Loop the Lake 2010

[Bex37]

I'm one of those who has never ridden 85km. I did 48km two Sunday's ago and half killed myself in the 35 degree heat.

Anyway, I'm going to accept the challenge and get outside my comfort zone for the charity. It's all about raising money for the John Hunter Children's Hospital Play Therapy Program.

Their web site says that the hospital cares for children who have cancer/tumours, cystic fibrosis and diabetes and that it covers an area from The Hunter to the Queensland border. Apparently, money raised through Loop The Lake established a Play Therapy Program in 1997 which is staffed by a teacher and volunteers and has kept it running ever since. Please help to keep this really important community service running.

If anyone would like to donate, here is the online link:

http://www.ourcommunity.com.au/loopthelake

It would be nice if you could add my name "Chris Becker" to the bottom of the form in the "Questions from Rotary Club of Warners Bay" box.

Alternatively, come and see me at the Crits on Friday evening; I'll bring my receipt book. I'm the guy with the blue and white cycling top with the "GHD" emblem front and back. I'll be at the back of Grade D  

[Gav]

I will be there too. I've done the 85km ride several times now and always enjoyed it.
Staying with the family in a cabin at Wangi Point caravan park on the Saturday night. Early start for the ride is definitely the way to go.

[Ciaran]

I had a teaspoon of cement and decided to enter.  Who needs sleep?

Anyway, for transport on the day (this may be of interest to you Jason)  I think I will ride to Wyong station and catch either one of the trains to the start at Teralba.  If anyone else was looking to do the same, post up here and we can try to organise a bunch to and from Wyong Station.

[Bex37]

I'm planning to catch the 6:22 train at Wyong arriving Teralba 7:10am and then ride the 1.5km to the start. Official start of race is 7:30 so the later train kind of misses the boat really arriving at Teralba at 8:05.

[Bex37]

Does CCCC set up a tent or something at Spears Point or is it more a case of looking out for the orange jerseys?

[Murphs]

For those on the train, maybe if you arrange to all get on the 2nd to last carriage at the bottom level or something?

That way you can get straight to Teralba without having to find people getting off the train.

Bex, just look for the jerseys.

[ryan from umina]

Bex,
I've never done this ride before either, and I'll be getting the same train as you, but starting at Woy Woy. How about trying to meet up on the train- lets take the plan as suggested- 2nd last carriage, downstairs! I don't have a CCCC jersey- do you?

[Bex37]

Ryan

Sounds good. See you on the train.

No, I don't have a CCCC jersey yet. I'm wearing the team shirt from work. It's a blue shirt with silver/white sleeves and "GHD" logo front and back.

[ryan from umina]

super, see you there.

[Ciaran]

Well that was a great day!  Myself, Ryan, Chris (Bex) and Dave (not sure of surname) all got together on the train and rolled out together at Teralba.  The first 30 or so km were in drizzling rain and tyre spray and I am glad to report I did not melt - turns out I'm not made of sugar.  

We all finished in one piece with only one flat in the 85kms.  And it WASN'T Chris/Bex, so those new gators must have done the trick!

Didn't see too many CCCC jerseys out, only one very briefly but didn't recognise the rider. 

Thanks to the guys I rode with - you made it a fun day.

[Bex37]

Yeh likewise Cairan, it was not only fun riding with all you guys but allowed me to save energy for the hills. For those that don't know, its the first ride I've ever done over 50km. Whilst I'm reasonably sore and tired now, I was surprised how comfortable I was on the relatively flat and fast downhill sections through the course of the whole race.

Thanks Chicken for the Gators - it was soooooo nice riding about 90km without a puncture. 

Also gotta mention the huge number of volunteers that helped out today - they did an awesome job.

Hope you guys enjoyed the 19th hole 

Cheers
Chris