It was a cool change for the prolific pedallers today, as we rolled out in crisp conditions, with cloud cover and a light breeze. With our bib-knicks exploding with chamois cream and a squelchy spring in our step, we beetled out of town and into the hills.
We climbed our way uphill out of McLaren Vale, departing wine country and heading deep into gold country - the road twisting and turning along a particularly scenic route through quaint historic gold mining towns, like Meadows, Strathalbyn, Nairn and Williamstown. Beautiful roads lined with an array of flora and fauna - from pine tree forests, to stunning deciduous trees just beginning to shed their summer coats, the views were a welcome distraction as we pedaled our way towards the Barossa Valley.
If the scenery was not enough to delight the senses, it was topped off by the beautiful scents of the South Australian countryside - floral scents, mixed with sandalwood and mahogany. Although some smells were far less pleasing than others, I must say -the South Australian roadkill having a unique smell, which is hard to place, but it’s much more gamey than in Queensland, with a lingering seafood aftertaste.
Today’s challenge was not so much the uphill sections, but an undulating 13km stretch of road along a ridge line and dropping down into the town of Strathalbyn. Being predominantly a “false flat” downhill, it was finally a challenge for the “Clydesdales” of the bunch. Adrenalin was at an all-time high with riders attacking from the get-go in a flurry of pedals, and small bunches beginning to form. Just as the group would feel in the attackers, a new breakaway would form. But ultimately it was a small group of three - Buzza, Knighty and “one of the Dave’s” (probably the fast one) - took line honours with an average speed of just on 50km/hr. The excitement in the bunch after the challenge was next level - the thrill off lying along smooth roads on undulating terrain is what we cyclists live for! Top marks to the race director, Tim “Chad-meister” Chadd, for selecting that course.
But back to gold country…. Just like the prospectors of the 1800s, we were all praying to strike gold with a tail wind home, but the prevailing winds had been swirling around all day. We had a short lunch stop in an old chapel, and, “huzzah!”, our prayers were answered… “Eureka”, the peloton cried, as the wind had swung due North and swept us up, boosting the speed of the peloton to in excess of 40km/hr all the way home. We were “hooking along”, getting a small taste of what it might be like to ride as a professional cycling in a grand tour.
Today’s challenge was not so much the uphill sections, but an undulating 13km stretch of road along a ridge line and dropping down into the town of Strathalbyn. Being predominantly a “false flat” downhill, it was finally a challenge for the “Clydesdales” of the bunch. Adrenalin was at an all-time high with riders attacking from the get-go in a flurry of pedals, and small bunches beginning to form. Just as the group would feel in the attackers, a new breakaway would form. But ultimately it was a small group of three - Buzza, Knighty and “one of the Dave’s” (probably the fast one) - took line honours with an average speed of just on 50km/hr. The excitement in the bunch after the challenge was next level - the thrill off lying along smooth roads on undulating terrain is what we cyclists live for! Top marks to the race director, Tim “Chad-meister” Chadd, for selecting that course.
As we descended towards our motel in the heart of the Barossa, we found ourselves immersed in grape vines again -the sweet smells of Shiraz, welcoming us to the region.
It’s here we will stay for 2 nights...with more fundraising in mind, as we rest our weary limbs and contemplate our good fortune of being able to ride for the kids. We have just blown past $930,000 - with your help, on our way to $1 million.
