Category Archives: 6am-ers

Blogging Block

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I haven’t had much to say lately… many reasons.

  • I love riding my bike
  • I love going to work every day
  • I love sport and activities with my family

They are the three main reasons.  But also lately I’ve started to learn how to edit video with my new GoPro.  Bloody hell that soaks up the time!… until I get better at it I guess.

I’ve made a little  video of the kids in the Melbourne Tryathlon and a quick edit of Dickie’s Loop on the new Superfly which is three minutes from my office.  Gotta love that!

The 6am-ers always provide good material and I’ve done a 6am-er Sunday to Maccelsfield and a mix of Tuesday Hurt-Box stuff.  Still trying to figure out the best software.

Here they are embedded:

The Kids Try

Dickie’s Loop

A wet Maccelsfield Loop

The Tuesday morning Hurtbox

The Mont 24 – Riding through the night

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(The Mont is a 24 hour mountain bike race in the Kowan State Forrest just outside Canberra. You can only enter teams of 4 or 6, with riders racing in relay; a lap at a time depending on rider strength and endurance. Our team – Stoneage Romeos entered in Mixed fours – was made up of Deb Chambers [Wandiligong], Warren Appleby [Wandiligong], Brian John [Smiths Gully] and me [Box Hill... and Porepunkah whenever I can manage it]. The course was a 20km bush trail on about 90 percent winding single track. 1hr laps, at an average speed of 20kph were fast for the course. We raced a lap at a time with no doubles… completing 6 laps each in the 24hrs; Deb coming in on the last lap at about 25 minutes after gate close.)

Recharging-001Every once in a while you have one of those experiences you know will stay with you forever.

This 24 hour mountain bike race was one of those; not just for the racing and the results, but for the company, the weather, the camping and the pain. There’s definitely a package effect.

I remember lying in my warm tent, relatively comfortable but for strong DOMS, anticipating the more intense pain to come; guaranteed to arrive a very short distance into my next night lap. My alarm was set for 1:45am in order for me to transition with BJ at 2.

“Seriously?”, I ask myself, “You’re going to get up out of a warm tent, on a cold Canberra night, to jump on your mountain bike and ride through the bush on a winding dirt single track?!”

“Well… yes”, I tell myself. “And it’s gunna be grouse.”

And it was.

Three of my six laps were in the dark at 9.55pm, 2.00am, and 6:15am, It’s amazing how you can pin it with lights if you’re in the zone; hitting a trail on your third, fourth and fifth laps after already having good practice in full daylight. It’s the first time I’ve actually raced with lights and it was just unreal. The middle of the night; the middle of the bush; shredding on the Superfly – thanks to Cycleworks Box Hill.

Life is good.

It was so fantastic to spend the time with good friends from Bright – doing what we love doing. Thanks for inviting me onto your team Wazza and thanks everyone from Bright for the fantastic company and continuous encouragement.

Another great thing about this kind of racing is that everyone goes with their own goals in mind; to complete a certain number of laps (Wayne Hildred did 8! [160km]), to get around in a certain time, simply to get right around! To ride through the night, to get the most sleep or to have the most nervous wee’s (I think I won that one). There were some who rode it on unicycles and there was Team Amps, each member of which had only one leg. And whatever your goals, you’re welcome to try and will be congratulated when you achieve.

Just quietly, this shits all over road racing… sorry 6am-ers ;) … or if you like, it’s just a lot different.

And it’s certainly no less competitive and this race had some of the fastest riders in Australia; champions from way-back as well as ones who are quite current.

2013_Mont_24_Google_Chrome_26032013_101138_PMMy team went with one goal in mind and I was reminded of that – and the associated pressure – by many of my Bright mates on many occasions. Thanks guys!

We were there to win and nothing else would suffice. Despite that pressure, I was pretty confident of the podium in the mixed fours. With Deb Chambers as your girl-rider you’re starting in a pretty good place; and Wazza, Beej and I are not too shabby either! But when the results come out and you’re sitting on the front page in a race with 539 teams… you feel pretty damn good (above screenshot… at the bottom of the list… but we’re there).

First by three laps in mixed fours (smashed it!), 10th out of all teams of four (any gender any age) and 20th overall out of 539 teams. We were grinners.

Yep… it was one of those experiences.

I will never forget it and I’ll be scrambling to get there again… year after year for as long as I can ride a bike on single track… in the dark… in pain… with lights… what a package!

Summer Time and the Alpine Classic 2013

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I love this time of the year. It’s so beautiful out in that country-side.

