Cycling 7:54:00 [4] 201.0 km (25.4 kph) +1700m
shoes: Giant TCR
CTA 200km Challenge Ride - Tour de Toodyay
6 intrepid starters at the Midland Landgate carpark on a very cold morning. We head off slowly up the Great Eastern Highway and turn into a 20km NE headwind on Toodyay Road. I am thinking straight away about turning back due to lack of preparation, but I kept going. I was not the only one soon after we crossed the Roe highway "Jughead" decides it is not for him and goes back home. Not only are we going into the wind but we are going straight into the sun. Cars behind are hard pressed to see you and you just hope they get it right. Unfortunately today was the Avon decent so Toodyay road was unusually busy.
The first hill up Red hill was a torment and it was only half way up that the muscles warmed up enough to be effective so that I could catch back up to the pack. We form a group of three and manage to stay together for the rest of the ride and share the lead. Toodyay Road was slower than normal due to the wind and down hill peddalling was the norm. The second best downhill leg was down to Lovers Lane. As wilth all dowhill there is a penalty with a steep accent the other side. Same slope as the state orienteering champs Hmm.
Toodyay was crawling with people and as we crossed the river canoeist where moving well in a fast flowing river. Out of Toodyay a gradual slow climb still straight into the wind. It was only until Delwars Pool Road that there was moderate respite. Wonderfully green and vibrant coutryside. This road climbed substantially up to a laterite plataeu and the Julimar forest.
We hit the Great Eastern Highway at the Catholic College entrance and then it is down hill to Bindoon hitting +65km/hr. We now had a tailwind for the rest of the trip. Relaxed lunch stop at the bakery at Bindoon and then on to Chitering road. A very pleasant slightly downhill ride surounded by green hills virtually no traffic. Wave to a big group of cyclists which includes AndreM. Then the last major climb up the hill above Bullsbrook. I worked close to my limit and was glad when it was over. Wonderfull downhill to a rest stop. It was here the latte set of cyclists also appeared (they said they were training for adventure racing?). So we joined on for a fabulous ride down to West Swan road in a fast moving peleton.
We finished the ride the indirect route via West Swan Road to Midland probably to add the extra distance. A good hard ride due to the conditions made easier by sharing the load
Total time of 9hr and 50m - actual ride time of 7hr and 54m
GPS track is only partial as it was turned off between Toodyay and Bindoon