AN INTIMATE RETREAT TO THE HILLS >>> Gawler Wheelers Group Ride Report: Saturday 28th July 2012
1. Gawler Wheelers-ROUTE06-Gawler-Kersbrook-Williamstown-Gawler-HILLS
http://www.bikemap.net/route/942158
2. Gawler Wheelers-ROUTE44-Gawler-SOB-Craigmore-Black Top-One Tree Hill-Gawler-BEGINNER HILLS
http://www.bikemap.net/route/1413761
No. of Riders : 46
TO JOIN GAWLER WHEELERS Group click >>http://www.adelaidecyclists.com/group/GawlerWheelers
*** TODAY's PHOTO GALLERY BELOW ***
Ride Summary
Last week we were all hot and sweaty on the highly erotic “Fifty Shades of Grey” ride. This week the Gawler Wheelers definitely needed to cool down so we retreated to the hills, holding two concurrent rides…a HILLs ride and a BEGINNER’s HILLS ride.
46 cycling lovers participated in today’s rides including newbies Alan, Darren and Mark. Welcome to you all and trust that you all enjoyed your first GW experience.
22 riders set off on the Beginners Hill route, with the first leg involving a beautiful spin down the Stuart O’Grady Bikeway. We arrived in metro-land in no time and turned onto Curtis Rd for the leg to Adams Rd. There were a couple of light showers on this leg just to remind us that it is winter! However, by the time we arrived at the Adams Rd regroup the rain had gone and we headed off for the Yorketown Rd long ascent. Everyone made it up Yorketown without stopping which was quite an achievement for some on this ride…(well done all!)
We regrouped at the top of Yorketown while Craig struggled with fixing a difficult flat. The regroup here was welcomed, as the riders contemplated the next leg which included the infamous Cornishmen’s Hill climb. Nothing to worry about though and the smiles could be seen for miles as the riders conquered this climb! The final leg back to Gawler on this route was again most enjoyable, particularly as it concludes with the long long Kentish Rd descent. Back home the consensus was unanimous….a great ride…nothing too hard but great satisfaction with mission accomplished.
The other 24 riders were simultaneously enjoying a fantastic HILLs route. The route kicks off with the big Medlow Rd climb, which some described as a challenge while others described it as relaxing! Which camp were you in?
Alistair suffered two punctures on Medlow Rd…and had no tubes left. What to do he says? Solution…he rings his wife Karen, gets her out of bed to bring the spare bike up! Nice one Alistair!!
Once Karen had sorted Alistair out the group continued on their adventure to Kersbrook, Humbug Scrub, Mt Crawford Forest, Williamstown and back home. Along the route the riders encountered a few showers, the odd kangaroo and were enveloped in the most romantic fog. They will comment later about how much they enjoyed the ride (it was heaps good by all accounts!) The number of riders now electing to do our HILL rides is testimony to the progress that our riders have made over the past year in improving their hill climbing ability. Great ride all!
Back at Jaspers the main task was drawing the winner of the “Fifty Shades of Grey” book competition. You will have to read on to see who won it!
Thank you to all who rode with us today. What another brilliant GW morning!! (Juz, we all missed you….how is Queensland?)
NEXT WEEK: We will be holding one big group ride. We will be riding the easy undulating Freeling/Wasleys route in reverse direction for the very first time. YOU are welcome to attend. This route is a real beauty….don’t miss it!! Details will be posted on AC Events soon.
On a day when we retreated to the hills we would like to share “SOLSBURY HILL” with you. At about one minute into the song Peter Gabriel jumps onto a bike, rides around the stage and keeps singing the song without missing a note….a wonderful performance. Put it “full screen”, turn the volume up and ENJOY!
TODAY’s PHOTO GALLERY + MORE FOLLOWS:
Mark arrives for his first Gawler Wheelers experience↓
Newbie Alan (L) is made to feel very welcome by Pete↓
Matt, one of the many good looking guys on today’s ride↓
Shayne, David and Andrew having some pre-ride fun↓
Nick…”oh I have spot of dirt on my nice white shoes…damn!”↓
Paul (L)…”hmm….so many classy ladies on our rides!”↓
Andrew (centre)…”excuse me I would like to say something!”↓
Riders entering the SOB↓
Hills Group on Medlow Rd…and Nick’s shoes still all white!↓
SOB: Keith (R) we will let you tell everyone why you missed the start!!↓
Hills riders on one of the regroup stops…time to chat↓
Riders on the SOB near Curtis Road↓
Tony and Sue having a great time on today’s ride↓
Doug and ----? on the Hills ride↓
SOB Regroup↓
Hills Group – John and Carl emerge from the fog↓
Top of Yorketown Rd. Barry….we are going this way mate!↓
What is this car doing on Medlow Road??↓
OHH….it’s Karen bringing Alistair his spare bike….nice one!↓
Craig had a real tough time fixing this puncture!↓
Hills riders near the Whispering Wall↓
Mick with Elaine who was so happy because she got up Yorketown Rd without stopping! Well done Elaine.↓
Ray (R) on the hills ride…”man I can’t see a thing!”↓
Sue and Elaine ready to draw the winner of last weeks competition↓
Hills riders start arriving back home↓
..and the winner is….Michael Bland!! We expect a review Michael!↓
Lee and Terry join us for a coffee. Which ride were you guys on????↓
8 month old Sage came along to see her Dad (Craig) get back from his ride.↓
Ray (L) after the HILLs ride saying to newbie Darren “well done mate”↓
Michael (L), with Colin & Doug, starts reading the book immediately! …saying ”WOW ...OH MY!!!…are there any pictures?”↓
Finally, after two fabulous hills rides today we leave you with a fabulous intimate version of “Blueberry Hill” by Johnny Hallyday and the very sensuous Celine Dion. ENJOY THIS CLASSIC! PS >> See if you can pick when Johnny drops the “F” word!↓
Gawler Wheelers is all about comradeship, fun, fitness and chasing our dreams. Join the GW group on AC. Come on our rides. Contact details below. Until next week >> Cheers for now...Frank.
