Le Tour De Snowy - We're Back!

So here's the rundown on the innaugral "Le Tour de Snowy"

Big Al was the first to arrive at Kariong gardens - he was the only one that actually read the suggestion to be there a half hour early. The rest of the guys turned up with 5mins to spare with Al wondering if he had the date or location wrong. Minutes later the bus was packed and the ten of us were on the way to Jindy.

The conversations had an air of excitement about the rides to come and a bunch of well mannered and courteous riders headed south. It wasn't long into the drive before the DVD player was fired up, the cycling action was on and Ray was sleeping. Lunch at Cooma a few hours later had us all confirming the first ride when we were to arrive an hour later.

The rooms were sorted pretty quickly with Steeley making a late change from room 5 to 7 after he heard that Whitey was a snorer. Whitey, the statesman of room 5 got the upstairs double bed to himself while Hodgee got the room 7 double for other reasons - hope. The rooms were strewn with bikes and enough gear to open a combined health food and cycling shop within seconds of arrival.

30mins later we were all assembled out the front waiting for Chicken (probably checking off a pre ride list) before heading west for an afternoon easy leg warming ride. Even Dave O was ready after settling his wife and new baby into the Horizons hotel up the street - this was to become a common occurence!

It was agreed the first ride would be an easy one but after taking the left turn 500m from the hotel to head west, we were faced with a 9% hill just to get out of town. After puffing and panting our way to the top the road flattened and we were were cruising along at a comfortable 30 odd kms/h through rolling terrain surrounded by unpopulated countryside with the odd farmhouse and occasional car. The road had a decent shoulder and felt fast despite it's dead looks. The group settled in to a slow changing paceline with plenty of chatter and talk of the next days ride up to Charlottes pass.

The time flew by and we were at the turn around point (about 20kms) for the guys that had had enough - so Hodgee, Wayne and Whitey decided to save their legs for the climbing to follow. The rest of us kept slowly climbing to the west over rolling hills for another 10km or so except for Steeley who had to go another 300m just to say he had ridden further than everyone else. The ride home was a buzz with a fast paceline all the way back to Jindabyne.

We decided to dine in the Brumby Bar that was linked to our accommodation on the first night. After a couple of drinks and commandeering a table large enough for all of us, we tucked into an assortment of meals. With everybody full and a couple more drinks it was back to the rooms to be ready for a 7am roll out.

We were met with overcast skies and being unsure about what to expect, most of us took arm warmers and gillets while a few scoffed at the idea of being cold in the middle of summer. Before a pedal was turned it was agreed we needed a group photo and Hodgee duly obliged after asking two guys to hold his bike. Each of the holders thought the other one were holding the sleek, black machine while vying for a better spot in the group photo when they both let go! The sound of the Trek landing on the driveway was not a good start to the morning, luckily the fall was softened by the Dura Ace lever. Hodgee fought back tears and showed true grit by continuing with the photo - although I do believe there was some sobbing heard from the back of the bunch as we rolled out of the car park.

There wasn't much chance of a good warm up before the climbing commenced at the location of the old toll booths in the national park. It was agreed that we would regroup at the Ski Rider Chalet then again at Perisher before proceeding onto Charlottes Pass. The group splintered pretty quickly into groups of 2, 3 and 4 as we settled into our individual rhythms for the most difficult part of the climb. Half way to the first meeting point, Dario's dad and grandfather were on the side of the hill clapping and photographing in true Tour style. Being the first meeting point also meant the first KOM and I went way too early when I thought the Chalet was around the next bend. Four bends later and with the Chalet in sight Elliott, Dave, Dario, Glen and me were all together when Dario put the pedal to the metal and accelerated away to take the first KOM. Steeley and Ray joined us shortly after and it was agreed after a failed phone call to the rest of the group that we should continue on as it was freezing cold once we stopped, with a light misty rain falling.

The seven of us climbed the next sections as a group and as we crested the hill at the turnoff to Guthega we were faced a long fast section of downhill past Sponars Chalet into the light mist and cold air. Arm warmers were pulled up, gillets donned and food shoved in before the next section of climbing. The group had seperated slightly as we passed Smiggins and pushed on into Perisher. From here to Charlottes the incline eased up and we had a chance to get into the "big dog" for a while. Just a little further back Chicken and Big Al were climbing steadily together while Hodgee was working with Whitey.

At the top of the incline past Sponars, Whitey decided he had taken enough punishment and decided to wait in the comfort of the Chalet for the return of the group. Unbeknown to him at this stage, he had done the hardest part of the climb already and over the next little ridge the gradient flattened - next time Whitey.

The race for the KOM was on once the chair lifts were in sight at Charlottes and Dario and I put the hammer down once we saw the sign post. As we rounded the bend with Dario on my wheel and ready to attack, Glen motored past after leaving Elliott 20m behind. The pain couldn't be hidden as we approached what we thought was the KOM only to find as we rounded the bend - a car park at the top of the climb another 800m up the road! I cracked, Eliott cruised past with a broad smile with Glen and Dario in his sight. Glen sensed victory and saw Eliott coming so gave it one more nudge before raising his arms above his head just in front of Dario.

The lookout was amazing and it wasn't long before Dave O, Ray and Mark joined us at the top. Shortly after that, Chicken, Big Al and Hodgee completed the bunch at the top. Some of the guys that didn't bring a gillet were scavenging for brochures and papers for wind protection under the jerseys and all Ray could come up with was a nappy from a couple with a young baby! He assured us all it was clean and it kept him toasty warm plus he could take it home for Laurence.

A few photos, some more food and we were on the bloody cold decent back to Sponars for morning tea. I don't think I have ever been that cold on the bike as I was in the first few kms of that decent. At the Chalet we were greeted by a very cold Whitey who hadn't been in yet! Inside the owners had a spread of raisin toast, muffins, coffee and tea waiting for us in the comfortable lounge room of the lodge. It was shoes off and kick back for a while. A few more photos and we were off again with the bright idea of heading to Guthega for anyone that wanted to.

I wish I had returned straight to Jindy with the smart guys as the ride to Guthega started with a 6km descent on steep roads with speeds over 80km/h. During the descent each of us were asking ourselves if we had the strength to get back out. 6km down and with the road still going down fast someone (thank goodness) pulled up and said that's enough, I'm going back. We all agreed and began the nasty climb back out having never seen Guthega - next year maybe.

The drop into Jindy was fast and fun and by 12pm we were back at the units and tucking into some food. At 2pm the coach picked us up for a trip to Thredbo Village and a look around. Steeley headed for the pub, a group headed for the chair-lift and a couple of us checked out the MTB downhill track. After the chair-lift crew returned they rode the toboggans for a while before all meeting in the pub for a cold one or two. Once back to Jindy it was freshen up and out to dinner at the local pizza and pasta place where we all refueled for the next days ride. At this stage everyone was looking weary and the thought of a tough ride the next day was daunting. Back to the rooms for an early night and some crop dusting by Hodgee in room 5 saw us with our heads down by 10pm with a 7am rollout planned - depending on Chicken.

Day 3 and 4 reports to follow.

	Author	Topic: Le Tour De Snowy - We're Back! (Read 2801 times)
0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.