Thursday, November 06, 2003
Diary of the Long Distance Bike Rider – 2003
By ALAN MUNYARD a Werribee Boy
Or The Man went over the Mountain
While some small rides had taken place in the weeks preceding this program, the planned program following, was not available in the first week. (Those interested should also consult the accompanying spreadsheet which records the ride distances and average speeds.)
Week 2/Ride 1
Tuesday 4th August
Strong head winds 20-25Km p/h.
Route. Coombes Rd, Anglesea Highway, Mt. Duneed Road, Horseshoe Bend Rd, Home.
Week 2/Ride 2
Friday 7th August
Strong winds from south west, gusting to 30km.
Route. Coombes Rd, Anglesea Rd, Geelong/Colac Rd to Geelong. Return Surfcoast Highway to home.
Week 2/Ride 3
Sunday 8th August
No wind. Very cold.
Route. Surfcoast Highway, Mount Duneed Road, Gazaphore Road, Anglesea Road, Coombes Road, Home.
Week3/Ride1
Tuesday 10th August
North/north west wind, gusting to 30km.
Route: Coombes Rd, Anglesea Road, Mt Duneed Rd, Horseshoe Bend Rd. Personal Best, Elapsed time 1Hr 20 min no stops. Ave 22.2! getting better feeling stronger.
Week 3/Ride2
Friday 15th August
Long Weekly Ride. This ride is out sequence but took the opportunity. Caught ferry to Sorrento, rode Sorrento to Mt. Martha and return. Wind was from S/W at 10/15kms ride up was very enjoyable, ride back was very cold with head wind straight off the sea. Average on up ride was 25.0km!
Week 3/Ride 3
Sunday 17th August
Second short weekly Ride. This ride out of sequence, feel I haven't recovered from long ride 2 days ago. Legs very stiff, felt uncomfortable in all areas. Route was Horseshoe Bend Road for 11k's and return. Wind was slight - less than 10km but picking up on return. Average was down!
Week4/Ride 1
Tuesday 18th August
Route. Horseshoe Bend Rd. 20km return, wind S/E 10-15kms. Good ride after feeling down for last 2 days. BP to date, 24.5km/average. Looking for target of 25km or better for every ride! Nearly there.
Week4/Ride2
N/C
Week4/Ride3
Friday 22nd August
Combined ride 2 with LWR. Route: Horseshoe Bend Road, Blackgate Road, Breamlea Road, Bluestone School Road, Geelong Barwon Heads Road to Barwon Heads, return trip changed to avoid missile magpie near TorquAir in Blackgate Road. Sure it's the same one as last year! Wind was 20-25km, N/W made going a little difficult, this reflected in the average.
Week5/Ride1
Monday 25th August
Short ride. Route:Coombs Rd, Main Rd, Vikery Rd, Eaglepoint Rd, Gundry Rd, Surfcoast Highway. Wind was very strong, gusting 35-40km, West/South West. Lots of hills, started very sore in the legs, but improved with distance. Also quite cold. A little disappointed that the average wasn't improved but give the circumstances understandable.
Week5/Ride 2
Wednesday 27th August
Short ride: Route, Horseshoe Bend Rd, to 11km mark and return. Wind 10-15km from west.
Week5/LWR
Friday 29th August
Route: Horseshoe Bend Rd, Geelong - Barwon Heads Rd, Fellmongers Rd, Boundary Rd, Geelong - Queenscliff Rd. to Queenscliff. Return via Point Lonsdale and Ocean Grove, to Horseshoe Bend Rd and Home. Very Hard ride. Very strong north wind, gusting to well over 30km. Very cold on ride home with strong wind chill factor. Pleased with over all ride, no terrors on road Geelong to Queenscliff so should be okay on the day.
Week6/Ride1
Monday 1st September
Route: Coombes Rd, Anglesea Rd, ,Chazapore Rd, Blackgate Rd, Surfcoast Hwy, home.
Good ride, some light rain, no wind. Was able to peddle to 27-28km on flat fairly easerly which means I must be getting stronger. Avg 22.8 Distance 24.4
Week6/LWR
Friday 5th September
Route: Coombes Rd, Anglesea Rd, Moriac Rd to Moriac. Stopped for Break. Returned via Hendy Main rd, Coombes Rd to Home. Very wet and windy with showers from the south west. Had intended to get to Whittlesea put called it quits at Moriac. Will try when the weather has improved.
Week6/Ride 2
Saturday 6th.
Route: Horseshoe Bend Rd, Mount Duneed Rd, Chazapore Rd, Coombes Rd, home. Weather was overcast with a few light showers, got a sprinkle once only. Wind was from south west and 20 -25 km.
Found ride was hard over Mt Duneed, knees started to show signs of soreness, but improved over time. Came home strongly with tail wind. The magpie swooping season has definitely started. Eyes on rear of helmet appear to be helping at this stage.
Week7/Ride 1
Monday 8th
Route: Coombes Rd, Anglesea Rd, Mount Duneed Rd, Horse shoe bend Rd. light wind from s/w. Swooped by 3 magpies, and every bird shadow had me cringing. Good ride with PB average of 23.8km.
Some soreness in right leg and lower back on completion.
Week7/Ride 2
Wednesday 10th September
Route: Esplanade, Horseshoe Bend rd, South Beach Rd, Surfcoast Hwy, Bells Rd, Esplanade. This circuit is 11km, so went around twice. Good ride, pulled up okay. weather mild with only light s/w wind on second round.
Week7/LWR
Friday 12 September.
Route. Surfcoast Hwy to Geelong. Various back streets to miss Geelong central, joined Princess Hwy at Corio. Rode to Werribee and returned by Train to Geelong. Rode Geelong to Torquay via Surfcoast Hwy. Wind was strong blustery west - south west 20-25 km. One magpie attach at Lara, he had a go at the helmet, but only tried once. Very cold on return leg to Torquay due to showers. Pulled up quite well, still cranking strongly at the end.
