Friday, 20th January
Bupa Challenge Ride – 138klm
We were up and about early, breakfast done, bottles ready, clothes packed and very quickly on our bikes for the roll to start the Bupa Challenge Ride. I was impressed. These girls are getting good at this bunch roll out stuff!
Annie wasn’t with us on the bikes today but she bravely got out of bed and came down to wave us off and Sue K was heading off on her big day out for a tour to Kangaroo Island.
After a very quick roll we had to leave Marcelle in the care of the ride organisers for her trip to her ride start in Mt Pleasant. Wishing her a great ride we rode on down to Norwood for our start. Not many people around being nice and early, we quickly deposited bags, grabbed a coffee and were ready to go. We snuck out a little before the official start time and it seemed that a whole lot of other riders had the same idea.
The ride started with about 10klms of flat road and then went uphill and I mean uphill – around a roundabout and immediately the signs for the 1st King of the Mountain for the day began. We let the group climb at their own speed and regrouped at the top. All together again, we wound through a beautiful valley, along through some farming country and into the aid station.
Refilled water bottles, yummy bananas and fruit cake, a quick toilet stop and we were on our way again. This time through more rolling countryside when became rolling hills and then big rolling hills. Sadly the bitumen wasn’t fast rolling and even though it was overcast and cool with minimal wind we were working for any pace we could get. With everyone chatting as we rolled along in a nice little pack the klms clicked away quite speedily.
We had a moment of drama as whilst a large bunch passing us on the right in a huge untidy rabble and without much consideration for space, Janey called from the back “Dickhead on the left!” and a lone idiot was attempting to pass our bunch on the left road shoulder at the same time as we were swamped by the riders to the right. Really was stupid – but Wazza followed him up the road and had a quiet word! Sorted!! And on we rolled…
Next stop everyone was good so we rolled right through and into Williamstown. The girls had a chuckle – knew this town. We had been here before at the bakery. Leaving Williamstown we began the scenic, fast and easy ride through the Barossa Valley- Jacobs Creek, Wolf Blass; all the familiar names. Through Angustown and back into rolling hills we were still chugging along – especially Gen – don’t know how many weetbix she had for breakfast but she managed to ride past me three times with great delight and with much chargrin I had to work really hard to reel her back in each time.
At Tununda, Princey, Michelle and Gen detoured slightly and Wazza, Janey, Kaz and I took a deep breath and headed back into the hills. 110klm done and the only way to the finish in Tununda from this point was over Menglers Hill. 3.8klm @ 7% and it was 36degrees C. Loved the climb – it kicks, flattens, actually descends for a few seconds and then kicks again. Grinding up to the last 1klm the hill manages to throw in the last 400m of nasty! But it’s done. Jane was quickly there with me, then Kaz with Wazza escorting her up and we were off rolling along again. Sadly, the hill isn’t really over at the KOM point – it still climbs a little but finally we were over the top, down the descent and passing other riders as we tapped it out for the last 10Klm to the finish.
Princey was there to escort us through the recovery area, the girls had a table in the shade and a cold coke and an even colder beer later we were “Chillin like Bob Dillan” in the park. A great days outing. We were loaded on the buses for the trip home to Adelaide, bikes into trucks and our day was done. Tired little vegemites but extremely pleased with our efforts!
We were so spoilt – they unloaded us and our bikes about 500m from our accommodation so we were home and showered. Completely awesome day and congratulations to Marcelle for her 80klm ride, and Gen, Annie, Michelle and Kaz for such fantastic riding.
Topped off the day with a fabulous meal at a glorious old pub and retired to bed to do it all again tomorrow. ?