Mt Mee Smashathon!!

Well today was the day we had all been looking forward to with mixed emotions.....excitement knowing that we would be facing one of the iconic Brisbane rides, Mt Mee, while at the same time feeling somewhat nervous about it as well.

Fortunately we had good numbers for the ride with 14 (although that changed very quickly to 13 when a phone call was received by one of the riders) turning up for the 100km ride. It was great to have Smiddy legends join us today with Sharky, Row (now a regular with the Cyc'd crew), Greg fresh from his 5th place yesterday in B Grade crit and Mark (new to our group but a proven super domestique who as were to learn loves to dish out some serious pain to the peleton). They joined regular Cyc'd riders Shane, Brad, Brock, Jenno, Andy, Matt, Macca, Andrew and Kent making up the group.

Greg's new GIANT TCR Advanced SL with flash Cosmic wheels and Dura Ace Di2 bought from our sponsor Cyc'd for Bikes received the obligatory ooohs and ahhhhs from the assembled group. No honestly that thing is a real weapon and there was a little "bike envy" going on today.

Special mention to a few non attendees for the Mt Mee smashathon were:

Craig - Happy 29th today mate (had a cake waiting for you at top of Mt Mee!!)
Gav - Happy anniversary to you and Viv (guys debated long and hard of whether hat was a legitimate excuse but numbers fell your way mate)
Jase - Happy 60th to your mother-in-law (numbers didn't quite go your way on that one I'm afraid!!)

The ride out to Petrie was quick no make that fast!! Some riders were asking if the ride had changed to a flat Sandgate ride. No the pace was just ON big time and seemed we just couldn't wait to get to the Mt Mee climb.

The pace at the front saw a bit of disarray in the group but everyone hung in there and we regrouped at Dayboro before setting off on the Mt Mee climb with the finish being about 8ks from Dayboro the last 6 of which is a steady 5 - 7% climb.

The climbers among the group Mark, Rowan, Sharky and Greg soon gapped the rest of the field and went off to contest the KOM while the rest of us settled into a good tempo which would see us make our way to the top in the best shape we could.

Full credit to the group of Andrew, Shane and Brockie Valverde for giving it a really good go and hanging tough to finish in the group after the 4 climbers. We haven't seen much much of Andrew lately and now we know why he's been on a training camp in the Alps!!

The same guys for Brad, Macca, Andy, Jenno and Matt great effort up Mt Mee guys. Here are some pics at the top of the Mt Mee climb. Some tired but happy legs. KOM was shared by Rowan and Mark well done guys.

The decent was quick with Macca at one stage allegedly passing a motor bike on his way down.

Time for a quick coke and donut at the famous Dayboro bakery and it was time to head back home via Samford.

Looking at Strava I see that I did 20 odd km from Dayboro to Samford about 9 minutes faster than I've ever done it so thanks to Sharky, Rowan, Greg and Mark for that!!!

The Samford range seemed a walk in the park compared to the earlier Mt Mee climb and we enjoyed the pace line coming down the range and back into the city.

The group started heading their own way home but we still had 8 for coffee at Conti. There were some tired lads their sipping their coffee or double short macchiato if you are Shane!

Sharky always one for a surprise pulled another one out when he presented Kent with a trophy for his first crit win last week in C Grade. Not just any trophy but a trophy he won in a crit back in the 80s complete with a personalised plaque thanks Sharky your a dead set legend!

Trophy presentation Sharky style

We all knew the day would be tough and it was but not just because of the 1,400 odd metres of vertical climbing but because we lived up to our motto "Ride Hard" well done guys. Mt Mee smashathon.....done!!