Week8/Ride1
Thursday 18th September
Long time between drink! Route: Horseshoe Bend Rd, Surfcoat Hwy, Coombes Rd, Anglesea Rd, Grossmans Rd, Darrin Rd, home. Want an atrocious week weather wise, four days of continuos gales and strong winds with rain. Impossible weather for training, anyway I wasn't feeling the best, had some sort of muscle pain in my left shoulder blade and in my neck, quite painful. After applications of deep heat and
massage seemed to improve. Today no worries and the weather is on the improve for at least tomorrow, but after that back to gale force winds!
Week 9/LWR.
Saturday 20th September
Route: Surfcoast hwy to Anglesea and return. Original target was Aries Inlet, but called a halt at Teddies Lookout, couldn't do the distance and fell I had enough to get back home. Better start improving soon, only 4 weeks to go.
Week9/Ride1
Monday 22
Route: Horseshoe Bend Road, Southbeach Rd, Surfcoast Hwy to roundabout, Esplanade and Home.
Not a bad ride, average 23.1km but the distance still got me.
Week9/LWR
Friday 26
Route: Horseshoe Bend Road, Barwon Heads, Ocean Grove, Grub Road to Bellarine Hwy, Leopold, Christies Rd, to Drysdale Road, Drysdale. Reversed route to home. Object of the exercise was to complete 100km in 6 hours or less. Actual time was 4hrs, 36 mins! Was pleased with this as the weather again was very difficult, winds to 30knts and max temp was 15 degrees which made for a very cool wind chill factor. One magpie had a peck at the helmet, but I think he was only half hearted.
Week9/Ride2
Sunday 28th
Route: Surfcoast Hwy to Mount Duneed and return. Short 20km ride, only swooped by one magpie.
Felt rush of wind across the back of my neck as he passed!
Week10/Ride1
Monday 29th
Route: Surfcoast Hwy to 12.5 mark towards Anglesea. Hard ride with head wind, shower of rain and very cold. I hope that I will loosen up a bit further into week.
Week10/LWR
Friday 4th Oct.
Route: Torquay to Werribee (almost) via Horseshoe Bend Rd, Princess Hwy and Surfcoast Hwy on return. Very hard ride on return leg. Some cold squauly showers and head wind made for a hard ride home. Inference in form of three magpies didn't help, one left an impression of the end of his beak in the helmet! Only two weeks to go and I sure hope the weather will improve, riding in cold wet, gusty conditions is no fun.
Week10/Ride2
Sunday 5th October (Two Weeks to go!)
Route: (Short hill climb session) Coombes Rd, Anglesea Rd through Bellbrae to Surfcoast Hwy intersection, Surfcoast Hwy to Torquay and Home.
Week11/Ride1
Thursday 9th Oct
Route: Horseshoe Bend Road, Southbeach Rd, Surfcoast Hwy to roundabout, Esplanade and Home. Very strong s/w wind, moderate to hard ride, only did 1 circuit. Had yesterday in bed with v.bad migraine, worst I have had for years! Had to blow the cobwebs out as it is now only 10 days to go to ATB day! got my ride pass yesterday so the excitement is starting to build.
Week11/Ride2
Friday 10th Oct
Route: Horseshoe Bend Road, Southbeach Rd, Surfcoast Hwy to roundabout, Esplanade and Home.
Did 2 circuits. Wind on second circuit gusting very strongly ahead of a squall. Despite the difficulty with the weather end up with a very good average speed. Will try and replicate an the next 2 rides!
Week11/LWR
Saturday 11th Oct
Route: Horeshoe Bend Rd, Geelong - Barwon Head Rd to Barwon Heads, Ocean Grove, Wallington, Leopold, Breakwater, Geelong - Barwon Head Rd to Horeshoe Bend Rd home. Hard ride with hills between Ocean Grove and Leopold. Cold and gusty head wind down Horseshoe Bend Rd. very glad to be home out of it. This is the last long ride before the ATB. Will just do short rides now, and hopefully start with fresh legs next Sunday 19th October. The training had definitely been worth it. Now feel much strong in the legs, and have learnt a lot about pacing myself and how to attack hills. It has been hard on some occasions with the weather being so bad to keep motivated, but only a few rides to go now so should make it through okay.
Week12/Ride1
Tuesday 14th Oct
Route: Horseshoe Bend Road, Southbeach Rd, Surfcoast Hwy to roundabout, Esplanarde and Home.
Did 2 circuits Started to ride yesterday (Monday) but too cold and wet so called it quits. Much better today, sunshine which I haven't seen for some time makes the going much better. The forecast for Sunday (ATB DAY) is for a change later in the day with showers, so could actually be a good day if the wind starts in the north then changes to southerly, would have the wind behind me all day which would be a real bonus, and I could finish before the rain starts!! Will have to wait and see.
Week12/Ride2
Wednesday 15th Oct
Route: Horseshoe Bend Road, Southbeach Rd, Surfcoast Hwy to roundabout, Esplanade and Home.
Did 2 circuits. Possibility last ride before the big day. Feeling a little nervous, must concentrate now on carbohydrate and hydration to be ready for Sunday. Had a big meal of baked pasta, potatoes and cream rice pudding tonight for tea. Robyn Rouwney visited this morning and prayed for my safety and success which was very good of her. After 12 weeks of training the day is fast approaching, there is little more that I can now do. I will spend some time going over my bike, probably on Friday, and travel up to Rachel's place on Saturday afternoon.
Personal Philosophy
This is something that I have wanted to do for some time, for two reason. It fascinates me that a man or women can travel 210km in one day under their own power.. People may have travelled further if they are
skilled athletes, but the people who will achieve this are ordinary people, with a little training and a lot of courage and determination. It is like the human spirit is on display, and those that are passionate will achieve a very significant personal achievement. And that is the second reason that I want to do this, this is a personal challenge, a test of my resolve to complete something which is not easy, and will give a sense that age is not a barrier if you can commit to overcoming the hard parts and take advantage of the opportunities.
I must also acknowledge that Robyn has been a good encourager and has been behind my efforts to do the ride. I am sure she must have considerable concerns about my safety, health and wellbeing in doing it, and also about herself in my absence. I have appreciated this spirit of encouragement that she has shown, and it has made it easier for me to do the things that must be done in preparation. So in a sense she is my partner in this ride, and I will be riding many kilometres just for her. The efforts of my two daughters Belinda and Rachel, and their partners must also be acknowledged in the level of support they have given me. Transport, accommodation, meals, cakes and cards all served to help me complete ATB. I appreciate all their efforts and love them for it.
