THE WILL vs THE MIND >>> Gawler Wheelers Group Ride Report: Saturday May 26th 2012
Gawler Wheelers-ROUTE40-Gawler-Lyndoch-Williamstown-Gawler-BEGINNER HILLS
http://www.bikemap.net/route/1413757
No. of Riders : 18
TO JOIN GAWLER WHEELERS Group click >>http://www.adelaidecyclists.com/group/GawlerWheelers
*** TODAY's PHOTO GALLERY BELOW ***
Ride Summary
“The will ... is the driving force of the mind. If it's injured, the mind falls to pieces”
In the early hours of this morning with the rain pelting down the MIND GAMES came in to play. “Shall I ride today?” was the question that many asked themselves.
For 18 of us, the WILL overcame the MIND and we turned up for today’s Gawler Wheelers group ride. David got out of his car and asked “are we riding today?”. Reply: “Absolutely", we have a ticket to ride every Saturday regardless of the weather!” Fortunately the rain had stopped and we never saw it again all day!
Our ride today was over a shorter BEGINNER HILLS route. Just out of Gawler we tackled the first hill on Carlton Road and all managed it well even though we had not really had time to warm up. We then had to take a detour from our planned route due to a road closure ahead. We turned left on Cheek Avenue and headed for the Barossa Valley. We all regrouped at Sandy Creek, with everyone in good spirits as it was clear by then that we would not see any rain.
From Sandy Creek we rode on to Balmoral Road and back on to our scheduled route. It was a pleasant easy leg and Balmoral is always a great road to ride on. However we were all soon thinking about our next hill…the Yettie Road ascent. We normally ride down Yettie Road so for many this would be the first time that the hill would be climbed. It has a kick in it at the start, then flattens for short stretch and then a further climb to the top…..that is what makes it perfect beginner’s hill.
Following the Yettie climb we regrouped at the Whispering Wall where we waited for Daniel who was back a bit due to a flat. Juz, who was not riding today as she was not feeling 100%, was also there as she was our support crew for the day! The sun was out by now and everyone was relaxed as we knew the hard work was over.
We then had a beautiful downhill run into Williamstown and on to Lyndoch where we had another scheduled stop… aka time to chat and smell the roses. From Lyndoch it was a dream run back to Gawler, cruising along that 20km leg at around 35kph.
Due the shorter route and excellent riding conditions we were back at Jaspers well before 10.00. Whilst we were enjoying coffee, beer and scotch we were joined by Peter who came along to say hi and let us know how his injury recovery is progressing. He also met a newer GW member, Doug, and it turned out that they had gone to the same primary school together in the late 50’s!
We then all rode off into the sunshine….so glad that we had not let those MIND GAMES get the better of us! REMEMBER that YOU have a free ticket to ride every Saturday with the Gawler Wheelers…even if it snows!
NEXT WEEK: We will be holding two concurrent rides. One is over an EXTREME HILLS route and the other over a FLAT route. Yep > there is something for everyone and YOU and welcome to join us on either ride. Details will be posted on AC Events soon. Today’s photo gallery follows:
David asking “are we riding today?” ABSOLUTELY!↓
Chris all set for today’s ride↓
Michael (L), Wilson, Doug, Scott and Lorraine pre ride chat↓
Alistair > “can I get a refund on my ticket to ride?” Sorry...no refunds!↓
Not sure why Dale is smiling…..↓
….maybe because he is riding his mountain bike today!↓
Sandy Creek: Wilson & Michael chattting to our support crew (Juz)↓
Nick, glad to be back after a few weeks absence↓
Sandy Creek regroup↓
Yettie Road climbed: TICK↓
Whispering Wall. Michael and Daniel join us after fixing the flat↓
Love the scenery on the Williamstown – Lyndoch leg↓
Mick at Lyndoch > “the fish was this big!”↓
Lyndoch: Gary- Star Cycles (L), Alistair (asleep), Doug and Peter↓
Doug (L) and Peter catch up after 55 years!↓
Next time you are deciding whether to ride... just play this vid!↓
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 Matt Brennan on -
I assume there will be an epic GWers turn out for the next GS.
Sorry I missed the faces...but I was at the back :)
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Permalink Reply by Darren on -
Given GS4 takes starts out of Williamstown, heads to Gawler via Balmoral then back to Kersbrook I'm thinking there may be a significant GW contingent!!
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Permalink Reply by Pete Roberts on -
Nice write up Darren. (apart from mentioning that little technicality). :)
Yes, there were some tough hills in the deep South that we had to deal with, but I reckon that was the best route I have ridden on a Grand Slam to date.
Do you reckon our success in the Strava ranking, had something to to with the Carb loading, thanks to Tams cooking the night before, or the three bottles of Red that we polished off ???
A few of us GW's are considering riding to the start of GS#4, making for a +200km ride. Anyone else mad enough to add the extra ride to GS#4 ?
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Permalink Reply by Darren on
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Was pretty impressive us four GW riders leading the peleton for a few kilometers! Not long after we hit Nettle Hill Rd and got broken up a bit.
I can say wholeheartedly that red wine does nothing to stop cramp!! The pain of the climb up Parawa Hill will haunt me for some time. Apart from that I had a great ride and a great weekend down south! Second Valley was quite a ride - I really want to do that second loop again some time!!
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Permalink Reply by Craig on -
I'm keen to have another stab at that hill with fresher legs ;)
My legs are only just recovering now! But as the saying goes " what doesn't kill you, only makes you stronger" ;)
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