After a disastrous sickness and injury ridden last four weeks leading up to the Solo 24hr World Championships, I jumped at the chance to ride to the coast again in an effort to get some kilometres into my legs, 180 of them to be precise. Bec, Andre, Ed and I followed virtually the same route as when we did the C2C 200 in July.
(Now, because I'm lazy and not very smart I'm going to tell this story without utilising any place names other than Canberra, where we embarked, and Moruya, where we concluded our journey. If you really want to know check the previous blog entry or look at the map......sorry for any inconvenience.)
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So I started at my house, bright and early. In fact, surprising bright and early considering it was 5:30am and I had no need for lights; a welcome surprise after a long, dark and cold winter. There was still some mist and a chill in the air that warranted some cold weather garb though.
Before we departed we consulted Confucius in that place near the bike shop, interestingly he said two things.
Firstly, "Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves", which kind of concerned me as this gave me a fifty fifty chance of survival. Luckily he also said, "Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in getting up every time we do". This statement came to make more sense when Bec crashed just before lunch......
We eventually weaved our way out of town and caught a glimpse of freedom through the mist.
(Now, because I'm lazy and not very smart I'm going to tell this story without utilising any place names other than Canberra, where we embarked, and Moruya, where we concluded our journey. If you really want to know check the previous blog entry or look at the map......sorry for any inconvenience.)
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So I started at my house, bright and early. In fact, surprising bright and early considering it was 5:30am and I had no need for lights; a welcome surprise after a long, dark and cold winter. There was still some mist and a chill in the air that warranted some cold weather garb though.
Before we departed we consulted Confucius in that place near the bike shop, interestingly he said two things.
Firstly, "Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves", which kind of concerned me as this gave me a fifty fifty chance of survival. Luckily he also said, "Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in getting up every time we do". This statement came to make more sense when Bec crashed just before lunch......
We eventually weaved our way out of town and caught a glimpse of freedom through the mist.
It was a relief to be on the dirt, less traffic and a more enjoyable ride for all. We journeyed through some forests and over some hills, and a bridge.
After a lot of dirt road and some great scenery we caught a glimpse of the most anticipated destination so far, the valley that has the pub in it. When ascending the big hill Bec decided that she would test her Confucianism and see if she would indeed get up every time she fell. She only did it once but stood good to her word, albeit a little bloody.
It was a lunch of champions for myself and Bec (beer and pies), while at the 'other' table they enjoyed energy drinks.....need I say more?
It was a lunch of champions for myself and Bec (beer and pies), while at the 'other' table they enjoyed energy drinks.....need I say more?
Back on the bikes we endured what is perhaps the hardest 60km of the journey. Incessant rolling and dead road, only punctuated by the small section of road-works we were forced to navigate by foot.
Soon enough we were on the coastal fringe and back in civilisation. We enjoyed a beer and some chocalate milk in the park before completing the journey to the beach. Note: Bec chose to accept a lift from Phil for the last fiver or so kilometres, so technically did not ride the 'Canberra to Coast'.
Just across the road from out destination, the Dolphin Beach Holiday Village, was a pristine beach of white sand and rolling waves. Well worth the ride.
Claire and Joel had riden the previous day and Claire offered to cook her prized Risotto, to say it hit the spot is an understatement. We enjoyed beer and great conversation before an early to-bed. Joel and Ed may very well still be riding while I write this, I took the easy option and spent the morning exploring with Rach who drove down to the coast for dinner, the Braidwood food stop on the way home was well appreciated.
Looking forward to next time, always a great ride, and especially enjoyable when done at leisure!
Looking forward to next time, always a great ride, and especially enjoyable when done at leisure!
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