Saturday 27th December - Return to the Bellarine Circuit

When we last tackled the Bellarine Circuit back in March 2003 we all agreed that it was a great ride, although it was a pity about the prevailing (hurricane force) wind that was with us all day. In spite of the wind (and an unfortunate greasy incident at the Chinese Restuarant later in the day) we were keen to return to give it another try with a larger riding group.

Assembled at Queenscliff for a start (Note Bob's new yellow helmet).

With the surprise arrival of our brand new yellow club jerseys somewhat earlier than expected, we needed a ride to try them out and what better place for a Summer Ride than the Bellarine ?

The weather wallahs promised a fine day with a top temperature of 23C so it gave early indications of a memorable ride. The word was quickly passed around, and although Duncan seemed to have fallen off the planet, the rest of the group was keen to participate. John even indicated that he would join us on the road for part of the ride (a miracle of major proportions).

Heading down towards Queenscliff at 10 am I was trying not to feel apprehensive when the sky darkened markedly and a light rain started falling. I remembered that this was exactly what had happened on our last ride on the Bellarine, and it had turned out to be a perfect day. By 10.15 our peloton was forming with the initial starting group of Bob, Ross, Daryl, Mal and myself. It was impossible not to be impressed by the bright yellow jerseys we were all wearing. Bob had even lashed out and bought a matching yellow helmet. I guess the locals were not accustomed to seeing such a fine display of lycra clad, testosterone charged, manhood in their town.

Mal had also taken this opportunity to unveil his new Avanti road bike. It certainly did look more impressive that his "Toyworld Special" that he had previously been riding. We gathered around to "assist" him with some fine "adjustments" (aka envious sabotage) before the ride began.

One problem we had experienced on our previous ride around this circuit was that we kept losing the trail because the streets were poorly marked. This could not happen this time because I had provided every rider with a detailed set of maps showing the exact course we were to follow. As we headed out of Queenscliff in search of Point Lonsdale each rider was struggling to read their maps, while simultaneously dodging passing cars and looking out for street names.

After an uncertain start we eventually hit the correct route and were soon hurtling along the roads through Ocean Grove on our way to Barwon Heads. I had received several phone calls from John wondering where we were. I was not impressed that every time he rang I happened to be climbing a hill (mostly in the wrong gear). "Why are you puffing?" he asked on the phone. I tried to remind him that it was a little harder to ride a bike up a hill than to rest in a parked car outside a coffee shop.

About 50 mins and 24 km later we were all happily ensconsed around an outdoor table at a nice coffee shop in Barwon Heads. The support crew had decided not to support us after all and were nowhere to be seen. We were soon joined by John and Warren (also sporting their new jerseys), and made a very impressive sight indeed. I think our jerseys are so bright we could do some night riding without additional lighting.

After a lengthy stop John and Warren left to ride part of the Bellarine Rail Trail while the rest of us went off to complete a short criterium around the back streets of Barwon Heads. Smooth black bitumen, wide roads, skinny tyres inflated to bursting point, snap the chain on to the big chain ring and chill out in cycling heaven. Surfers might dream of the elusive perfect wave, but this was as close to perfect cycling conditions that you could wish for.

We regrouped for the return ride back over the Barwon River bridge and were soon cruising at 30 to 35 kph towards Ocean Grove. Unfortunately my provision of detailed maps was not sufficient for some (more inept) riders who proceeded to take the wrong turn off at Ocean Grove. Bob, Ross and I followed the correct route and (after navigating some large, nasty hills) were soon waiting at the Bellarine Hwy for our lost companions.

Fortunately the lost riders were saved by their fluorescent jerseys (in fact these jerseys are so bright they can be soon from the moon) and we were soon reunited for the 6 km ride to Leopold. At this point we left the Highway to join the Bellarine Rail Trail for 10 km or so to Drysdale. John and Warren had already passed through and were waiting at the Drysdale shops.

Once on the rail trail we bunched up to ride in close formation. It was noted that there was much less broken glass scattered along the gravel surface of the trail than had been seen scattered liberally on the shoulders of the main roads. A short pit stop at Drysdale helped to lighten a couple of the riders before we embarked on the final stretch of undulating road to Portarlington.

The challenge of the wicked sounding "Scotchman's Hill" managed to spread the peloton a little but by 2 pm we were assembled with the support crew in the park at Portarlington. With 55 km already on our odometers, and all the major hills behind us, we knew that the afternoon section would be quite enjoyable. John and Warren had also decided to ride the section from Drysdale to Portarlington and pulled in about 15 minutes later.

Relaxing after lunch at Portarlington

The so called "support crew" had finally decided to grace us with their presence and had some well earned sandwiches waiting for us. Unfortunately my sandwich had been made out of an entire loaf of bread cut in half, and I managed to dislocate my jaw trying to take the first bite.

After lunch we all posed for yet another group photo (see below). One day this photo could make it to the front cover of the Bicycling Australia magazine.

The full peloton in uniform at Portarlington (if you could bottle what these guys have got you could make a fortune)

The full peloton then left for the afternoon leg of the circuit. This section consists of approx 40 km of mostly level roads, but unfortunately it always seems to be into a head wind.

Although John and Warren managed to get lost in the first 50 metres, they did eventually rejoin us for the upwind push along the Esplanade. Even John got so much carried away that he forgot he was riding on grown up roads for the first time in his life.

By 5.30 pm all riders were safely back at Queenscliff, although the warm tingling feeling that we had in our faces suggested that maybe the sun had been a little stronger than we had allowed for.

After the obligatory stop at the ice cream shop we were all seated in the Ming Terrace Restauarant for dinner. We had been given the best table in the house with glorious views of the setting sun over the ocean. Some deluded individuals thought they knew how to wield a pair of chop sticks and hence our dinner soon degenerated into something akin to a kid's food fight. After Duncan's previous misdemeanors with oily hands on the table cloth, I am sure that we will need to find another eating place if we ever come back down here again.

In spite of the copious amounts of slippage that occured during the evening, enough food actually reached our stomachs for everyone to agree that this had been yet another truly enjoyable and memorable ride. Our jerseys had apparently passed with flying colours, although Ross said he would reserve judgement until he was sure that his did not fall apart in the wash. Plans were made for our Annual Awards Night and for our next Wangaratta to Bright challenge. I, for one, could not think of a better way to spend a day.