Sunday 19th October, a day to remember.
Melbourne to Queenscliff.
Well here it is, all the weeks of training, sweat and tears, and being terrorised by magpies are for this day. I am feeling excited as Rachel and Sasha transport me and the bike to the start line. As we approached the City we see a few cyclists with lights on and LED tail lights blinking, riding to the start. As we travel further more and more appear, until as we near the marshalling area for the start, hundreds of bikes and riders. It is now about 4.50am and 20mins before the group I start with are on their way. We cross over the Esplanade and line up at the start, 10 minutes before the first group are off! Then in no time at all it is my turn to start pedalling, we head down the Esplanade towards to City. Rachel shouts from the road side, I look up and a flash goes off, she has a photo of one man in thousands who has come for this day. As I approach Port Melbourne I can see riders from the first group already making their way over Westgate Bridge, looking like a line of ants in the early morning light. It isn’t long before I find myself on the same bridge, time to change gears and get the cadence going to reach the top. I pass a few riders who are slower than me, some are clearly struggling and you wonder how far they will get if they are in trouble in the first 5kms! Over the top and down the other side, what a pity all riders have to exit, than enter the freeway again at Williamstown Road. I can see all manner of bikes around me, road bikes, mountain bikes, hybrids, BMX bikes and one man on a very large framed bike with drop style handle bars turned up and facing towards the rider. I haven’t seen a bike like this for years but it reminds me that the older Italians around Werribee often had their bikes set up like this, and even my grandfather when living at Parkdale also. I am conscious now of recognising people from their backs, or what they have on the back of their bike. Maybe a strange tail light a pannier or a special bum bag, it was these features that enabled me throughout the day to recognise these riders again and again. The weather at this stage is fairly good, although no promised tailwind as the change has come through early overnight, so it is headwind but not too bad. A few more exit and entries to the freeway, down Kororoit Road, back on the Princess Highway just north of Laverton, then on to Werribee. The sky is now lighting up, but the dark horizon looks ominous. I am beginning to feel the need for a toilet stop, but still 10kms to Werribee Police Station, the first rest area. I push on trying to control my increasingly impatient bowel. Werribee Police Station in sight, relief is at hand. I drop the bike and rush inside to find at least 12 – 15 females queuing outside the one single public toilet. In desperation I look around and spy a service station on the other side of the ride. Fortunately the toilet was vacant, and I was spared a major embarrassment!
After a drink and a nibble, back on the bike and going well. Heading out of Werribee a young chap rides up besides me and asks “What place is this?” I tell him it’s Werribee, and this is were I was born. I tell him we are passing a famous spot as we cycle pass Bungies Hole, but the wind has picked up and he doesn’t hear me. He rides on with girl friend in tow. The sky is getting darker, trees are bending with the increase in wind speed. We rejoin the Princess Highway past the Werribee bypass when the first few drops of precipitation are felt. It’s not long before the few drops become a deluge! Now we have a strong head wind, and with the rain, cold. Before long everything is soaked, I am wet on the inside from sweat, wet on the outside because of the rain, and desperate to reach the next rest stop. Only one thought consoles me, with weather this bad the magpies that attached me two weeks ago on this road, won’t be about today. This ride has now degenerating into the Ride from Hell. The thing that is really hard to cope with is the cold I am now feeling from wet cloths. At 55kms the next rest stop is within sight, and I wonder what I should do. I could ride to Lara railway station and get the train back, or I could call Rachel on the mobile for her to come and get me in the car. I unpack my Rain Bird jacket and slip it over the top of every thing. It does provide some relief, because it stops the wind, and I don’t feel quite so cold. I refilled the Hydrapack, and notice that everyone seems to be pushing on, only 20kms to Geelong, perhaps I could make a decision there. The rain is still bucketing down as we approach Geelong the sky does look a little lighter, so maybe this will clear up. We leave the Highway near Geelong Grammar, and detour around the back streets of Corio and North Geelong to the third rest point at Rippleside Park. Things are now looking a little brighter, have completed 75kms, and only one hour from here to Queenscliff and the ferry. I fill the water bottles, devoured a musiel bar and back on the road. I know that there are some hills between Geelong and Queenscliff, but they don’t worry me as I have been over them in my training, the one that really worries me is at Mt Martha at 160km! Just getting out of Geelong and the rain starts again, now it is a soaking drizzle. It is at this point that I notice the number of road bikes that have had punctures. I must have passed at least 20-30 riders with wheels removed trying to change tubes or mend punctures. Now I understand why all the literature says you should carry two spare tubes. I am able to pass a few of the slower riders, which makes me feel good as I am sure they are all younger than me. Then one girl passes me and from the back she looks pretty good, and cycling well with good cadence. I decide I should try and hang in behind her, and I am doing fairly well. We sailed at speed down the incline that leads to the round-about for the Ocean Grove turn off. I shift gears to get up the other side, damn my chain has come off, she bolts off into the distance! One can only wonder what might have been.
I start to notice that riders that I have passed are now passing me. There was one female rider in particular that I noticed, and from early in the ride. She was, shall we say a little over weight. But the thing that caught my eye about her was the speed at which she pedalled, which was very fast; and her small feet! I must have passed her at least four or five times, but I don’t remember her ever passing me!
I top the rise at Machus Hill, and Queenscliff lays before me, only 5kms to go with a nice warm seat out of the wind and some food. As I ride into the marshalling area I am given a blue sticker for the 12 noon ferry, only 15 minutes to wait. I am given a chicken and salad pita wrap, two bananas, a Power Bar, some jelly babies and a pineapple drink. I open the chicken and salad wrap, not impressed. I think cheese must have been on special because there is plenty of it, but the chicken kept on walking. I quickly down the drink and eat one banana and head for the ferry. There is queue of riders, must have been at least 1,000 and nothing is moving. The Ferry had docked but I don’t understand why we are waiting like this. It was getting very cold in the exposed position that we were in, and I am staring to shiver. I move around, like many others trying to keep warm. It is another 30 minutes before riders start to board. As I board I heard one marshal say to another this is the last group of 50, so I just made it. There were a lot of riders behind me and the next ferry was 1 o’clock, so hope they didn’t have to wait too long or get too cold.