The sun is high and the shadows are stumpy.
It’s super-hot and I can ride til 8 (sometimes darling!… not very often… but occasionally… and it feels like midday).
I only need to put out a jersey and shorts and can sleep an extra 10 minutes on top of my winter alarm.
Holidays are on and the north east is prominant.
10 kay feels like 5 and Mt. Buffalo feels like Mt. Dandenong.
The Alpine Classic is just around the corner…

… only 8 days away in-fact and that excites and scares me. This image alone brings on those feelings…

alpine200profile

This ride is the genesis of my love for cycling; a major personal challenge because of the part it’s played in my addiction.

There are so many things about it that make it special to me; the north east, Mt. Buffalo as the 35+ degree climax, the challenge of riding 4 big climbs, smashing down four big descents and hammering out the power on the flat sections… I just love it. I’ve written about my history in this event here in Personal Goals of the Past. It’s been a long and complex Alpine Classic history for me.

Alpine Classic cycling-3Since my musings of that post I’ve completed two more; one with Foggy in 2011 in an attempt to have him crack 8 hours and one out-and-out effort in 2012 to do my best effort (but really to beat the Horny-boy… goal achieved). 2012 was also Jack’s first effort at the 70km Alpine which climbs Buffalo and returns to Bright. He’s up for that again for 2013.

Last year, in my efforts to beat young Brenton, I only managed a time of 7:08; 17 minutes slower than my best. It was the first year on full gas that I had gone slower than a year before… to be expected for an old fella I guess. I was aiming to crack 7hrs but there are so many factors that can effect it, a lone ride between base of Falls and base of Buffalo is one. Factors such as this and the weather can make a difference of twenty plus minutes in this ride – so there are quite a few things which have to come together.

In any case, the 7 hour barrier which I’ve broken twice before, is still my elusive goal… one more time before I die I say! Can 2013 be the year? I hope so. I feel good, light (for me) and excited.

I’m now counting down the days to the challenge and trying to stay off the donuts. Wish me luck!

125… and not an easy 125 I can tell ya!

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I haven’t had to drag this one out for a while…… but tonight it is mandatory.  King Lake with the 6am-ers will usually put most of us in the blender but when you’re not in the best form (me!) the route we take and the way we do it is bound to smash you to bits.

This was my view as I followed the crew up Flat Rock Road (right).  Yes… they’re waaaaaaaaaaaay up the road. I still wonder how on earth this road ever got the word ‘Flat’ in it. Might have to stop and ask a local one day.  Anyway… Bender thinks it’s flat.  ; )

I felt pretty good on the main climb up to King Lake but every time the road turned up a bit I had the reverse beepers on (I hate that KL entree too!).

It was one of those magnificent 6am-er rides today where you thank God you got out of bed in the morning.  Such a beautiful place.  Great ride and great company.

Our final smash down from Kangaroo Ground to Warrandyte was slightly more controlled than last time.    Mick Villani showed excellent responsibility when he declared to all, “Safety first!” as we rolled across the start of this 6am-er hammer road.  True to his word – and his influence on others – Bender and I were a two man team for pretty-much the entire descent… and we were taking it relatively easy too.  No need for silliness I say!… and there was a lot less testosterone there this week without MM, Hornbag and the Fogster.

I struggled over the last 20k of my ride back out to Mill Park to work the day.  125 in the bank and a bloody hard 125 at that.

Motivation to flick the switch on the chocolate, nuts and lollies.  Just not quite there yet.  ; )

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Just in case you thought you were invicible…

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Boys being boys?  Boys being dick heads?  Diesel being a dick head?

All valid options for my behaviour of today and it’s consequences.

My right butt cheek!

Once again I sit on the couch (on one butt cheek) feeling very sore and sorry for myself. I’ve had another very harsh reminder of how vulnerable we are – and for a fleeting moment, whilst lying in hospital this arvo, I actually considered giving up riding.

Just fleeting.   ; )

I came off the road bike at 65+ kilometres per hour today.  I didn’t hit anything (apart from bitumen) – so I didn’t break any bones.  I didn’t bring anyone else down with me – so I take comfort in that.   But, unlike me, I’ve done all the what if thinking today.

  • What if I’d brought Cam down with me?  (it was Cam’s wheel I hit from behind which brought me down… my fault)
  • What if there was a car coming the other way?  (at the end of my lengthy slide I was lying in the path of oncoming traffic)
  • What if I’d done the sensible thing and backed off rather than maintained speed and pressure?  (we were at the end of 5.5ks of adrenalin)

There isn’t much point in this kind of thinking really, but I thought a little bit of contemplation was worthwhile.  Through my wife this arvo, my father-in-law (for whom I have great respect) passed onto me the strong reminder that I am not invincible.

