Doing the Domestiques
Bike serviced, Check!
New GP4000’s fitted, Check!
Garmin charged, Check!
An extra 5 kilos of Christmas cheer, Check!
A cunning plan to upload someone else’s Strava details to my profile, Double Check!
A fresh crop of DHBCers were all registered and raring to go for the annual TDU pilgrimage to Adelaide. The Club was well represented this year with Keith, Jo, Derek, Chris, Charles, Grant, Sophie, Fraser, Ken (I think), William (aka The Spawn) and your correspondent.
We arrived Saturday afternoon and settled into our accommodation and eased the heat with a wicked little white Shiraz rose from the McLaren. I put the bike together and went in search of a bike shop via the Tour Village.
Even the Bikes are big in Adelaide
The Tour Village, located opposite the Hilton in Victoria Square is getting bigger each year. One side of the park is very much teams and TDU merchandise. The other side of the Park is now VERY commercial. There were significant display shops from Pinarello, Focus, Zipp, Trek, Specialised, BMC, Skoda etc etc. I was very impressed with the opportunity to exchange your driver’s licence of a flash, top of the line steed and take it for an hour or two. The assistants were ever happy to load up a route on the Garmin so you could give it a work out.
Jo texted "If you go to Shimano see if Drew is there?" This is Drew!
Greenedge Manic Mechanic
We took the early opportunity to visit the Bupa TDU stand and collect the DHBC Domestiques Jersey and Musette kits for distribution to the team later in the week. The collection of the kits went off without a hitch or a queue. For which I shall remain grateful. Having queued in the past for this stuff, Adelaide is not a place to stand still in the sun for long. This year’s jerseys were an attractive blue design. They look like a jersey one could choose to wear again in public as opposed to prior years that you may not even wear washing the car.
The Tour Caravan
William on the Wattbike
With the team kits in hand and a quick look at the tour village completed we set off to the shop front of bicycleexpress.com.au located a few hundred metres away. I decided to buy a cheap floor pump and leave it with my mate and some inflator cartridges that you aren’t supposed to carry on the plane. Whilst there William decided he really needed to consider pursuiting as a track discipline. He gave one of the aero helmets a test drive
By the time we got back to the hotel the lycra clad population had begun show itself in solid numbers. You could feel the mood changing from one of toleration to one of encouragement. Cafes had begun to post signs welcoming cyclists and add menu items that would entice the weary interstate traveller. I even noticed that the supermarket stocks of disposable razors had taken a pounding.
Ride 1 – Hills Training Ride
I was greeted on Sunday morning by my local mate Pete acting as a guide. Pete has been following me on Strava and had formed the view that whilst I may well have logged some distance, I clearly hadn’t achieved much in the way of climbing. He had a cunning plan to make amends for that. We set off from the city, bound for the Adelaide Hills. The route was to take us up Maggil Rd, Norton Summit, Mt Lofty, Mt Osmond and then back to the city. Just a short and snappy 50K, whiz through the hills he said. Hmmm was my response.
Now readers, by way of a familiar comparison many of us will be intimately acquainted with the Kingsway Climb from Taren Point Rd to the Sutherland turnoff. This mere bagatelle has me wheezing for the 5.4KM at a gradient of 1.1%. My best is a time of 12.20. The trip just to get to the base of the hill is a swift and spritely 4.9KM at a gradient of 2.2%. It’s almost dead straight and appears to be flat as your eye is drawn from the road to the hills the lay in waiting like a Drop Bear ready to pounce on an unsuspecting victim.
We took the left turn on to Norton Summit Road and the gradient immediately moved upward. My mate Pete appeared to have what I felt was an all far too familiar knowledge of each corner, bump on the road and tree. He was able to keep up a running commentary to my complete disgust the whole way. I hadn’t ridden this climb before and I was delightfully devoid of motor vehicles. Add to this that the annual “Ride like Crazy” charity ride was also on we had most of the climb to ourselves. The road surface is excellent. I found in general the roads to be very superior to roads in Sydney. Mostly there was either a good shoulder or a marked bike lane on just about every piece of road that one may encounter a vehicle. Altogether rather pleasant really!
