Googong epic on 2003-07-27

As we set out we discovered Marea had an almost flat rear tyre, deciding to fix it at the closes Garage we rolled on, first two garages we checked had the air hoses out of order so Marea pumped it up by hand.

We headed up over the saddle next to Mt Ainslie and down around the back, then out past the airport towards Queanbeyan. At this point we realised we were running later than the 9am start time we had told other people about, so we left a few messages on phoes and kept going.

After the pleasant but long climb up the hill out of Queanbeyan we arrived at the dam, and found everyone else was running a bit late also. This is good we dont feel so bad.

A somewhat cold ride out, with camel back hoses icing up a bit and drink bottles with ice on them also. With 39KM in our legs already it looked like a long day (we were planning to ride home also). In the end we arrived back at the car around 5pm so decided it was better to drive home than ride in the dark. Dan only had to get back to Queanbeyan so he headed home, the rest of us (5 people) piled all the bikes onto and into Stephen's car with us at the end of the ride to get home.

Attendees:

• Andrew, Specialized HT
• Marea, Ethos Duallie
• Stephen, Klein HT
• Pete, Norco Steel HT
• Dan, Specialized Epic Duallie
• Steve, KHS Steel HT

1600x1200 Pete trying to use his phone where there is no signal. (in the carpark) 1600x1200 Andrew waiting for the real riding to start. 1600x1200 Marea looking apprehensive at having her photo taken sans sunglasses. 1600x1200 Stephen, who wisely and fortunately drove out getting ready. 1600x1200 Marea posing with tea, food and sunglasses. 1600x1200 Marea after attemptiing to help Andrew with his first flat. 1600x1200 Blurry photo of Pete walking up the first difficult hill, this may explain why he chose not to ride his new RM6 today, though it would be fun going down, pushing it up could get tedious. 1600x1200 Andrew riding up the hill as it is easier than walking, kind of. 1600x1200 Still hanging in there. 1600x1200 Marea pushing up aftter hanging back with Stephen a bit. 1600x1200 Dont we all wish we had a Purple anno ethos, very cool bike.

1600x1200 Stephen finishing the push up tyhe first difficult uphill of the day. 1600x1200 Me posing next to a sign for the first trig we got to. 1600x1200 Stephen getting into the photo. 1600x1200 Marea practicing her acrobatics with Stephen. 1600x1200 Me posing next to a fantastic view over a valley 1600x1200 Finally some action shots, Pete followed by Andrew coming towards a sweeping corner. 1600x1200 Andrew around the sweeping corner. 1600x1200 Marea and Stephen approaching the sweeping corne. (blurry) 1600x1200 Sitting around waiting at some point, left to right, Pete, Dan, Andrew 1600x1200 Marea and Stephen enjoying the great view at the top of a nasty climb. 1600x1200 Lunch time, Marea, Andrew, Dan.

1600x1200 Blurry photo of Andrew near the top of a gentle incline. 1600x1200 Marea near the same point. 1600x1200 Blurry photo of Marea as she passes me. 1600x1200 Pete wheelying past the same point. 1600x1200 Stephen finishing the climb. 1600x1200 Past me. 1600x1200 A rather cool looking tree just before the final river crossing (the only one I was unable to keep my feet fry across) 1600x1200 Photgraphic evidence of Stephen riding infront of Dan and Andrew up a hill with a brilliant backdrop as the sun gets lower. 1600x1200 Getting closer. 1600x1200 And again.