When it comes to cycling, on any level, a 200km+ ride is a decent effort. Today Craig and I rode from Launceston to Hobart, via Poatina and the Plateau. But in so many ways, today belonged to Stuart!
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| Stuart Foster; non-stop up the climb from Poatina |
As we sat in our accommodation last night thinking about todays ride, Stuart hit on a plan for him so that he could hit some of his goals for todays epic Launie to Hobart ride.
While Craig and I depart from Launie at 7am, Stuart would hop in the bus with Dennis and drive out to the base of the climb at Poatina and begin climbing. Meanwhile, Craig and I would ride out to the climb and chase him up.
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| Me; riding up the wall |
When Stuart finished, he'd hop back in the bus and with Dennis, they'd drive back along the road until they found the two of us. Then Stuart would ride from the top to Bothwell.
Good plan! So that's what we did and it all went swimmingly! Stuart conquered the climb; riding all the way this year, while Craig and I set to it ourselves, at our own paces once we arrived.
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| Craig; riding up ahead of me |
The ride out from Launceston had been great. A pretty fresh start, but dry and fair. However, at no point could we see the climb while riding towards it. In fact, even when we were on it, we could bearly see any of it; the fog was dense and wet. I knew pretty quickly there'd be no PB's going up this year!
Halfway up, I came across a happy Stuart and Dennis - Craig was some way ahead of me. Their encouragement really help me to finish well.
We paused to have something to eat at the top and refill our bottles only to discover it was freezing cold and we'd left the chicken rolls we'd made at the accommodation.
The thing with the next stretch of road is, while you've 'finished' the climb, the road continues to rise for about another 20km. The going was slow to begin with, but once we made our left turn at Hwy 5, Stuart suddenly started powering up! And away!
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| That tiny little red dot is Stuart Foster! I'm just in front of Craig who is at the back at this point! |
As Craig and I starting making jokes about Stuie's time in the bus and his obvious employment of EPO (jokes!) it quickly became clear that neither of us could or would catch him without a mammoth effort that neither of us had in us. He was simply a machine for the next 45km, so much so that he pulled up and waited for us! (It's still making me laugh now!)
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| Craig and I heading for Melton Mowbray |
After a leisurely lunch in Bothwell, we made some route adjustments, opting to head directly towards Melton Mowbray and the Midland Hwy rather than tackling the much hard (and into a headwind) road to the Lyell Hwy. Craig and I then indulged in a complete kit change, and headed off again - so much more comfy, dry and happy.
Expecting some rain on the way into Hobart, we took a fair soaking coming into Bagdad. But the pace remained high and the road - thankfully after so many months of work - really smooth.
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| Sun starting to set |
We farewelled the sun in Brighton and kept on going. Bridgewater came and went and Stuart rejoined us on familiar road for the roll down the River Derwent to the Cenotaph.
This final stretch was so much fun! I felt great and was in good spirits - causing some jokes and comments from my riding buddies.
As we cruised down the Intercity Cycleway, saying happy 'Hellos' to all and sundry, a thought started to form in my mind. How good would it be to set a PB on a section of the Cycleway near Josh's school? After 210kms, in the dark and wet - a PB!?
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| New PB after 210km; in the wet and dark! |
So I did! Knocked 9seconds off my time! Bahaha - So GOOD!
Needless to say, Stuart and Craig were to mature to revert to such silliness, and so I had to sit and wait for them so we could finish together.
It's been a great day on the bike!
The km's didn't total as expected, I'm not entirely sure why, but as Craig said; "we just cycled from Launceston to Hobart!" - fair point!
We have one more day to go tomorrow. Scott Haas from Ultra106Five is joining us and Josh will be back on the bike too! It's going to be a good day.
Thank you to everyone who has sponsored a rider and to those who have donated on the way! If you haven't done either yet, it would be great to reach the $5000 mark by the end of the ride tomorrow! Just click here and pick a rider!
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| Tired, wet and stoked to be in Hobart tonight - thats the Tasman Bridge faint in the background! |
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