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Terry
Thanks very much for the tops and all the help you’ve given me.
I got the tops some time ago now – apolgies for not thanking you earlier-and they fit well. Unfortunately my wife has claimed one but luckily the colours don’t match her hair (yet) so I have a chance of hanging onto it for a while.
You asked about my cycling and unfortunately there isn’t much to say about it.
I originally started running to keep fit when I finished playing rugby at the end of the 70′s and following a knee operation took cycling up about 4 years ago.
I joined 4 other middle aged coffee swillers, in Anglesea, also trying to lose weight and riding about 30km, once per week.
Anglesea is a small town (population 2300) on the Victorian coast about 100km from Melbourne. I was brought up in Hexham but left the area in 1980 and moved to Australia in 1987.
Our group, which includes my wife and son, has expanded to a flourishing one with about 50 on the email list although not all ride and some have moved out of town and join us irregularly.
We now have scheduled rides (about 45km) two to three times a week and the coffee stop is at the end in Anglesea. Unscheduled rides also end up at some coffee stop too.
The rides are usually in the country behind Anglesea or down the coast road to Lorne. The ride down the coast is always spectacular but the road is narrow, winding and busy in holiday season so is cycled selectively. It has also just been closed for a while because of landslides. We have one roundabout and no traffic lights on our ride.
Cars and trucks should be watched out for and also kangaroos.
We also have longer rides when preparing for a long event and these are up to 150km through the Otways (a nearby range of hills) or down the coast to Apollo Bay and back.
Only 2 0r 3 of the group race, which includes my son Christopher who is racing A grade in Melbourne, although most of us do regular 100km to 200km organised events or Cyclo Sportives.
The Alpine classic is probably the most exacting – 200km and 4000m climbing in the Bright area of Victoria. The final climb, 5.4% for 20km in 35degree heat is a nightmare. After doing it for the last 2 years I’m giving it a miss this year.
Other popular events with the group are the annual Around the Bay in A Day ride (200km from Melbourne to Melbourne around Port Philip bay and home via the ferry) and a cancer fundraising ride of 100km at Ballarat.
We also did the Murray to Moyne ride for a few years. A Team Cycle Relay Event raising money for charity and totalling 520km (groups of 2 to 4 riding 1 hour on, 2-3 hours off) over 24 hours. The ride starts in Echuca and ends in Port Fairy, Victoria. The reason I mention that is that the first days ride usually ends at about 1am and restarts at 7 with the end of the ride at 10am. Most people sleep at the Hamilton showgrounds in a large shed or tents, the logic being that 4 hours sleep isn’t worth a motel for the night. Some very tired people the next day.
As you know the road world championships were held in Geelong (30km away) last year. What a fantastic experience to see the race and also riders of that calibre cycling around local roads whilst training.
My wife won’t ride in groups and was riding solo when overtaken by the Dutch squad out training. A really friendly bunch who reassured her that she wasn’t in their way and to keep it up you’re doing great before they zoomed off up the road. Great public relations. Unlike the Belgians who all ignored my son who gave them a wave and quick hello.
I’ve got some photoes of the area and a couple of links that you may find of interest and will send them when I can.
thanks again for the help.
kind regards
alan

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