We woke up to a chilly day in Toowoomba. Another ride day, but this one was going to be different because it was time for the Brisbane Challenge Teams event. Despite the chill in the air, the sun was out and we rolled down and up along smooth roads to the Peter Watts Criterium track for our briefing. The track is not as flat as we were hoping for!!
The track, which is the home for criterium racing in Toowoomba, is pretty impressive. The track is 1.76km in length, with a couple of rises and today- accompanied by some brutal wind in face of the climbs.
The rules of the Challenge were simple. Each team had a bidon with a Garmin inside, to measure distance over a four-hour time limit. It had the be carried on a bike by each team and to be strategically swapped to fresh and strong riders through the time slot. Safety came first. The bidoned garmin had to be handed over with each rider having come to a complete stop with one foot on the ground. Teams worked like pit crews at F1 races to swap the bidon, and even manage a wheel change, and bike swaps, to seek the five- lap advantage each team sought to gain by “e-means”.
Each team had to have half of their riders on the track at any one time, and each rider had to do a minimum of 6 laps. The start was fast and furious, with all the teams keen to get in the lead. The wind was a significant factor, and team tactics started to come into play.
There were some tired legs as we had already been riding for five days and ridden over 720 km, but as we keep telling each other – "this is nothing compared to what some of the kids endure", the cause that brings us together.
Strategies varied, some teams opted for a team time trial while others swapped the turns over, but after 4 hours, it came down to the last lap for team honours. A photo finish!
In the end, we covered a distance of 152 kilometres in 4 hours and it was a great team effort of 86 laps. More importantly the riders donated to their pages today to maintain the great camaraderie and sense of purpose that this ride has already demonstrated. Another $2500 into the bargain we all made with each other to strike at stretch target of $750,000. The reward at the end of the week will be enough to raise a thirst or two.
After the excitement of crit riding, we headed to lunch at The Blue Mountain hotel, with spectacular views over the range. We were treated to a great lunch of assorted foods- all welcome after the hunger that strikes at riders who have worked to cover an amazing distance in a limit time event; and after, a chat and a team photo, then back to the hotel for a much-needed shower, a massage, and an ice bath set up for those brave enough to plunge.
There has been lots of chatter about this being the hardest Chain Reaction ride anyone has done, and today, we knocked over 10,000 meters of climbing as well as heading towards our total of 1000 kilometres and home tomorrow.
Blog written by, Faye Goodyear of the Bell Potter Team.
Editors Note: The person who wrote this blog is far too modest and is a weapon on a bike, showing all the riders how to complete a team challenge.
On the evening of Day 6, the following Competition Jerseys were awarded.
- Orange ‘Leader's Jersey', sponsored by Pure Storage, went to Grahame Gilson and Troy Wright of the OKG + TFA Team.
- White ‘New Riders Jersey', sponsored by Sunkids, went to Will Lockwood of the Hutchinson/AEIOU Team.
- Black ‘Spirit of Chain Reaction’ Jersey, sponsored by LSH Auto went to Faye Goodyear of the Bell Potter Team.
- Pink 'Inspiration jersey', sponsored by MGA Insurance Brokers, went Kelly Commins of the Bell Potter Team.