Queenscliff to Sorrento
I had often wondered before the ride how the ferries would handle 8,000 riders and their bikes. Now I was to find out. I thought that, maybe there would be racks for the bikes, simular to the type used for triatherlons. But no suck luck! The bikes were stacked up, one on top of another leaning out from the interior wall of the cargo deck. Because I was in the last group to board, my bike was on the outside, not so bad. Went up stairs to look for a seat, and all the seats were well and truly gone. In fact there were riders everywhere. On the floor, in aisles, on top of furniture. Queues to toilets a mile long, in short it was chaos. I had to stand where ever I could find a spot, and to make matters worse I was shivering with the cold. I tried to keep warm any way I could. I found a spot near the kiosk that had a glass food display area, and it was warm from the hot food. I stayed here until we had to disembark. Because I had been last on it gave me the opportunity to be first off. I recovered my bike, and there was much pushing and shoving as other riders were trying to get their bikes, but they were often in the middle of this giant tangle of steel and rubber! Drivers were also trying to return to their cars but found it very difficult to dodge the melee of bike riders! All the cars were unloaded first, then the bikes. I got a way to a good start, second to ride through the timing mats!
Sorrento to Melbourne.
Half way to home, and I had a feeling that no matter what, I would make it, only had to keep riding. The weather had fined up, but still overcast. I was feeling pretty good in the legs, had been having my drinks and eating something every hour. Things where starting to dry out, and I wasn’t feeling quite so cold now back on the bike. Had been peddling for about 30 minutes when I had that urge again for a toilet stop. I promised myself I would stop at the next one, as there was bound to be plenty along the foreshore in the camping areas. Hadn’t gone too far when I spied a toilet block among the trees. Off the bike and rushed in only to find it locked. Desperate times call for desperate measures, and all I can say is that the problem was resolved! The riding along this stretch was easy, with good sealed surfaces and the wind while not directly behind, wasn’t in your face. I was riding through Dromana when I spotted a chap I had often talked with over coffee at the caravan park café in Torquay. He comes from Geelong and he told me he would be riding with a group of about 8 other riders. I never saw him again before I reached the end, I hope he made it. I am looking forward to catching up with him and comparing notes.
My thoughts now are about the hills ahead, and it’s not too long before we are into them. The first couple I take, no problem, no worse that anything else I have ridden over, and it’s always nice to ride down the other side. Then sure enough at 160km mark the hill I was dreading, I move to a lower gear and start the process of grinding away. I got about halfway, and I am sure that I could have got to the top, but would there be anything left for the next 50kms? So I got off and walked, together with a few others. It was at this point that I noticed there was a women who because of her size made her road bike look very small! Going up the hills she was like a tortoise, very slow indeed, but down the other side she was definantly the hare. She passed me down one hill, I was clocking 55kms, she must have been another 5kms faster, but then we were both passed by a bloke on a road bike who I reckon must have been touching 70kms!! Eventually I roll into Frankston, and the ride down Oliver’s Hill was really something. I replenished the Hydrapack, discovered it was empty, which explains why I couldn’t get anything out of it. I had convinced myself it had a blockage in the mouth tube. The riding from here on was tedious, with traffic lights, pot holes, gutters and cars. The bike lane in some sections was non-existent which means that your concentration had to be increased. In some respects this was the most difficult part of the whole ride for me. I was being to really feel tired, and the traffic lights were frustrating to have to stop and then build up your momentum again. I stayed in behind one bloke on a mountain bike for about 10kms, but eventualy got frustrated by his speed, so I got out and passed him. The last stop was Mordialloc, only 35kms to go! My thoughts now were on the hills around Black Rock. The session that Robyn and I had attended about preparing for the ride particularly mention this section, and if proper hydration hadn’t occurred early in the ride then these hills could be real brick walls. Well I must have done something right because I was over all of them no problems. Then it happened! Only 10kms to go and I am feeling a bit weak, I struggle to unclip my right foot from the pedal in preparation for a stop at the traffic lights. A women rides up on my right hand side and says “did you hear all those people shouting and clapping and I am not even in the ride”. I lost concentration as I came to a stop, forgot that it was my right foot that was unclipped, and I fell to the left and made contact with the footpath. No harm done. She was very apologetic and helped me up with the bike.
The last 10kms seemed to take for ever, the fact that I had neglected to press the start button on my bike computer after the rest stop in Mordialloc didn’t help matters. Finally arrive back at Catani Gardens, unsure where to go, no signs. So off the road and down the path in the gardens leading to the final assembly area. It was all over, I had ridden 210kms in appalling conditions. I was too numb to feel any sort of emotion, All I wanted was a cappuccino! And I had one, a big one, it was hot with lots of froth on top and it was terrific. By now I should have linked up with Belinda and Sean who where to take me home. A phone call to Rachel confirmed that they were here somewhere. I hang up the phone, then I spot them parked by the side of the rode were I was meant to finish!
Last Impressions
The weather was everything. It made this day very difficult, and I am sure a lot of people would have dropped out because of it. But that’s the challenge, to go on when it is difficult to do so. It certainly tests your resolve and determination. It also shows that age need not be a barrier. I took until 6.00pm to finish. I read in the paper the first rider was back at 12.30pm! So what. He was probably in his mid 20’s on a road bike that weights next to nothing, but costs thousands of dollars. I am 61, on a hybrid bike that weights 12kgs and has fat tires. The point is that I completed what I set out to do. Am I a better person person because of it? No I don’t think so. There was probably a 100 other riders out there who had there own private battles to complete the ride. What this ride does is give you a glimpse into your own personal psyche and what you are capable of. The question should always be, What’s the next challenge?
For those that are mathematically minded here are some of my stats from the ATB.
Elapsed Time: Start Time 05.15am
Finish Time 06.00pm
Total time 12hrs 45mins
Actual ride time (From bike computer) 10hrs 21mins.