Well I do know that.  I do know the risks I take on the motorbike and the pushbikes… and I choose to take them.  But I have to admit that a kilometre before my crash today I was feeling pretty invincible.  Dick head.  It’s amazing what adrenalin can do.  Oh yeah… and there was one other thing -

The Strave segment for this particular section of road is dominated by 6am-ers.  Eleven of the top thirteen positions are held by 6am-ers and we want to keep it that way.  This run from Kangaroo Ground to Warrandyte is  a staple 6am-er hammer and we’ve always done it fast. With Shawie and I sitting at second and third there’s always going to be a bit of pressure there to give it to Marty McFly (#1) .  I don’t deny that was my goal today.

But regardless… we have always done it fast and that last section of two ks before the bottom is full-on and flying.  It’s just that today we got just a little tangled up.  Woops!  And this was part of the result for me…

Yep… it’s as sore as it looks and this is less than half of it!

I’m just very grateful that I have such good mates who were so prepared to look after me – thanks fellas.  I’m very glad on this occasion that I didn’t keep riding.  That would definitely have been the wrong move.  I’ve had doctors and nurses pretty amazed that, considering the grazing area, I didn’t break anything but as I mentioned above, that’s just ’cause I didn’t hit anything hard.  That would have been a whole different story.

I’m not entirely sure how I’m going to sleep tonight but I’d better go and give it a shot.

Be careful out there and keep the rubber side down.

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6am-er Sunday… it’s been a while

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Jeff Shaw and Michael Villani – main drag, Gembrook

I’ve spent the latter half of my Sunday relaxing with that 6am-er feeling in my legs.  With the Mt. Burnett/Gembrook loop under the belt, many could not be blamed for sleeping off the rest of their day.

I was challenged by Taylo this morning as to when my last 6am-er Sunday was.  We got chatting and wondered if it was even Christmas time last year.  How incredibly disgraceful!

Well it’s not quite that bad.  For the record:

  • 18/03 – King Lake
  • 22/01 – Gembrook

Still, three 6am-er Sundays to 10 June is a pathetic record and I hereby beg for forgiveness.  I blame holidays, injuries and the odd calisthenics “priority” engagement for my sins.

This mornings ride reminded me of what I have been missing out on.  Brilliant riding and magnificent company.  All on two wheels… “good for the soul” says my Alpine Cycling Club president.  How could I possibly disagree.

Thanks guys for providing such a grouse Sunday morning.  I love youse all.

(Here’s today’s route – 115km with over 1600m of climbing)

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Bike building frenzy!

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One down…

One to go…

I haven’t ridden a proper road bike since the Alpine Classic and the single speed mountain bike?… well that hasn’t seen light of day since September or so.

Can’t wait!

By the way… the hurt in today’s Hurt Box was all caused by none other than Bruce “The Claw” Tallon.  His spinning ways had us all displaying the face of pain.  Ouch!


http://app.strava.com/rides/5145045

Where oh where has my 17 minutes gone?

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Too much chocolate, too many Coopers, not enough training, hot and humid conditions and bugger-all group work were some of the reasons I couldn’t get my time down low enough this year.

My aims were clearly stated; to beat my 2009 time of 6:52 or, at the very least, to crack the 7 hour mark. Unfortunately I failed to do either… bugger. But what a wonderful day I had regardless.

The absolute highlight was seeing my 12 year old son Jack complete his first Alpine Classic event by finishing the 72 kilometre challenge from Bright to the top of Mt. Buffalo and back. Jack did it with ease and I was lucky enough to catch the big smile on his face with a loud “Hi Dad!” as he descended through his last kilometres; me traveling in the opposite direction just beginning the agony of my last climb at the 135k mark… no big smile on my face.

Apart from the other 1000 competitors, Jack completed his ride without the company of anyone he knew. He climbed strongly, descended safely and finished with a smile on his face. Hopefully this will be the first of many Alpine Classics for him and I can’t help wondering how many years it will be before he smashes me around the longer courses.

So – back to my ride. Click on this or the image (right) to view the details of my 2012 Alpine Classic 200km.

It’s the first time I’ve ever ridden this course slower than I have any other year. This was my 12th – and each year I’ve ridden faster and faster. I do concede that when I rode the 6:52 I said to myself and others that I didn’t think I could ever ride it quicker. I now suspect I was correct.

