the rough stony stuff and dropped a good 10km/h. I thought that was a bit unfair, especially since we were going to be climbing on this sort of surface. But, there was nothing to be done about it, so it was head down and pedal.

Then we started on the hills. Having come off my bike the Sunday before the event and hurt my shoulder rather badly, I hadn’t been able to do any training that last week so figured I was in for a torrid time, especially since I’d also done no real hill climbing in the lead up at all. Hill climbing is best done at your own pace, so my two comrades and I soon found ourselves separated, with me lagging way behind.

I knew there was a big one coming (see the course profile here) so I couldn’t help but think that we’d done the biggy when I got to the top of each one totally out of breath. Trouble was that we were riding through some rather spectacular rain forest which made seeing the lay of the land a little difficult. The other problem is that the Otways have managed to space their climbs so that there’s not quite enough down between the ups for an unfit old bugger to catch his breath in between.

When I finally reached the big one however, I knew it. There was something just a little different here. It hurt more than the others and my lowest gear didn’t quite seem to be low enough. Still, there was nothing for it so I resolved myself to slow painful climb to the top. I’d be able to rest soon enough, so best just to get there. So much for the lovely rain forest…

I discovered during this ascent, that I don’t like hills with curves in them. You can’t see the top of the damn things so there’s no way to judge how much longer the torture is going to continue. Anyway, I was almost at the top, just a couple more turns to go, according to the more seasoned riders that were overtaking me, when I got the most spectacular cramp I’ve ever had in the front of my left thigh. I had to stop and stretch. When I tried to stretch however, my left calf and the back of my left thigh also cramped. It was then, once I’d put all my weight on my right foot, that my right leg decided it needed to severely cramp as well. At that stage there was nought to do but to sit down, shake my legs out and wait for it to pass. After that I thought I’d better do something different with my legs for a bit, so I walked for about 5 minutes, just to ease the cramps out a bit more. It worked and I was back on my bike, to the cheers of some more passers-by.

I have to admit, the encouragement of my fellow cyclists was fantastic. The worst I heard from anyone going past was “Good work, not far to go” when really, they could have got stuck right in because I was completely unprepared. But no, not one single bad word was heard, not even when I was walking. Mind you, I wasn’t the only one and there were plenty better bikes than mine being pushed.

So it was that when I overtook another walker with a much more expensive bike, I figured I must have the strength back to ride. I climbed back on and yes, sweet bliss, my legs didn’t hurt much at all. Another couple of turns and there it was, the crest. My colleagues were dutifully waiting for me at the top, so I took a little time here to get off and stretch some more, then it was into the descent into Lorne.

Now wasn’t that just a little bit of fun. A constant 55 – 60km/h with a top speed of 70 as we rolled down the hills and flew through the corners yelling “How good’s this!” at the top of our lungs. I’m pleased to report that my new wheels are quite impressive. I managed to out-coast people who were pedalling and that takes good hubs. Seriously good hubs considering the bikes I was overtaking. Then it was into Lorne to top up the water and Gatorade before we tackled the Great Ocean Road.

Now isn’t that just spectacular. Yes, there’s a few hills, but nothing as bad the mountains we’d just come through, but once again it was a matter of finding that comfortable cadence and sticking with it. We went through Fairhaven and Aireys Inlet. On the climb out of Aireys, one colleague was waiting. We didn’t see our other comrade and decided to go on to Anglesea. It transpired that the comrade we were waiting for had gotten a puncture. I waited at Anglesea for him to catch up while the other continued on. He figured he could beat the 6.5 hours on the clock, not just time on bike, so off he went and good luck to him.

As Torquay loomed in the distance, the rain began. It was quite nice at first because it was rather hot and oppressive out there, so a cool shower was just what the doctor ordered. The massive thunderstorm that ensued however, I could quite easily have lived without. When it comes down like that, rain hurts! Anyway, we stopped at the Maccas at the top of the hill and sucked down some caffeine laced fluids and waited for the rain to stop. That didn’t take long so it wasn’t to long before we were back on the road, riding the last 20km back to Geelong.

