CHA CHA CHA TO MALLALA >>> Gawler Wheelers Group Ride Report: Saturday May 19th 2012
1. Gawler Wheelers-ROUTE11-Gawler-Two Wells-Mallala-Gawler-FLAT
http://www.bikemap.net/route/1273193
2. Gawler Wheelers-ROUTE24-Gawler-Templers-Hamley Bridge-Owen-Mallala-Gawler-UNDULATING
http://www.bikemap.net/route/1371195
No. of Riders : 34
TO JOIN GAWLER WHEELERS Group click >>http://www.adelaidecyclists.com/group/GawlerWheelers
*** TODAY's PHOTO GALLERY BELOW ***
Ride Summary
For this morning’s GW rides it was just a matter of Cha Cha Cha to Mallala. The rides were over two different routes over 110kms and 76kms in opposite direction and both crossing at Mallala.
Despite the cold morning and the threat of rain, 34 riders enjoyed today’s GW events. The weather was fine during the ride brief as riders made the final decision about which ride to participate in. At 7.30 with rain still threatening we said… “It’s Now or Never” and both groups set off on their rides.
The 76km group headed to Two Wells with just a little drizzle at the start for a couple of minutes. Whilst the road was wet we were blessed with calm conditions which meant speeds > 30kms on the first leg. Knowing the other group would take longer to get back we took an extended and welcome break at Two Wells. Then it was Cha Cha Cha to Mallala, a glorious 18km fast leg! Sub groups formed and the ride was made more pleasant with riders sharing the lead. Following our invasion of Mallala all that remained was the 28km leg back home and that was also great riding as we were aided with a tailwind and mostly dry conditions. An excellent ride for this group with average speeds over the 76kms of 26-30kms.
The 110km group headed off to Templars, Hamley Bridge, Owen and then Mallala. The group was mostly made up of our faster riders and a hot pace was set from the start. Keith experienced a flat early on and then had issues with the replacement tube. On the way to Hamley Bridge the group was riding at close to 40kph and just before the township Peter had a crash. In attempting to avoid clipping a rider’s wheel he hit the bitumen. In true Giro style he jumped back on his bike to successfully complete the ride. When the group got back home you could tell by the looks on their faces that they had just completed a fabulous ride…or to quote Alistair, when asked how the ride was, ..”bloody fantastic!”.
Wilson had the top average speed on the 110km ride at 32.5kph. 15 year old Carmen also deserves a special mention as he averaged 28kph over the 110kms. We have to also mention Scott McCann who rode all the way from Wingfield this morning, then did the 110km ride, then was riding home, then he was going to do a another group ride in the arvo to reach his goal of 300kms in one day. Mammoth effort Scott!
Despite the weather outlook both groups had splendid rides. Well done everyone! (Those who rode will post more detail about their experience).
Now, if there is anyone who would like to know how to CHA CHA CHA here is a little video of me in my younger days demonstrating the dance with a friend of mine. (Focus on the foot work).
NEXT WEEK: We go back to one group ride through the beautiful Barossa Valley. It’s a BEGINNERS HILL route and YOU are welcome to attend. Details will be posted on AC Events soon. Today’s photo gallery follows:
Scott (L) riding 300 kms today in total. Stefan on the right↓.
