Day 1
North Court @ Melbourne University to Sorrento Beach House
103.75 Km
Following the undulating terrain next to a cliff edge, riding past the great blue sea beneath the bright blue sky
Day 2
Sorrento to Mornington and back
76.72 Km
Flat terrain with occasional light headwinds
Day 3
Arthur's Seat climb and circle back
Total distance of 85.34 Km; the hill was 3 Km with an average gradient of 10%, max. 18% with switchbacks
Return journey followed many long inclines and declines across farming areas
Day 4
They cycled, I rested along with two others :P
Day 5
Sorrento to Carlton (home)
102.7 Km
Flat terrain with some light rolls
Total mileage: 368.51 Km Total energy: 8908 kCal
It's also my first real Aussie BBQ or 'barbie', courtesy of Nic Hamley. He dropped a sausage and put it back on the grill - that "bush spice" gave me the runs for the next few days! There was a lot of crap talking from the likes of Carl Cervelo (his bike) Casanova (his stories) about his adventures in Austin, Texas while Hamley provided tales of ski lodges and footie tackles where one fellow grabbed the 'ball' that wasn't in his hand - WRONG BALL! Hahahas!
I'm especially proud of myself for coming in 3rd on Arthur's Seat hill despite my relative inexperience (6 months) compared to theirs' (at least two years racing). It was 305m above sea level, my first proper hill. Push push push push - and stand up on the switchbacks and bends. The view from the top really made me feel like I'm on top of the world! It was breathtaking - the sea, the trees, the wide expanse of nature dotted with lovely little (and some not-so-little) houses! WOW! Of course, I took many pictures everywhere! I'm sure the Snail Queen back home will be happy to see a JR plant the flag! :D
I've also learnt how to 'spin' up a hill seated. Shift my weight back, hands on the bars near the stem, feet doing what I call the "hamster maneuver" - spinning like mad with as high a cadence as possible. But the descent en route from Arthru's Seat was absolutely thrilling! For the first time, I hit 69.7 Km/H !!! H@LY SH!T It was scary, but it was the sort of scariness that made you want to laugh because it was just that thrilling! One turn too shallow, one rock clipped and you'll be sent flying into the Australian bush - but if you can negotiate these swoopy turns where you can't seem ore than 30-40m ahead, it's a ride like no other! :D
Apologies to Krystyna - We popped into a bookstore and she was looking at a few triathlon magazines. Since she was doing an Ironman soon, I pulled a magazine with that title from the shelf. It turned out to be a men's bodybuilding magazine! :P
I think I really like this club. It would be nice working with these guys, cycling together, and just hanging out for coffee afterwards. Always something to talk about! Always cycling, always cyclists!
Ous!