Yesterday was brutal. I’ve ridden the Alpine Classic 200k in 44 degrees but I have never ridden it in such humidity. Our trip out to the bottom of the first climb was slower than other years (due to bugger-all willing assistance) and I had absolutely no help on any of the flatter sections (which is always just a matter of chance).

I should mention one very willing assistant. Gus Gollings put himself in the hurt-box in the first 20ks to get a number of his mates (including me, Brenton and David Baker) to the base of the climb in best time. Thanks mate. You did a lot of work there on your own – knowing you would probably suffer for it later. As it turned out, it was probably a good move since you only had to do about 100k! ; ) (Gus had a fatal mechanical so to speak, at the base of Falls Creek on his return – cutting his day short).

On the first drop of the day chasing Brenton, David and about 10 others

Brenton, Dave and I found ourselves within the top ten in a stong climbing group up the initial sections of Falls Creek. Once the climbing stepped up a bit I couldn’t hold on to the others but still managed to get to the summit by about 8:55am. I was very happy with that, as it put us in good stead for a sub-7hr total. In hindsight it probably made me a little bit too subconsciously cocky. I possibly took the pressure off myself through some sections I otherwise wouldn’t have.

I had not seen Brenton since near the top of Falls and I rode nearly all the flat section from Tawonga to Buffalo on my own, not knowing Brenton was only a couple of minutes in front of me.

Me when I caught Brenton

The agony of my Buffalo climb was interspersed with two very special moments. The time I saw Jack screaming down the mountain with a smile on his face… and the time I caught Brenton!

As much as I didn’t state it as a goal.. infact I said it definitely wasn’t one – I lied.

It was very important for me to put the little young fella back in his box. I caught him at McKinnons Corner on Buffalo and rode with him to Devils Elbow (3k). Then I rode off his wheel. Since he’s now spruking about me only beating him by 4 minutes I now wish I’d whacked him on the arse and ridden on by!… not really mate ; )

I actually raised the possibily of riding together to the end but when I turned back to see him hundreds of metres behind me at The Gap (top of the main climb), I realised he was smashed so I went on alone.

I yelled at a lot of my mates on the descent as they still climbed (who could deny that’s fun?!) – Danny, Al, Ad, Ben, Nick, no Gus – and found myself once again, completely alone on the trip back to Bright.

At the finish

As I crossed the line I was delighted to be met by my son Jack who still had a big smile on his face – this time for me. He was the perfect soijneur; taking my photo, hanging my bike, looking after my shoes. Both of us very proud of the other. Love it.

7 hours, 9 minutes and 2 seconds for me. Third across the line following a couple of little whippets, one of them not far in front of me. [ Assumptions in this sentence; riders at the pointy end are using Strava, blokes pushing out an estimated 191 watts on average compared to my 315 are quite little ].

Importantly – the young (28yrs), little (75kg) Bighorn (Brenton) was just under 4 minutes (3 positions) behind me; now assigned to super-domestique and champagne serving duties on the 6am-er Hurt Box.

Yes, this is a big smile on my face – and you do look totally ^&^@#$$*ed…

Brenton and I at the finish

… but seriously mate, well done. See if you can beat the big old bloke next year.

Today I am tired. But I’m already thinking about the fact that I really need to prove that a 45 year old can still go under 7 hours. The goal may well be renewed.

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Predictions for the Alpine Classic 2012

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Three days out from the 2012 Alpine Classic (200km) and it’s time for me to seriously think about how it will unfold.  So… here are my predictions for my 2012 Alpine Classic – my most arrogant ride of the year.

Arrogance: overbearingly assuming; insolently proud; an attitude of superiority manifested in an overbearing manner or in presumptuous claims or assumptions; self-centered, tunnel visioned, ignorant of other’s opinions, know-it-all.

Sounds bad doesn’t it?  But I admit it!  I’m a bit like that for this particular ride.  At least I can say I behave in this way with some level of experience (Alpine Classic history here) – and I believe I have a good formula for the way I go about things on this day.

(Note:  I understand some will read this and exclaim that this is an apt description of me at all times.  That is acknowledged;  there is no need to point it out further!)

Hitting it out with the 6am-ers last Sunday

My return to Melbourne provided the opportunity to get back out for a good traditional 6am-er blast in the hills last Sunday.  A smaller group of 7 (due to TDU for many others) headed out to Gembrook for a solid and fast 130k.  I was happy with my climbs and the return back over The Wall was a good test of the legs where I even felt quite good on the steeper sections.

