REMEMBERING 100 YEARS AGO >>> Gawler Wheelers Group Ride Report: Saturday 14th April 2012

Gawler Wheelers-ROUTE04-Gawler-Freeling-Templers-Wasleys-Gawler-UNDULATING

http://www.bikemap.net/route/942117

Gawler Wheelers-ROUTE23-Gawler-Freeling-Kapunda-Tarlee-Templers-Wasleys-Gawler-HILLS

http://www.bikemap.net/route/1371194

No. of Riders : 53

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

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

Ride Summary

One hundred years ago today at 11.40pm the Titanic, on her maiden voyage, struck an iceberg and a few hours later sunk with great loss of life. To mark the anniversary the Gawler Wheelers today held our first ‘titanic’ group ride over 100 kms.

 


 

Newbies Tony and Mark were amongst the 53 to ride with us today.  Mark has been in Australia for 4 years. When asked why he left South Africa he replied > “simple….crime. I saw on the news one night a story about a cyclist who was shot dead by a thief who stole his bike. I knew then that it was time to leave the country….you can’t ride like this in South Africa.”


 

The group of 53 rode together for the first 23 kms to Freeling. A gentle incline coupled with a cheeky little headwind made this leg hard work and everyone was glad to arrive in Freeling for our first re-group stop.

 

In Freeling the large group split. 38 riders elected to undertake the shorter 60km ride. The hard leg was behind us as we merrily headed off the Wasleys sitting on 30km+ ave speed. We met a couple of friendly bikies at Wasleys who told us they might join us one week!..(see photo). The 20km leg back to Gawler was pure joy….we had the tailwind now and speeds of 50kph were easily reached. on the home leg.


  

Meanwhile 15 of the group took off to complete the longer 110km route taking in Kapunda and Tarlee. Here is how Pete described that ride >>:

 

The ride was a cyclists dream today. Just enough wind to keep us honest, and the average rider clocked back at Jaspers with a 30kph average for the day. There was only one major climb on the route, and it was the only section of the entire ride where we had a full head wind, but Craig and Matt  didn't seem to notice either as they zoomed out of sight going UP! We found a lovely shady spot at Tarlee to rest our bones for a half hour break before we set off, this time with the wind on our backs all the way home.”  Well done to the 110km guys…great effort!

 

All the riders made it safely back to Jaspers Café after what were two most pleasant GW rides. Amongst the coffees, lattes and beers we also distributed the second GW Team Kit order, as well as pre-viewing the proposed GW Bib Nicks that we will be ordering soon. WOW….what a great morning!!

NEXT WEEK: We revert to one big group ride. It’s an undulating route through the fabulous Barossa Valley and up to the Warren Reservoir. Details will be posted on AC Events soon. Of course YOU are welcome to attend. Today’s photo gallery follows:

 

Newbie Mark arrives for his first Gawler Wheelers ride

 

Brett is playing soccer tomorrow so taking good care of his legs today

 

Two of our younger guys ready to ride - Fabian and Brendan

 

Lot's of laughter and chat before the ride

 

Juz asked "should I put my base layer on?" Yes...we won't look

.

...but you know Juz....the Papparazzi are everywhere (sorry)!

 

AC Sponsor Gary Mills from Star Cycles with Janet. Check out on the right the great special Gary has put up exclusively for AC Members

 

Kapunda Road re-group.....bikes and more bikes!

 

Lee taking a photo of me taking a photo of him! Damn papparazzi!

 

Re-group at our Freeling Headquarters

 

Pete at Freeling...meditating prior to the 110km ride?

 

The palm trees at Freeling

 

John (L) and newbie Tony cycling into Freeling

 

Decision time at Freeling. Put your hand up if you want to do the 110kms

 

Made new bikie friends at Wasleys. (Permission obtained to publish)

 

Caroline at Wasleys > "YAH I'm not last!"

 

The flowers always make the GW rides more enjoyable

 

The Big Miner welcomed the 110km riders at Kapunda

 

110km riders arrive at Kapunda

 

The group looking for shade at Tarlee

 

Dale says at Tarlee "Do you like my shaved legs?" Of course Dale!

 

Matt and Peter: Done 90 kms...only 20kms to go now

 

Back home Megan Gale modelled our new bib knicks

 

Getting ready to distribute the team kit. Wilson is so so organised!

 

Juz and Richard start handing them out

 

Michael finally gets his Gawler Wheeler jersey

 

All these people stripping today!!! (Who is it?)

 

88 year old Lil (still cycling) joined us for a coffee. Recounted many stories of her younger days eg when at 65years of age she would ride 320kms in one day.

 

The 110km group start arriving back home. 12.45....great time!

 

16 year old Carmen: "YES!...110km accomplished...YIPPEE!"

 

Finally, we remember that tragic event 100 years ago

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)

§ All Events

§ Gawler Wheelers Events

§ Gawler Wheelers Events - RSS Fee

§ Gawler Wheelers Events - History

 

 

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At this rate, we may need to adjust the Gawler Wheelers kit to something more like this:

Remember Frank, those who built the Titanic swore it was unsinkable. The paparazzi may be wise not to get too sure of themselves :-P

Oh Juz ! 

There are MEN that read this blog too !   ( He He )

( I hope Angus doesn't read this or he might remove this Sexist pic :)

( Titanic )

It was a bit iof a Titanic effort riding to Freeling with that cheeky headwind ... but I made up for it on the next two legs. Thanks to Mick and Richard for your support and encouragment on that first leg :o)  Thanks everyone for waiting for me at Freeling :o)  Strava gave me a suffer score today of 265!  And according to Garmin apparently I got to 115% of my maximum heart rate (???) so I wasn't dawdling out there :o) 

Superb effort Caroline.  U looked much stronger today than I have seen you before.  Keep up the good work!

You did really well today Caroline.  Not only are you getting faster and stronger, you're also pulling into the regroup points looking comfortable and finishing at Jaspers looking like you could definitely go further if you had to. 

+1 Caroline

Cheeky wind ?  I hated it. knocked the stuffing out of me...felt like the Titanic hit me side on from Freeling to Wasley's... You did well hey :)

Mark: “I saw on the news one night a story about a cyclist who was shot dead by a thief who stole his bike. I knew then that it was time to leave the country.” An earlier photo posted on AC of a cyclist carrying a gun across his back could have been taken in Africa. The grass was too dry for Columbia!

"Made new bikie friends at Wasleys. (Permission obtained to publish)" Frank, did you get permission from Juz to publish or aim the camera?

Haha, it's all in good fun Heather. Frank always looks out for me and would never do the wrong thing by any of us.   We all take the mickey when and where we can :-)

OK. Posted it in case as a female amongst all those males, you needed permission to speak up.

Thanks for thinking of me Heather :-)  As one of the females amongst the GW population, I (and all the females) get very well cared for and I feel especially safe in this group.  Knowing this about the group, having a laugh as above is perfectly ok. But again, thanks for your vigilance in checking.

Don't worry Heather, there is a service station toilet about 50m away for those of us who prefer a discreet last minute change of attire.

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