“WELL, SINCE MY BABY LEFT ME,…..” >>> GAWLER WHEELERS Group Ride Report: Saturday 21st April 2012.
http://www.bikemap.net/route/1326511
No. of Riders : 51
TO JOIN GAWLER WHEELERS Group click >>http://www.adelaidecyclists.com/group/GawlerWheelers
*** TODAY's PHOTO GALLERY BELOW ***
Ride Summary
During today’s ride brief we recalled that on this day in 1956 the song “HEARTBREAK HOTEL” hit #1 on the charts and became the best-selling single that year. Rock & Roll was born and our music would never be the same again! Appropriately the GW ride today was dedicated to THE KING….ELVIS.
Wilson during the ride brief also announced that after scouring the globe, in our quest to continuously improve the Gawler Wheelers experience, a new concept would be introduced to our rides….THE WHISTLE. I will let others tell you all about it.
We had quite a few newbies join us today. Dan’s friend Kate came along for the first time and had a really great ride, as did newbie Carl. AC member and Audax Guru Claudio also joined us today, together with his sister Aurelia who is visiting from Sydney and his son Gianluca. Welcome to you all.
In another big surprise pro-cyclist Jack Bobridge’s Dad, Karl, joined us again for another GW ride together with partner Elaine. Naturally we all have our fingers crossed that our local hero, Jack, takes out GOLD at the London Olympics.
It is difficult to find the superlatives to describe today’s GW ride. The 60km route took the 51 of us through the beautiful Barossa Valley via Lyndoch, Williamstown, the Warren Reservoir, the Whispering Wall and back home. The rain held off, the temp was just right, the road surfaces were a joy to ride on, there was no wind and you could not wish for better company. This route has it all….such as inclines to satisfy the hills riders and help others improve their climbing skills. Gentle undulations let everyone put their foot down if they wish and glorious descents provide the rewards for the hard work. A MAGNIFICENT RIDE! (Keen to hear what others thought!)
One of the things we love about GW is the interesting people you meet and the wonderful new friends you make. After the ride we got chatting to newbie Claudio and what an interesting story he has to tell. He is 63 years of age and only started cycling 3 years ago. He had a diabetes problem then and weighed in at 110kgs. Since then he has shed 30kgs! In August 2011 he rode the 17th PARIS-BREST-PARIS Randonneur, (PBP), the most famous long-distance randonnée. 5,000 riders participated including 110 Aussies. The PBP is over 1,230 kms and there is a 90 hour time limit. Claudio finished the ride in 89 hours & 45 minutes and he describes it as his ultimate achievement. FANTASTIC Claudio…what an inspirational story….you are THE KING!!
WOW…..ANOTHER SENSATIONAL Gawler Wheelers morning!
NEXT WEEK: We will be holding one fantastic FLAT ride. Everyone is welcome to attend including YOU! Details will be posted on AC events soon. Today’s photo gallery follows:
Newbies Gianluca, Claudio and Auriela getting their bikes ready↓
Carl arrives for his first ride with the Gawler Wheelers↓
Led Zeppelin’s lead singer on Heartbreak Hotel↓
Lorraine & Juz….”A Little Less Conversation” please!..time to go↓
Gary …..love the headwear mate!↓
Wilson at the ride brief explaining THE WHISTLE concept↓
Nice to see Jon back riding with us↓
Get up Mitchell…time to ride again! It’s Now or Never!↓
Newbie Kate with Dan at Lyndoch...Frank "I'm All Shook Up!"
Lyndoch. Recent newbie Mark is now a GW regular↓
Newbie Aurelia….saying Frank…."Don’t Be Cruel”↓
George Harrison on Heartbreak Hotel↓
Sandy Creek. Jack’s Dad, Karl with Elaine↓
Gianluca at Lyndoch…..great lad....all the best with your Year 12↓
Not sure about the tattoo? Return To Sender perhaps!↓
Heartbreak at the Williamstown Hotel…not open yet!↓
Williamstown. Karl Bobridge was popular company today!↓
...and here he is his lad..... our local hero↓
Rolling Stone's Keith Richard on Elvis and Heartbreak Hotel↓
The Heinrich family at the Warren Reservoir. Brothers Peter and Mark with young Mitchell.↓
Re-group at the Warren Reservoir↓
Detail on the Warren Reservoir FYI↓
Great views at the top of Yettie Road↓
…although the Yettie Rd incline has nice kick to it!↓
Gawler Wheelers article in this weeks local paper↓
Andrew’s family join him back at Jaspers. From the left Lexi, Heidi and Lily↓
Finally....ELVIS ….THE KING…on a bike at Paramount Studios.↓
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 terry heney on -
Thank you Gawler Wheelers.. I had a wonderful mornings ride. :)
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Permalink Reply by john mills on
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Another magic ride throught the Barossa. And didn't the rain do the right thing. I enjoyed the chats after the ride as much as the pain of spinning the pedals - "Welcome to my world"!. So with just a couple of drops at Williamstown, the rain held off right through the coffee and cakes at Jaspers. And then just as I was taking the bike off the carrier when I got home, down it came - "When it rains it really pours"!. Well organised again Frank and Wilson.
