Gawler Wheelers-ROUTE01-Gawler-SOB-Edinburgh-SOB-Gawler-FLAT

http://www.bikemap.net/route/1273192

No. of Riders : 47

TO JOIN GAWLER WHEELERS Group click >>http://www.adelaidecyclists.com/group/GawlerWheelers

*** TODAY's PHOTO GALLERY BELOW ***

Ride Summary

All the talk prior to today’s GW ride was about Black Caviar! The world’s best sprinter was in Adelaide today chasing her world record 20^th consecutive victory. Did you see the race? What a fantastic win in front of a sell-out crowd!

We got to the track a little earlier today to farewell some of the Gawler Wheeler regulars who this weekend are riding the 290 kms to Port Elliott and back. They are Juz, Pete, Michael, Dave and Andrew. We received progress reports during the day and are pleased to advise that they made it safely to Port Elliott at 1.47pm. A big 140 km ride today with Juz texting on arrival “.. about to go hunt food…..want fooooooooood!” Well done today crew and safe riding back tomorrow!

During the ride brief, following the overwhelming success and positive feedback last week of THE WHISTLE concept, Wilson expanded the initiative and presented two new whistles to yours truly and TEC Mick. The concept is all about enhancing the GW experience during our re-groups. We also welcomed newbie Craig, aka “CJ”, along for his first GW ride.

On a very crisp morning the other 47 riders left the starting gates for the scheduled 60km ride which took us down the Stuart O’Grady Bikeway. Whilst it was a little cool there was no wind and no rain so we knew that it would be a great ride. The first 23km leg along the SOB was a blast, and inspired by Black Caviar, was a flat out sprint for most riders at speeds of 30 – 40 kms. However unlike Black Caviar we needed a well-deserved re-group at the end of this leg.

On the SOB if you escape the wind on the down track you normally cop it on the way back. That was not the case today….yippee! All the way back to Jaspers Café the conditions remained perfect with no wind and the sun caressing us as we zoomed along. It was great to see many sub-groups form and riders helping each other along. Many PBs were recorded this morning with many average speeds of over 30kms for the 60 km ride. WELL DONE everyone…another brilliant GW ride just like Black Caviar's!

NEXT WEEK: We will be holding two concurrent rides. One is on a brand new undulating route through the Barossa Valley over a mammoth 105 kms. The other ride will also take us through the Barossa on a shorter 60km route. YOU are welcome to attend….just pick the ride that suits you best! Full details will be posted on AC Events soon! Today’s photo gallery follows:

Pete and Dave prepare for the Port Elliott ride. Jane drove the support vehicle.↓

Prolific AC Blogger Steven Ellison getting ready to ride with us today↓

….and here is what Steven said after the ride↓

John showing off his new road bike↓

Dale….what is a “Lukey”?↓

Newbie Craig ready for his first GW ride↓

Today’s young GW brigade Jonah (L) and Carmen↓

Andrew, Pete, Michael and Dave leave for Port Elliott. Where's Juz?↓

Is that Lyndelle showing us how she would ride Black Caviar? Not bad!↓

Horses everywhere! Tour of Spain 2001↓

Arriving at the start of the SOB↓

Start of the SOB. Blow the whistle, we are ready to go!↓

However, Lyndelle rides a bike better than a horse!↓

Caroline, with hubby Chris a respectable distance behind.↓

Dale (R) explaining to Gareth that he has a mechanical problem↓

How many people does it take to fix a loose bottle cage?↓

Black Caviar’s cousin at the Tour of Spain Stage 12 ↓

Carl and Corey enjoying the ride in perfect conditions↓

Wilson at Jaspers distributing the GW Team Kit↓

Part of today’s fantastic GW crowd post-ride↓

Wattsy and his beautiful daughter Bethany dropped in to say hi↓

Finally…Black Caviar racing to the finishing post. CHAMPION↓