"hippy" <
[email protected]> wrote in message
news:
[email protected]...
> http://www.thehippy.net/nucleus/index.php?itemid=121
>
> Now come on you lot.. you can't be THAT tired!
> Hit me with your ATB and BR reports!! Make me
> jealous! Awesome day for any riding - praise Tigger,
> the God of Spring
>
> hippy (found 750ml Ice Breaks.. uh oh!)
>
>
Although it did not take place on Sunday (due to other commitments and
anticipated late night on Saturday night due to sister in laws wedding) my
alternative ride took place on Saturday morning. Plan was to leave the
hotel in Stawell where I was staying at 7:30 (Once the morning ice had a
chance to melt) and head out to Halls Gap and on to Mt William, but due to
breakfast not being ready at the desired time I was not able to get out the
door until 8:10. In a way this worked out well because I was joined by a
local rider who had been waiting for the local Saturday bunch to meet on the
highway. This bunch had never eventuated so he decided to ride along with
me for part of the way out to Halls Gap. Once in the Grampians the scenery
changed dramatically from what was essentially flat open paddocks to lush
green native forest. I eventually, at the 39km mark, arrived at the turn
off to Mt William. This road starts to climb almost immediately and
continues to do so for 10km (12km if you continue from the carpark to the
top) at an avg of 6.8%. After the first couple of kms I was resigned to the
fact that I would not have enough time to complete the entire climb to the
top as I had to be back in Stawell by 12:00pm. The climb to the carpark
would have to do. All was going well on the climb and I was getting
reasonably used to wallabies dropping onto the road from the bushland to my
left but I was not prepared for a herd of five deer to suddenly come
thundering out of the bushes right next to me. I don't know who was more
surprised, me or the deer. After a few seconds of running up the road in
front of me they disappeared off down the slope of the hill beside the road.
I continued on up the road to the carpark eventually reaching it after
49mins and 23secs. The ride down the slope was treated with much caution
after my earlier encounter with the local wildlife and the possibility of
tourists in cars traveling up the mountain. I also didn't like the idea of
misjudging a bend and going over the edge (visions of what wife might do to
me if I wasn't back for the wedding). Once back at the bottom of the hill I
headed back to Stawell via Halls Gap. Total ride time just under 4hrs,
total distance 99km, Temp range 9 - 12. All in all a great ride in fabulous
surroundings. It gave me the unusual feeling of being in complete isolation
(except for the wildlife) on the climb up the mountain. Next time i'm going
to the top.
Geoff