Great Brisbane Bike Ride



T

Tamyka Bell

Guest
So it was a gorgeous, slightly overcast day, perfect for the GBBR. Our
team, BLART, originally consisted of 5 people (minimum team size) -
myself, LotteBum and her partner and a friend, and Absent Husband, but
on Friday morning I convinced my friend Andrew to join in and he faxed
off his entry.

I met Andrew at his place and we rode to Southbank, only a few km. He
held the bikes while I went to deal with registration (and all the bikes
blocking the way to registration). Unfortunately, Andrew's entry had not
been processed, so I had to send him back to fill in a new form.

The downside of this was that we were around the bum end of QPAC when
the first wave started, so we missed it. However, this turned out to be
a blessing in disguise. We quickly got ready, and did a lap of QPAC to
duck in the side of the second wave right near the start line. By the
time we hit Coro Drv the road in front of us was fairly clear (only
passing a few people at a time, though fairly continually) and it was
like that for most of the ride.

We did the full ride, Andrew working hard on his deadly treddly
(no-suspension older mtb with two highest gears not working properly)
but having no worries keeping up as our speed was more determined by
other people than by our own fitness level.

Got a bit of a shock out through Fig Tree Pocket, where it was way
hillier than I was ready for, although commuting Logan Rd had me well
prepared for that. I made sure to say hi and thanks to each volunteer I
rode past. The loop out that way was pretty big, I guess it was 20km
(because the other course was 35 km... and maths is my strong point...)
and I was beginning to wonder if I'd ever see the food station.

I saw a lot of people taking short cuts at the roundabout at the top of
FTP road, where we went out and back to the little loop - they missed
the left but I saw the sign and yelled out to turn left - then didn't
see another sign for a long downhill and was worried I'd bum steered
everyone! But all was okay.

The chocky milk was all gone at the first station, but we spent a good
deal of time drinking strawberry milk and yoghurt shots and eating fruit
and fruit buns. Feeling very full, I headed for the next section of
track. There were some really slow people here and I think they were
from the first wave, but gumby riders. I thought the first wave was
elite!

Often yelled out when I was passing, because people weren't thinking to
keep left. In particular at the last little hill near the golf course on
Upland Rd, where people where ALL OVER the road. And at Dutton Park,
where people were going wide because they were being slowed down, but
then couldn't finish the hill and just stopped in the middle of the
road! Similar situation at the ramp onto Fairfield Rd.

Food stop at the top of Dutton Park was good news, mmmmm melon. I had
the green juice straight up, because I figured Green Power had to have
spirulina in it. Either that or it's a toilet cleaner. Well it was the
former, also it had kelp, spinach and STINGING NETTLE in it. Weird.
Mostly it tasted like passionfruit.

Ooh, also passing on Dornoch Tce, had to tell a few people to keep left.
I think I was the only one in that group going over 60 kph. Actually,
the only one over 40 kph!

For the most part, people were well behaved and paying attention. The
only spot I nearly got taken out was on the ramp to Fairfield Rd, the
first person looked right and in the process swerved right as well, and
the second just veered out in front of me without looking at all. Danger
averted though.

By the end of the ride I even decided that Andrew was in the official
"not gumby" category and I let him ride on my wheel to see how much
speed we could get along the riverside. In fact, the whole ride we felt
a bit like TDF riders, flying up the hills, looking at the poor mortals
to either side. I saw a mum pushing 2 bikes up a hill, kid walking
behind - people towing trailers up big hills... a guy on a penny
farthing (man, that's gotta hurt up hills, and be very scary down
hills!)... and IRONBEE (Mike) was there, of course, he's always there.

I only saw one other learsport bike on the day. I felt very elite. I'd
given my bike good clean and lube the day before and she rode so much
nicer as a result! I think I'll get onto the regular degrease now
(shock! horror!)

I'm sorry to hear that the others had some bad-rider frustration. I
think riding very socially kept it easy for me, because it never felt
like a race, and because I was in the second wave, I couldn't rationally
be annoyed by the rec riders, because I was in their pack, (rather than
them gatecrashing the elites).

Finished off with a banana that I'd stashed in my pocket at the first
stop, and headed back to Andrew's place for tea, chocolate and icecream.
Mmmm. But I, too, bailed on the ride in today.

Have fun!

