TRI-RIDE …..IT WAS A TRIPLE TREAT >> GAWLER WHEELERS GROUP RIDE REPORT: SATURDAY MARCH 24th 2012
Gawler Wheelers-ROUTE36-Gawler-Lyndoch-Williamstown-Gawler-UNDULATING
http://www.bikemap.net/route/1362777
Gawler Wheelers-ROUTE37-Gawler-Lyndoch-Williamstown-Kersbrook-Gawler-HILLS
http://www.bikemap.net/route/1362778
Gawler Wheelers-ROUTE38-Gawler-Lyndoch-Williamstown-Kersbrook-Forreston-Kersbrook-Gawler-EXTREME HILLS
http://www.bikemap.net/route/1362779
No. of Riders : 37
TO JOIN GAWLER WHEELERS Group click >>http://www.adelaidecyclists.com/group/GawlerWheelers
*** TODAY's PHOTO GALLERY BELOW ***
Ride Summary
The morning weather looked a little unpredictable. The forecast said 'clearing shower' and not many of the 37 riders came in their wet weather gear….mistake! Newbie Michael, who came from Clearview to ride with us did not have a great start to the morning as he forgot to bring his helmet. Can't ride with GW without a helmet!! Not to worry as local GW regular Peter raced home to get his spare helmet for Michael. During the ride-brief we also acknowledged the efforts of our Ride4Repat comrades and rehearsed the applause we will be giving them when they return to GW next week.
Today was the first time that we have held the Gawler Wheelers Tri-Ride aka a group ride splitting off later into three separate rides. For the first 22km leg we all rode to Williamstown as one group. The light showers kicked in on the way to Sandy Creek, however the morale remained high and it was obvious that everyone was keen to ride and take advantage of the Tri-Ride Triple Treat on offer today.
We regrouped at Lyndoch and then took off to Williamstown. Despite a safety warning at Lyndoch to take care at the railway crossing as the tracks would be slippery we had two minor falls there (no injuries apart from dented pride). That crossing is now known as “Ramsay’s Crossing” as it is where Ramsay had his nasty fall last year.
We all ended up making it safely to Williamstown where everyone had to make a final decision… ”which route will I ride?” The options were (1) 47km Undulating Route back to Gawler via the Whispering Wall. (2) 64km Hills Route to Kersbrook and back to Gawler via Humbug Scrub and (3) 78km Extreme Hills route to Forreston, Checker Hill and back to Gawler.
We had good numbers in each group with the Hills Route being the most popular as it was an ideal “beginners hill route”…challenging but not too difficult. The showers continued on these legs, however there was no wind, it was not too cold and you would have to say that the cycling conditions were favourable overall. By the time we got back to Jaspers everyone was fairly wet. The hot drinks went down really well!. The post-ride spirits were high and everyone chatted about how much they had enjoyed the rides We can say with confidence that the Tri-Ride concept worked well and was a huge success. Those participating will tell you more about their Tri-Ride experience so keep checking in to this post.
NEXT WEEK: To cater for those who will be doing the GS#2 on the Sunday we will be holding one easy flat ride. It will be an ideal warm up for anyone riding in the GS#2. YOU are welcome to attend. Details will be posted on AC Events shortly. Today's photo gallery follows:
Newbie Michael says " I forgot my damn helmet!"↓
Whew!...."Peter is going to go home and get me his spare helmet...what a goood bloke he is...many thanks"↓
Keith and Juz. Who is keeping who warm?↓
Lorraine arrives for her 18th Gawler Wheeler ride. She sent me this text after the ride > "I would have offered to towel dry you fellas but you took too long to get back!" (There is always next week Lorraine?)↓
Young Brendan arrives for his second GW ride↓
Terry admiring Lyndelles brand new bike↓
Colin signing on for the Hills ride (GW safety precaution)↓
Love the head protection gear Nick!↓
Sandy Creek: Alan saying to Ramsay "are you awake mate?"↓
Barry (R) introducing himself to last weeks newbie John↓
Ramsay: "Of course I am awake..was thinking of a hot shower"↓
Bretto riding into Sandy Creek↓
Sue having a laugh after David complained about the spray he copped riding behing her. Care factor nil obviously!↓
Greg & Alan at Williamstown. Love the kit Greg!↓
Lyndoch Re-Group↓
Peter and Dan at Williamstown discussing bike computers↓
Williamstown: Dale puts his hand up for the Extreme Hills ride↓
Wilson explaining the next part of the Tri-Ride concept↓
Decisions made. John taking down the names of the Hills route riders↓
Hills group at Kersbrook. Yep...Juz is going the wrong way!↓
Mick at Kersbrook..."where is Barry!"↓
Chris (L): "That Kersbrook Hill sure is a tough climb"↓
Nearly at the top of Kersbrook Hill↓
Tough yes...but all smiles once you get to the top↓
BEFORE SHOT: Juz drenched after the ride↓
AFTER SHOT: That's better! What's with those stockings Juz??↓
Extreme Hills riders arrive back safely..well done guys.↓
We made the local press again this week..."Gawler Bunyip"↓
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)
§ Gawler Wheelers Events - RSS Fee
§ Gawler Wheelers Events - History
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Dale (rouleur) Riggs on -
My name is, my name is . . . . . Slim Shady.
