Day 2&3
Sorry first off for jamming two days in at once, man I was tired last night. I am tonight don't get me wrong... But I feel an up date is needed.
Day 2 was Lobethal to Chateau Tanunda. 74km
We woke to very wet wet tents and gear and sleeping bags... Not so bummed that it rained, as SA just had some big bush fires and its nice to see them out.... But paying extra for a tent, you would kinda expect IT NOT LEAK!!!! Long story... Lets get to riding.
The guide book said "we pick up the trail and riding becomes gentle in comparison to yesterday" now I assume this means in reference to the hill we did not do... Cos it was not GENTLE in my book. A good day tho. I only walked a small hill! Ok it was the top of a very long hill just after morning tea, we went from riding on a dirt farm road to a pine forest. So with the rain it (and 100+) bike tyres having already passed it was a bit stick. I managed to turn into the hill too soon and ended up in a rather large wash out.... Having stopped the bike to get off and walk, I was ok with the fact of walking until mum said, "I'm going over there for a pee tree" So I took this as my chance to have a second go at the hill! I too went to find a pee tree and on coming back walked my bike back about ten meters and took the hill again. This time getting the right track and passing a few other riders who had already started the walk. Not me I thought I'm going to get this... So down into granny gears she goes and up the hill I go! It was just the last little bit that got me.. About 7 meters of extra steep hill, I was happy with that.
The rest of the day was up and down hills, through a bit more forest and into wine country! Riding through the vines that's are on both sides of the road was very pretty. Mind you.... Lunch was a different story... A top an amazing hill..... Yes 20knot winds and ice cold... Sitting a top this hill for lunch. We like to stop at lunch for about 1/2 hour to let the bot bot have a good rest... We scoffed lunch down quick smart and where back on the road. What a stupid stupid place to have lunch!
Back on the track to the BIG down hill we got told about the the briefing last night, yes a big long rocky down hill. Some crazy riders took this at a very fast speed, mum and I just pottered along slow and steady. We get about 1/2 way down the hill the a bunch of riders standing round what looked like fixing a flat... Found out later in the day it was due to a guy getting his jumper stuck in his front tyre and coming off his bike. Not very nice, broken collar bone, broken ribs, smashed front teeth and a smashed helmet... A very good reason for helmets..
So he has left the ride, that is the only fall we heard about so seems like a good day.
The rest of the day was not too bad at all, riding into the Chateau Tanunda was pretty nice, old stone building and a massive winery. We found our tent right down the back, which was good. The wind is still blowing a gale and we are trying to try our gear from last night. Finally we get stuff dry, head for the showers which are what seems like a million miles away. We get our gear ready for dinner and head up to the grand ball room for coffee and a few games before dinner.... Mind you this s further than the walk to the showers.... So not only have I ridden 78km... I've now clocked up walking km too. We get almost to the ball room when we are told...'rain is on its way'
#yay....
So I go back to the tent and make sure all is covered and bikes are ok... Then head back to the ball room. The bar is not open, the coffee stand is... So mum has her coffee and I plug in and wait for stuff to charge.
After waging for what seems like for ever dinner if finally served... Soup and mains all at once... It's a big open hall with no banmaries .... I mean come on.... You can not expect 125 people to cue for soup while watching the roast and veggies go cold. We started with mains... I know I keep going back to bike QLD, but it just seems with 1000 people showers and food ran a lot smoother. Anyway, dinner and stuff done we head back for the long walk to the tent and get into bed......
Only to wake up in the morning (day 3) to another wet tent and our bedding wet... Not as bad as the first night... But come on! How much am I paying for this again?
I am going back with day 3 tomorrow. It's 10pm and I need to put my head down.
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