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| Check out my ride on Strava. https://strava.app.link/p6ASatDi65 |
Thursday, April 30, 2020
A Tale of Two Contrasting Rides, Tues 28th, Thurs.30th
Ride # 1
Weather outlook for Tuesday was good. So I sent Jon Bates a text “do you want to come for a ride”. No sooner had I done that when I remembered , oh shit, I had arranged to go riding with my walking friend: “Sorry Jon here is the situation, besides she is better looking that you” Although my walking friend is a fast walker, unfortunately she is a slow rider. Nevertheless, it was a beautiful day. Rode to Carrum beach at a very sedate pace. Hanging out for a coffee but nothing open. On the return journey I felt that more should be accomplished on this ride so I suggested “lets have an exploratory run down the Peninsular trail”. My friend’s response wasn’t entirely enthusiastic but off we rode. It wasn’t long before she went on strike. It was time to return and to add insult to injury there was a bit of a head wind starting up. We did about 50 km all up which was a good achievement. It was actually good not to ride flat out and to have the ability to look around and observe things one normally doesn’t if riding in a fast peloton.
Ride #2
Peter rang up “do you want to go for a ride Thursday – there is a window of opportunity in the morning before the rain starts again”. I wasn’t keen to use road bikes on the slippery wet roads but who am I to argue? Peter had been working the last few weeks and was dead keen to chew up some km’s. Off we went from the usual FTG meeting place. The underpass at the beginning was flooded so it had to be the hill up Station St. to Lower Gully. Off he went like a grey hound with me trying to keep up. “W T F did he have for breakfast? Where does he get all that energy from?” I thought as my lungs reached bursting point. This would form the pattern at every hill we ascended – Peter would charge ahead. Daniel Andrews would have been pleased with us. This was social distancing par excellence. What a contrast to Tuesday. Was this my punishment for being a bit pushy on Tuesday? There was a lot of water over the roads and tracks but the mother of all floods was reached near Jells Park. An old guy on a bike had tried to stop us and warn us about something but being macho pricks we ignored him and rode straight past him. We both rode through the first lake and then another and another came. They increased in depth but we were committed – there was no turning back. Eventually we did have to make a detour because besides the flood water a filthy big tree had fallen across the path. Detouring through the now closed Waverley golf course didn’t work – the fairways were saturated and our thin road tyres sank in as though it was quick sand. We were making a mess of the greens and were worried that if we didn’t get the hell out of here we would get shot by the groundsman. A retreat to Jells Park café was in order. Whilst standing in line for our coffee, which felt as though we were in some post world war communist country, the question was, shall we cut our losses and ride back to FTG ? “No to hell with it; let the adventure continue. Lets do the Dandenong circuit” We were in for some more flooding. Both Ferntree Gully and Wellington road underpasses had to be given big detours, but the biggest flow of water was Heatherton road underpass where the water was over our knees – almost the limit of forward motion. On the way back Peter’s bike made unpleasant crunching noised – sounded like the water had flushed out the oil in his bearings. The bike made it back to FTG. Cold wet feet, fithy bikes and clothing but what an adventure!
Jurgen
Weather outlook for Tuesday was good. So I sent Jon Bates a text “do you want to come for a ride”. No sooner had I done that when I remembered , oh shit, I had arranged to go riding with my walking friend: “Sorry Jon here is the situation, besides she is better looking that you” Although my walking friend is a fast walker, unfortunately she is a slow rider. Nevertheless, it was a beautiful day. Rode to Carrum beach at a very sedate pace. Hanging out for a coffee but nothing open. On the return journey I felt that more should be accomplished on this ride so I suggested “lets have an exploratory run down the Peninsular trail”. My friend’s response wasn’t entirely enthusiastic but off we rode. It wasn’t long before she went on strike. It was time to return and to add insult to injury there was a bit of a head wind starting up. We did about 50 km all up which was a good achievement. It was actually good not to ride flat out and to have the ability to look around and observe things one normally doesn’t if riding in a fast peloton.
