Wet, wet, wet. Muddies get muddy
Trott Pk, 4am, rain falls steadily, Scott lies in bed thinking "bugger, no ride today"
Two hours later Scott peers out from under the car port in his tracky dacks and Ugg boots to see Wayne across the road, on the bike, in lycra ready to go. "We're not going out today are we?" Scott asks pleadingly. " Course we are. hurry up and get changed"
By the time we assembled at Hallett Cove the rain had gone, no wind perfect day for a bike ride really. Fraser arrived last, staying in bed had seemed the best option and he stayed there a little too long but he made it in time. He was wet when he arrived, dripping sweat from smashing himself up the Veloway climb to make up for the lie in. We set off towards Becks to meet up with Phil and Baron, a nice cruisy ride to Port Noarlunga and then onwards along the Esplanade retracing the L ride route to Seaford where Paul McG left us to rendevous with the puncture fairy on the Veloway home, We continued to McLaren Vale and a mass of roadworks and mud on the road saw us follow the bike path through tow anfter a quick bidon refill stop.
Refilled and ready to go
The route from here was to sort of head towards Chapel Hill winery (OK I got a bit lost) and on towards Blewiit Springs, we got there via Kangarilla Rd somehow, but at least we got there. Nice scenery, a few ups and downs but the group all stayed together really well and we kept rolling and making good time. Somewhere out the back of Douglass Gully the rain started, a quick stop as some riders donned the rain jackets and a chase to catch up and regroup just out of Clarendon as the rain continued.
It was pretty hard seeing the road through the spray with wet glasses but traffic was light and well behaved and we were soon climbing Clarendon Rd. From looking at Strava the coffee stop must have been pulling us pretty hard as there were lots of PBs up the hill,maybe it was just the shelter of a big tree at the top.
Shelter
Baron left us here in search of a warm shower at home whilst the rest had the pleasure of descending Chandlers Hill Rd in the rain. An interesting descent with brakes rendered all but useless, a careful line was needed to avoid standing water and potholes. Applying the brakes stopped you speeding up but did little to slow you down, fortunately again the motorists behind me were very well behaved.
A final push to cafe Rimini for hot food and coffee, three riders chose to carry on and ride back towards town rather than sit in wet gear getting cold. Scott went home for a shower then rejoined us and Richard turned up two hours too late after getting a puncture on the way up the Veloway in the middle of a deluge and no shelter for miles. Why do we do this?
Despite the cold toes and several wet layers of clothing it was still a great fun ride, great to catch up with cycling mates and chew the fat whilst rolling through the vineyards. Soaking in a Radiant Raspberry Ripple bubble bath after getting home was just bliss, as was the chat with an unnamed rider about making lime marmalade. Maybe Gill should get some of those Muddies jerseys in pink after all
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Patrick O'Kane on -
Should probably mention Peter Hill's heavy bike was out of action today so he brought out the really heavy bike, and still kept up with us all day. He's going to have to put an anvil on the back next time.
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Permalink Reply by FraserMcQ on -
+1 Pat, a 'character building' ride and well worth the ride up from town. Clothes are in the wash, bikes begging for a decent clean and as for Peters effort - baggy shorts & heavy bike, top stuff !
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Permalink Reply by Richard Stevens on -
+1 too for Pete's efforts... no clips on pedals either.. and I held his bike briefly and man it's heavy!! thanks for arranging the ride Pat.. was great to catch up with a few peoples, meet a couple of new ones and get to ride an area I don't normally ride. Even though I avoid riding in the rain it actually wasn't that bad except for the decent down Chandlers.. that was just plain scary. I'm pretty sure I had the brakes on full from the top and only just stopped in time for the roundabout at the bottom. :)
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Permalink Reply by Alastair (A-Man) Dowler on -
Well done lads, at about 10.30 I was looking out from my garage watching the rain fall thinking to myself, "why do they do it".
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Permalink Reply by Adam Williss on -
I was going to say that I am sorry I missed it...but I'm not! Sorry about the weather - glad you all enjoyed the character building ride!!!
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Permalink Reply by Phil Crick on -
where's the picture of my eggs benedict?
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Permalink Reply by Patrick O'Kane on
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Permalink Reply by Phil Crick on
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so here's the real reason we ride in the rain :-)
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Permalink Reply by Matt Brennan on -
getting me one of those tomorrow! Even if it is for lunch!!
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Permalink Reply by Matt Jones on -
Rimini's doesnt appear to open on Sundays
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Permalink Reply by Paul Mc on
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Thanks guys for the ride, sounds like I bailed at the right time as I had no rain, just a few sprinkles. Peter is a legend pushing that bike at the pace he does.
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