I’m so lucky to be part of such a great group.  It was a fantastic day with great blokes and great riding.

Then a fully packed trip back to Porepunkah with the family late last night allowed me to join the local bunch this morning for a quick blast out to Harrietville and back.  It felt like not enough, but as discussed with David Baker over coffee, it was exactly what we need in preparation for Sunday.

Australia Day Harrietville hit-out with the Bright crew

So back to the Alpine Classic predictions.  I say this is an arrogant ride for me because it has to be.  My strengths (and weaknesses) are so completely different to most other riders that it has to be a selfish ride.  I climb slower than most; I descend quicker than most; I’m strong in the wind and on the flat but super slow when the road tips right up.  Weighing in at 100kg certainly makes it quite a different challenge for me than it does for a bloke who’s even 80kg.

I ride it incredibly selfishly.  I don’t particularly care what other people are doing around me.  I go up at my pace and down at my pace.  Generally if I find myself with company on the flatter sections or the slighter climbs I’m happy – and I love working with others when it turns out that way.  I’ve had some great years where climbing Falls has been an absolute blast with small groups taking turns resulting in good times to that summit; other years where I’ve done every climb completely alone.  It’s always a bit different.

Hmm... Intersting

But this year is going to be interesting.  I’m looking forward to being joined by a number of mates, all of whom have the ability to go sub-7hours.

And before I go any further – let’s be clear that the time for this ride is from the gun to the finish line… none of this riding time crap.  Like, “Oh yes – I’ve done the Alpine Classic in 8 hours and 5 minutes.  I had an hour for morning tea and Falls and a two hour nana-nap at Dingo Dell… but 8 hours 5 mate.  On fire!”  The riding time figure to me is nothing more than a very slightly interesting statistic.  But then… I’m arrogant.

Back to my mates…  The battle between Brenton (Horny) and I has been well discussed in 6am-er circles.  As much as the banter and battling is there, I hope he and I will be able to work together to gain a good result for both of us.  David Baker will join us, and after posting a sub 1 hour time on Buffalo yesterday, he’s looking good and could be part of a small group on the final Buffalo climb or descent.  Gus and Lumpy are both climbing and riding well and may be part of a 6am-er peleton up Falls.  Adam, Chris and Al are all here and I have no idea of their form.  The super-strong iron-man-bred Brendan Holland from Bright made his intentions clear this morning.  He said he’s aiming for 7:05 or thereabouts but he really means sub-7.  So he’ll be there as part of the group of riders on the road heading for that sort of time.  But even with Brendan, who is arguably the most similar rider to me, our strengths and weaknesses are quite different.  So actually riding together will probably not be possible. I expect all of these guys will ride away from me on the first climb up Tawonga.  But I do expect to see them all again at some stage shortly thereafter.  What goes down after that will remain a mystery until Sunday.

Hmmmm… interesting.

What I do know for sure is that I will be riding my own very arrogant and selfish race (oh sorry… that’s right – it’s not a race).  It’s the only way I’ll manage to achieve my goals, albeit I look forward to the company of my mates and the assistance we will provide each other… if that’s the way it goes down.

My aim:

  • to beat my PB which was 6:52 in 2009.
  • if I can’t go 6:51 or better, I’ll be happy if I crack 7hrs but very disappointed if I don’t.
  • if it rains (which is looking likely) I’m out.  The above is impossible on wet roads and I’ve done it enough for the ride itself not to be a challenge.

And finally…  Sorry Brenton – as much as it may hurt, my goal is not to beat you.  My goal is simply to beat my own time.  This event has been a personal challenge for many years and it’s simply my big selfish ITT.

Having said that, I’ll enjoy seeing you curled up in massivie cramps in the foetal position on the side of the Great Alpine Road as I spin my way up Buffalo on the final climb.  I’ll offer you my condolences sometime after 1.11pm Sunday afternoon.

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Wednesday to Wednesday; Christmas riding reflections – 28/12/11

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A breather at Rob Roy Road on Christmas Eve (6am-ers MTB ride)

Wednesday 28 December – My ride up Mt. Buffalo this morning gave me good opportunity to reflect upon my Christmas week.  Yet again, I find I need to pinch myself to ensure I am within the realm of reality.  The good times and great company are beyond what I would say is normal.  I put my hand on my heart, thank God for my life and promise myself I will never take this for granted.