Ride #2
Peter rang up “do you want to go for a ride Thursday – there is a window of opportunity in the morning before the rain starts again”. I wasn’t keen to use road bikes on the slippery wet roads but who am I to argue? Peter had been working the last few weeks and was dead keen to chew up some km’s. Off we went from the usual FTG meeting place. The underpass at the beginning was flooded so it had to be the hill up Station St. to Lower Gully. Off he went like a grey hound with me trying to keep up. “W T F did he have for breakfast? Where does he get all that energy from?” I thought as my lungs reached bursting point. This would form the pattern at every hill we ascended – Peter would charge ahead. Daniel Andrews would have been pleased with us. This was social distancing par excellence. What a contrast to Tuesday. Was this my punishment for being a bit pushy on Tuesday? There was a lot of water over the roads and tracks but the mother of all floods was reached near Jells Park. An old guy on a bike had tried to stop us and warn us about something but being macho pricks we ignored him and rode straight past him. We both rode through the first lake and then another and another came. They increased in depth but we were committed – there was no turning back. Eventually we did have to make a detour because besides the flood water a filthy big tree had fallen across the path. Detouring through the now closed Waverley golf course didn’t work – the fairways were saturated and our thin road tyres sank in as though it was quick sand. We were making a mess of the greens and were worried that if we didn’t get the hell out of here we would get shot by the groundsman. A retreat to Jells Park café was in order. Whilst standing in line for our coffee, which felt as though we were in some post world war communist country, the question was, shall we cut our losses and ride back to FTG ? “No to hell with it; let the adventure continue. Lets do the Dandenong circuit” We were in for some more flooding. Both Ferntree Gully and Wellington road underpasses had to be given big detours, but the biggest flow of water was Heatherton road underpass where the water was over our knees – almost the limit of forward motion. On the way back Peter’s bike made unpleasant crunching noised – sounded like the water had flushed out the oil in his bearings. The bike made it back to FTG. Cold wet feet, fithy bikes and clothing but what an adventure!
Jurgen
Tuesday, April 28, 2020
Another Emerald mystery ride - "Gordon's Revenge" !
Jon had made the mistake of catching up with "Warby Gordon" in the days since our last ride. Gordon's words were "I have another great ride for you .. and if you thought the first ride was hilly wait till you see this one " !
Departing Emerald we ventured down some early explorer trails at the back of Nobelius Rd before alternating dirt and bitumen. While the road surface may have been inconsistent the high altitude climbing was not. In between gasping we tried to take in the beautiful views on this lovely Autumn day. With some relief we finally came across a couple of flat sections before winding out way down to Yellingbo in search of a coffee and Gordon's phone number !!!
Not wanting to be outdone I suggested a return by way of Monbulk which included the three terrors of Piggery Hill before some more sedate cycling through the back blocks of Wandin on to the Old Emerald Road. This last bit was a delightful ride past a series of nurseries before we emerged back on to the main Monbulk - Emerald Road. Just for once i was able to peel off homewards while watching with a degree of sadistic pleasure as John still had one more big hill to go ! A lovely hilly ride with a couple of 13% climbs !
Departing Emerald we ventured down some early explorer trails at the back of Nobelius Rd before alternating dirt and bitumen. While the road surface may have been inconsistent the high altitude climbing was not. In between gasping we tried to take in the beautiful views on this lovely Autumn day. With some relief we finally came across a couple of flat sections before winding out way down to Yellingbo in search of a coffee and Gordon's phone number !!!
Not wanting to be outdone I suggested a return by way of Monbulk which included the three terrors of Piggery Hill before some more sedate cycling through the back blocks of Wandin on to the Old Emerald Road. This last bit was a delightful ride past a series of nurseries before we emerged back on to the main Monbulk - Emerald Road. Just for once i was able to peel off homewards while watching with a degree of sadistic pleasure as John still had one more big hill to go ! A lovely hilly ride with a couple of 13% climbs !
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| Yellingbo |
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| The smile soon disappeared when Jon heard we were going up Piggery Hill ! |
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| \Yellingbo for coffee |
Monday, April 27, 2020
Mystery ride to Selby & Cardinia - Jon fails to read the fine print !
