winter solstice ride 2012

Well after being support last year i was looking forward to riding this time,but my back said otherwise,so it was support again this year.As the day went on and the weather got worse riders were dropping out one by one,even a couple of broken legs it would seem! that would be fine by next week lol .As start time approached it was down to 5 riders and i headed off with Ann and the hot coffee,muffins and cookies that i made that day. As i reached the city i passed dahondude playing catch-up and to my suprise he had reached AVO and gareth on the climb up norton,even though i had already seen them start the climb well ahead,great work dahondude.As i began the drive up the fog appeared and soon you could hardly seen 10mts ahead.As i reached the now 3 riders there reflective gear really showed its worth and the rear lights were easy to see even in the fog.I followed behind and waited for a safe place to pass then headed off to the summit,well that was the intention b4 the fog changed that and i missed my turn and ended up way off coarse,so it was out with the sat nav to get back on track as it was impossible to see the road signs or even the road at times.As i turned up summit rd i again found the riders who were keeping a cracking pass up that hill and even AVO on a fixie ( nutter) was making it look too easy.

I stayed behind them to help with the lights of the car in the now thick fog,rain and even hail.As we all reached the summit we were greeted by some locals ( see photos) which i dont think the riders even noticed as getting out of the rain was more important.At the summit we were joined by boots who had made his way up via the freeway.The coffee and food was handed out ( coffee was instant shit but at least hot ) Ann was thinking she was back in the uk all rugged up as it was now down to about 5c at the summit.We all shivered for awile b4 the time to head back down arrived.

4 riders had made the summit , AVO DAHONDUDE GARETH and BOOTS ( jason w ) ( derek hasel a no show?)

Well done to all ( your all totally mad ) see you all next year? if the fog lets me.

6 members like this

Comment by colin ware-lane on June 22, 2012 at 11:16

Comment by colin ware-lane on June 22, 2012 at 11:16: this was the welcome party at the summit.

Comment by Dahondude on June 22, 2012 at 14:15: Nice one Colin. Thanks again for coming out and driving support. Never saw the roos/wobblies at the summit, but did come close to a big old man roo on the way up Norton's.

My fingers still feel a bit numb after the descent off Lofty.

Comment by A.V.O. on June 22, 2012 at 15:25: free light-sabre with every CR Doppio jacket :)

Comment by Patrick O'Kane on June 22, 2012 at 17:40: It was lovely and warm at home with the heating on and proper coffee. Well done to the four hardy riders and a big thumbs up to the support crew,.

Comment by Steven Ellison on June 22, 2012 at 17:41: Nice report Colin! There is no shortage of crazy bike riders in Adelaide its just that you can't always see them ;-)

Comment by Gareth davies on June 22, 2012 at 17:43: it was strange to see others as stupid as me to go out in those conditions

Comment by A.V.O. on June 22, 2012 at 18:11: It wasn't actually all that bad...........

Not much wind, a bit of fog, only a heavy brief shower near the summit and 5 degrees this time of the year up Lofty is positively barmy ......

I loved the fog ..... kept thinking I was going to bump into Mulder and Scully

winter solstice ride 2012

You need to be a member of Adelaide Cyclists to add comments!

Support our Sponsors