The weather forecasters had predicted it and they didn't disappoint as the Cyc'd riders began hauling themselves out of bed at around 4.15am they were met with with a light drizzle of rain except the southsiders where it never rains at least according to Gav!!
A few text messages from the guys on the northside suggested that maybe they were wavering on riding but to everyone's credit we all turned up at the start point at the appointed time of 5.30am in the dark in the rain.
Things started out OK and the mood could even be called chipper as idle banter was heard among the group although it was difficult to hear anything other than Jase reliving his final lead out lap of Craig in yesterdays stunning victory at Murarrie. We wondered if Renshaw talked as much about his lead outs of Cavendish as Jase was doing for his effort yesterday.
The light rain actually was proving a nice distraction as we climbed Settlement Rd. It must have been because looking at Strava most of the guys set a best time for the climb...well done everyone.
With the first of the three main climbs out of the way and everyone feeling comfortable now that their feet were completely soaked we set off for Samford along the beautiful Ferny Grove road. A wide road with smooth tarmac like surface oh yeah I almost forgot and a set of train tracks which cross the road at an angle.
With Brock and the experienced Jase at the front we felt in good hands as we commenced to cross the tracks but in a flash Jase's conversation was abruptly interrupted as he lost his front wheel bringing him down which set of a chain reaction in the group. First Kent who was immediately behind Jase drove his front wheel straight into Jase's right shoulder and arm bringing him down also. Kent's bike ended up sliding across into the second lane.
The next to go down was Mark who ended up with spilling some claret on the road from a nasty cut to his chin with a bit of bark off from his arm as well.
Macca couldn't avoid the carnage in front and went down as well and Craig well he just went down in sympathy we think not wanting to be left out of the action (or the blog).
Craig's fall was actually a half hearted attempt as he managed to unclip and tip toe through the carnage and stayed on his feet.
As we regrouped the damage was assessed as follow:
- Mark - cut chin skin off right wrist and right arm
- Macca - damage to right booty (the one covering his shoe)
- Kent - a bit of bark off left leg, broken band on Brietling watch and broken Garmin mount
- Jase - not really sure but he has a nice Gatorskin tattoo on his right arm courtesy of Kent
- Craig - damaged pride for not taking a proper fall by remaining on his feet!!
Well once we were back up and running it was time for the mechanicals to begin first Andrew lost the ability to change gears which was interesting as he was one of the riders NOT to have come down so home he headed. Next was a flat by Boardman on eaton's crossing road. It was at this time with the rain still falling that a decision was made to cut our losses for the day and head for the coffee shop.
We safely navigated some heavy oil on the road home and everyone stayed upright until we got to Conti.
Mark attended to some blood dripping from his chin into his coffee and we all had a good laugh about what turned out to be quite an eventful 50kms.
Kudos goes to Mark for hanging in there with his injury and to everyone for remaining so positive while riding for 2 hours in the rain.
Mark trying not to drip blood into his coffee!!
A well deserved coffee at Conti
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