Jon had bravely had left the route planning up to me - i mumbled under my breath that the ride was a "bit" hilly following in reverse a route that had been shown to me by Warby Gordon "I can go any where" on his E Bike !
Having ridden from Emerald we took a series of steeply increasing hills along a series of back roads from Menzies Creek before finding ourselves lost in the nearby forest surrounds. Inquiring of a solitary gardener we soon found out that a) we wanted to go to Selby and not Kallista as i kept mentioning and b) Jon was to have the first of his numerous slow punctures for the day.
Back on course and with a new tube in place, we descended on a fire trail akin to 4wd rock filled track, to Selby where we gave some thought to dropping in on Peter V for a socially distanced cuppa. Not to be done though. we descended through a beautiful collection of ferns to Wellington Rd and on to Cardinia Dam. From here it was a climb to Upper Beaconsfield for a well earned coffee and a tube top up after Jon discovered yet another slow puncture leak. Unable to find the culprit Jon used his F1 skills to regularly top up his tube on his way back as we took on the rolling hills of Emerald - A great days ride and yes after much searching Jon did eventually find the "source" a microscopic piece of wire embedded in his tyre !
Jon's story -
Having ridden from Emerald we took a series of steeply increasing hills along a series of back roads from Menzies Creek before finding ourselves lost in the nearby forest surrounds. Inquiring of a solitary gardener we soon found out that a) we wanted to go to Selby and not Kallista as i kept mentioning and b) Jon was to have the first of his numerous slow punctures for the day.
Back on course and with a new tube in place, we descended on a fire trail akin to 4wd rock filled track, to Selby where we gave some thought to dropping in on Peter V for a socially distanced cuppa. Not to be done though. we descended through a beautiful collection of ferns to Wellington Rd and on to Cardinia Dam. From here it was a climb to Upper Beaconsfield for a well earned coffee and a tube top up after Jon discovered yet another slow puncture leak. Unable to find the culprit Jon used his F1 skills to regularly top up his tube on his way back as we took on the rolling hills of Emerald - A great days ride and yes after much searching Jon did eventually find the "source" a microscopic piece of wire embedded in his tyre !
Jon's story -
A few weeks back, when we were blessed with sun and
isolation was something you did after forgetting your husband's/wife
birthday, Gordon met Mike.
Both had completed a Warby ride and were riding back to
Emerald from The Gully. Gordon had determined a route that was free of
bitumen. Mike thought he'd join him.
The route/track/river bed was bliss for an ebike and
torture for a heavy non ehybrid. Even Mike, who pedals the remoteness of
Tibet, pulled out and rejoined the tarmac, feeling that facing traffic
was a better proposition. But...... he rememeberd
the route.
Having experienced the hardship of that exercise, Mike
thought he'd share it with someone, on the premise that pain shared is
pain halved. Who could be persuaded to join him? Being in the wrong
place at the wrong time I soon found myself
zigzagging at 4kph up a bumpy dirt mountain track, trying to maintain
balance and keep pace with Mike. I swear there were no downhill sections
in sight. Eventually, we reached some forrested summit where the air
was thin, the terrain unexplored and realised
that we may have taken the wrong track. Not music to my ears especially
as mounting the bike to commence another climb, I got a puncture.
Finally, the hills were exhausted. So was I. Mike was fitness personified.
There followed a long awaited downhill bit to
recuperate, then over the Cardinia Dam Wall, on to Upper Beac. and
another puncture. Up Welly Rd. back to Emerald via Elephant rock and
another puncture. That's my quota of puntures for the next
two years.
On hearing our story, Gordon promptly detailed another
ride for us around the back of Macclesfield, with the assurance that it
would not be quite so bad. I have those details in my pocket debating
whether or not to believe him. We'll see!
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| The first slow leak puncture |
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| 4WD track down to Selby |
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| Good level of water at Cardinia |
Processionary Pretzels
The trio (Kirsten, Helen, Jon) rugged up and warm, launched from The Stadium on Friday 17th April, maintaining such social distance that mobile phones were needed to maintain contact.
Having forsaken the initial plan of riding bayside for debilitating headwinds were predicted we turned North West for somewhere over there. Naturally the first thing we encountered was rain. Being hills stalwarts, what was a little bit of wetness! Into the breach .... and 5mins later, the sun blessed us.
Our tour guide Kirsten was being kind to Helen so chose a course (several and various actually) that contained hills: and more hills. Didn't daunt Helen of course.
Knowing from experience that Kirsten can stitch together a maze of sundry pathways, tracks and roads in a surprisingly cohesive manner, I thought I'd Strava it. Whatever buttons Strava requires you to depress, none matched my intention. So, some wobbly representation bearing only passing relationship to the truth is now loaded on that venerable site (see "stuffed strava").
70.63kms later and in pleasant sunshine, we called it quits back at the Stadium.
As for " Processionary", Helen and I dutifully followed Kirsten (out of fear of getting lost): As for "Pretzels", the convoluted route we rode bears close resemblance to that delight.
Jon
Wednesday, April 22, 2020
NZ Ride
A short video taken by former Warby Noel Wolstencroft on Noel and Rick's cut short tour of NZ. Sadly Covid claimed another victim when the boys planned 3 weeks trip was cut short to just over 10 days with the threat of border closures and the fact that the Kiwis didn't want them, causing them to hightail back home.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqOb8Xb7J-w&feature=youtu.be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqOb8Xb7J-w&feature=youtu.be
Kirsten's epic No 1
'twas Wednesday and the alarm shattered my rest reminding me I had promised to accompany Kirsten on a 70 - 80km ride. Too late to regret such foolishness, I struggled into my togs and headed for Stud Rd. Stadium hoping for rain that would give me an excuse to return to bed. After all, it was only 1000hrs.
No such fortune and away we powered towards Hughesdale. At least one of us powered away into the obligatory head wind, the other grunted, puffed, sweated and bellyached. No names no pack drill!
Then a left turn from Hughesdale (or maybe somewhere else) into foreign territory for me. K said we were headed for St Kilda beach on North Road and coffee. Being superbly lost I had no choice but to accept this plan. A tangled maze of trail, track, dirt and bitumen followed and I'm sure I saw signs saying Alice Springs and Bendigo.
Coffee at St Kida, where K regressed. See photo.
Yet, we made it and the return along an empty Beach Rd to Mordialloc then Dandenong was gleefully assisted by a tail wind. Easy to sit on 34 -40kph.
74.66km later, bum in car seat, home. Tick that one off the list. Thanks Kirsten. Good ride.
Tuesday, April 21, 2020
Even Jon B - China 2007
A pic to prove that even the best of use us fall occasionally (after reading the Rotary carnage - get well Henk). JB's crash was caused after a collision with Dennis D who was trying to avoid a car travelling on the wrong side of the road (normal in China) - JB narrowly missed a concrete pit !
Wednesday, April 15, 2020
RR4R
Rotary Ride 4 Research March 15 to 22, 2020
Boronia Rotary has been running this event for near on 20 years. They are quite remarkable in the access they have to resources to make this on-road 580/600 km cycle over 6 days available to 45 cyclists, each of whom has procured donations to the cause. The ride is broken reasonably equally as Latte; Espresso and Maniacal! Participants nominate their preference beforehand. There was some upward and downward movement between the groups over the 6 days. Each group is proceeded with a lead vehicle, equipped with hazard lights, followed by a small bus for the injured and exhausted, plus a further vehicle towing the specialised trailer for 15 bicycles. All privately sponsored by various motor vehicle suppliers. Very impressive!
Early Sunday morning 15th all were collected from Marie Wallace and transported to Lake Bolac for the ride to Halls Gap. The following days rides being Murtoa to Brim; Patche Wollock to Rosebery; Horsham to Ararat; Ararat to Learmonth and finally Ballarat to Daylesford. The Grampians were glorious, the Silos worthy of a visit and the skies out there on the plains, so big and all encompassing. Ghosties had a number of participants including Henke, Karlo, Kirsten, Jurgen, Kerry, Peter, Yvonne, David, Helen, and Ian. Unfortunately Harold and Irene had to withdraw at the last moment.
Road riding is not for the faint hearted and there is much to be learned, in particular train line crossings, especially Day 2. Henke came a major cropper with both Jurgen and Peter doing their best to annihilate him. Kirsten, not to be left out finished the job. Henke is slowly recovering. Whilst this incident was being dealt with Ken from another group was caught gaping at the proceedings, failed to concentrate on the track ahead, knocking himself out and destroying his helmet to boot. In an unrelated incident Helen, fortunately at the rear of the Peloton, fell hard without bringing anyone down. All then proceeded well till Day 6 when 2 Olde Hands @ this Event, Karen and Peter, crossed into one another on a steep descent doing damage to each other.
Despite the carnage it was a wonderful opportunity to participate in a unique road ride with awesome support and facility. I learnt a great deal and am firm in my resolve that I don't do Peloton, however I plan to return next year. Training starts around October!
Helen
Helen Geddes
m 0417 494 496
--
Tuesday, April 14, 2020
1 + 1 + 1 = 5
We headed out from the stadium yesterday (Monday) in beautiful conditions with a rough guide to head towards Blackburn. As usual Kirsten in the lead ... with Jon and I lagging behind.
We hit Eastlink ...oh the hills, after having been on another 65 km ride the day before with our beloved leader. Needless to say I was feeling the pace. I learnt that this was payback for not doing beach road in Sunday😵
Merrily we headed along the trail with parts of it busy with bikes and walkers everywhere in our journey to our coffee and cake stop at Blackburn. About to head off, we expanded our little group with Helen and Ian tagging on. Amazing who is out there enjoying the sunshine.
A good ride had by all, arriving back at our cars to head for home.
I got home, collapsed on the couch after a shower and headed for bed. But awakened today to do it all again if I could. Work is calling so it is a day off the bike for me.
Yvonne
Jurgen setting the standard
Considering Jurgen was successful breaking septagenarian house arrest, I felt I might be just as successful doing likewise.
However, I was not going risk it by myself. If I was going down, I was going to take someone with me. Looking around, whom did I see suffering bike riding withdrawal. Bingo .. Mega Mike. Recently back from the UK having left all nasties in that country, taking 24hrs to fly home and having completed two weeks in solitary, he was ready to romp.
So, the Emerald - Gembrook loop beckoned. We both idled our way there and back suffering only minor muscle and breathing constriction (not virus related) and enjoyed luxuriating in the Gembrook park solving the world's problems ... alone.
A few strollers were encountered, along with a few workers generating taxable income and of course, 4WDs on " essential" business. Other than bumping into Gordon (walking?????@@##) it was a solitary, smooth flowing relaxing stretch of the legs ... to be repeated.
Jon
Saturday, April 11, 2020
| SAT 11 2020. Delightful ride yesterday. Being Good Friday with shops & churches closed, I had the roads to myself. Early morning had most of the Hill citizens in bed recovering from hand overs or other nocturnal activities, so riding though Emerald & Monbulk was like the world had come to a standstill. Not a car or person in sight. It wasn't until Sassy and Olinda that the usual congregation of cyclists was evident. Groups of 2 or 3 and much jovially outside cafes wth not a cop in sight. Just as well because being an old buggar I was supposed to be under house arrest. Fat chance of that in such good weather. Jurgen W |
Thursday, April 9, 2020
Jon B thwarted
This advised isolation has distinct advantages for cyclists, of the male compliment at least. Besides the extraordinarily long list of jobs that " I must get around to doing sometime" being progressively whittled away, there is always .....
PLAN A.
What an opportunistic time to head for the Man Cave. No more hills up which one must pedal. No more obligagory bi-directional headwinds to counter. Just the Man Cave beckoning. No more chains to clean and lubricate. Just the Man Cave to spit polish. Bliss! Well, sort of bliss as unbeknowns to me, Anne was observing my (as she called it) lasitude. "You should go for a ride" was mentioned a few times. I'd agree and promptly head for the Man Cave. And quite rightly she would comment "You will lose your fitness if you don't go for a ride." Naturally I'd agree. Straight back to the Man Cave.
