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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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Michael Wetherley on -
41.4avg over nearly 15kms we were flying!!!
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Permalink Reply by Frank (GW) on -
That's excellecent Michael! out of interest what was your average over the total ride?
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Permalink Reply by Michael Wetherley on
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My avg for the day was 31.7, total 86km
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Permalink Reply by Darren on -
Was a Titanic segment... I worked damn hard to get on the back of that train and even harder to hold on! I think we were fair smashed when we got back.
http://app.strava.com/rides/6697122#125070727
Unfortunately the wheel sensor didn't sync with the computer so the timing defaulted to GPS which is less than ideal.
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Permalink Reply by Keith Hayes on -
A tough but enjoyable 108km today, so feel pretty happy to have made it safely back to Jasper's (before dark what's more...!). Thanks to the faster guys in the group for showing us how it's done but also for being patient with we mere mortals at the regroups (the word 'picnic' was used at one of the longer stops!). A privilege to ride with you today, so thanks very much to all involved. Also very pleased to be the proud owner of some new GW kit - a great way to finish a fantastic day! Great report too Frank - entertaining and cheeky, as usual (like that headwind??)
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Permalink Reply by Frank (GW) on
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Keith, great 110km ride by you today mate. What's this "old fart" bit! You ride better than many half your age. (Don't forget that Lil (88) is still riding several times a week.....so we have at least another 30-40 years of cycling ahead of us!
Agree re your comments about the three 16 yr old lads today. Top effort on the 110km route....they will be our "Ride Leaders" before we know it!! Here is a photo of them together today....from the front > Carmen, Jonah and Fabian:
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Permalink Reply by Mick Adams on
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In keeping with the TITANIC theme of Franks post, here your chance to win a Wrist and Helmet ID
Describe todays ride using the word TITANIC example:
Terrific ride, Inviting group, Together we stay, Awesome route, Naughty Frank, Iconic miner, Cheeky Juz
Only 1 catch, you can't use a word that someone has posted before you, all entries will be drawn next Saturday. Have fun
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Permalink Reply by Frank (GW) on
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Nice gesture Mick! Is that about $40 worth? Just to clarify....will you accept entries through to say Friday 6.00pm?
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Permalink Reply by Keith Hayes on
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Trundled Into Tarlee Against Nearly Impossible Crosswinds - a TITANIC effort by all!
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Permalink Reply by MARK FERGUSON (SPARTACUS) on -
Really missing GW, planning to come down soon!
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