The Norton Summit Climb is a really good work out. Other than some climbs in the RNP I can’t think of too many like this south of Harbour Bridge. It runs for 5.1KM at about 4.9%. It took me 20 minutes and considering that we were only 15 minutes into the ride when we hit the bottom there wasn’t a whole lot left in the tank when we got to the top. As I stood up to get a little purchase on a couple of the switchbacks Pete rather unkindly I felt offered that when viewed from the rear that my knicks resembled a hamster fighting a polywaffle in a hessian bag. To add further insult to injury he opined that there was probably more poly than waffle too. Bastard!
We rolled through the one horse town of Norton Summit and on to Mt Lofty. The next climb to shake my nerve was to be Woods hill Rd, 800M of 8.1%. It was just another climb to dig into and get it done. Mt Lofty followed and was 1.7KM of 4.9%. By then the wind had really picked up. At the top of Mt Lofty the wind speed was up in the 30’s and the temperature in the low teens. We had planned to have a coffee to celebrate our climb to the 685M summit however the coffee shop didn’t open until 8.30. There were plenty of cyclists and hikers passing through with that WTF face on looking for a coffee and a muffin. Oh well their loss.
Great View.
From there a super descent to a point about two thirds of the way down the old freeway to the Mt Osmond turnoff. The descent was actually very cold. Being pretty hot from all the climbing I didn’t notice the drop in temperature as we climbed. Luckily for me by then the hamster had got a firm grip on the polywaffle and tragedy was averted. Mt Osmond was a toughie, the first 400M is 12.1%. It averages out to about 8.2% for the total climb of 1.2KM. I was pretty pleased to get it done. We then sailed down what I thought were some ludicrously steep down hills to get to some coffee. Whilst I wasn’t keen to ride back up I did see the haunted look on the face of guy was passed. He really looked like a guy whom asked for a bike for Christmas and was now paying for it in spades. Checking Strava, it shows an average of -11% for 1.4K. There were a couple of switchbacks that I was off the back of the saddle and grateful it was dry.
Back at the hotel after a 50KM and 900 metres of climbing I felt good after my first hit out in Adelaide this year. Strava details http://app.strava.com/activities/38054289
Day 2 Beaches Bash
Pete was training for the Alpine so he didn’t wish to hit the Hills two days in a row. He suggested a city / beaches loop. I was just keen for a ride so I reckon I would have agreed to anything. I got in touch with Charles from the C28’s whom was down with his family for the week. We had coordinated a city meet up with Charles and headed west. It was gloriously quiet and flat. We hit Henley Beach and turned south. As we approached Glenelg we drew alongside the Patawolonga. The Patawolonga is a very short 7km river that meets the sea at Glenelg and best known for its arresting perfume. I understand that “Patawolonga” has a number of meanings in the local dialect including “swamp of snakes” and “boggy and bushy stretch, with fish” however it is generally accepted that “Floating Turd” is the most literal. We stopped for a coffee and to clear our nostrils in Glenelg. Now Pete knows his coffee. So do I, but not in the biblical sense that Pete does. There seemed to be a wide choice available, including Civet Coffee (look it up!). Me, I settled for a rambunctious Ugandan Arabica, Charles “just wanted a bloody coffee!”
A nice flat ride that Charles repeated later in the week. Strava details http://app.strava.com/activities/38171170
Day 3 TDU Stage 1 Adelaide – Lobethal
Now I may have over reached. On paper this looked like a long tough day in the saddle. But looks can be deceiving as paper is flat.
