With day one under our belts, or should we say bibs, we awoke a less nervous and far more relaxed bunch.... that is until we opened the curtains to see rain hammering down and our ever-faithful road crew adorned in garbage bags to make sure the gels and muesli bars were lined up just so.
If the Pullman's exceptional buffet was not enough, as we made our way out from the porte cochere, the clouds parted as quickly as the red lights turned to green for our speedy escape to the world-famous McLaren Vale countryside. With the promise of some of the best riding Australia has to offer, we were humming... right up until the first of three tough climbs of the day. But of course, it would not be a Chain Reaction ride without a challenge, and it was never going to be all d'Affinois and Pinot Noir!
The first climb started with a call for 'Free Play', which in any other instance would incite the feather weights to tear each other's legs off, but not today, or perhaps not just yet... for the climb of the day was set to be none othe rthan Old Willunga, which we will come back to.
It may have been the delirium of the two climbs, or the 35.5-degree heat that well and truly dried wet shoes and jerseys, but when our fearless ride director Tim Chadd announced over the radio that 'this part of the ride is absolutely spectacular', anyone of us would have been forgiven for thinking we were riding through Bordeaux in France! Surely it does not get better than this! Until the vines parted to reveal the sapphire blue waters of Alinga Beach. Well played Tim, brief fulfilled!
A short ride later we pulled up for lunch at The McLaren Vale Hotel for a cheeky steak and or lamb rump, which did not disappointment! That is until we were told there was a challenge set for one of the penultimate climbs of the week... Old Willunga. Made famous every year by the likes of our very own Richie Porte, Simon Yeats and Jack Haig, but I'm sure those boys didn't do it straight after a Steak!
From the summit, we commenced a gentle roll back down to McLaren Vale where the ice baths were pre-loaded, as were the eskys and the massage tables prepped. A welcome reward for a hot day in the saddle in the name of raising funds for AEIOU and our minor charity partners. With $863,413.00 raised, we are within sight of our $1M goal. We thank you for your support and are looking forward to sharing day 3 with you.
Photos from the day click here
Video from today click here