George with his brand new Fuji bike↓
Alistair and Colin ready for their 110km ride↓
Hughie doing some acrobatics before the ride↓
JB (Right) telling Wilson that his fingers are frozen↓
Peter forgot to bring his bike today (old age)↓
Wilson (L) presenting John with his TEC whistle↓
Peter and Janet doing the Cha Cha Cha at Two Wells↓
Lee at Two Wells asking Carl ....“do you want to dance?"↓
Some of the 76km crew at the Mallala regroup↓
Peter at Mallala …still dancing!↓
76km Group ready to leave Mallala↓
110km Group riding into Hamley Bridge↓
Carmen, Warren & Alistair riding into Hamley Bridge↓
110km Group rest break at Hamley Bridge↓
Peter just after his crash↓
..and a close up of the damage↓
Keith at Mallala…”can’t see a thing with these glasses”↓
Michael at Mallala….just loved his 110km ride↓
Brief history of Mallala↓
If you want a great song to dance the Cha Cha Cha to just listen to this video as you read the replies to this report. I think the guy on the trumpet is ex Crows player Nigel Smart. Personally I like the guy in the shorts :-)
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) :
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Ian Hart on -
Todays ride was.... brilliant. Here are my impressions. After Keiths mishap with the punture the group headed north but soon split up all over the place. I Spent most of the time with Carmen until Keith caught us up and towed us to the next regroup. Then on to Hamley Bridge and again a few groups formed but was uneventful until Peter's accident just before the next stop.
After a rest in Hamley we cruised North again and it was here I thought I would try to catch the 'fast boys' and set off after them...but it didn't take long before the undulations deadened the legs and I found myself alone. Oh well, just wait for the guys behind. A little while later I saw someone was on my shoulder so I assumed a group had caught me up, only to have Pete cruise by solo. "I thought you were dragging the rest up to me" I said. "So did I!" said Pete. The next 10 K was great. The two of us working together at around 29 Kph, swapping off after about 500 metre turns. Loved it! Even a few months ago I would not have strong enough to do with someone like Pete. Its great to see improvement.
After a break at Owen we set off for the Pinary turnoff before turning South for Mallala. I thought I would test myself again and this time kept with the front group all the way to the turn off. Knowing that I often get dropped when the group slows and takes of again I determined to get into the middle of the group and put my foot down..... and ended up 2nd wheel behind Wilson. I was feeling good so thought i'd give it a go and sat there for some time before slowly fading and waved some guys through before eventually dropping off the back. Alone again I noticed I was still doing 30Kph on my own so I was still going ok. It was now the rain started .. great! Cruising along I saw a group some way behind me in the gloom. "I must get to Mallala before they catch me" I thought so tried to pick it up a bit. They caught me at the 80 Kph sign on the outskirts. Darn it!
From then on I sat on the back of the second group, looking at Carmen's back wheel all the way back to Gawler. Tried a burst on the Bypass but I just didn't have it in me, and dawdled back to Jaspers tired but satisfied at the days efforts. By the time I got home it was 116 Ks at 28.9. For me thats awesome and i'm looking for that 30Kph ave for 100+ ride.
I could never do this riding on my own like I used to. Thank you Gawler Wheelers and all riders for helping realize some long held dreams!
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Permalink Reply by Dave, Lewiston on -
Again, another great GW day out, with many stories to tell. For myself, I need to acknowlege Daniel's efforts from Two Wells to Mallala, then home. A couple of us did some serious wheel sucking on those legs. Thanks, Daniel.
Also, Dale and his mountain bike. It was never built to do a 32kmph+ average on the flat from Mallala to Jaspers, but it did it anyway. Maybe something to do with the rider?
Just like last time, the Mallala route hurt, but again it was an absolute blast!
It was also great to spend time back at Jaspers. I do believe GW is 40% riding, and the rest is social. Maybe my priorities are wrong, but I don't care :)
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Permalink Reply by Dale (rouleur) Riggs on -
Certainly was different Dave. I probably should have manned up and did the 110 on the roadie, but I had options, so after I felt the first spots of rain on my way to Jaspers I exercised one of those options by returning home and grabbing the MTB.
When I set of with the group from Malalla and sub groups started to evolve I wans't sure whether I should pursue and latch onto the back of the group of 4 that had formed at the front, but I went "aero" (LMAO - on a Mountain Bike!!) and eventually caught and stayed on the train. Many thanks to Daniel for leading the group for the most part; as I said to a couple of the boys near the end I reckon I might have had a free ride owing to me somewhere, so I used a ticket.
It is amazing to observe how individuals have improved their cycling over the course of the last 6 months and todays 76 km ride and by all reports the 110km ride both demonstrated that.
Anyway, I had a blast and can highly recommend mixing up your cycling a bit.
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Permalink Reply by Paul P on -
Yes Daniel did a great job leading our group out of Malalla, I dont think he was keen on anyone else leading. Dave had a go and was quickly passed again so I certainly wasn't going there.
That was a great ride, I usually winge about these flat rides, but I really enjoyed this one.
I was surprised that the numbers were down possibly due to the weather. As Dale says, mix it up a bit, flat, wet, hills, cold, windy, use a fixie or MTB its all part of cycling.
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Permalink Reply by scott mccann on
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Another great ride today.I am glad i decided to tackle the rain first thing.I set myself a goal of 300k's for the day crazy i know but with a flat ride and the support of a group ride i knew that would help acheive it. I did the 110 k's with a ave of 26.5.I then took the sob home went down to the port to grab some more supplies.After that went into the city the long way to meet up with the twilight riders a quick burn down to Henley a drink and some choccy cake and off we went back to the city.I then had 40k's left so headed down to semaphore then did a bit on military rd and a few k's on the esplanade before taking junction rd home.Total distance 300.65 k's ride time 11hr 46mins ave 25.5 so i did it in the time i was after as well so all good see you all next week
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Permalink Reply by Frank (GW) on -
Scott, well done mate. 300kms in one is always an awesome effort!
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Permalink Reply by john mills on
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Yes, well done Scott! You must be feeling very sore after pedalling for nearly 12 hours today. I hope its not three times worse than how I felt after just 4 hours! Now look after yourself. Take it easy for a couple of days, at least, or you will wear everything out before you get to September! Including your bike! There's a difference between hard training and self mutilation! lol. Did that bit of oil work half way through your ride?
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Permalink Reply by terry heney on -
Wonderful mornings ride with a great bunch of riders.. Frank you have a nack with those pics and your words describing the events wonderfully done mate and oh yer thanks for your encouragement all through the ride today as those few words do lift my spirits..Congrats to all those who finished the 110k ride... Hope you recover quickly Peter.. and Wilson I really hope your Mother is ok mate.....
@Lee.. sub groups are great mate...good to know riders like to help one another out especially when I know at times I am struggling. Sorry I left you Paul and Frank from mallalalalalalaaaaachaaachaaaaaa but I was feeling in a cha cha cha mood so I spead off...felt really good. Apart from the SOB group ride I would say todays ride was my best on the ROADS so to speak... think I am finally gaining ground on a few speedsters... BUT IT HURT TODAY!!!!!!!!!
Avg Speed28.3 km/h Max Speed42.3 km/h Uphill Avg Speed27.6 km/h Downhill Avg Speed29.5 km/h
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Another great adventure today with the GW group ride. After completing the Barossa Valley 100km ride a couple of weeks earlier I was keen to follow up with another 100 today. So I had fun this week doing the Tuesday and Thursday SOB rides for some training leading up to the big one today. I enjoyed the challenge of lasting another 100km, and the fun of sharing it with an interesting bunch of guys.
I might have had a premonition of Peter's fall, because as I went to bed last night I had these worrying thoughts about the dangers of drafting. I know wheels were clipped between Lyndoch and Williamstown on one of my first rides, in the group ahead, with riders 'hitting the deck'. Also experienced the 'concertina' effect happening on the SOB with a group of 5 riders drafting on Thursday night. So I was thinking maybe I shoud just stay by myself and not succumb to the temptation of getting involved in drafting. But, before I knew it I was actively seeking, and giving, help to other riders at the back, trying to keep the gap to the next bunch as small as possible! Well it did help us to move along a little quicker, and relieve some stress from our aching leg muscles.
