Hay to Darlington Point to Coolamon to Cootamundra Revisited

8.10.2006: Hay to Darlington Point

Stats: 123.90km, 4hrs 32mins 23ses, 27.2km/hr
Weather: Warm to cool, Very strong cross winds, Clear sky

If today had been in the first couple of days in this trip I would have had serious doubts about my ability to complete the ride from Perth to Sydney. It makes me appreciate how lucky we have been in so far as weather conditions are concerned up till now.

The actual days riding was not too bad. We did find ourselves wrestling a very strong and gusty cross wind for the majority of the day. Severe enough to turn me and my bike into a human kite. Personally however Im feeling particularly strong on the bike at the moment and was able to contribute few extra turns on the front. Occasionally dropping back and dragging the strugglers back to the group.

Following our ride, again through the irrigated fields of the Hay Plains, things begin to slide for me some what. I realised the I had failed to drink anywhere enough water. As my hands had been firmly secured to the same position for the majority of the day. For fear that if I was to reach for my bottles it would be at that point another server gust of wind would sweep me into the bushes next to the road or into a rider next to me.

This, combined with the dust laden rooms that make up the Darlington Point Fishing Club. Rooms that took 40mins per room to vacuum. Followed by another 40mins after Chris knocked a fluro light out of its bracket, exploding as it hit the ground. All contributed to provide a true test of patients and kindness.

Another Chinese meal, three in three nights, and I am ready to sleep and begin again tomorrow.

Punctures: Me (0), Group (15)
Brain Snaps: Mild (2), Moderate (1), Max (0)

9.10.2011: Darlington Point to Coolamon

Stats: 126.33km, 4hrs 36mins 22secs, 27.4km/hr
Weather: Cold morning, Hot day, Minimal winds (but there), Clear sky's

The days seem to be getting more and more difficult to write about as we approach the end of our journey. Im not sure if this is the result of the days being shorter, the speed having increased and not seeing as much, or the fact that as we near the end I am beginning to think more about everyday details like work and how much Im looking forward to seeing Kel again.

The day began, with most f us being keen to move on from the joys of Darlington Pint Fishing Club. We found ourselves without our fearless leader as we (the doctor in actual fact) would later find out his infected pimple was actually an abscess that would require a 1cm wide by 3cm deep incision to remove the infection and gunk. This being on his right butt cheek was having a significant influence on his ability to ride a bike.

A cool, calm and collected team rolled over some slight inclines the 60km to Narandra for morning tea. Many of us wishing that we might have pushed on the previous day so that our evening might have been some what more relaxed and enjoyable.

More rolling uppish bits, at a definitely increased pace, and for the first time in a number of days our second break for the day was also placed in a grassy park. The C-Group spending some added time at the local 'coffee shop' before a mad dash over the final km to Coolamon. Allowing the A and B Groups to arrive before us. Enabling privileges such as first showers and selection of bed spots.

As such we find ourselves bunked down in the toilet/shower block of the football club at which we are staying. I guess the sights don't mean a lot when we are sleeping.

Punctures: Me (0), Group (15)
Brain Snaps: Mild (2), Moderate (1), Max (0)

10.10.2006: Coolamon to Cootamundra

Stats: 99.39km, 3hrs 54mins 05secs, 25.4km/hr
Weather: Warm to hot, Clear skys, Mild head to cross winds

Having awoke in the toilet/changerooms of the Coolamon Football Club after a night in which I slept throughout never really felt like I slept much at all. Group C rode into a day of undulations and climbs through to Cootamundra.

Im not to sure if it is just the fatigue my body is experiencing after four and a half weeks on the road now. But the tough days and hard sections do seem to be coming closer together now. Each time lasting a little longer than the day before.

Headwinds really made us work this morning through to our morning tea stop at Junee Reef. Forcing the group switch from our standard two minute rotations to one minute rotations. With the aim of saving legs from extended periods pushing into a demanding and draining winds.

Junee Reef had clearly been an area of some significance at some period in our short history. Today though the World War One memorial looks strangely out of place. Standing half way up a hill surrounded by nothing more than fields of wheat and a run down farm shed.

The ride into Cootamundra had been described as a bit uppish in our directions the night before. The climbs we faced were in actual fact a series of hills that became the most challenging we have seen so far this trip.

David R, now on to be known as The Machine, showed us all how we are suppose to go up these uppish bits. With the rest us left to fight out for runners up in the K.O.M. A rapid descent soon saw excited riders flying into town by lunch. A significant stop as we are now in towns at which I have previously been (in teen-adult life).

Four more days-sleeps to go.

Punctures: Me (0), Group (15) [Plus 1 tyre that decided to leave John G's wheel whilst he was riding it]
Brain Snaps: Mild (2), Moderate (1), Max (0)

10.10.2011

Things have been a little quiet on the training front over the weekend. Mainly due to the ribs blowing out after a couple days of gardening. Trying to get the house sorted for the 100+ people that are coming to Evies first birthday (Massive Family). Also contributing has been the unsettled nature of Evie, with her 39.4 degree body temps and teeth punching their way through stubborn gums.

Sunday, instead of build my own training, was spent basking in the achievements of others. With Hawaiian Ironman being streamed live all morning. Accessed either from home or the Kona on Coffee festival 2011 at Cafe Cee. I get pumped watching these performances, especially when you get to see people you know smashing it up at the peak triathlon world wide. Seeing them moving through images that have been burnt into my mind since first watching the event in 1983 on Wide World of Sports.

In particular special mention to the Animal. Who smashed up the bike course in 4:49 on his way to an incredibly determined 9:53. I look forward to the reflections on what has to be a massive day out.

So with renewed determination Monday had me back on track, with week two session one of the Ironman swim program knocked out this morning . Despite doing all I could to miss it with purchasing petrol with out any money. Then after work the moment I have been waiting for, for some time. The chance to get out for a run, enjoying the simple pleasures found in cruising through the tracks and trails of Knapsack Reserve.

All in all the ribs held up well and so tomorrow morning I get the chance to try again at the BMMC standard Tuesday running of the Two Hills Circuit from Sleep Trains. Now just to get through the night on longer than sixty minute sleep intervals. Please Evie.

So to soothe the soul of the sleep depriver a song: