A quick report from yesterday’s annual Bowral ride run by Sydney Cycling Club.
4.40am the first time check of the day, with six ER’s (Wilson, Stealth, NNNick, Schleck, Phantom and myself) loitering with intent at Gordon for the heart starter to Centennial Park, with Andy, Graham, Zlatko and VD boarding the rattler at Turramurra. Various forms of nightlife in various states of disrepair on our way through Oxford St made us all wonder what it was like to be 40 again…..
All arrived and accumulated in good order at Centennial Park, where the Dominator awaited, together with Chindo and new ER Michael (Phantom’s intro). “Strong as an ox” described Phantom, which proved to be a fair assessment. Welcome mate.
Choice between B1 and B2 (not Mike and Chris, but groups) made all the easier given the B2 support vehicle was more like a mini than the van that supported B1, so we flocked to the latter for the briefing. 22 in B1, a good choice. The standard SCC rolling paceline was prescribed – “roll off the front to the left etc etc” – better in theory than in practice unfort.
Our leaders were Fran and Dan. Introduced by (someone we assumed to be) Jan. Stealth instantly won the hearts and minds of the SCC members with “don’t you just love these made up names”.
The Pinarello crowd which formed the majority of the ER group compared notes as to where they got their matching bidons from. NNNick fiddled with his Garmin sensor on the rear stay until the Trek owners club pointed out “don’t those things have a Duotrap?”. Look it up if you’re in envy. You should be.
Out we headed towards the airport and noticed we also had our good mate Pete Kemp (from Bowrals and Gongs past) aboard, fresh climbing legs from Les Dix Alps, and equipped with backward facing camera to catch anyone workshy to present to the judiciary. Look forward to any footage Pete unless I’m in it.
ER’s were unfortunately too late to nab our Scott from the Renegade peloton; great to see you out there mate and consider yourself contracted to ER next year….
First stop unexpected at a servo in Sutherland to unload the bladder, then onwards to Stanwell Tops, then into Gong proper. Pace was OK if not a bit slower than expected, and stops a lot longer. No complaints, we’ll bank any excess energy for that hill up the road…..
A different route to prior years around Albion Park to the servo stop just before Macquarie Pass proper. Everyone consulted their “BT’s Pocket Guide to Nutrition before busting your…self up a hill”, and on we headed.
Into the climb proper and we each settled into our own rhythm as best we could with c140km in the legs by then for some 12km to the Pie Shop at Robertson, although the last 3km of those are better described as “undulating”, and not Drastique’s “undulations” between Thredbo and Khancoban either. NNNick and I found ourselves following a decent wheel up the hill – who later turned out to be a mate of mine from Uni that I hadn’t seen for 20-odd years. He managed to pull away (annoyingly) in the last 2km before it flattened out, with Nick and I coming in together. Everyone finished strongly, not a bead of sweat to be found one some (Andy, Graham) and some wishing they’d inhaled more water before setting out (VD).
The final 30km or so into Bowral were pretty easy going for all – no-one looking particularly fatigued by the time we got to Bowral even allowing for the extra 5km we must have done to locate The Don’s home ground.
A great effort by all combatants; proud to be one of the crowd; ER strength goes from strength to strength it seems…..PR’s all over the place per Strava.
Edward (a smaller version of Stealth) present and waiting at the finish line with football in hand to offer some drop punts around the oval to loosen up any stiff legs – much appreciated and I won’t tell your Dad all that stuff you told me about his antics mate…until the ER Xmas Party.
VD played a master stoke for those of us returning by train, craftily sniffing out some recuperative “roadies” for absorption by bidon…he too mentioned something about his ride name “causing problems at home, do you think the FM’s will change it”……
Next outing the Gong Ride, and G2GGvG for those wanting an express ticket southbound and to stretch their legs on Bulli Pass on the return. Spreadsheet pending.
Thanks all,
Mark / Satnav