Had to laugh at myself on the steep climb out of Williamstown. Not concentrating and decided I needed to drop another gear at one point. Too bad I was in first already! Another pit stop! And soon after, new found friend Cole, from the Gully Grinders, had his pit stop with his first puncture on a group ride. Thanks for the interesting chats Cole. What a lovely way to spend a Saturday morning - meeting new friends, cruising along through the vineyards in the Barossa, and not having the harsh summer sun beating down. Roll on autumn.
And then a repeat of trying to catch Terry, and Paul, before the finish line. I reckon they are teasing me along on these rides. They both seem to step up a notch over he last 10 or 20 kms. Just when I am starting to burn out! Hard work, but so much fun getting fit out on the roads, rather than in some sweaty gym or swimming pool.
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Permalink Reply by terry heney on
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John..
I thought you had that pit stop in sympathy for mine at same time (damn chain) but noooooo couldnt believe 15 metres up the road you ALSO had the same problem and on that stupid incline. Sorry mate I just HAD to have a chuckle about that.
Although I am pushing myself pretty hard through out most group rides John I do find my second wind with last 20k. but I tell you what Paul is pretty strong I reckon he could ride all day long and then go for another long ride the following day. Many of those hills tested me out John as I am sure they did to you as well but we got through them which 3 months ago I would have had to be walking up them.
Thanks Gawler Wheelers riders for the inspiration to get me where I am now fitness wise and to really now understand how my Father felt when he was a semi pro rider...He IS Always On My Mind
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Well I finally did it Terry. Just bought a better bike. A second hand Avanti ViVace. Just need Gary to help me set it up like my old faithfull steely, with a shorter stem, and maybe some shorter cranks, and those b...y hills should be a lot easier going up, and a bit slower rolling down the other side. Which should be good for my longetivity in both cases! So watch out, now I might have a bit better chance of keeping up with you. You went past me way too easily as we came up to the finish line on Saturday!
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Permalink Reply by terry heney on
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WHAT THE ????? well done John..Gosh all I will see now of you is a flash of lighting going past me now :) Good stuff mate...Gary will get you set up properly and ready for next weeks smashing ride...Happy for you John :)
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Thanks guys. I'm like a little kid just after opening his best present! I think I may have solved the 'too big' problem. I saw a little set of measurment lines on the handlebar, where it bolts onto the stem. So I have rotated the handle bar in the stem bracket to bring the front of the grip, and the brake levers which were far too high, back closer to the seat.
So excited! It feels so good just pushing it around the back yard, let alone what it might be like to ride. Light, light, light!! I think my knees will last a few years longer now with the lower gearing. But I don't think they are compacts.
Off for a test ride to see if it works! Heading up to One Tree Hill to see how it handles the climb out of Craigmore.
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Permalink Reply by Frank (GW) on -
CONGRATS John....how did the test ride go?
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Permalink Reply by David Hughes on -
Been a bit of a hound dog crying all the time missing last two rides working. Was close by the ride route this time making sure the ride was not too swamped by smoke, very early call out to help put out the Kersbrook fire. Hope to have a fire free weekend soon.
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Permalink Reply by Specialised Roubaix on -
7 of us from Birdwood Mishmash were heading North when we ventured into your territory, we passed you at your first regroup at Williamstown, many positive nods. We looped around lyndoch & Cockatoo Valley before returning , again passing at Williamstown. Was great to see you all, even if only in passing. The musical theme of your ride must have caught on as some of us were singing West side story lines whilst in your territory. :)
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Permalink Reply by Ol' Dr. Cadence (Mathew) on
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Ah, well it was good to see you all out riding on such a terrific day Jules. Hope your ride went well.
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Permalink Reply by Frank (GW) on
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Cheers Jules...great to see you guys as well! We might have to team up for part of one our rides one day?
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