Gus and Neil - Wed night Fattie's ride - Yarra Trail

Wednesday 21 December – It had been far too long since I’d taken part in the Wednesday night Fattie’s smash through the Yarra Trails.  A horrible winter this year meant nobody was super keen to get out, and many of the trails have been unrideable in any case.  But Gus, Neil, Brett and I had a ball shredding through those inner trails and all of us are keen to make it regular – at least until winter.   (67 ks – geared MTB)

Dave and Ryan - catching up in Middle Park where all the Beautiful People hang out.

Thursday 22 December – A chance encounter with Dave Evans after Fatties had me committed to the morning North Road Ride (NRR).  So I met Dave in Malvern at 5.30am and we flew down to North Road thinking we were running late.  No need to fear; 100 of our closest friends were sitting there waiting for us and off we went to smash out another 50 before work.  Oh, how I miss that ride.  (70 ks – geared road)

Friday 23 December – After backing up Fatties with NRR (what I have dubbed my ‘B-Double’ – I was a bit twired.

We had a fantastic evening doing the Chrissy lights with the family, checking out the full-on light show at Oxley College in Chirnside Park and a couple of houses which were so lit up and extensively decorated that I wonder at the sanity of those who own them.  Yeah… it looks good but seriously – what possesses you people?

Which part of, "Roll away at 6" don't you understand Gus!

Saturday 24 December – After reinvigorating the washed out 6am-ers MTB ride of a few weeks ago, six of us (Diesel, Gus, Boris, Foggy, Mick and Matt ) met at Smiths Gully at 6.  Actually, 5 of us met at 6 and then Gus turned up.  4 hours of gorgeous country and challenging trails and we were done (this is what we did if you have access).

You know how I said I haven't crashed for a while? This is what I got up to on this ride.

A very tired Gus (on the ground having a snooze)

Brad in his pre-ride comfort position

Idiot!

I won’t mention the bit about me riding off the edge of the trail whilst taking a photo.  Unfortunately Mick was videoing and I’m just waiting for vid to go viral.

What a ball we had this day.  The photo at the top of this page says it all.      (Here are the rest of the photos)

46 ks and 3 hours on the Anthem.

Sunday 25 December – This post is getting too long and this day deserves it’s own.  So standby.

Monday 26 December – I love Boxing Day.  It’s always a day to get over the rushing and contemplate all your presents!  We caught up with my gorgeous cousin Jacinta and her family for morning tea. Nobody reminds me of my lovely grandparents more than Cint.

Flat as a tack; both me and the tyre - on Warrandyte Road, Warrandyte

A quick lone ride in the arvo saw me sitting on the side of the road in Warrandyte having exhausted all my spare tubes, patches and CO2 cartidges.  Grouse… 10 k in the bank!  Thanks God for great blokes and a bit of Christmas spirit.

Dave Patterson (I think?… first time I ever met him) came by in his car and offered to help.  He made a quick trip home, came back with a tube and a pump for me and had me back on the road in a jiffy. Mind you, I’d been there for an hour before he turned up to save me.

Henley Road, Kangaroo Ground after Christmas Day storms

Henley Road was trashed from the storms the night before and many low locations on roads were covered in inches of gravel and dirt from flash-flooding and higher-than-normal water levels.  I can’t help wondering what my brother Tim’s will be like (he’s in QLD).  Their house  would have born the brunt of it.

The most important visit of this day was the role along my new 6am-er Hammer Road.  This will be worked into the next Rhonda van Readie and will be sure to cause significant pain.  Strava is all set to record the segments… bring it on.

67 ks on the Lynskey.

Tuesday 27 December – Knackered!

Parmo and Paul at The Gap on Mt. Buffalo this morning

Wednesday 28 December – So that brings us back to today and my first day in Porepunkah has not disappointed.  67 on the roadie up Buffalo this morning and then 40 on the mountain bike this arvo have me once again… knackered!

A great group of about 16 of us headed out from the shop for the 6am ride which normally goes about a third of the way up Buffalo.  Four of us did the lot; me, Parmo, Paul and Marthijs.

I couldn’t believe when I got home, not only were my whole family still in bed but they were all still fast asleep!  I had to tip-toe around for an hour before anyone raised a sound.

“Therefore darling, this ride never occurred.”

And therefore, I felt obliged to get out with the local group on the MTB this arvo…

Just a few of the many who made it to the Bright Wednesday ride

So you can see why I say I’m in paradise.  I’m nearly wetting myself with excitement, much like Lucy was on Christmas morning when she opened her new iPod Touch…

Such genuine excitement is so exciting!