http://www.adelaidecyclists.com/group/GawlerWheelers
Next Gawler Wheelers Event Details (check the following links) :
➨ Gawler Wheelers Upcoming Group Ride Events
- ➨ Gawler Wheelers Group Ride Calendar
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Lee Bakes on -
FYI Terry and I went on the Gawler Wheelers "C" ride. Smithfield-Virginia-Two Wells-Jaspers-Smithfield.
John even joined us on the last leg :P
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Permalink Reply by terry heney on -
Lee.. Rather disappointed with the GW member turn out for the C ride mate..Maybe we scared them off Lee with our fitness ? Nice to have along John the Mountain Goat for the return trip along SOB...
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Permalink Reply by Lee Bakes on
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Yeah, the numbers were a bit low on the C ride. The fun was pretty high though.
There was a 50% attendance increase after the Jaspers re-group though... It might just catch on!
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Permalink Reply by Frank (GW) on -
Friends, details for next weeks ride (Saturday 4th August) have now been posted on AC Events. Link below.
We are riding Route 4 in reverse direction to normal. Do not miss this once-only opportunity...may never be repeated again.
This is a fairly easy undulating route, and everyone is welcome to attend including riders who have not been on a Gawler Wheelers ride previously. See you there for what should be another great ride experience!
http://www.adelaidecyclists.com/events/gawler-wheelers-route04-gawl...
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Permalink Reply by Alan Isemonger on -
First ride with Gawler Wheelers and thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you Frank and all riders for the warm reception on a wet day at least there was no wind. Looking forward to riding regularly with the group.
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Permalink Reply by Old Macdonald (Jon) on -
Well loved the hills till the very end when a puncture and then chain problems on Balmoral rode added some spice. Bugger, my legs and arse are a bit sore. Finished with a lovely 89 km round trip and plenty of motivation to ride more after seeing how it's done by the Wheeler's mountain goats. Mind you, looking at them, skinny lean and hips/waist circumference average about 70 cm and me, hips not including the extra padding of about 90 cm, I think genetics means that I just set my own goals and try improving. Wilson and Grandpa John are just too trim. True hill climbers.
Still it's a great bunch of folks. I had 4 groups of riders stop and ask if I needed help with the bike problems, and boy did we have fun laughing with me being covered in grease from head to toe after the repairs at Jaspers. Luckily Frank didn't have the camera! Took about 60 minutes washing me the bike and clothes when I got home. Be back next week, Non-slim-hipped Old Mac.
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Permalink Reply by Warren Porteous on -
Big day out in Sydney on the bike. Did 160k's including 3rd place in a combined D & E grade criterium race over 30 minutes + 3 laps. Sore legs now though! Sounds a bit damp ther, sunny cool start and mostly sunny day to follow. Wazza
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Permalink Reply by john mills on
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Well done Warren. Sounds like you had a very interesting day in the 'Big Apple'. Where in the 160km did you have that turn of speed to take out the Bronze medal?
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Permalink Reply by Warren Porteous on
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@ John, at about the 90k Mark. Rode wt a morning group, then to Crit course n did the race, then rode home. Also included 2 punctures enroute!
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Permalink Reply by Peter Bond on -
Well done Wazza - great effort. See you when you get back.
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Permalink Reply by Kev Thomas on -
Excellent beginner hills route today. Yorketown road then cornishmen hill, what a breeze, bring it on (hold on I will just catch my breath and have a rest). The downhill made it worth while it was great.
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Permalink Reply by Andrew Jacks on -
It was great to be back. The warm welcome made up for the rain, but it was ****** cold.
It felt like I had had a good ride, so good instead of heading home I went back up Potts road with Dave then, went back for another spin down Kentish. When I checked Strava it showed that I had achieved 7 PB's and I also achieved my highest top speed (73.9km).
Roll on next week, it will be a blast.
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