The entrepid crew of keen recruits headed off from the cars and after a brief wrong turn thet lead to a hugely steep climb, we about faced and got on the right road, and cruised from Thompsons Corner to Vanity's Crossing, the pace a little hot, but manageable. Wet feet mandatory for all participants, but no major incidents (damn, I got the camera out for nothing!). We continued around to 7 ways, the way I routed was poor though, blackberrys and lots of cut out water bars meant careful sterring and often carriage of the bikes to ensure no flats were had, thankfully, none were. Next time I'd take the trail to the right of this one.
The usual beefy climb to 7 ways hurt like hell, I put in 250-300W and by the time I had reached the gate at the top I was well aware the day was warming up, sweat dripping off me like a shower (92% maxHR didn't help either ;)). We stopped here for a little banter and some chow, the crew still merry, we pushed on along the awesome Pipeline Rd. I love this cruise, winding it's way along the side of the mountains with views of the river below and the ominous Brindabella Range looming over us to our right, soon we'd be on our way to the top of it...
At the bottom we stopped at Pipeline Xing for some water bottle refills and I tried to mentally gear up for the steep ascent to Bulls Head, the first 500m of this ascent are tough, I thought I might make it, but the stops at the crossing left my legs tired and frankly, they hurt! It didn't take long before I was walking, Adam and Dan turned it up and rode on past me, I hoped that they would make it so some of us would beat this hill, but sadly, the hill won. I swear one day I am coming back and riding up here, it's doable, but tough after a big ride in.
10mins of pushing the bikes and the track levels out and it's rideable from here to Bendora Road, then upto Bulls head. We cruised up pretty gently, chatting and taking in sightings of a rabbid Rock Wallaby that I swear was following us, I saw him on 3 seperate ocassions, watching, waiting, for one of to become weak and drop off from the group, and then it'd strike... :D
Once at Bulls Head we regrouped, ate, drank and talked crap, then it came time to decide, would we decend West down to the Goodradigbee and climb back up the Brindies, or would we take the easier option staying on top of the range and skipping straight to Mt Corree, I was hurting pretty bad, damn you summer and Christmas break, I've lost heaps of fitness, so I was pretty relieved when discent appeared in the ranks, starting with Scotty it spread, first to Tim then Neil and Dan, that's a majority, so it was decided, the Goodradigbee could wait for another day...
We peeled down Two Sticks for Mt Corree, Adam and Dan having a field day with the water bars whilst I conservatively spectated. Being as tired as I was I knew Corree would be tough to clean, but I had to try. Thankfully I made it to the top in one go, but it really hurt, 94% HR, I arrived gasping for air like a fish out of water and collapsed under the trig point for much eating and drinking to recover.
From here it's all (mostly!) downhill, down the awesome Pabral Road, my first time here I was amazed by the 50km/h desent and even more amazed by Adam's 50k/h 6m bunny hops off the water bars, damned impressive to watch! :)
Once at Blundells Flat we skipped right past the Aboretum, I didn't really notice it to be honest, then down Brindabella Road for a bitchumen cool down spin back to the cars.
A top day out, tough, but fun. A big wake up call of how unfit I've let myself become over the summer. A shame to skip the Goodradigbee, but it was a smart play, and it'll still be there next time... ;)
Thanx lads for another great day out!
The crew:
| Jason | Giant Trance |
| Dan | Turner Flux |
| Neil | 'Dale Scapel |
| Tim | Kona Kula |
| Scott | Kona Kick-a-poo |
| Adam | Cruz Blur |
The Stats:
| Distance | 58km |
| Time | 6:00 |
| Climb | 1815vm |
| Speed | 13km/h avg, 55km/h max |
| Date | 21-01-2007 |