In the three years or so since the Ghost Riders first started turning their cranks, there are certain rides which have become firm favourites. The ride up to the Upper Yarra Dam certainly combines all the major elements of a memorable ride - good roads, great scenery, a few challenging climbs and a fantastic destination. Added to this is the added bonus that the return ride is significantly easier than the outward ride.
Because of its exposed nature, the only factor that can spoil this ride is poor weather, so when the Bureau forecast was for "up to 15 mm of rain in the morning" I was more than a little concerned. As it turned out, I need not have worried for the day dawned fine and clear. Apart from a brisk wind, the conditions were just about perfect for cycling.
It was encouraging to see that, by the time I arrived at Launching Place, the car park was already alive with riders and support crew. The favourable weather had obviously done a lot to raise everyone's spirits and there was a palpable feeling of excitement in the air. Another factor that always brings added enjoyment is the presence of newcomers to the peloton, and for this ride we were to be joined by no less than THREE riders making their debuts with the Ghost Riders.
Two of these new riders were Kathleen and Marysia who have both signed up for our forthcoming China Ride, the third newcomer was my next door neighbour out for only his second ride since buying a bike a couple of weeks ago. Since he was to be our fourth rider answering to the name of "John" (or in his case "Jon") it was imperative that we find a suitable nick name for him as soon as possible. Within a few minutes he was being referred to as "Jonny Next Door" a name which may well stick.
When Jonny Next Door informed me that he was going to join us on our ride to Upper Yarra I was a little worried. After all he had only been on his bike for about 9 km and the Upper Yarra Ride is not really a ride for beginners. I tried to tell him about the hills but he seemed unconcerned as he yelled to me "See you on Saturday". Now here he was all decked out in shorts and T shirt and eager to hop on his bike and ride with the experts.
Another guest for this ride was Gavin Wright, the writer from Bicycle Victoria who had written the article about us in the August Ride On magazine. Gavin drew me aside and informed me that he really would like to become a real "Ghost Rider" and thus enter the realm of the cycling elite. I explained to him that a few more favourable articles from him would certainly speed his probationary period (a $100 note pinned to his application wouldn't hurt either).
As the numbers continued to grow it looked like we would be getting close to another record peloton. Warren ("Spanner")Billson became rider number 15 and when Ross arrived (late as usual) the group had swollen to 16 riders. (Peter joined later in the ride bringing the final total to 17). I looked around for Hooters but he was no where to be found. Once again he had demonstrated complete lack of any sort of cycling character by deciding that the ride was "too hard for him", even before he had even given it a try.
As I looked around at the rest of the assembled group, I was sure that this ride would be a challenge to many of them (including me), but that's what makes it so much fun. If everyone just ran away every time they were faced with a daunting task, the world would be a boring place indeed. Sometimes it is only when we confront such challenges head on that we really get to experience the personal exhilaration that comes from achieving a difficult goal. I could only guess that Hooters will never really know just how much fun he misses out on.
By 10.40 am we were on our way up the highway. The strong side wind meant that we had to concentrate on our riding,but it was not really a significant hindrance. In the interests of pelotonic unity the traditional Settlement Rd sprint was foregone. Ross (Digger) was back on his bike for the first time since his unfortunate incident with the 5 year girl on her Barby bike. Apparently his broken bones have healed well but his ego is still seriously dented.
The first leg of the ride took us to Warburton where we stopped for the first caffeine of the day. We were soon relaxing in the filtered sunlight getting to know our new riding friends. The only problem was that one of our new friends was missing. I looked around but there was no sign of Jonny Next Door. It looked like somehow we had managed to lose him in the first 20 minutes. This was not a good start, after all I have to live next door to him. I stood in the street for a while looking out for him and was relieved when he finally came riding in with Spanner. Somewhat surprisingly he still seemed to be enjoying himself.
Charged with a new energy inrush from the coffee we were soon on our way again. Sheltered from the wind, the next section of the ride up to Warburton East was an absolute delight. As I looked at the yellow peloton stretched out along the road I could not help but feel a touch of pride. I reckon we have achieved something really good with this group and the riders were obviously having fun. This is a side of being a Ghost Rider that poor old Hooters has no knowledge or understanding of.
At the T intersection near Warburton East I stopped to wait for Jonny Next Door (JND) and explained to him that he could turn back at any point he felt he had gone far enough. I suspected that he would only make it as far as the letter box, so said my goodbyes before setting off to catch up to the rest of the group. I did not expect to see him again that day.
After a few minutes rest at the letter box we allowed the keen riders to race ahead to the Reefton Pub. I have discovered that this is good way to keep some of the bolters under control. A small group consisting of Johnny Magoo, Bolter, Cracker, Lex and Garibaldi charged ahead. Somewhere further back was me, Dr Phil, Digger, Lisa, Marysia, Gavin and Chris. We had not seen Kathleen or JND but they had already told us to keep going without them .
The next assembly point was the Reefton Pub. What a delightful place this is, especially when it is bathed in warm spring sunshine. AS each rider pulled into the car park we acknowledged their achievement with loud cheers. There was no doubt however as to who scored the loudest cheer. As JND rounded the corner and completed the final 100 metres or so, we knew we had witnessed the birth of a new Ghost Rider. Kathleen also had demonstrated a fine amount of grit and determination, although it was obvious that she had quite a lot of cycling experience before this ride.
Since Jon's bike had been supplied by Peter Warren, the gears were in serious need of adjustment and so we spent some time trying to set the bike up correctly before heading off on the final section of the ride to the Upper Yarra Dam itself. This last section is relatively easier than the section to Reefton, and only takes about 15 to 20 minutes of riding.
It is always great to see the support crew waiting with our lunches and even better to be able to get off the bike seat and have a laugh with your friends. When Jonny Next Door rode in to the park he completed one of the most memorable first rides in the short history of the Ghost Riders. Jon, your epic feat will become legendary - Well done. (Your cycling feet might become legends as well).
After lunch we made the traditional ride up to the top of the dam wall for the obligatory group photo. Then it was a case of getting back on the bikes for the (much easier) ride back. Some of our riders left us at this point. Lisa continued on with her family for a weekend in Bendigo. Chris met with her partner Robyn and Jon got a lift back with Celia.
Just as we were exiting the park we were joined by Peter, who had to do a rapid U Turn and join in the group. Because of the easier going the pace was considerably faster on the return ride. After the final assembly point at the latter box, there was another final sprint back to Warburton. Somehow I found myself in the front group with Bolter, Lex and Johnny Magoo. We rotated turns at the front and managed to average between 35 to 38 kph for most of the way. On the outskirts of Warburton Mal attacked on a hill but I was just able to catch him again at the top. Then it was Lex's turn to charge. He quickly opened up a 20 m gap as we passed the Adventist Church. I swallowed a deep gasp of air and took off after him, finally passing him within sight of the coffee shop. Somehow I had managed to gain a rare sprint win.
The rest of the riders all arrived within a 10 minute period and were able to pass another 20 minutes or so "debriefing". What a fine feeling of cameraderie exists after a ride like this. All that remained was for the final short ride back to Launching Place and our waiting cars.
It turned out to be a most successful and enjoyable ride. I think that everyone had a thoroughly good ride and overall the group had ridden according to the ride instructions. Congratulations to our new riders Kathleen Ooi, Marysia Murray and Jon Bate. I am sure we will be seeing a lot more of you in the weeks and months ahead.