Chain Reaction Charity Ride 2013 – Day 1

As I wrote in the post about local cycling trips you don't have to spend a lot of money on cycling adventures.

Anyway, let's dive into Day 1.

Day 1 – April 27

I didn't sleep much (at all) the night before. Often happens when you're doing something exciting the next day. Awake – stuffed – and head off.

Melbourne is in fine fettle this morning. She is truly a pretty city – gleaming glass spires reaching toward to the rising sun, unyielding before the cold Autumnal wind from the north.

MCG start

We congregate at the shrine of grandiose sporting achievements in Australia – Bradman, the Ashes, Olympics, Melbourne Footy Club (ahem).

Photos are taken and we are away.

I'm in the lead car with Ride Director Tim Chadd (who I've known for 10 years and has more business ideas than me and is probably just as scattershot at implementing them) as I'm in training for the Gold Coast-Brisbane ride.

Through the suburbs of Melbourne to lots of friendly toots and waves including a big smiley wave from none other than World Famous Cycling Commentator Matt Keenan.

There is a Very Random Fine System (VRFS) in place with Michael Lake (aka Lakey) deciding what fines are levied and for what reason (basically: whatever Lakey feels like). There is a (very fair) system in place where riders can, on Day 1 only, pay a fine premium of $300 after which they can commit any transgression they like. This netted the charity a cool sum overnight – clearly some execs were very nervous about bringing down Lakey's Wrath from high upon Mount Doom).

After 40km or so of disjointed rhythm due to traffic lights, we weave through quiet streets – say hi to one of the riders' (Dom) parents and hit the leafy outskirts of Melbourne, have a drink stop, and leave Melbourne.

Riding to Kinglake we pass lots of cyclists and I'm wistful I never rode out this way when I lived in Melbourne. It's truly pretty – Victorian gum forests and winding roads. Even the dark imprimatur of the havoc wreaked by bushfires in 2009 provide a contrasting (but additive) beauty to the landscape.

We arrive at the first climb and it's on!

A group go 7 riders quickly take off and set a nice tempo up the climb with 2 dropping off toward the top.

Heading up into Kinglake

This is Ty. I like Ty. Looks a climber, can do, nice guy (and the official weatherman).

Ty

The lunch stop is salubrious in nature with salad rolls, caramel fudge & brownies; a quick stop and we are away.

(As support members it is highly likely we will end up quite a number of kilos heavier, eating fudge and other delicacies but without the riding. One must be careful.)

A descent right after lunch consigns one rider to the medics after having an off – fortunately he is ok.

Phil from Westfield

Gossy

The remainder of the day is through rolling hills toward Trawool.

Toward the Finish

(Whilst the riders had a well deserved massage, my fudge guilt got the better of me and triggered a run.)

After the sprawling dinner (calories, calories – must remember I'm not riding!), we have jersey presentations at which a yellow, white, green and polka dot jersey/helmet/sunglasses combo is conferred upon whomever the committee (after much serious deliberation) feel is most worthy.

After this, most riders filter off to bed but not Tim and Lakey and Graham. Quite a number of red wines disappear (with yours truly abstaining in the interest of, well, common sense) with an alleged 1am bed time (surely this is worth a fine?).

All in all an excellent day; what a great bunch of people.