On the Sunday before Christmas, our Ride Coordinator, Dave, led a ride through Deakin’s Waurn Ponds campus and along the new pipeline path. The Deakin ride introduced some gravel paths (with your photographer choosing the bitumen option). Photos taken near Epworth Hospital, Waurn Ponds.
Coffee was at Highton Shopping Centre.
Geoff and Stephanie led the Saturday riders to Waurn Ponds on the last Saturday before Christmas. As usual there was a large turnout. Coffee was at Panache.
David led 11 enthusiastic cyclists on a cool and rainy circuit of the Barwon River. Unlike last week, when ride leader Herman grew so hot that his sizzling bike had to be doused by our trusty CFA officer, Geoff, it was rain jackets all round.
A couple of non-cyclists (Gavan and Heather and her granddaughter) joined the group for coffee at the Barwon Edge.
Charlotte, David, Caroline and Paul
The rowers were undeterred by the rain.
Rowers on the Barwon
The Bikes of Wrath is a documentary film made to reenact the journey depicted in John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath.
Five Australians attempt to cycle 2600kms from Oklahoma to California in honour of the westward migration undertaken by ‘The Grapes of Wrath’s’ Joad family. Through chance encounters with everyday Americans, the cyclists expand on the novel’s core themes of migration, inequality and the perceived land of opportunity. The group explores whether America has progressed since the book was written, discussing the wealth gap, immigration and the American Dream. The fascinating people they meet along the way reveal the enduring strength of human spirit despite the inequality and disenfranchisement which runs as deep today, as it did in Steinbeck’s seminal novel. The Bikes of Wrath is a unique, funny and insightful documentary filled with adventure, literature, music, and human connection.
A Geelong screening of The Bikes of Wrath will be given on Thursday 28th February at 6.30pm at the Pivotonian Cinema in South Geelong. https://tickets.demand.film/event/6923
Thanks to Margy for this report and photos of her ride with George and Kevin, and her volunteering for the Elite Men’s event on Sunday. .
George, Margy and Kevin at the start
With the probable confusion of finding each other amidst 3500 riders, George, Kevin and I rendezvoused in Car Park on Yarra Street, and made our way together to mingle with the excited riders at the starting line.
We actually started in a faster group than we had designated, and although it was extremely orderly, I found the pace a tad fast heading into a head wind on way to Barwon Heads. Thanks to my gentlemanly co riders and their support, we made the rest area at Barwon Heads in good time. After skulling a bottle of Lucozade, my legs started turning, adrenaline kicked in and the three of us had a wonderful ride along 13th Beach and home stretch including some fast peddling all along Horseshoe Bend Road.
Another great experience to be involved with fellow Cycle Geelong members.
Sunday I was a Volunteer for the Elite Men’s Race, which was an eye opener to the organizing of the event. First placement was at car park along Eastern Beach. Quite a serious role with erecting a street barracade sign, and stopping groups of tourists quite insistent on carrying their picnic baskets across the road from the car park to the beach.
Next marshall spot was on a quiet stretch of Barwon Blvd, stopping cars from entering from Cedar Grove.
An interesting exercise to observe the amount of police, support vehicles and traffic control to run the event safely.
Margy
Thanks to David Salamy for this report.
David’s ride bib
I (#448) rode with just one friend (#1705 aka Barry) this year, being my fifth time doing the long 100kms+ ride. As usual we left a little earlier than the official start time. We miss out on the buzz and adrenaline-filled atmosphere but don’t have to deal with the stop-start getaway 😴
Heading out we found two friendly riders tagging along and since we were all comfortable doing around 27kph, we kept each other company until 13th Beach Road. We had gradually caught up to a bunch a few kms before Barwon Heads so we ended up at the head of the bunch for a while, which I always find a bit unnerving 😕
The conditions were ideal with the cloud cover keeping the hot sun out, whilst the wind was moderate and from a favourable direction most of the time.
After our new friends (#675 and #888) stopped for a break, Barry and I picked up the pace and except for a very brief stop so I could open a muesli bar, we hit the Breamlea path. The lead and fastest bunch caught us just as we reached the start of Blackgate Road and boy oh boy were they in a hurry!! It was definitely a race for them as they powered past us slow amateurs! There had to be 50 in the bunch, riding 3, 4 of more abreast, jockeying for position, not wanting to lose contact with the lead pace-setters. Some were over the centre lines with on-coming traffic not far away!! They’re the ones that give all cyclists a bad name!
Anyway, we reached Torquay in good time and stopped at the rest area to grab some food and water before having a well-earned coffee at Moby’s. We saw our earlier friends and it turned they weren’t a couple, she was seven years his senior and was in fact his aunt! Pays not to assume anything these days!