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Permalink Reply by terry heney on -
Juz..
With the weight your pushing up hill and compacts on you would sail past those people then...
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Permalink Reply by Mick Adams on
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@ Juz,
I am no expert but by the time you change groupsets, you are halfway to a new bike. Suggest just get compact crank and different back sprocket which should do the same job.
Only other option would be to move in with Chris & Caroline and wait for a new bike?
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Permalink Reply by Juz on -
You have something against my bike Mick? I'm still glassy-eyed in love with her. She will get new toys & shiny things before I consider a whole new bike! :-P
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Permalink Reply by Clive Palfrey on -
The amount of riding that Juz is doing i wouldn't be surprised if a new rear cassette and crank would be over due in 12 months.
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Permalink Reply by Frank (GW) on -
We love the socks Juz!! Seeing you love your tea so much I bet that you have some like these as well >>
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Just thinking photo of Chris looks like he's singing " I'm a little Tea Pot"
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Permalink Reply by Juz on
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Haha! If I can get them in the right length, I'll get them! :-) Nice find Frank.
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Permalink Reply by Colin Bazeley on
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Great ride even if the expected views were hidden by low cloud/rain. Had a hot shower and wrung lots of water out of my socks and leggings when I got home! Shoes took until this morning to dry out. The format was good and there was a great group and high numbers despite the conditions. Will need to get a better waterproof jacket for the winter.
The decents were tricky in the wet and I kept my speed down as my glasses were either covered in rain or fogged over ......better to be safe than sorry!
Another great GW ride and good to see Frank back.
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Triple Treat seems to have been popular with those that rode it, and was a small challenge for those looking for something different. Given the time difference between the arrival of each group back there was not much difference, allowing:
1. Hills riders not quite sure who was in the group as we all seemed to be looking for who was the on road TEC
2. Extreme riders having punctures and steeps decents to worry about.
I think this route has shown how much some of us have improved over the last 6 months, and I am sure now we can get Frank onto a few more hills ride, he loved the Williamstown to Kersbrook leg.
Next challenge will be how we can add another variation into the rides to cater for all levels of skill.
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Permalink Reply by john mills on
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Here's an idea. One of my favourite areas for riding are the roads between Kapunda, Marrabel and Eudunda. There is generally not a lot of traffic and the scenery is just serene. Nothing seems to have changed up there since the seventies. A step back in time.
So my idea is to have two different start times and places. A remote start for us mere mortals, at Kapunda. The 'super group' start at Jaspers as normal. For example, the Jasper’s group start at the regular 7.30 time slot. Meanwhile the rest drive out to Kapunda, and are ready to join in when the 'super group' get there.
After letting them have the usual short rest we all head off for Marrabel.
Then there are several possibilities. Choices to be made, as at Williamstown on Saturday. At the T intersection, about 3 or 4 km south of Marrabel, a group that only wants to do 40km for the day could continue on into Marrabel, have a rest, and then head back to Kapunda. Some of the super group might feel that they might just head into Marrabel too, and then do the trip from there back through Kapunda to Gawler.
Meanwhile the rest head for Eudunda. At the little 'ghost roadhouse' about a third of the way to Eudunda, another group might want to turn back for Kapunda. That would be about 50 to 55km in total by the time they get back to Kapunda. Have not checked out the exact distances on Google as yet.
And of course that just leaves the rest to pedal on to Eudunda, have a break there, and back to Kapunda along the Eudunda/Kapunda road. Nice steep 1km climb out of Eudunda, but then mainly downhill to Kapunda. Any super group riders then either continue on to Gawler, or see if they can get a lift back from Kapunda.
It would be about 75km for the group that start and finish at Kapunda.
I think it caters for a fair range of abilities. And a 'sprint' strip of a perfectly straight, flat track starting at a little town half way between Kapunda and Marrabel. About 6km to the T junction, or 10km to Marrabel. Can never remember it's name! Plus the chance to see some nice country side that they may have not seen before. And the chance for some to test themselves on a fairly long ride if they want that challenge, but still to be with mates for a good part of the ride, to hopefully get some friendly encouragement.
© 2013 Created by Gus K.