Speed over course 21.56kmp
Average speed 19.8kmp
Max speed 55.0kmp
Distance (on my computer) 207kms
By ALAN MUNYARD a Werribee Boy
Or The Man went over the Mountain
While some small rides had taken place in the weeks preceding this program, the planned program following, was not available in the first week. (Those interested should also consult the accompanying spreadsheet which records the ride distances and average speeds.)
Week 2/Ride 1
Tuesday 4th August
Strong head winds 20-25Km p/h.
Route. Coombes Rd, Anglesea Highway, Mt. Duneed Road, Horseshoe Bend Rd, Home.
Week 2/Ride 2
Friday 7th August
Strong winds from south west, gusting to 30km.
Route. Coombes Rd, Anglesea Rd, Geelong/Colac Rd to Geelong. Return Surfcoast Highway to home.
Week 2/Ride 3
Sunday 8th August
No wind. Very cold.
Route. Surfcoast Highway, Mount Duneed Road, Gazaphore Road, Anglesea Road, Coombes Road, Home.
Week3/Ride1
Tuesday 10th August
North/north west wind, gusting to 30km.
Route: Coombes Rd, Anglesea Road, Mt Duneed Rd, Horseshoe Bend Rd. Personal Best, Elapsed time 1Hr 20 min no stops. Ave 22.2! getting better feeling stronger.
Week 3/Ride2
Friday 15th August
Long Weekly Ride. This ride is out sequence but took the opportunity. Caught ferry to Sorrento, rode Sorrento to Mt. Martha and return. Wind was from S/W at 10/15kms ride up was very enjoyable, ride back was very cold with head wind straight off the sea. Average on up ride was 25.0km!
Week 3/Ride 3
Sunday 17th August
Second short weekly Ride. This ride out of sequence, feel I haven't recovered from long ride 2 days ago. Legs very stiff, felt uncomfortable in all areas. Route was Horseshoe Bend Road for 11k's and return. Wind was slight - less than 10km but picking up on return. Average was down!
Week4/Ride 1
Tuesday 18th August
Route. Horseshoe Bend Rd. 20km return, wind S/E 10-15kms. Good ride after feeling down for last 2 days. BP to date, 24.5km/average. Looking for target of 25km or better for every ride! Nearly there.
Week4/Ride2
N/C
Week4/Ride3
Friday 22nd August
Combined ride 2 with LWR. Route: Horseshoe Bend Road, Blackgate Road, Breamlea Road, Bluestone School Road, Geelong Barwon Heads Road to Barwon Heads, return trip changed to avoid missile magpie near TorquAir in Blackgate Road. Sure it's the same one as last year! Wind was 20-25km, N/W made going a little difficult, this reflected in the average.
Week5/Ride1
Monday 25th August
Short ride. Route:Coombs Rd, Main Rd, Vikery Rd, Eaglepoint Rd, Gundry Rd, Surfcoast Highway. Wind was very strong, gusting 35-40km, West/South West. Lots of hills, started very sore in the legs, but improved with distance. Also quite cold. A little disappointed that the average wasn't improved but give the circumstances understandable.
Week5/Ride 2
Wednesday 27th August
Short ride: Route, Horseshoe Bend Rd, to 11km mark and return. Wind 10-15km from west.
Week5/LWR
Friday 29th August
Route: Horseshoe Bend Rd, Geelong - Barwon Heads Rd, Fellmongers Rd, Boundary Rd, Geelong - Queenscliff Rd. to Queenscliff. Return via Point Lonsdale and Ocean Grove, to Horseshoe Bend Rd and Home. Very Hard ride. Very strong north wind, gusting to well over 30km. Very cold on ride home with strong wind chill factor. Pleased with over all ride, no terrors on road Geelong to Queenscliff so should be okay on the day.
Week6/Ride1
Monday 1st September
Route: Coombes Rd, Anglesea Rd, ,Chazapore Rd, Blackgate Rd, Surfcoast Hwy, home.
Good ride, some light rain, no wind. Was able to peddle to 27-28km on flat fairly easerly which means I must be getting stronger. Avg 22.8 Distance 24.4
Week6/LWR
Friday 5th September
Route: Coombes Rd, Anglesea Rd, Moriac Rd to Moriac. Stopped for Break. Returned via Hendy Main rd, Coombes Rd to Home. Very wet and windy with showers from the south west. Had intended to get to Whittlesea put called it quits at Moriac. Will try when the weather has improved.
Week6/Ride 2
Saturday 6th.
Route: Horseshoe Bend Rd, Mount Duneed Rd, Chazapore Rd, Coombes Rd, home. Weather was overcast with a few light showers, got a sprinkle once only. Wind was from south west and 20 -25 km.
Found ride was hard over Mt Duneed, knees started to show signs of soreness, but improved over time. Came home strongly with tail wind. The magpie swooping season has definitely started. Eyes on rear of helmet appear to be helping at this stage.
Week7/Ride 1
Monday 8th
Route: Coombes Rd, Anglesea Rd, Mount Duneed Rd, Horse shoe bend Rd. light wind from s/w. Swooped by 3 magpies, and every bird shadow had me cringing. Good ride with PB average of 23.8km.
Some soreness in right leg and lower back on completion.
Week7/Ride 2
Wednesday 10th September
Route: Esplanade, Horseshoe Bend rd, South Beach Rd, Surfcoast Hwy, Bells Rd, Esplanade. This circuit is 11km, so went around twice. Good ride, pulled up okay. weather mild with only light s/w wind on second round.
Week7/LWR
Friday 12 September.
Route. Surfcoast Hwy to Geelong. Various back streets to miss Geelong central, joined Princess Hwy at Corio. Rode to Werribee and returned by Train to Geelong. Rode Geelong to Torquay via Surfcoast Hwy. Wind was strong blustery west - south west 20-25 km. One magpie attach at Lara, he had a go at the helmet, but only tried once. Very cold on return leg to Torquay due to showers. Pulled up quite well, still cranking strongly at the end.
