Around The Bay

Sunday 16th October was the 2011 version of Around The Bay in a day. 210km of cycling madness.

Fortunately I have a very understanding wife, who got out of bed at 4.50am to drive me into the City for the 6am start. I met Luke in Alexandra Ave (who has a very understanding fiance!!) We rode the short distance to join the crowds awaiting the start. Bicycle Victoria had a new system of sending riders off in waves. We waved goodbye to 30 minutes whilst we waited patiently (well, Luke was patient) to start. We were entertained by the announcer (well, Luke was entertained) with comments such as "Are you going to walk all the way?", "Do you think you can keep up with the others?" and "How many poos have you had this morning?". I was glad to get going.

We got 500m before we stopped. And queued for the lights. Then another 300m before another set of lights....and so on and so on until we got to the Westgate Bridge. Fortunately, it hadn't rusted away, and we crossed safely on our way to Geelong. This part of the ride turned into a slugfest. The winds were very strong (gusting over 50km/h). Also due to the wave starts, there did not seem to be the large groups to get the draft from. Luke was struggling for a lack of training (overseas holiday) and exhaustion (either his recent introduction to personal training or his recent engagement).

A brief stop at Werribee before launching ourselves down the Princes Highway (so named because Prince Charles who attended Geelong College was blown back to England - we were about to suffer the same fate). Somewhere between 17 and 23 km/h was all we could muster. About 60km after the start, Luke said "Stop!!!" Luke had spotted his Dad, who was standing next a fellow cyclist flat on his back in some sort of pain. The unfortunate fellow had a touch of wheels and landed on the ground possible breaking some ribs. After keeping him warm and protected him from the wind, a medico stopped and took over. Lucky for him.

Right, lets push on. First headwind, now headwind and rain. But the rain stopped after a couple of minutes (and not seen again), it was just the wind to test us. As we moved behind the Shell refinery, it was a delicate mix of compost and hydrocarbons that completed the sensory onslaught. A brief stop at Bell Park to refill water bottles and add to the day's "Poo Count".

Now for the good part, a ripping downwind. This will be great. Within 200m of the rest stop - "I think my tyre is going down" says Luke. So we stop and pump it up. We get another 2km before it's time to stop and replace the tube. So much for fun :) We eventually find an offending staple stuck into the sidewall of the rear tyre (it's always a rear - why can't they make rear tyres out of the stuff front tyres are made of?). Now at last, with bursts of speed and many chuckles we roll our way to Queenscliff.

Not me but someone like me

WooHooo!! There's a large crowd around eating lunch and we had an hour or so to kill before our ferry.

Mum was waiting to ensure I ate all my lunch and that I was dressed properly. She thought Luke was looking tired. I said he just got engaged. "Oh".

It's important to understand Luke's theory of Ferry Loading. Basically it's a "Last On, First Off - don't be bloody silly and do anything else because you'll be waiting five minutes to disentangle your bike from all the others." First Call for our 1pm Ferry. Luke visits the toilet. Second Call. Luke fills water bottles (Thanks!) Final Call. Let's join the queue. Perfect - everyone's chatty - comparing BMC bike models, discussing the weather etc. The small ferry arrives. "Glad we're on the BIG ferry - could be wild on the bay." We are within 20m of entrance when we are stopped to allow a long line of disembarkers to cross our embarkation line. Slightly nervous discussions with the BV volunteer "They do know we are boarding the 1pm ferry" "Sure Sure".

Shore, Shore - that's where we were when the ferry pulled out on it's way to Sorrento :( Not a real happy camper. Looks like the 1.30pm *small* ferry for us. Ironically, even though we were amongst the first on, we were also amongst the first off. Something is going right!!!

More awesome tailwind, and a quick 30 km to the Hills. This was a back breaker. And it was slow going to a rest stop at the BP in Frankston. I stocked up on Coke (the power drink of Ironmen), snakes and a nougat bar. Luke checked in with Melissa (the similarly exhausted and recent fiance). Melissa has to fly to Sydney - must leave by 6.15, "and I have your wallet!!".

So we gotta average 30km/h. Well, not today unfortunately. We were getting sand and salt water blasted from the 1m waves that were crashing onto the bay beaches. Struggling with the buffeting side wind it was closer to 20km/h. Melissa calls Luke. "Meet you on City Rd". 15 minutes later - Luke calls Melissa "Better make that South Road". 15 minutes later - Melissa calls Luke "I've changed my flight - must leave by 7.15pm". At last, a goal we can achieve. Luke is revitalised and we hit the high 20's as the tailwind pushes us home for the last 5km.

After leaving the start at 6.27am, we crossed the finish line at 6:47pm. It was a very challenging day. Definitely, one of the most difficult Around The Bay days I have participated in. Luke gave everything to make the finish, awesome effort. Although, I think he may get a new seat before next years ride!!

Next year perhaps the 250km?