Charles and Sophie from the C25’s joined up and off we went to climb Norton Summit again. This was Sophie’s first go and to her credit she made it up the hill. However, that was as far as she was going to go. Good on her for knowing her limits. Pity I didn’t know mine. Charles and I ventured off to Lobethal for the finish of the first stage of the race. Charles had already been to the start and was very keen to beat the Peloton to the finish. I certainly admired the man’s courage.
From Norton Summit we only had about 24KM to traverse to get to Lobethal. About a kilometre after we rolled out a lithe chappie resembling a fit looking mountain goat chatted with me as I was valiantly attempting to suck lung fulls of air through the hole under my nose whilst I negotiated a short steep section. His comments were along the lines of if you are finding this section tough you may wish to consider not going to Lobethal this way as it only gets worse. Whilst I did form a sharp retort the very notion that I expend any excess energy on moving my lips seemed a preposterous idea. I just wheezed a grunt in acknowledgement.
I wouldn’t dream of speaking for Charles, however I think it safe to say that the Basket Range Road could be safely renamed the Basket Case Road without incurring a protest. By the time we hit it, it was very hot and hard going. The climbs were shorter but steeper than Norton Summit and considerably lonelier. We welcomed the temporary road closure to let the Peloton pass then finally made it to Lobethal. Charles and I agreed that we would (or dare I say couldn’t) take the same return journey home. We opted for a longer route with shallower gradients. The below imagines reflect your shattered correspondent and his compatriot.
The Stage finish was fast and hectic and we decided to push off quickly as I needed to get back to the City. The road to Verdun is flat, fast 15KM which we took in our stride. We stopped at the bottom of German Town Hill, a previous KOM for the TDU and said our farewells. I took off up the hill and headed for the summit at Crafers and then down to the City to meet the family. Charles go lost, poor bugger. He reported that he did an extra hill and nearly cried.
All in all one of the hardest days in the saddle for this little black duck.
Strava details http://app.strava.com/activities/38307257
Day 4 TDU Stage 2 Adelaide – Mt Barker
Charles determined that discretion was the better part of valour and did a Beaches Loop. I on the other hand didn’t know what was good for me and headed once more for the Hills.
Today’s stage start was Mt Barker, about 35K from the city centre. The usual long climb to Crafers of 15KM followed by a very pleasant descent to Hahndorf. The weather was much more pleasant with some cloud and mid-twenties on dial.
I rolled through Hahndorf, dodging the throng of cyclists and the cacophony of TDU supplied cow bells. I got about 2K’s from Mt Barker when the road turned skyward yet again. I drew the conclusion that, (a) Mt Barker was probably at the top of a Hill and (b) the food in Hahndorf looked really REALLY good. I did a 180 and headed for a Hahndorf café. I found a chair and table at the same Café that Adrian, Peter T and I dined at last year. I was somewhat miffed when the fellow didn’t recall my previous visit. Perhaps he is new, ne pas?
The Peloton zoomed through Hahndorf twice. The pictures show the close racing and how accessible it is to the Public. I made lots of new friends, as one does when you are pressed up against a complete stranger dressed only in lycra and dripping sweat. The most action I have had in a while.
I turned once more toward German Town Hill determined to improve my Strava score on that little hill. By this time the Family had advised they were heading for Glenelg and I should go there. Super Duper! With a 25KM downhill, the descent got longer and longer. Once I hit Cross Rd in Urrbrae I jumped on the back of some strong guys and in no time found myself in Glenelg.
It wasn’t a taxing day but 70KM and 1100 Metres of climbing was starting to take a toll on my legs. Strava details http://app.strava.com/activities/38424787
Snaffled an invite to the Greenedge Cocktail Party
Day 5 TDU Stage 3 Unley – Stirling
This is always my favourite stage. Breakfast with the family at the start then off up the old freeway to Stirling. The plan was ride to the KOM at The Eagle on the Hill then on to Stirling to see the balance of the race. I met up with Jo and Chris from the Club. Jo had brought a local mate for a spin. He was clearly fit and I was happy for him to drive the pace. Man, it was hot. 38 degrees hot. Once we hit the bike path at the base I slithered off the back. I was very fatigued. I was concerned that maybe I have over cooked the week and the big one tomorrow would be too bigger a stretch.