Week8/Ride1
Thursday 18th September
Long time between drink! Route: Horseshoe Bend Rd, Surfcoat Hwy, Coombes Rd, Anglesea Rd, Grossmans Rd, Darrin Rd, home. Want an atrocious week weather wise, four days of continuos gales and strong winds with rain. Impossible weather for training, anyway I wasn't feeling the best, had some sort of muscle pain in my left shoulder blade and in my neck, quite painful. After applications of deep heat and
massage seemed to improve. Today no worries and the weather is on the improve for at least tomorrow, but after that back to gale force winds!
Week 9/LWR.
Saturday 20th September
Route: Surfcoast hwy to Anglesea and return. Original target was Aries Inlet, but called a halt at Teddies Lookout, couldn't do the distance and fell I had enough to get back home. Better start improving soon, only 4 weeks to go.
Week9/Ride1
Monday 22
Route: Horseshoe Bend Road, Southbeach Rd, Surfcoast Hwy to roundabout, Esplanade and Home.
Not a bad ride, average 23.1km but the distance still got me.
Week9/LWR
Friday 26
Route: Horseshoe Bend Road, Barwon Heads, Ocean Grove, Grub Road to Bellarine Hwy, Leopold, Christies Rd, to Drysdale Road, Drysdale. Reversed route to home. Object of the exercise was to complete 100km in 6 hours or less. Actual time was 4hrs, 36 mins! Was pleased with this as the weather again was very difficult, winds to 30knts and max temp was 15 degrees which made for a very cool wind chill factor. One magpie had a peck at the helmet, but I think he was only half hearted.
Week9/Ride2
Sunday 28th
Route: Surfcoast Hwy to Mount Duneed and return. Short 20km ride, only swooped by one magpie.
Felt rush of wind across the back of my neck as he passed!
Week10/Ride1
Monday 29th
Route: Surfcoast Hwy to 12.5 mark towards Anglesea. Hard ride with head wind, shower of rain and very cold. I hope that I will loosen up a bit further into week.
Week10/LWR
Friday 4th Oct.
Route: Torquay to Werribee (almost) via Horseshoe Bend Rd, Princess Hwy and Surfcoast Hwy on return. Very hard ride on return leg. Some cold squauly showers and head wind made for a hard ride home. Inference in form of three magpies didn't help, one left an impression of the end of his beak in the helmet! Only two weeks to go and I sure hope the weather will improve, riding in cold wet, gusty conditions is no fun.
Week10/Ride2
Sunday 5th October (Two Weeks to go!)
Route: (Short hill climb session) Coombes Rd, Anglesea Rd through Bellbrae to Surfcoast Hwy intersection, Surfcoast Hwy to Torquay and Home.
Week11/Ride1
Thursday 9th Oct
Route: Horseshoe Bend Road, Southbeach Rd, Surfcoast Hwy to roundabout, Esplanade and Home. Very strong s/w wind, moderate to hard ride, only did 1 circuit. Had yesterday in bed with v.bad migraine, worst I have had for years! Had to blow the cobwebs out as it is now only 10 days to go to ATB day! got my ride pass yesterday so the excitement is starting to build.
Week11/Ride2
Friday 10th Oct
Route: Horseshoe Bend Road, Southbeach Rd, Surfcoast Hwy to roundabout, Esplanade and Home.
Did 2 circuits. Wind on second circuit gusting very strongly ahead of a squall. Despite the difficulty with the weather end up with a very good average speed. Will try and replicate an the next 2 rides!
Week11/LWR
Saturday 11th Oct
Route: Horeshoe Bend Rd, Geelong - Barwon Head Rd to Barwon Heads, Ocean Grove, Wallington, Leopold, Breakwater, Geelong - Barwon Head Rd to Horeshoe Bend Rd home. Hard ride with hills between Ocean Grove and Leopold. Cold and gusty head wind down Horseshoe Bend Rd. very glad to be home out of it. This is the last long ride before the ATB. Will just do short rides now, and hopefully start with fresh legs next Sunday 19th October. The training had definitely been worth it. Now feel much strong in the legs, and have learnt a lot about pacing myself and how to attack hills. It has been hard on some occasions with the weather being so bad to keep motivated, but only a few rides to go now so should make it through okay.
Week12/Ride1
Tuesday 14th Oct
Route: Horseshoe Bend Road, Southbeach Rd, Surfcoast Hwy to roundabout, Esplanarde and Home.
Did 2 circuits Started to ride yesterday (Monday) but too cold and wet so called it quits. Much better today, sunshine which I haven't seen for some time makes the going much better. The forecast for Sunday (ATB DAY) is for a change later in the day with showers, so could actually be a good day if the wind starts in the north then changes to southerly, would have the wind behind me all day which would be a real bonus, and I could finish before the rain starts!! Will have to wait and see.
Week12/Ride2
Wednesday 15th Oct
Route: Horseshoe Bend Road, Southbeach Rd, Surfcoast Hwy to roundabout, Esplanade and Home.
Did 2 circuits. Possibility last ride before the big day. Feeling a little nervous, must concentrate now on carbohydrate and hydration to be ready for Sunday. Had a big meal of baked pasta, potatoes and cream rice pudding tonight for tea. Robyn Rouwney visited this morning and prayed for my safety and success which was very good of her. After 12 weeks of training the day is fast approaching, there is little more that I can now do. I will spend some time going over my bike, probably on Friday, and travel up to Rachel's place on Saturday afternoon.
Personal Philosophy
This is something that I have wanted to do for some time, for two reason. It fascinates me that a man or women can travel 210km in one day under their own power.. People may have travelled further if they are
skilled athletes, but the people who will achieve this are ordinary people, with a little training and a lot of courage and determination. It is like the human spirit is on display, and those that are passionate will achieve a very significant personal achievement. And that is the second reason that I want to do this, this is a personal challenge, a test of my resolve to complete something which is not easy, and will give a sense that age is not a barrier if you can commit to overcoming the hard parts and take advantage of the opportunities.
I must also acknowledge that Robyn has been a good encourager and has been behind my efforts to do the ride. I am sure she must have considerable concerns about my safety, health and wellbeing in doing it, and also about herself in my absence. I have appreciated this spirit of encouragement that she has shown, and it has made it easier for me to do the things that must be done in preparation. So in a sense she is my partner in this ride, and I will be riding many kilometres just for her. The efforts of my two daughters Belinda and Rachel, and their partners must also be acknowledged in the level of support they have given me. Transport, accommodation, meals, cakes and cards all served to help me complete ATB. I appreciate all their efforts and love them for it.