But of course it requires constant vigilance. I think I sometimes get a little too close to the wheel in front ( 30cm or so ), and really need to try to stay back at least a metre. And with all that concentration on keeping a safe gap, the beautiful country-side can be passing by completely unnoticed in the quest for a little extra speed. An interesting dilemma.
The traffic was kind to us. I think we had only two vehicles overtake us between Templers and Owen. And both of them were just 4 or 5 km before arriving at Owen.
Had some intersting chats with Scott, the 300km man! he tells me he is in training for a big 600km race in September. Every know and then he told me where he was at on his 300km quest. It made me wince. Amazingly I was driving down the Anzac Highway later today and passed a small group of three riders just approaching Glenelg. Sure enough - there was Scott. Still pushing the pedals as the sun was setting! A real tough man. Sorry for startling you Scott, when I yelled out your name! Not very clever of me.
Over-all I was happy with my efforts. Not a great average speed (26.1) compared to the fast riders. But then again I was TEC for the day. Maybe I could have gone a bit quicker. Maybe not. Maybe I would have 'hit the wall'' if had pushed any harder.
Still trying to work out my heart rate data. It does seem a bit low compared to others I have spoken to. Average was 117 bpm, and max of 141. Spent 77% of ride in zones 1 and 2 (under 127bpm). Not sure whether this means I have a good heart, or the opposite. My max heart rate is quite low (never seen it above 150), maybe suggesting hardened heart tissues, or a heart bound in great lumps of fat. Not sure. Would be interesting to compare numbers with anyone else at age 60 please.
So as far as huff and puff was concerned, there was very little today. As far as aching leg muscles, hand numbness, and foot soreness, there was plenty! Cycling certainly is a challenge trying to learn how your body works, let alone any competition that you might have with your mates!
So thanks all for another wonderful day out in the fresh air. Loved the cool conditions. Perfect riding weather. Well organised again Frank and Wilson. Great job! And thanks for that pesky little whistle Wilson. Don't think I ever got it just right lol. Our thoughts are with you. Hope Mum is not too badly hurt. A real worry for us all.
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Permalink Reply by Alistair Hood on -
What a great ride on Saturday 110klm's the most i have done. We started off out of Gawler with Colin an I leading waiting for the quick riders to take the lead but they were having to much fun behind enjoying a good chat. We turned left to head towards Roseworthy and then stopping just after to fix Keiths tyre. We got going again still with Colin and i leading until Wilson passed us then I had a BRAIN FAID and latched onto the back of Wilsons wheel what was i thinking. We then split into a few groups and continued the ride through to Hamley Bridge and from there to Owen.From Owen to Mallala we were in a group following Keith and Curt who set a great pace taking turns at the front, that is (Keith & Curt) with there fast burst when changing lead kept the pace up over 33kph. It was then the last part of the puzzle Mallala back to Gawler with good speed to start with, then by the time I got to the bypass the legs had gone finnishing the ride with Colin and Geoff. To finish off it was a fantastic achivement by all with great average speeds over the 110klm's mine being 28.8kph Bloody Fantastic.
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Permalink Reply by Corey Busbridge on -
Another brilliant route and the furthest I have ridden for a long time with probably my best average speed..The ride from Gawler was a nice stretch and with George latched on we were putting in some good kms/hr even with a mini bus that tried to take us with him, instead of using what was clearly an open lane on the other side of the road...
Myself, Carl and Peter had a nice little group from Two wells to Mallala and we made that little section look a breeze, unfortunatly i got caught out on the way back to Gawler and missed the boat for the group that formed...
My stack at the end when forgetting to unclip while travelling at about half a km/hr made for a entertaining end to another top day.. but it made for no chachacha or any dance for that matter the ankle is a bit swollen and bruised but maybe not as much as the pride for being so dumb.. note to self... "remember to unclip"
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Permalink Reply by terry heney on
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@Corey...hope your ankle isn't injured too badly mate :( Tiredness does strange things to the mind... I almost did the same thing when finishing at Jaspers having literally smashed my energy levels..
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