Peter Oost's Blog

Day 4 – Tour de Cure Adaminaby – Corryong – EPIC!

What a great day!!!  The start of the Snowy Mountains and Kosciuszko National Park

Today we had the first of the big climbing effort days – was meant to be between 2500 and 3000m ascent over 139km, but ascent figures by the boss Coombsey are usually under-rated, and we took a nice little diversion (short-cut) over more hills when a dirt road was struck.

The morning began as usual with breakfast and the Sunrise crew, it was only 4degs in Adaminaby though so most of us were well rugged up.  I was in Peleton 3 today so a late start at 9:15am or so.  My legs are very sore when doing anything other than ride – stairs are a killer and even to press on the quads is killer.  But to my relief, the performance on the bike is not too bad considering.

The weather was spot on perfect today, sun, blue skies and no wind, with a temp of around 18deg max.  We shed the cold weather clothing after only 22kms into the ride and continued to head to the Cabramurra centre where there is a Service station, shop and school of only 7 students.  The views on this ride were absolutely awesome, winding roads with good surface, lots of comers, ascents and descents to negotiate and often you are riding ridgelines whilst being able to look down into large basins of ghost gums and lakes.  So great without the snow to blockout the landscape.

Today I managed fatigue better and kept a close eye on the power meter to ensure I didn’t ‘spend’ to much power at any time to run the tank empty.  There were two main climbs with many many many smaller climbs in between.  The biggest was a 6km climb varying at 10-12% and averaging out at around 8.  I sat on 250watts and found it a comfortable climb although still tough.at around half an hour solid work.

But then the descents – wow! 60- nearly 80kmh and sweeping back and forth on some great roads was very special, although I need to improve my descending as there are some guys that really excel at this and can drop a hill like a stone.  I was concerned about the heat build up on the carbon wheels under this much braking and concentrated heavily on managing it as best as possible.  We did have one rider destroy a wheel through heavy braking.

All meals were quite late today as we were the last peleton out, so lunch was not till around 4pm, but the roast beef, vegies and mushroom gravy were a very welcome feed, topped off with apple crumble and icecream.  Back on the bike was somewhat difficult with such a belly full:)

Only 28kms to the destination remained and I sat in the front for this segment which was a nice flat (mostly) run home at a cracking pace.

Water Aerboic stretches were coordinated for us in the pool (was bloody freezing) to try and manage the weary bodies.

Dinner in this town was very special, what a great old time community – this is the town where the legendary Jack riley (man from Snowy River) is buried.  We had sooo many guests join us at dinner, it was amazing.  And they were so interactive and wanted to hear all about our ride.  I sat with two ladies from the town, one whom worked at the local hospital.

During the presentation a lady offered to bake some scones to be auctioned off – 20 scones with jam and cream for any TdC member to have the next morning.  After all the bidding was done a price of $1120 was settled!  Some TdC guys obviously like their scones.  It was then revealed there are no shops still open this time of night in the town, which meant they would be going up to the farm to milk a cow and take the cream off the top for the prize – only in country Australia!  Such friendly people, such a pity its an aging population out in towns like this, would be great to see more young families coming up through these places.

We presented a cheque for $5000 to the hospital which will go towards palliative care

More climbing tomorrow, am absolutely stuffed, its late and have a 4:30am get up in the morning tomorrow 🙁  Hard to manage the fatigue that’s for sure

Daily stats 139km, 3500m ascent, 311 TSS

 

 

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