It's only taken 3 years to get here.
Some time ago, a guestimate of about 3 years, Dan told me about a great ride he'd done.
A 32km ride on the Rail Trail connecting Lilydale to Warburton. A ride with the mildest of gradients from start to finish, meandering on loose dirt through fields, past paddocks of cattle and the Yarra Ranges framing the horizon the whole way.
At it's conclusion, the promise of hearty polish grub, washed down with vodka and many a pilsner.
The distance may not seem challenging, but to someone who is a infrequent cyclist (as many of us velophile's partners are) 3 hours in the saddle is a minor marathon.
So it was that The Boss rode further than ever before - 32km one day, and 42km the following. With the mental and physical support of UpDave and Adele never far away.
Cog to Warby.
Damo at Cog Cafe was like a little kid showing me his new prototype MYND RIDE.
Fabricated by Damo himself, the 36/29er is a big bike. Running a 2 speed drivetrain with a White Industries double crankset and freewheel, Titanium bars by Black Sheep Bicycles , Ayup lights.
In Feb he rode the MYND RIDE some 1400km over 2 weeks along the Bicentennial trail heading out with another cyclist called Trent Lowe.
If you ride the Warburton Trail, get a goat's cheese and roast pumpkin toastie from COG into you prior to heading out and/or on your return.
Nobody told me
Whenever I ride with newbies I remember all the bike things I've learned along the way. Like why you use ass butter, why you don't wear underwear under your bibs, and why you don't wear neon yellow. Little things like how to get in and out of clipless pedals, how to correct a mis-shifting gear, and how powerful a jelly bean can be when you've hit rock bottom.
All of these trials and tribulations lay ahead for The Boss.
We stayed at the Alpine Retreat / Fawlty Towers of Warburton. Other options include local Bed and Breakfasts (min 2 night stay) and the caravan park which is booked out until 2012.
Everything is funnier after 3 jester shots, 4 beers, and 2 bottles of wine.
Put the kettle on and enjoy the rest of the day - and plan your own gentle weekender. We caught the end of a great two-piece set which included a brilliant cover of 'Hallelujah'
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