It was fairly uneventful as we trundled along the edge of the freeway heading home. One thing surprised me though. About 8km out we saw the “sag wagon” picking up people to give them a lift back. I said to my colleague that after doing what we’d done and having made it this far, I don’t think my pride would have allowed me to do the last 10km in the bus. If I was at the point where I had no choice, I’d have been crying I think. But to much exercise can do that to you.

So how did we go? Well, my computer said:

155.99km with a 27.3km/h average. 5 hours and 50 minutes on the bike.

I maintain that I beat my 6.5 hours nominated time, but of course, our colleague that actually beat the clock by a couple of minutes says that he was the only one that really made it…

1:00 PM - 5/3/2007 - comments {10} - post comment

The week that was III

It wasn’t such a bad week after all. It got off to a reasonable start, slumped horribly in the middle and eventually came good at the end. It went to the wire, but I actually made an improvement. So, feeling all happy with myself as I do, I’m going to launch straight in.

Quick trip to Williamstown and back for 31.87km at 27.3km/h. You know that slump I talked about? Well it started on Tuesday. I didn’t do anything special on Wednesday or Thursday, just some commuting for 35.36km at 18.8km/h (traffic). Saturday was a rest day because Sunday saw the first of the biggies.

All three of us have done nothing, so we thought we’d take a trip to Geelong and back bright and early. That ride came in at 97.89km at 27.4km/h. I was pretty happy with that because of the slightly better average to Monday’s 32km. Seems I’ve still got those endurance legs after all.

So where did we end up last week?

165.12km at an average speed of 24.5km/h.

Having lulled you into thinking I’m fit as a fiddle, it time now for the bit that Snowy’s been waiting for. Yes, my legs still hurt when I got up on Monday. I neglected the hot bath on Sunday, seeing as how it was 35 in the shade and I’m still paying the price on Wednesday. The 3.5 hours in the saddle hasn’t done much for my backside either. Oh well, there’s nothing for it, I’ll just have to go for a ride……

9:57 AM - 7/2/2007 - comments {20} - post comment

The week that was II

Well, I said I would, but do I have to? I mean, I did night shift last week and that always knocks me around a bit (yep, I’m starting with excuses). Besides, the weather was crap. Oh well, I might as well get it over with so you can get stuck in and tell me I’m slack.

It’s one of those things isn’t it? The opposite to that serendipity thing I was talking about in Introspection. Sort of an anti-serendipity with all the happy bits taken out. Why am I banging on about this stuff? Well firstly, I was just thinking “The sooner it’s done, the sooner it’s over” which of course provided me with a nice little side-track to head down for a minute. Secondly, I’ve been slack. So there…

Ok… Here we go… Fess-up time… I figured I was doing night shift and probably wasn’t going to get much done. I know, starting with a defeatist attitude won’t get me anywhere, but night shift is a time when all motivation leaves you. We start at 19:00 (7:00pm) and work until 7:00am. Occasionally there is scope for a little shut eye during that time, but not much. Besides, overnight is when they play the groovy documentaries where I see things like UFO hunts and people extolling the virtues of charlatans like Sylvia Browne. Most of my material comes to me on night shift, so sleeping isn’t really an option.

Anyway, all that being the case, I thought I’d best make sure that I commute on my bike for the whole week. That’s about as motivated as I can get during night shift and I actually managed to do it. I guess it didn’t turn out to badly though, now that I’ve tallied my km’s for the week. Now I want you to bear in mind that I really don’t have that far to go commuting. 5km to the station and back and another 6 or so to ride from work up to see mum. That’s going to double soon when she moves to rehab (yep, things are looking up, but she probably won’t be anywhere near as mobile, so care will probably be required. That sucks, but arthritis will do that to you.)

I guess it’s time for the figures eh? Before you get upset with me about the first figure for average speed, please bear in mind that there are places where you have to walk with your bike. Not good for the average and annoying, but in the interests of not running anyone over and all that, I do it dutifully…

Commuting: 58.67km at an average of 18.8km/h

One single training ride on Saturday… Yeah, yeah, I know…

Distance 50.29 at an average of 25.3km/h

Total: 108.96km at an average of 22.5km/h…

That’s it… Ouch… Well I said I’d been slack, now you know just how slack.