Tamyka
 
ahhh brings back memories I remembering doing that ride on my stint in Brisbane, sounds like the same route, I remember a section near the end it was a short downhill with a tight right hand turn and as I was slowing to take the turn a guy on a MTB (that I had just passed) went straight past me on the inside and into the fence that was on the other side of the road, but it was a pretty funny site, especially seen as he was alright.

and I remember the ride was very similar to your report, pretty deadly with people all other the roads just not paying attention, not looking, turning, stopping, starting with their eyes seemingly closed!

at least your survived with not much in the way of drama!
 
Tamyka Bell wrote:
> So it was a gorgeous, slightly overcast day,


You've been brainwashed by all that sunny QLD tourist hype..
Gorgeous but slightly overcast?! :p

> We did the full ride, Andrew working hard on his deadly treddly
> (no-suspension older mtb with two highest gears not working properly)


He should've just gone ss.. ;)

> The chocky milk was all gone at the first station, but we spent a good


NOOOOOO!!!

> deal of time drinking strawberry milk


Contrary to the BigM ad, it's NOT okay for guys to drink pink milk! :p
Speaking of pink.. my mate did BRW wearing these "trunks"..
http://www.triathlete.net/

> Food stop at the top of Dutton Park was good news, mmmmm melon. I had
> the green juice straight up, because I figured Green Power had to have
> spirulina in it. Either that or it's a toilet cleaner. Well it was the
> former, also it had kelp, spinach and STINGING NETTLE in it. Weird.
> Mostly it tasted like passionfruit.


Is there a food shortage in QLD or something? Stinging nettles!?!

> Ooh, also passing on Dornoch Tce, had to tell a few people to keep left.
> I think I was the only one in that group going over 60 kph. Actually,
> the only one over 40 kph!


Weeeeeeeeee!

> I only saw one other learsport bike on the day. I felt very elite. I'd
> given my bike good clean and lube the day before and she rode so much
> nicer as a result! I think I'll get onto the regular degrease now
> (shock! horror!)


That's crazy talk.. ;)

> Finished off with a banana that I'd stashed in my pocket at the first
> stop, and headed back to Andrew's place for tea, chocolate and icecream.
> Mmmm. But I, too, bailed on the ride in today.


"Is that a banana in your pocket?" Mmm icecream..

hippy
 
hippy wrote:
>
> Tamyka Bell wrote:
> > So it was a gorgeous, slightly overcast day,

>
> You've been brainwashed by all that sunny QLD tourist hype..
> Gorgeous but slightly overcast?! :p


Yeah, because that meant it was cooler. But the sun came out before we
started.

> > We did the full ride, Andrew working hard on his deadly treddly
> > (no-suspension older mtb with two highest gears not working properly)

>
> He should've just gone ss.. ;)


Well, yeah, but it's hilly...

> > The chocky milk was all gone at the first station, but we spent a good

>
> NOOOOOO!!!


you feel my pain?

> > deal of time drinking strawberry milk

>
> Contrary to the BigM ad, it's NOT okay for guys to drink pink milk! :p
> Speaking of pink.. my mate did BRW wearing these "trunks"..
> http://www.triathlete.net/


that's scary.

> > Food stop at the top of Dutton Park was good news, mmmmm melon. I had
> > the green juice straight up, because I figured Green Power had to have
> > spirulina in it. Either that or it's a toilet cleaner. Well it was the
> > former, also it had kelp, spinach and STINGING NETTLE in it. Weird.
> > Mostly it tasted like passionfruit.

>
> Is there a food shortage in QLD or something? Stinging nettles!?!


It's funny you comment on stinging nettle but kelp is just fine...

> > Ooh, also passing on Dornoch Tce, had to tell a few people to keep left.
> > I think I was the only one in that group going over 60 kph. Actually,
> > the only one over 40 kph!

>
> Weeeeeeeeee!


I knoooooowww!

> > I only saw one other learsport bike on the day. I felt very elite. I'd
> > given my bike good clean and lube the day before and she rode so much
> > nicer as a result! I think I'll get onto the regular degrease now
> > (shock! horror!)

>
> That's crazy talk.. ;)


It's okay, I'm over it.

> > Finished off with a banana that I'd stashed in my pocket at the first
> > stop, and headed back to Andrew's place for tea, chocolate and icecream.
> > Mmmm. But I, too, bailed on the ride in today.