I welcomed the stop at the KOM point. The three of us and about a hundred of our nearest and dearest new mates huddled under the one solitary gum tree as the riders bolted past us an extraordinary clip. The notion of sprinting for the line was so alien to me I needed to sit down once they had rocketed by. On our way up someone yelled “Dougie” to me. I couldn’t identify the person and no one has owned up. It’s still a mystery. Maybe I owe them money…..
The Money Shot
We pootled into Stirling and went our separate ways. I stayed with the Bride and Spawn to watch the six laps. Charles was wandering the streets with his family and Chris and Jo disappeared to soak up the atmosphere.
Whilst chillaxing with my posse I noted a Chappie replete in a DHBC jersey. I wandered over and did the whole “hail fellow, well met” routine. I think he said his name is Ken. I certainly didn’t recognise him, nor him me. So Ken, if you really are Ken, make yourself known please. I also met up with Keith and exchanged numbers for the morning meet up.
The racing was tight and exciting and the whole crew seemed to have a great day. Plenty of LACC and SU Velo riders about and all very friendly to their fellow Sydney siders.
We hit the road once the race had finished and enjoyed the 15KM descent back to the Tour Village in the centre of town. I beat the family home by about 15 minutes. Cool Huh? Rehydration was the word of the day. Tomorrow was the big one.
That evening I got a call from Sophie from the C25’s. She had been hit by a car. Ironically the accident took place opposite the Hospital. She was on the footpath and hit by car coming out of driveway. According to her she became a hood ornament for a bit. She cracked her helmet and spent some time in lala land. The ambos cut everything she was wearing off of her.
I visited her in hospital. They had decided to keep her in overnight for observation. She had a local friend with her so other than sore and sorry it appeared she would make a full recovery. She was keen to ride on Friday – Hard woman!
Day 6 The Bupa Challenge and TDU Stage 4 Modbury – Tanunda
4.15am wake up. Far out. I might have gotten three hours sleep. I was definitely sore and fatigued from my week of riding. My time in the saddle today wasn’t looking like a lot of fun.
Jo, Fraser, Chris and I met up and whipped along the 15KM to Modbury. We there meet up with Keith and Charles. Derek reported that his bus was late and he would see us on the road. To this end Dulwich Hill was well represented and the peloton was sprinkled from front to back with DHBC riders. How homogenous of us.
The Team
I urged Jo to drop the hammer and get going but she demurred to escort this fat old man the full distance. Thanks Jo! The first 45KM was all climbing. I certainly felt every single metre both horizontal and vertical.
We spotted Derek and leap frogged Charles a couple of times. Judging by the text times we all arrived within around 45mins of one another. I completed the ride about 15% faster than previous years. It’s great to have someone to ride with. Mind you being a little fitter probably helped too. I think next year I might take it a bit easier. Betcha I won’t though.
We went our separate ways and enjoyed the rest of the days racing. I fell asleep in the car on the way back to the hotel – mid sentence. I must have been buggered.
Strava Details http://app.strava.com/activities/38590850
The Wash up
That was it for me. I had ridden enough. I saw Jo, her local mate and Chris in the McLaren Vale for Stage 5. Good on them for backing up. Judging by Strava another very big day for them. I was stuffed. I watched the highlights package of the Stage with a beer in one hand and an Octopus Yiros with double Garlic Yogurt from Hindley St in the other. Stage 6 I got myself invited to a corporate box. It’s good to be me.
A little from the other stages
Stage 5
Stage 6
Six rides, 435.5KM and 5,700 Metres of climbing.
Who’s up for 2014?
‘til next time
Dougie