This week will be different though. Day shift’s coming and as it gets closer, my motivation levels increase. I’ve got my ride planned for tonight and tomorrow, and I’m thinking about getting a “Mag Trainer” this week so I can turn my bike into an exercise bike and at least do something when it’s raining out there.  Maybe I should get one and wrap a coil around the magnet and generate the electricity I’ll need to run a fan and the radio or tele while I’m peddling. That way, if there’s no peddling, there’s no relief or entertainment. That might work. I could sell the excess back to the grid too. Let’s face it, with the work I’ve been doing, there’d be plenty to spare…Not…:(

5:45 PM - 29/1/2007 - comments {6} - post comment

The week that was...

Well, the week got off to a good start. I’ve already mentioned Sunday’s little 35.45km jaunt from Laverton to Williamstown and back. We averaged 27.6km/h for that trip. That just shows how slack we’ve been because the goal is a 30km/h average. That doesn’t change the fact that we pushed it all the way and were knackered by the end of it.

Monday was another short jaunt. 21.95km on flat ground around Werribee. 28.0km/h was the average for that one and I really don’t think I could’ve pushed that hard into the wind for much longer, so I’m not so sure it was any better than Sunday’s, but it looks better, so I’ll take it.

Tuesday. Well what can I say. I had an excuse, it was 40 degrees out there for cryin’ out loud. That sort of heat can do you in if you’re not careful. So, I put it off. Then I saw rain and thought, “Damn! They’ll be onto me in a flash if I don’t do something. I know, I’ll go for a swim…” Then my comrade in cycling rang: “It’s a bit warm so I just pushed out 18km at 29km/h. How’d you go?” Damn. So much for the swim. I donned my sexy lycra, grabbed my bike and headed out. Not far tonight, just 21.96km again. Thought I’d best work it a bit and I managed an average of 31.9 for the first 10k then slacked off for the home stretch. It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be and I ended up with an overall average of 29.1km/h, so I’m happy with that.

Wednesday. Well, there comes a time in every training programme when you will benefit more from having a rest than doing the exercise. When your muscles still hurt the next day, it’s time to get some protein into you and let your body do it’s funky thing and make things better again. So Wednesday was deemed a rest day and it helped considerably.

I had a few things to do on Thursday, so I took the opportunity to just get some “time on bike”, as we call it. Had to go and see mum which meant a ride to the station, then a ride up Flinders Street to the Epworth, which was interesting, let me tell you. Don’t people look anymore? And why do we bother putting left hand blinkers on cars? Never mind. unlike Lucy Broome, I don’t tend to practise yoga while I’m riding and my concentration on the task at hand saved me half a dozen times; at two turnings for car parks, Russel Street, Exhibition Street and one idiot that kept pulling into the kerb in his van from the right hand lane, looking for a loading zone . Twice he nearly got me. Don’t worry, he had his window down so I leant against his mirror and had a little chat with him when I caught him at Swanston Street.17.22km commuting at 20.3km/h. Not to bad considering lights and traffic.

Because We were going to do the big You-Yangs ride this weekend, I figured I’d have Friday off so I’d better do some more. I went out late, about 11:00 and pushed out an equal personal best. 21.95km at 30.0km/h. Have to admit, I was quite happy about that. Seems I’ve still got it after all.

Saturday and Sunday proved to be a little more awkward. Inclement weather took it’s toll and we didn’t get the big ride in at all. So I’m sorry to report that we’re going to have to stop and tally the week up there. I’m including last Sunday’s though, because that’s when we started.

Distance: 118.53km

Average speed: 27.0km/h

2:19 PM - 22/1/2007 - comments {10} - post comment

Motivation.