What I had not counted upon was Anne talking to Kirsten and mentioning my need (her words) to ride and that I was getting bored (her words again as I had only polished the Man Cave three times). So Kirsten kindly asked me to go for a ride with her. Keeping up with Kirsten is a daunting prospect. PANIC!!!!! Time for .....
PLAN B
First check the weather report. Warm weather, no rain and modest sunshine predicted. No excuse available there.
Try the Government rules for driving a car when taking a bike to a bike trail. All OK there as well.
Well, there was always a mechanical issue with the bike. No joy there.
Perhaps Anne would not let me have her car. (The Cortina is in a mate's workshop which is closed for the isolation period). No joy there either.
So, the ride was a goer.
Well I am thoroughly glad Kirsten and Anne forced my hand.
Starting at the Gully carpark we headed for Oakleigh in warm weather and a head wind, naturally. Social distancing between the two of us was not an issue. Social distancing from the 234.2 young kids on their learner bikes along with learner parents wearing earphones, was a little more challenging. Still we managed not to reduce the popualion of up and coming riders.
A few Oakleigh café were open though the first café seemed anxious not to generate revenue by having the four waiters talk to each other rather than attend to us. The second establishment was much more obliging. Topped up with food and drink, we were ready to ride back and then it rained! And then it didn't rain. And then it rained again and then it didn't. Then the sun came out. Better still, we had a tail wind for much of the ride home. So glad I did the ride and it did highlight my lapse of fitness from too much Man Cave distraction. Kirsten mustn't have a Man Cave. No lack of fitness there.
70km and a delightful ride in good company. Thank you Kirsten.
Jon B
Sunday, April 5, 2020
Some Ride Pics
Will progressively post some pics of adventures past - encourage others that wish to do similar so we can all drool a bit - take care / stay safe
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| China - Karst Region |
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| Albania |
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| China - Tiger Leaping Gorge - Batesy was on this one ! |
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| Yurt Tajikistan |
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| Climb in Peru with broken wrist |
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| Lhasa Tibet with serial pest Henley |
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| Mud Mtn in China - JB remembers this well ! |
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| Longest descent in the world - Tibet to Nepal over 3,000 metres in Altitude |
Rides
Given we are under strict rules re group cycling here in Vic it would be cool for anyone that is solo cycling to occasionally post their ride story with a pic or two so we don't all completely go nuts - having self isolated for 11 days i'm looking forward to a little freedom - take care / stay safe
Janapar - A Cycling Love story
If you are looking for a great cycling story then go for Janapar saw thsi sometime back it its'a real adventure with a twist. Simply click or copy the link - the owner has made free until the end of April - enjoy - Mike
https://tomsbiketrip.com/lockdown/?utm_source=Tom+Allen%27s+Very+Occasional%2C+Very+Interesting+Newsletter&utm_campaign=13b92c2132-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_04_05&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_05a111c96a-13b92c2132-84776433
https://tomsbiketrip.com/lockdown/?utm_source=Tom+Allen%27s+Very+Occasional%2C+Very+Interesting+Newsletter&utm_campaign=13b92c2132-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_04_05&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_05a111c96a-13b92c2132-84776433
Saturday, April 4, 2020
Staying in Touch
Hi Everyone,
My thoughts are that the lockdown and social isolation measures are going to last longer than a month or two - we may well be riding solo until December
We shall have to find alternative methods to stay in touch
https://www.abc.net.au/life/how-to-maintain-relationships-on-the-phone-during-coronavirus/12100862
My thoughts are that the lockdown and social isolation measures are going to last longer than a month or two - we may well be riding solo until December
We shall have to find alternative methods to stay in touch
https://www.abc.net.au/life/how-to-maintain-relationships-on-the-phone-during-coronavirus/12100862
Wednesday, April 1, 2020
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