7:30am. Three cyclists wait at Rippleside. By 7:45 the decision was made to set out on a 100 km ride to Anglesea via the Barrabool Hills and Forest Road.
The weather was cool, with a southwesterly wind. The first challenge was Pollocksford Road – a category 4 climb from the Barwon River to Barrabool Road.
At Church Road, there was a ‘DETOUR – ROAD CLOSED’ sign. Figuring we could probably walk through any road work, we continued (the detour would have added at least 15km)! It was bridge work! John checked out the abyss and decided that, with his help to lift the bikes, we could scale the 2 metre plus ‘cliffs’ down and then back up. Thanks, John!
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- Karen has conquered the canyon
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- John snaps Karen and Helen from ‘the abyss’
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- Bridge work at Paraparap
After cleaning the mud from cleats, we proceeded to Forest Road and down to Anglesea (57km). The refreshment break was welcome – good coffee at Daniele’s.
The Anglesea hill was soon accomplished and it was an easy ride to the wonderful downhill of Bells Beach, then on to Jan Juc and Torquay. A tail wind made the return journey up Horseshoe Bend road easy, even with tired legs. 104 km circuit – average 22+kph. However, both John and Karen extended the ride – John to around 112km, and Karen (the champion) back home with around 125. Well done, everyone.
