Sunday 27th July - We help open the Hallam By Pass

With Mal away with the cannibals in Africa, Bob languishing in Darwin, Darrel holidaying somewhere in NSW, Ross unavailable and John perpetually asleep in bed it was starting to appear if our intrepid group was in danger of terminal disintegration. It was of paramount importance that we organize another weekend ride in order to maintain some semblance of focus.

The media had been running stories about the opening of the mighty Hallam Bypass and informing us that it would be open for walkers and cyclists to sample the smooth new bitumen. This seemed like just the excuse we needed for a club ride. But just who was going to be left to form a peloton? For a while it looked as if it might be just Duncan and me riding the freeway alone. While the thought of just the two of us cruising the vast open spaces of the pristine roadway in glorious isolation had appeal, surely two riders doth NOT a true peloton make.

Dennis Shepherd (aka Dennis 2)

Fortunately I managed to enjoy a meeting with another interested rider (another Dennis in fact) during the previous week and he was quite interested in coming along for a ride. At least we would have three riders to keep each other company. The arrangement was made to meet at Belgrave Heights shopping centre at 9.45 am for the start of our ride.

The day dawned bright and clear and all appeared perfect for an enjoyable ride, although the prevailing air temperature of minus 6 degrees Celsius meant that we could suffer from some ice buildup on our lycras. I hastily prepared my Cannondale and drove off to meet the other guys. Although we all managed to meet at different locations, the miracle of modern telecommunication soon enabled us to coordinate and get ready to ride into history.

The ride began with the gentle uphill ride from Belgrave Heights to Belgrave South. At this point we began the steep descent to the Wellington Road crossing. It is exhilarating hurtling down a winding country road at upwards of 60 kph, just hoping that your over inflated tyres will not burst. Fortunately we all made it safely down the hill and pedaled along in high spirits towards Narre Warren North.

As we drew near to the freeway we began to see that the ride along the new road would not be completed in splendid isolation after all. About 300,000 other people AND their 75,000 dogs had also decided to turn up to christen the new surface. It was so crowded we could hardly move as we maneuvered in and out of the milling throng of people. It was clear that this was not going to be exactly the way we had planned it, but the weather was still fine and were always optimistic that the situation would improve.

Duncan's son Adrian

Duncan had arranged to meet his son Adrian at this point although I felt it would be like trying to find the proverbial needle in a haystack. Dennis and I wobbled off through the swirling maelstrom of kids, dogs, bikes, trikes, carts, stilt walkers, old women, in-line skaters and the rest. Man it was hard work to stay upright while riding at 1 kph.

Fortunately after a couple of km the crowds did start to thin out and we were eventually able to crank up to a more respectable speed. And, YES the bitumen was smooth and seductive to ride on. It was even better when we were riding downwind, you hardly needed to turn the pedals over. We also managed to meet up with Duncan and Adrian, although it was almost impossible to ride in formation because of the crowds.

At last the crowds started to thin out

After a couple of laps of the circuit (and a couple of bursts of abuse from the “crowd controllers”) we had had enough and decided to cycle on to Berwick for a cup of coffee. The other Dennis and I parted company with Duncan and Adrian and headed back down Narre Warren North Road to the Princes Hwy. Fortunately we discovered that there is now a sealed bike path that meanders along the left hand side of the highway all the way to Berwick. All we had to do was dodge and weave among the hundreds of people aimlessly returning from the road opening. (Don’t these people have any respect for true cyclists?)

About 15 minutes later we were happily seated outside the coffee shop in Berwick, although it was a pity that it was on the shady side of the street. A welcome visit by one of the support crew (Maggie) helped to pass the time as we sipped our caffeine and discussed the days activites.

All too soon it was time to remount and face the long climb back up the hill from Berwick to Harkaway. We also soon discovered that the hill was the least of our worries – we were now pedaling directly into the face of a force 10 gale. It felt like a return visit from the 10,000 howling banshees from the Warby Trail, only worse. As we slowly reached the final crest of the ridge the full force of the wind hit us in earnest.

Dennis Shepherd reaches the top of the hill

I also discovered that perhaps there is something even worse than a head wind after all. When the wind moved to the side blowing at about 80 knots, it was almost impossible to hold the bike on a straight course. I found myself alternately buffeted into the path of oncoming semi trailers and then back perilously close to the abrupt 20 cm drop that marked the edge of the bitumen. Morbid thoughts flooded my mind as to which fate I would prefer – to be squashed under a truck or to cascade from the edge of the road firmly cleated to my pedals.

Somehow we both managed to avoid disaster and by the time I reached the Wellington Road intersection my support crew was waiting to give me a lift home. Unlike the other Dennis, at least I would not have to face the interminable long climb back up to Belgrave South. With a somewhat relieved smile I was able to bid him adieu and give him an invitation to join us on our next exploit (when hopefully some more of our regulars will be back in the saddles again).

P.S. Don't forget the Donna Buang ride on Sat 20th September.