Last weekend, 8 of us covered approx 530 kms in three days from Mudgee to Dubbo (and surrounds) and back to Mudgee. The peloton consisted of three Specialized – Pete Coleman (Northside Cycles), Dave Berry and Ben McCully (on his brand spanking new Tarmac), two Cervelo’s – Hugh O’Neill (with a crack) and Tim Irwin (who would join us later in Dubbo), one Scott (Nick Gaeta – who had done Port Macquarie IM the week before in 11hrs something ) and two Treks – Bill Mann and YHC. We could not have contemplated such a tour without our support crew – James Nettleton and John Berry.
The convoy of four cars and seven bikes reached Mudgee around 10.30am on Thursday morning. However YHC was as dark as a shark by the time we reached Mudgee after being vilified for ordering a hot chocolate with a marshmallow at a “coffee stop” at Lithgow. Apparently this wasn’t a tough enough drink for the hard men of our peloton (I would later be fined for this perceived softness). All YHC can say is that it tasted good and I’m comfortable in my own skin.
Anyway, YHC digress’s. At Mudgee, we were joined by Bill (who resides in Rylstone) who also donated his trusty ute as one of our support vehicles for the trip. We set out from Mudgee at around 11am for the first 128 kms of our three day tour. The weather smiled on us kindly with bright skies, no wind and very few large trucks to cause us much bother. Pete, riding his Specialized (which we suspected was worth twice as much as his humble Hyundai), kept our pace up. There was only one incident to report on the first day – after 50ks, one member of our team (who will remain nameless but for the sake of the story lets call him Ben) thought he may have left his car unlocked in Mudgee and sent poor John back to check. Yes, the car was locked, but unlucky for John, on the way back he hit a roo which did not insignificant damage to the ute and left skippy the worse for wear.
We arrived in Dubbo and after hydrating with a Coopers Pale Ale, most of us proceeded to an ice bath (or for a more apt description – the outdoor pool at the Aberdeen Hotel in Dubbo). Post the ice bath, and a debrief over a few more Pale Ales we were then joined by the eighth member of our peloton, Tim, who had flown to Dubbo from Melbourne. Upon his arrival, we moved to the local pub for a few more beers, a fine session (which YHC was on the wrong end of) and dinner. Whilst the local sirloin was a tad disappointing, the 2008 Leeuwin Estate Art Series Shiraz more than made up for it and oiled us well for what lay ahead the next morning.
The second day began at approx 4.47am at a very brisk -2 degrees. Trying to make up for the hot chocolate call the previous day and to be an aspiring HMOTN, I went with the shorts. However that was nothing as Tim had forgotten long gloves so it was going to be a very pleasant first couple of hours for him. It was dark and cold but we set out in good humour, with James ahead and John behind to protect us from the frequent road trains as well as providing much needed provisions.
First target was Gilgandra, some 70ks in the cold and dark. We sat on around 31kph and reached the roadhouse truck stop around 7.30am for the full breakfast of bacon eggs sausages steak and toast. A nice old(er) bloke at a table next to us donated $20 to our charity (cancer research) which was much appreciated.
From Gil we moved some 30ks down the long flat road to a town called Collie. Must say, not much in Collie but a welcome stop to stretch. Dead flat cotton country out there, punctured by the sight of the odd emu in the paddocks and a dead kangaroo or two on the road – hey the national emblem almost live!!!
Plenty of banter flowed – most of it jibber as the peloton rolled through the ks nicely two abreast. As Dave said, “it’s like speed dating” but after almost 9hrs you have to be inventive (or repetitive) with your conversation. Bill and YHC adapted well and by the end of the day were well versed in what our respective familes were up to. Must stress the importance of having a big unit such as Big Ben (a former 1st grade second row rugby forward) in your peloton who can provide an excellent draft when it’s his turn up front. The big fella provided significantly more cover than the two whippets in the group (no offence Pete and Dave).
A mechanical (broken spoke) at Warren was very welcome. This could have spelt disaster for Tim but a spare wheel in the support vehicle meant a ready fix. We moved on to Nevertire where we stopped at the pub for a hamburger and chips. 170 kms down and 105ks to go. Like Collie, not much in Nevertire, however a nice pub (we stuck to coke given we are athletes). The publican donated $50 to our cause which left us in good spirits. Next stop Trangie, where Hughie needed to stop to apply some deoderant – he would be later, quite rightly, be fined for such a request. We had completed 200ks at around 31 kph.
After a quick stop in Narromine where YHC caught up with three cousins it was the home stretch to Dubbo (YHC was subsequently very unfairly fined for holding the boys up). 37ks to go and the adrenalin was pumping as we could smell the Pale Ale and Art Series waiting for us. This last leg was punctuated with a few hills (just what you need for the final leg!) and more road trains than we had seen all day. With 20ks to go, Nick, complained of sore achilles. After providing some compassion and a good dosage of HTFU (I mean, really, how hard is it to back up after an IM!!!) he proceeded to get on his bike and up the pace to around 40 kph and leave us for dead – nice guy. He did eventually ease back and a state of euphoria hit us as we reached the Aberdeen Hotel after 8hrs 46min on the bike. Plenty of back slapping at the end of day two (276ks all up) and and a dip in the pool was complemented with a Pale Ale. Dave, as is his want, disturbed the ambiance of the pool by deciding to dive bomb in – not sure of the remedial benefits of this tactic.
Whilst bangers and mash were the main order at the pub, the inkeeper had run out of the Art Series. Devasted but able to adapt, we found a nice little Leeuwin Estate Siblings Shiraz (still in the Margaret River) which did the trick.
Despite the very best intentions, Tim and myself were late to the start – the arrangement was to meet at that great Scottish restaurant across the road from the hotel (the Golden Arches) at 6.30. However we didn’t get there until close to 7. After a nutritious bacon and egg McMuffin (is that the right term BT?), we set off for our final 127ks back to Mudgee. Relatively, it was a balmy 3 degrees when we set off. The quads were feeling it after the day before (perhaps YHC didn’t spend enough time in the ice pool) and we felt like we were always climbing – which we were! We struggled to get the pace up. As there was some undulations, Hugh was keen for a “roll test” to see how good his new Durace C24 wheels where. We parked at the top of one hill and commenced our decent without pedalling. Alas Hugh’s new wheels where no match for Pete’s whizbang something or others (nor Bill’s standard issue Bontrager’s found on the Madone 5.2). Not a happy captain, our Hughie with that result, and after some discussion, a rematch was conducted. Hugh did perform marginally better where he beat Bill. After a morning tea of Subway ham rolls (they weren’t too bad) we had about 30ks to go. Still a grind and a cross wind to boot we rolled into Mudgee for a well earned Pale Ale.
The ride complete we packed and hit Bill’s farm at Rylstone for a well earned BBQ where the wagyu beef, freshly slaughtered lamb chops and snags hit the spot with a few beers and reds. A boat race ensued whereby the catholics smashed the protestants which means we’re going to heaven.
A very enjoyable tour. We raised over $14,000 for Cancer Research. Stats are on Strava but a quick summary below:
17th May: Mudgee to Dubbo – 127.8ks, climbed 854m, ave speed 30.8 kph
18th May: Dubbo loop – 276.4ks: climbed 465m (told you it was flat!), ave speed 31.5 kph
19th May: Dubbo to Mudgee – 127.7 ks: climbed 1,027m, ave speed 28.1 kph
Cheers
Herb