Right! The time has come when I must get serious! A man can only go so far on good intentions, sooner or later, action is required! How’s that saying go: “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.” Something like that…

As you know, I’m prone to going to ridiculous extremes, all in the name of fun on my bicycle. Undoubtedly you’ve read ATB! and have thought “what a silly bugger.” For those that haven’t, back in October I rode 210km in about 8.5 hours, all in the name of charity (Smith Family). The next one’s in March, it isn’t for charity but for seeing if I can do it in the time specified. Motivation is required however, so here’s the first instalment of my all to short lead up to the big event. I figure if you guys are expecting updates, then I have to ride…:-)

So let’s start with the event. It’s called “The Great Ocean & Otway Classic”. It used to be an Audax ride, but for some reason isn’t anymore. It’s run by Supersprint now and has lead cars, chase cars, lunch and everything. Oh yeah, and a sexy new cycling top for me to wear. The first 1000 entrants scored a jersey, but it’s proving so popular that they had to extend that offer and cap the field at 3000.

The tricky thing about this one is not just the course, but that you have to pick the time frame in which you do it. To put it into perspective, here’s the course map:

We’re doing the red line. And here’s the course profile:

I’ve never done this ride before. 160km and those hills, well it’s the Otways so technically, they’re mountains. The choices of times are; under 4.5 hours, under 5.5 hours, under 6.5 hours and over 6.5 hours and you are expected to do it within the time you nominate in your entry.

I might be over 40, but I still have a little pride left, so my comrade in cycling and I nominated under 6.5 hours. We figured we often do Geelong and back in about 3.5 for 100km, so with the extra 60 plus all those damnable hills, 6.5 hours should be attainable. We’ll see I guess.

Either way though, it should be a spectacular ride with excellent scenery, gruelling hill climbs and thrilling decents, tempered by a pleasant lunch in Lorne and maybe some dinner in Geelong…

12:56 PM - 15/1/2007 - comments {10} - post comment

ATB! Mk II

10:09 AM - 18/10/2006 - comments {4} - post comment

ATB!

Around The Bay In A Day.

Port Phillip bay is a marvellous thing. It’s a large, round body of water with a channel that’s not quite deep enough for your larger shipping. It has reasonably good fishing and decent snapper can be caught at the right time of year. Yummo. It also has a circumference, via road, of about 200km.

Here in sunny Melbourne we have the headquarters of Bicycle Victoria. Every year, these guys organise a ride around our beautiful bay that must be completed within a 12 hour period. It is done to raise money for the Smith Family charity which is a very good cause, I’m sure you will agree. There are a number of events you can choose from. You can do “The Melbourne Bay Ride” at 42km, “The Classic 100km”, the “ATB Challenge” at 210km or “The Legend” at 250km. We did the “Challenge”, and what a ride it was.

It was an overcast, fairly cool day with the chance of a little rain. A light south-westerly breeze prevailed, which didn’t help our ride down but we figured it would certainly help our ride home, and that wasn’t to be sneezed at. That’s where the big hills are after all so any help is to be appreciated.

Anyway, we started out at about 5:20 (my wife drove us to the starting point), because we had to stop and pick up a fellow cyclist. It was when I got to his place and he checked off his gear that I realised I’d left my helmet at home. Well we weren’t off to a good start here were we? The Westgate Bridge was only open to cyclists until 7:30am and we had to meet the third and youngest member of our little party in town first. But there was nothing for it, so we went back to get it and resigned ourselves to a late start. Our 6:00am start turned into a 6:45am start which meant we missed all the good packs to ride with, so the three of us trundled off on our own. Not as good as we’d hoped because a pack to sit at the back of is a definite boon in a head wind, especially if you’re 40 or more, as the two “more experienced” of the three of us are.

Now, if you’re taking a different route to the bridge other than the “official” one (“official” needs to be used loosely here as it seemed that some went whichever way they pleased but no-one really seemed to mind or complain) it helps to know where you are going. We didn’t, so after almost getting lost in Sth. Melbourne (we all work in the general area, so there’s the irony of that!), we finally found the right way to the bridge and began our ride in earnest.

We caught a few stragglers going up the bridge which made us feel a bit better and of course, the other two had much amusement at my expense for forgetting my helmet. I guess it’s probably the only bit of gear, other than your cycling shoes that you really can’t do without or find a substitute for, so I guess I really couldn’t have done any worse and therefore probably deserved it.

There were none but us at the first rest stop (Altona) but we began to see some progress at the second rest stop (Little River), where a decent number of riders had accumulated. A couple of people here decided to give me the glare for smoking, despite my being well away from everybody. They left before us though and it wasn’t long before we overtook them, much to my satisfaction and hopefully, their chagrin.

By the time we got to Geelong, no-one had overtaken us and we’d caught up and passed a fair contingent so we stopped to top up our drink bottles, suck down some energy food (Musli Bars, Powerbars and Goo are good…:))  and rest our legs for 10 minutes or so. Then it was off to Queenscliff without stopping.

Coming out of Geelong we had a few spots of rain and the temperature dropped enough that I started to regret not taking my leg warmers and an extra t-shirt to put underneath, but it was way to late by that stage and keeping moving was the key, so that’s what we did.

We arrived in Queenscliff a little before 12:00 noon, so we’d managed good time up to there I thought. We were supplied our lunch which was scoffed along with copious quantities of water and Gatorade. The line at the coffee machine was HUGE so we didn’t bother with that, but we had time for a quick smoke then it was onto the ferry to cross the bay and start the trek home.

The ferry was awkward because by this stage, my two comrades and I were feeling the cold and we had to sit on an open deck for an hour as we crossed. Luckily, just before we got on someone started a conversation about penguins, so knowing now what to do, we worked our way into the middle of the group, as cold penguins do, and sat warm and toasty until we disembarked at Sorrento.

At Sorrento, things changed for the better. A quick trip to the loo then over to the taps to top up the water and Gatorade. The sun decided it was time to come out at this point, and the wind picked up a little, right at our backs. Marvellous! No time for a smoke this time though, so I lit one anyway and got on the bike. “Hey! Someone’s smoking up there!” was the cry from behind. “YEP!” yells I, “That would be me!” (puff, puff) to much laughter. A much nicer crowd on this side, or so it seems.

So off we went, homeward bound with the wind and sun at out backs. There was any number of packs to choose from. One went past doing about 35km/h so we jumped on the back of that for a while, but one of us, and it wasn’t smoky I’ll have you know, couldn’t keep up the pace so the rest of us dropped back and found a pack doing about 30km/h which made all the difference. We positively flew all the way to Balcombe Hill where the men and women were separated from the boys and girls. Our younger comrade decided at this point that he wanted to get home, so off he went. We dropped down to “ultra-granny” gear and trundled up as best we could. A short break at the top to drink and remove the arm warmers and it was onto the downhill stretch into Frankston.

Oliver’s Hill was interesting. I discovered yesterday that the last thing you need when you’re doing 65km/h down a serious hill with a slight bend, is someone pushing you out into traffic, just because you did the right thing and screamed out that you were coming past. I simply couldn’t avoid running over a “cat-eye” which is always fraught with danger, doubly so at those speeds. Luckily, I managed to stop the slide across the road that set in after that, avoided the cars and stayed upright, but even so, he was very lucky that he didn’t meet me at the rest stop at the bottom.

It was a pleasant 30km ride at about 30km/h from Frankston to Mordialloc among various packs along the beach front, where we turned to ride the last leg along Beach Rd. At this point we re-joined the Bendigo B.U.G. riders and had much mirth when, at a set of lights, an orange (of all colours) Lamborghini stopped next to us. One of the Bendigo guys couldn’t resist when he noticed the driver wasn’t really paying that much attention. He dragged him from the lights and beat him across the intersection. Mr. Lamborghini wasn’t very happy about this and gave it a squirt with a bit of tyre noise and everything, just to let us know he could have been quicker had he wanted. Duh…

It was back to Sth. Melbourne and then home for us after that. We rode, my comrade in cycling and I, a total of 217.81Km in 8:26:10 at an average of 25.8km/h. Not bad for a pair of old farts, I reckon…:-)

Many thanks must go to Mark Komarnycki and INVESCO Australia for organising our “team’s” entry, supplying registration, gear and many words of encouragement leading up to the event, and Bicycle Victoria for organising a great day with all proceeds going to the Smith Family, and of course, to all the volunteers without whom, the event would not be possible.

And last but by no means least, a big well done to all those like me, who managed to reach their goal despite doubts and protesting legs over the many months leading up to and including the event itself. Well done one and all!

2:56 PM - 16/10/2006 - comments {8} - post comment