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↓
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...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)
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§ Gawler Wheelers Events - History
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Caroline Cuthbert on
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Bout time too :o)
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Permalink Reply by john mills on
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It was great to have my mate Tony come out to play with us today. He gave me a lot of laughs out there and made for a great mornings entertainment. Main theme was the many hints given for me to upgrade my bike. But he knows it takes me years to make such big jumps in technology ( look at my car(s) ).
Tony put in his own Titanic effort today. Terry reminded me that this was also the Route I took on my first day only five weeks ago. There were many simillarities in our experiences; the red face, the perspiration dripping, and the legs not taking orders from the brain.
But if you stick with it the body adjusts very quickly. I was amazed how much easier it was today. Maybe having lost 5kg in five weeks has a bit to do with it. Especially coming up the long hill to Freeling! So hopefully you will add that road bike to your stable, and find a bit of time in your busy schedule for a training ride mid week. Then you will do this route again and remember back to how hard it felt the first time!
So well done on your first ride with the GW. Thanks for coming out with me to ride, and to meet this great bunch of people. Hope your legs don't feel too bad this morning. A quick ride around the block will loosen them up! Have fun at the swiming championships today.
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Permalink Reply by Frank (GW) on -
John I am always interested in how people's fitness, weel-being and cycling improves over time. Have you lost the 5kg just over the few weeks you have been riding with us and if so do you put it down to cycling?
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Permalink Reply by Ian Hart on -
Here goes.
Training is a pleasure here, Inclusive nature, Terrain for all, Amiable group, Noteworthy leadership, Impassable Wilson, Captain Frank (ROLLLLLLLL......ING!!!!)
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Permalink Reply by Dale (rouleur) Riggs on -
Tough - Irresistible - Torturous - Ageless - Niche - Inspiring - Camaraderie
My take on what sums up GW.
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Permalink Reply by terry heney on -
Hi all..
You have done it AGAIN Frank... Titanic write up and photo's of the days events.. Gosh you are a talent that Wheelers could not do without..Love the photo of the palm trees at Freeling lol... To the group that went the 100k+ route wow!!!!!!! if only I had the gutz on the day to tackle it. Young lads you make me sick with envy..love to be your age again... Wind put me off to attempt it along with a sore calf muscle from fridays work.
I just HATE that stretch from Gawler to Freeling ggrrrrrrrr.. especially into a stupid wind..then cross wind to Wasley's ? arrgggggg nearly threw me off my bike a few times so I slowed down along there...from there to Gawler mmmm tail wind and thrashed myself.. most times sitting on 35-45... it hurt but wow what a ride... (whole ride average was 25.3) pretty happy with that :)
@John Mills... good to see your mate Tony out for a leisurely ride with us mate...think he might not say it that way lmao..he certainly has a colourfull bike there and I am sure you could see in him how you felt on your first ride..He stuck it out though so well done to him....
Great organised group ride.. TEC's do a wonderful job in helping us mere mortals out... without them there be no Gawler Wheelers...
Look forward to next Sat providing no rain...
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Permalink Reply by Colin Bazeley on
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I would never have thought 12 months ago that i would calmly get up at 6.00am and ride a bike 110kms on a Saturday morning...thankyou Wilson, Frank and all the GWs.
Still wasnt sure when I got to Freeling if I would do it but I did! The wind was stronger than I expected especially to Kapunda and the hills steady to Tarlee and even the downhill sections needed leg power due to the wind.I found my second wind along to Templers and put my head down to Wasleys then tried to hang onto the back of the lead group.....but dropped off just before Roseworthy. Fantastic ride!
It was great to see Frank, John, Lee, Juz, Caroline and others who had stayed around until we got back.....thanks to them all.
My attempt is - Top people, Inspiring, Titans at the front, Always newbies, Nice photos, In a great area, Cafe welcoming
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Permalink Reply by Lee Bakes on -
No worries Colin. You faster guys give me a lot of support. I thought I was time I gave some back!
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Permalink Reply by Dave, Lewiston on -
There were some titanic excuses made back at Jaspers for not embarking on that particular voyage (too long, too tired, too busy, too windy, etc - they were mine, anyway), but it looks like you iced our first 100+km ride,
No lifeboats required, and nobody left behind (sorry, that's "Blackhawk Down", not the Decaprio one). Good one, guys.
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Permalink Reply by Frank (GW) on
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Thanks for the comments about your ride Colin, appreciated. I am interested in how people's fitness, general well-being and cycling improves over time so this comment intrigues me"
"I would never have thought 12 months ago that i would calmly get up at 6.00am and ride a bike 110kms on a Saturday morning"
Tell us a little more about that...what has changed over the 12 months?
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12 months ago I was just riding around Gawler mainly on my own doing about 20-25kms at most with a few rides out to Sandy Creek. It was all about trying to loose some weight and get fit on my Scott hybrid. Did a few rides with Mark Heindric in the Barossa and down at the beach then heard about the GWs. My mate Alistair seemed interested so we turned up one Saturday morning...the rest is history! Now I really look forward to Saturday mornings and catching up with the GWs even if its another early start. So its about being with a great group, still kicking some personal goals and getting outside into the great outdoors after a week working inside. And having support from Lisa who sometimes/always thinks I am a bit crazy!
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Permalink Reply by Peter Short on -
Just like the Titanic, my nice new Fondriest (2 weeks old) sunk on Friday the 13th :( - turns out there was a small crack, about 10mm, in the frame where the factory had overtightened the derailer bracket - hopefully will have a new bike again next week - all under warrenty.
So was back on the old bike for the 110km ride, was a good ride but also noticed a difference compared to the new bike - which is good - wouldn't be happy if there wasn't a difference!!.
GW - Tough Incredible Team And Nice Inclusive Community (TITANIC)
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