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No 40, May 2005
Editor: (acting) Keith Griffin
Production: Keith Griffin
The views expressed in Chain Mail articles are those of the authors only and do not necessarily represent either the common views shared by a majority of Bike North members, or Bike North policy as formulated by the Bike North Executive Committee.
Most Alive!
More than just cycling
Over the Easter Long week-end, much fun was had by all the 75 cyclists who attended the Tour de Cowra.
Many new friends were made, the conversation was interesting and at times very funny and the scenery was just beautiful. Nothing beats riding on roads with hardly any traffic and lovely views of the country. The only "hazard" was sheep. We started off with a 63 km ride with lots of moderate climbs. While apprehensive about it I chose the 141km ride (200, 95 and 60 were the other choices) on day two - the longest distance that I have ever cycled.!
Dead trees stand above the road...
Pedaling along without a load
Big vistas with open skies
Downhill "woo hoooo" are the cries
Peleton drives along the route
The farmer pulls up in his ute
Empty roads, apart from sheep
Time for catching up on sleep!
Great friendship while the pedals turn
Stories, lies and lots to learn
Food and drink consumed so well
Ridden off in every spell
We knew that we were most alive
At Tour de Cowra in 05
we have all this wool, and he wears lycra... baaa-ah!!
At the 5km mark there was a regroup and a decision was made to ride together. We cycled the remaining 136kms in a pack. I really appreciated being able to have a break from the hurricane winds for the 36kms from Eugowra to Canowindra. In addition to saving energy, riding in a pack was a great way to get to know people and we had much fun talking about various topics during the day. The third days ride was a distance of 80kms and included a big climb up Broula Hill. My husband David, who had never ridden in a pack before, enjoyed the benefit of staying on someone's wheel.
Halfway through
the longest day
On the last day we took took pleasure in the beauty of the scenery – the open farmlands, cows, horses galloping along as you ride beside them and sheep being herded up the road as you are cycling through them. In addition to the great riding, we also enjoyed the camping grounds at Cowra Van Park, the great food at the local pub and the conversation in the evenings over a cuppa. I learnt much about protein supplements which one cyclist said he was using (we all thought he should be drug tested), carbohydrates, and the need to ride more to get faster (and I thought there was an easier way to achieve this).