>
> "Is that a banana in your pocket?" Mmm icecream..


Tee hee.

> hippy


yes you are.
 
I had a very disorganised start to the ride...

Decided to drive in from Mt Gravatt, as I had to get home post-haste to
take my 4-year-old to a birthday party out at Wynnum.

Arrived to park the car near the Goodwill Bridge end of Southbank at
about 6:30am. A good hour before the start - figured I could pedal to
the start, register, and spend some time looking for people I know and
soaking up all the good cycle karma...

Then, as I took my bike off car's bike rack, I saw through the back
window that I still had the kids' car seats!! Oh no - forgot to swap
them last night!! So had to drive all the way home, take them out, put
them in my wife's car, then drive back again...

Felt very flustered and cranky, and made it to rego with about 10 min
to go to the start. Luckily, they were organised and I made it to the
start on time.... Although as you all would have gathered from T's
post, that wasn't really necessary!!

I scored some choccy milk at the food stop (yummo!), but was slightly
perturbed by all the youngsters putting away multiple cartons of the
stuff... I thought for sure that they'd be seeing it all again up the
climbs still to come! **blecch**

As for that stinging nettle juice... It was very nice, but you have to
wonder who actually thought of putting that in juice (a bit like
oysters, really!!) "Hmmm, that stings like crazy if you touch it, but
maybe it would be good to drink...??"

Cheers all,
Absent Husband
 
Tamyka Bell wrote:
> hippy wrote:
>>He should've just gone ss.. ;)

>
> Well, yeah, but it's hilly...


Say that fast.. "it's silly" :)

>>>The chocky milk was all gone at the first station, but we spent a good

>>NOOOOOO!!!

>
> you feel my pain?


Ja. Better not knowing there was chocy milk available than missing out.

>>Contrary to the BigM ad, it's NOT okay for guys to drink pink milk! :p
>>Speaking of pink.. my mate did BRW wearing these "trunks"..
>>http://www.triathlete.net/

>
> that's scary.


hehe.. got them a lot of attention though :)

>>>Food stop at the top of Dutton Park was good news, mmmmm melon. I had
>>>the green juice straight up, because I figured Green Power had to have
>>>spirulina in it. Either that or it's a toilet cleaner. Well it was the
>>>former, also it had kelp, spinach and STINGING NETTLE in it. Weird.
>>>Mostly it tasted like passionfruit.

>>
>>Is there a food shortage in QLD or something? Stinging nettles!?!

>
> It's funny you comment on stinging nettle but kelp is just fine...


I'm a capitalist.. in that, I only comment on words in capitals.
Okay, I forgot to question the sanity of eating kelp.. are you sure you
guys don't have some kind of food crisis going on? Kelp and nettles?

>>>I think I'll get onto the regular degrease now (shock! horror!)

>>
>>That's crazy talk.. ;)

>
> It's okay, I'm over it.


<sighs> Crisis averted. ;)

>>"Is that a banana in your pocket?" Mmm icecream..

>
> Tee hee.


Oldie butter goodie.

>>hippy

>
> yes you are.


OMG! I am! Save me! Arrr..

hippy (obviously still lacking sleep)
 
Absent Husband wrote:
> I had a very disorganised start to the ride...


Sounds like my weekend..

> Then, as I took my bike off car's bike rack, I saw through the back
> window that I still had the kids' car seats!! Oh no - forgot to swap
> them last night!! So had to drive all the way home, take them out, put
> them in my wife's car, then drive back again...


Yep.. just like my weekend 'cept for the wife and kids bit ;)

> I scored some choccy milk at the food stop (yummo!), but was slightly
> perturbed by all the youngsters putting away multiple cartons of the
> stuff... I thought for sure that they'd be seeing it all again up the
> climbs still to come! **blecch**


hehe.. yeah.. we've mentioned milk and riding before. At least you get
to 'witness' the beauty of a milk chunder rather than participating in one.

I don't think anyone I know has beaten my 2L milk sculling record of
4:08 yet.. :D

> As for that stinging nettle juice... It was very nice, but you have to
> wonder who actually thought of putting that in juice (a bit like
> oysters, really!!) "Hmmm, that stings like crazy if you touch it, but
> maybe it would be good to drink...??"


Like most things it probably began with a drunken dare.

hippy
"Maate I dareya ta eat that coww" and thus the hamburger was born
 

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