After a relaxed break we took off for the first of the hills. Our solid training meant that we tackled Jan Juc, the three *itches into Bells and the challenging Jarosite Road hills without any drama. The stretch to Forest Road was fine and once we turned North we had a little tail wind to boost our average. I should mention that Barry has just turned 72 and that I struggle to stay with him on the big hills!! I always had him in my sights on Forest Road but it was only after I had finished chatting to #702 aka Greg, that I found some extra energy to bridge the 50-100 metre gap.
So we arrived in Moriac ready for another break and ate or stocked up on fruit, muesli bars, gels and water.
I was happy to forego a second coffee once I discovered they had expresso gels😋
I should mention that a nice touch this year was that fifth time riders had their name on their jersey ‘bib’, so it was a bit of fun noting all the names and saying g’day occasionally. I had joked that everyone was going to have DAVID since both Dave Simpson and had that, but ironically, I never saw another DAVID all day!! Whilst we thought that the female numbers were significantly higher this year, I don’t recall seeing any fifth timers.
Anyway back on the bike! We were really in home territory now! The Hendy Main and Barrabool Road hills to Ceres were no problem although my new back tyre ‘let me down’ (ha ha get it?) in between. Through Ceres and down into Highton I could sense that everyone was starting to focus on the Challambra/Westbury challenge ahead. No chit chat, being careful with the increased traffic and the Highton roundabouts and getting ready for the hard work ahead, no doubt.
All ride I had been careful to not overwork my left hamstring which I had ‘tweaked’ on a fast lap of the river last Tuesday. Heading up Barwon Boulevard I felt a slight cramp in it but it seemed to hold up okay up to North Valley Road, so I kept a steady rhythm and pushed on. I didn’t want to risk standing up on the pedals so Westbury was just a tough grind. I think I counted my pedal strokes up there but what I really wanted to do was swear my way up!!
I rolled through the The Ridge calling out to Barry to keep going. 😏 Scenic Road downhill was fantastic but we had to stop at the bridge before doing the Aphrasia and Melville climbs. I did my good deed for the day, giving a first timer and non-local the heads-up about Melville 😇 I think the word is finally getting around about our ‘lovely’ hills because the vast majority of riders seemed to handle them very well this year, with no sudden stoppers 😬 Of course, there were a few walkers, even as early as the hills into Bells.
The top of Melville is always a great feeling, even if I always tend to want to cramp all the way home. This year was the best I’ve felt so we enjoyed the quick ride to the Waterfront, especially after I convinced Barry that a sprint finish wasn’t really necessary 😉
The Waterfront was really buzzing with satisfied riders, beautiful weather and lots of family and friends supporting the riders and enjoying the atmosphere. Geelong at its best👍
For those interested in the numbers, Barry and I averaged ~26.7 kph. (That was my average after 125kms since I’d ridden from home via Newtown to meet Barry).
A big thank you to all the club volunteers for helping to make this year’s ride run smoothly and safely. Also a big thank you to anyone who got out and gave us encouragement along the course, it’s always much appreciated.
Me on Westbury
Dave Simpson’s report on his ride:
I had a great day, conditions were perfect. I had planned to start further back than usual this year to avoid being constantly passed by other riders so got away from the line at 07:25. I rode on Boundary Rd with Peter Horan, occasional WoW rider, until South Barwon reserve where I made a quick pitstop. I had a good ride down to Barwon Heads as we had a closed road in the Southerly direction and I managed to keep up a 30-35km/hr speed. I saw Doug along Blackgate Rd until he turned right, heading back to Geelong, and I turned left towards Torquay. Further on I saw Jeff Peck at the Torquay rest stop. Then it was on through the hills at Bells and onto a fast ride up Forrest Rd with a slight tail wind. I saw David Salamy fixing a puncture on Barrabool Rd at Ceres but flashed past and couldn’t stop! Then it was up the final climbs of Challambra, Westbury and Melville and then the annoying sets of traffic lights (all red 🙂 on the way back to the finish line. I managed an overall average speed of 23.5km/hr, slightly slower than last year. I briefly stopped to say hello and congrats to Margy, who was at the finish line, then I headed home to rest! A great day (and I’ve already signed up for next year’s ride).
I’ve attached a couple of pics (one taken by Linda Salamy on Challambra).
…and I watched the men’s race yesterday at the summit of Westbury. It’s amazing the way the pros ride up that climb! Shame that Caleb couldn’t get the win, he was looking good each time we saw him go past.
–Dave S
David Salamy also completed the long course. Thanks to Linda for the photos of David and Dave on Westbury (the last part of the Challambra Climb).