Sunday 19th October, a day to remember.
Melbourne to Queenscliff.
Well here it is, all the weeks of training, sweat and tears, and being terrorised by magpies are for this day. I am feeling excited as Rachel and Sasha transport me and the bike to the start line. As we approached the City we see a few cyclists with lights on and LED tail lights blinking, riding to the start. As we travel further more and more appear, until as we near the marshalling area for the start, hundreds of bikes and riders. It is now about 4.50am and 20mins before the group I start with are on their way. We cross over the Esplanade and line up at the start, 10 minutes before the first group are off! Then in no time at all it is my turn to start pedalling, we head down the Esplanade towards to City. Rachel shouts from the road side, I look up and a flash goes off, she has a photo of one man in thousands who has come for this day. As I approach Port Melbourne I can see riders from the first group already making their way over Westgate Bridge, looking like a line of ants in the early morning light. It isn’t long before I find myself on the same bridge, time to change gears and get the cadence going to reach the top. I pass a few riders who are slower than me, some are clearly struggling and you wonder how far they will get if they are in trouble in the first 5kms! Over the top and down the other side, what a pity all riders have to exit, than enter the freeway again at Williamstown Road. I can see all manner of bikes around me, road bikes, mountain bikes, hybrids, BMX bikes and one man on a very large framed bike with drop style handle bars turned up and facing towards the rider. I haven’t seen a bike like this for years but it reminds me that the older Italians around Werribee often had their bikes set up like this, and even my grandfather when living at Parkdale also. I am conscious now of recognising people from their backs, or what they have on the back of their bike. Maybe a strange tail light a pannier or a special bum bag, it was these features that enabled me throughout the day to recognise these riders again and again. The weather at this stage is fairly good, although no promised tailwind as the change has come through early overnight, so it is headwind but not too bad. A few more exit and entries to the freeway, down Kororoit Road, back on the Princess Highway just north of Laverton, then on to Werribee. The sky is now lighting up, but the dark horizon looks ominous. I am beginning to feel the need for a toilet stop, but still 10kms to Werribee Police Station, the first rest area. I push on trying to control my increasingly impatient bowel. Werribee Police Station in sight, relief is at hand. I drop the bike and rush inside to find at least 12 – 15 females queuing outside the one single public toilet. In desperation I look around and spy a service station on the other side of the ride. Fortunately the toilet was vacant, and I was spared a major embarrassment!
After a drink and a nibble, back on the bike and going well. Heading out of Werribee a young chap rides up besides me and asks “What place is this?” I tell him it’s Werribee, and this is were I was born. I tell him we are passing a famous spot as we cycle pass Bungies Hole, but the wind has picked up and he doesn’t hear me. He rides on with girl friend in tow. The sky is getting darker, trees are bending with the increase in wind speed. We rejoin the Princess Highway past the Werribee bypass when the first few drops of precipitation are felt. It’s not long before the few drops become a deluge! Now we have a strong head wind, and with the rain, cold. Before long everything is soaked, I am wet on the inside from sweat, wet on the outside because of the rain, and desperate to reach the next rest stop. Only one thought consoles me, with weather this bad the magpies that attached me two weeks ago on this road, won’t be about today. This ride has now degenerating into the Ride from Hell. The thing that is really hard to cope with is the cold I am now feeling from wet cloths. At 55kms the next rest stop is within sight, and I wonder what I should do. I could ride to Lara railway station and get the train back, or I could call Rachel on the mobile for her to come and get me in the car. I unpack my Rain Bird jacket and slip it over the top of every thing. It does provide some relief, because it stops the wind, and I don’t feel quite so cold. I refilled the Hydrapack, and notice that everyone seems to be pushing on, only 20kms to Geelong, perhaps I could make a decision there. The rain is still bucketing down as we approach Geelong the sky does look a little lighter, so maybe this will clear up. We leave the Highway near Geelong Grammar, and detour around the back streets of Corio and North Geelong to the third rest point at Rippleside Park. Things are now looking a little brighter, have completed 75kms, and only one hour from here to Queenscliff and the ferry. I fill the water bottles, devoured a musiel bar and back on the road. I know that there are some hills between Geelong and Queenscliff, but they don’t worry me as I have been over them in my training, the one that really worries me is at Mt Martha at 160km! Just getting out of Geelong and the rain starts again, now it is a soaking drizzle. It is at this point that I notice the number of road bikes that have had punctures. I must have passed at least 20-30 riders with wheels removed trying to change tubes or mend punctures. Now I understand why all the literature says you should carry two spare tubes. I am able to pass a few of the slower riders, which makes me feel good as I am sure they are all younger than me. Then one girl passes me and from the back she looks pretty good, and cycling well with good cadence. I decide I should try and hang in behind her, and I am doing fairly well. We sailed at speed down the incline that leads to the round-about for the Ocean Grove turn off. I shift gears to get up the other side, damn my chain has come off, she bolts off into the distance! One can only wonder what might have been.
I start to notice that riders that I have passed are now passing me. There was one female rider in particular that I noticed, and from early in the ride. She was, shall we say a little over weight. But the thing that caught my eye about her was the speed at which she pedalled, which was very fast; and her small feet! I must have passed her at least four or five times, but I don’t remember her ever passing me!
I top the rise at Machus Hill, and Queenscliff lays before me, only 5kms to go with a nice warm seat out of the wind and some food. As I ride into the marshalling area I am given a blue sticker for the 12 noon ferry, only 15 minutes to wait. I am given a chicken and salad pita wrap, two bananas, a Power Bar, some jelly babies and a pineapple drink. I open the chicken and salad wrap, not impressed. I think cheese must have been on special because there is plenty of it, but the chicken kept on walking. I quickly down the drink and eat one banana and head for the ferry. There is queue of riders, must have been at least 1,000 and nothing is moving. The Ferry had docked but I don’t understand why we are waiting like this. It was getting very cold in the exposed position that we were in, and I am staring to shiver. I move around, like many others trying to keep warm. It is another 30 minutes before riders start to board. As I board I heard one marshal say to another this is the last group of 50, so I just made it. There were a lot of riders behind me and the next ferry was 1 o’clock, so hope they didn’t have to wait too long or get too cold.
