Tag Archives: easter

SPR Easter Camp 2011 Day 1

Cycling, SPR, , , , ,

Well the day kind of started the day before. That being Thursday night. Finished work at 5pm and then headed straight to Woolworths to do food shopping, stocking up for the next few days away. After an hour and a couple of phone calls to my helpful mum I was not really any better off than I was when I arrived, just $150 worse off on the credit card.

After getting home and unpacking the car was in dire need of a wash. So that took up the next two hours cleaning the car and fitting the car-bra for the drive down in the morning. By now it was 9pm all I wanted to do was go to be and sleep. Not likely. I had to organise all I needed to take with me the next day. So for the next three hours I ran around my small home virtually working out how to take everything with me. One bag packed with all the riding kit I own. Another with clothes to wear while not on the bike. Then food. This was interesting. Anyways story short after getting all I thought I would need in some kind of order it was after midnight and I also had a couple of unexpected visitors to add to the equation.

0715 and the alarm went off. I was excited but just wanted to sleep. No time. I had to slowly wake the sleeping dead visitors (who came to help back but only passed out) and work out a way to get half my house packed away in the car. This was a huge challenge. By the time I got all I had planned to take I was like. How was I going to fit everything if Jamie is planning to bring just as much as me. Eventually I just gave up and thought will have to find a way. Luckly once arriving at Jamies all he had was a small suitcase, his bike and a small esky.

This was easy to fit in the car. So we were away by 0930.The trip down was un-eventful and we arrived at the camp around 1230. Bikes were nice and safe in the back seat of the car. did not move an inch on the whole trip down. After unpacking the car and picking out a bed Jamie and I took a drive to Margaret River to find a bakery and some lunch. It was this point I worked out the one thing I had forgotten to bring. My power bars and gels I had stocked up on. I bought a couple that were close to it and will have to do for tomorrow.

When we got back to the camp El President was only just arriving and the others were getting ready to head out for the afternoon ride. Scrambling to get ready both Jamie and I seemed to get ourselves organised and headed out the front with the rest of the crew. We rode with members of the South West Cycle club who were going to lead the way. Was a great afternoon ride. Some nice downhill. Some nice uphill sections and just different country side. Due to the fact we were out on country roads we have Paul dedicating himself to being the follow car for the weekend. Both being there if we need anything and slowing up traffic behind us. A luxury that would probably see him get rammed if we were in Perth. But down here drivers seem to be patient and appear to give us room. We also look very pro with a car shadowing us 🙂 Very cool.

After around 61kms we arrived back at the camp after a great ride and great first day. Everyone one had managed to feed themselves. Some better than others. I think tomorrow night and Sunday I will just go into town for dinner will be so much easier. Sitting here now writing this some have got their kids to bed others still working on that while some of the adults are sitting around talking shop.

That is all I have to say for the first day of the easter camp. Soon I think it might be time for bed.

SPR Easter Camp 2011 Day 3

Cycling, SPR, , , ,

Sunday morning. Normally the Sunday hills ride but today we were down south and in Marget River. There had been a bit of rain over night and the clouds were still passing overhead but it looked like it was going to be ok. Were quiet a few sleepy looking people this morning but the dedicated were well and truly getting themselves ready to head back out on the road. This included Ronny who each day packed his bike into his car and drive the 12-15kms back to The Shed to join us.

I think it was a little after 7am and the group of riders out on the driveway were met by a couple of South West Cycle Club boys who would help guide us today. The follow car took position behind us in the driveway and it was time to roll out.

Roads were wet after the rain night before. I was cautious on all the descents in the wet. I didn’t want to risk having a wheel slip out from under me and end up on the road. Shortly after the first 10kms the rain fell again and gave us our first soaking of the morning. This was just in time before our first real descent of the morning down Redgate Road. Got the chance to take a look out at the surf to the right. At the car park at the bottom seemed to be a number of rangers who looked like they were busy but made us aware of glass in the car park. Our job was to now climb out of the car park and back up to Caves Road. I had a few people ahead of me on this climb and suffered a little bit but managed to make it to the top. Don’t know who arrived first for this one.

Once back onto Caves Road I tried to eat a power bar and keep up with the pace. Eating and breathing is not an easy job. I ate about half and gave up. I was not hungry just felt I needed it. After turning off Caves road we went left onto a very long straight stretch of road which appears to be un-named. However we got to pick the pace up to around 40kph down this stretch. I think this road was one of my most favourites all weekend. Seemed to go for ever.

After this stretch of road was a transition single file up Brussels Hwy before turning right into Davis Rd. The next 20kms or so were rolling hills on some good roads and some rough roads. I remember some rough uphill segments here. Next was a transition down Rose Brook Rd. This was sort of a major road and we had a few cars pass us here but none gave us any trouble. Again the next 20km had some mixed road conditions but I think we had ridden out of the rain now and were on the way to coffee. This brought us up to the 80km mark and I think all were glad to take the break for coffee.

We seemed to take over the coffee shop and chase out all the people who were already there. After coffee break was back on the bike for the 20km trip home to camp. This was a leisurely ride but with a few stretching their legs on Ellenbrook Rd. We again arrived back at camp just before 12pm. Good hard ride with a higher average speed this day.

On arriving back at camp though it felt like a mass exit had occurred. A large number of people had packed up and left and was a little bit of a shock as the number of people had at least halved. Ah well. Only the cool people remained.

That afternoon Paul, Jamie and myself took a drive to get out of camp for a while. We went and visited some caves and went for a walk down into them. I got some photos which I will put up later. After this we visited the Margaret River Chocolate Factory. This place was making bank cash this afternoon. Place was totally packed and parking was a little bit of a challenge.

That night I headed into Dunsborough for a bit of a drive and had dinner at the local pub which was packed. Arriving back at The Shed those who remained were sitting around the table talking killing time.