Sunday Ride in Canberra 19 January 2014 (65 kms)

It has been a very hot week in Canberra with daytime temperatures at 40 degrees or higher each day.  Because of this I only rode to work twice this week. Apparently the heat wave is going to break sometime tonight.  But it was a tough week for riding a bike.  I was leaving work at 7 PM or after and still it was over 37 degrees. The sunsets have been stunning though. Here is a photo ii took on my iPhone one evening.

Sunset on McKellar Hill

Because of the hot week my cycling buddy, Steve and I decided to once again keep the distance short and do only 60-70 kms. So this week the option was Wallaroo Road to the north of Canberra. Again I met Steve along the Lake Ginninderra bike path and headed along the Barton Highway past Gold Creek and Hall village. As we were climbing the long hill near Gold Creek a group of four cyclists past us like I was standing still. So I told Steve he was holding me back.  So he responded by attacking the climb.  By the time I reached the summit he was 50 metres ahead of me.  I should know by now that I should not mess with Stefano Bakerelli the well known Italian climber.  I mean this guy is undefeated on the Stelvio in every Giro he has raced. 

Then it was along Wallaroo Road and the beautiful Goromon Ponds Road.  Steve reminded my that last time we rode this together I had provided some Portuguese custard tarts to eat.  I promised to do better next time and offered him my power gel as compensation.  Not good enough apparently.  My legs were feeling very weak today so I let him take off up the hills and then catch him on the descents. Oakey Creek Road was also lovely today but when we reached the turnaround I noticed that we were facing an easterly headwind. Still it was a lovely ride back to the Highway.  On the climb up to the Barton Highway I too this photo of Mr Bakerelli giving a master class on how to ride a 6 per cent climb

Then it was through Hall village and into Gunghalin along a new stretch of cycle path.  Here we met up with my friend Louise for a coffee.  It was so relaxing sitting outside in the shade just talking.  Louise had ridden her new 'vintage' ladies bike from home and it is a really cool bike.  Here's a few pictures of it. In the second picture you can see Steve's and my bike

Then it was a relaxed 15 km ride home. While not a huge distance it was great to get out and finish the ride before the heat built up.  Next weekend it's the Australia Day long weekend and the plan is to do a 100 km ride. Might take out a road bike rather than a tourer.

Sunday Ride - 65 kms around Canberra

The forecast was for 35 degrees today so Steve Baker and I decided to keep the distance shortish so we could finish before the heat became unbearable.  Riding from Charnwood I met up with Steve along the Lake Ginninderra bike path.  Gee my legs did not want to cooperate today.  Luckily Steve was happy with a relaxed ride.  Plus my Mclachlan's gearing wasn't working well despite stopping a few times to adjust the barrel on the rear derailleur. It really needs a rebuild and I am waiting for my new Trek cyclocross bike before I do that.  But maybe I will need to do it sooner as the Trek isn't going to arrive before early April.  

Well the route today was certainly scenic.  We rode along bike paths through Gunghalian and up along Gundaroo Drive.  To think that only a few years ago this was all farmland.  Now it is all new housing development.  Plus no more dirt road to the NSW border.  That's a mixed blessing as it's definitely a nicer surface.  But the cost is a little more traffic.  Then we cut across to Sutton along East Tallengandra Lane and along the service road next to the Barton Highway into Dickson.  Just before we dropped into Dickson I snapped these two photos of the road and of Steve looking resplendent on his Cannondale Cyclocross bike.

The well known Italian climber Stefano Bakerelli. 

We had iced coffee and cinnamon toast at a cafe before riding the bike paths home.  I said goodbye to Steve on lake Ginninderra and arrived home just on 11 am. The heat was certainly starting to bite as I climbed the short hill home.  Another hour out there and it would have been a bit arduous.