Queenscliff to Sorrento
I had often wondered before the ride how the ferries would handle 8,000 riders and their bikes. Now I was to find out. I thought that, maybe there would be racks for the bikes, simular to the type used for triatherlons. But no suck luck! The bikes were stacked up, one on top of another leaning out from the interior wall of the cargo deck. Because I was in the last group to board, my bike was on the outside, not so bad. Went up stairs to look for a seat, and all the seats were well and truly gone. In fact there were riders everywhere. On the floor, in aisles, on top of furniture. Queues to toilets a mile long, in short it was chaos. I had to stand where ever I could find a spot, and to make matters worse I was shivering with the cold. I tried to keep warm any way I could. I found a spot near the kiosk that had a glass food display area, and it was warm from the hot food. I stayed here until we had to disembark. Because I had been last on it gave me the opportunity to be first off. I recovered my bike, and there was much pushing and shoving as other riders were trying to get their bikes, but they were often in the middle of this giant tangle of steel and rubber! Drivers were also trying to return to their cars but found it very difficult to dodge the melee of bike riders! All the cars were unloaded first, then the bikes. I got a way to a good start, second to ride through the timing mats!
Sorrento to Melbourne.
Half way to home, and I had a feeling that no matter what, I would make it, only had to keep riding. The weather had fined up, but still overcast. I was feeling pretty good in the legs, had been having my drinks and eating something every hour. Things where starting to dry out, and I wasn’t feeling quite so cold now back on the bike. Had been peddling for about 30 minutes when I had that urge again for a toilet stop. I promised myself I would stop at the next one, as there was bound to be plenty along the foreshore in the camping areas. Hadn’t gone too far when I spied a toilet block among the trees. Off the bike and rushed in only to find it locked. Desperate times call for desperate measures, and all I can say is that the problem was resolved! The riding along this stretch was easy, with good sealed surfaces and the wind while not directly behind, wasn’t in your face. I was riding through Dromana when I spotted a chap I had often talked with over coffee at the caravan park café in Torquay. He comes from Geelong and he told me he would be riding with a group of about 8 other riders. I never saw him again before I reached the end, I hope he made it. I am looking forward to catching up with him and comparing notes.
My thoughts now are about the hills ahead, and it’s not too long before we are into them. The first couple I take, no problem, no worse that anything else I have ridden over, and it’s always nice to ride down the other side. Then sure enough at 160km mark the hill I was dreading, I move to a lower gear and start the process of grinding away. I got about halfway, and I am sure that I could have got to the top, but would there be anything left for the next 50kms? So I got off and walked, together with a few others. It was at this point that I noticed there was a women who because of her size made her road bike look very small! Going up the hills she was like a tortoise, very slow indeed, but down the other side she was definantly the hare. She passed me down one hill, I was clocking 55kms, she must have been another 5kms faster, but then we were both passed by a bloke on a road bike who I reckon must have been touching 70kms!! Eventually I roll into Frankston, and the ride down Oliver’s Hill was really something. I replenished the Hydrapack, discovered it was empty, which explains why I couldn’t get anything out of it. I had convinced myself it had a blockage in the mouth tube. The riding from here on was tedious, with traffic lights, pot holes, gutters and cars. The bike lane in some sections was non-existent which means that your concentration had to be increased. In some respects this was the most difficult part of the whole ride for me. I was being to really feel tired, and the traffic lights were frustrating to have to stop and then build up your momentum again. I stayed in behind one bloke on a mountain bike for about 10kms, but eventualy got frustrated by his speed, so I got out and passed him. The last stop was Mordialloc, only 35kms to go! My thoughts now were on the hills around Black Rock. The session that Robyn and I had attended about preparing for the ride particularly mention this section, and if proper hydration hadn’t occurred early in the ride then these hills could be real brick walls. Well I must have done something right because I was over all of them no problems. Then it happened! Only 10kms to go and I am feeling a bit weak, I struggle to unclip my right foot from the pedal in preparation for a stop at the traffic lights. A women rides up on my right hand side and says “did you hear all those people shouting and clapping and I am not even in the ride”. I lost concentration as I came to a stop, forgot that it was my right foot that was unclipped, and I fell to the left and made contact with the footpath. No harm done. She was very apologetic and helped me up with the bike.
The last 10kms seemed to take for ever, the fact that I had neglected to press the start button on my bike computer after the rest stop in Mordialloc didn’t help matters. Finally arrive back at Catani Gardens, unsure where to go, no signs. So off the road and down the path in the gardens leading to the final assembly area. It was all over, I had ridden 210kms in appalling conditions. I was too numb to feel any sort of emotion, All I wanted was a cappuccino! And I had one, a big one, it was hot with lots of froth on top and it was terrific. By now I should have linked up with Belinda and Sean who where to take me home. A phone call to Rachel confirmed that they were here somewhere. I hang up the phone, then I spot them parked by the side of the rode were I was meant to finish!
Last Impressions
The weather was everything. It made this day very difficult, and I am sure a lot of people would have dropped out because of it. But that’s the challenge, to go on when it is difficult to do so. It certainly tests your resolve and determination. It also shows that age need not be a barrier. I took until 6.00pm to finish. I read in the paper the first rider was back at 12.30pm! So what. He was probably in his mid 20’s on a road bike that weights next to nothing, but costs thousands of dollars. I am 61, on a hybrid bike that weights 12kgs and has fat tires. The point is that I completed what I set out to do. Am I a better person person because of it? No I don’t think so. There was probably a 100 other riders out there who had there own private battles to complete the ride. What this ride does is give you a glimpse into your own personal psyche and what you are capable of. The question should always be, What’s the next challenge?
For those that are mathematically minded here are some of my stats from the ATB.
Elapsed Time: Start Time 05.15am
Finish Time 06.00pm
Total time 12hrs 45mins
Actual ride time (From bike computer) 10hrs 21mins.
Speed over course 21.56kmp
Average speed 19.8kmp
Max speed 55.0kmp
Distance (on my computer) 207kms
