Tour Down Under Flying Fosters Tour 2012 Stage 3 - The long one!

This was the one us Vics have been waiting for 185kms (200kms for me) of long hard windy, rolling hills. The type of riding that we love and know the Sydney boys cant keep up with.

A huge bunch of cyclists greeted us down at Glenelg for the ride down to Victor(ia) Harbour via the KOM at Sellicks Beach.

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I counted about 70 riders rolling out from Glenelg including the Giant Celtic team, Artisan Cycles boys, Omara Cycles and the usual suspects Hampton Cycles and the Manly boys.

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Looking forward as far as the eye could see.... cyclists.

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Looking back as far as the eye could see...cyclists.

One of the 1st timers asked me if I expected this many people to show up. My answer was no, but I dont expect many of them to be there by Victor Harbour. The detour through the caravan park sorted a few of them out as did the climb up to the train lines. By the time we had reached the main road I would be guessing we lost 20 of them.

The pace was on, we collected many small bunches along the way to Commercial Rd and our 1st stop at the Servo to top up water supplies. Most of those not in the know kept on going which was a blessing in disguise.

The first real test of strength was the sprint climb into Aldinga up the Old Coach Rd. If you have ever seen a cyclist half claim a victory only to see a rider slip by on the inside and take the win, that is what you ould have seen with Buzz getting his arm halfway up before seeing Damo sprint past his left. Very amusing from our vantage point. Scoreboard for the day Vics 1 NSW 0

The next challenge was the Sellicks Hill climb up to the KOM. One of may favourite climbs of the week cause its less than 5% in any one spot. I hadn't counted on the winds or the inept ability for South Australlian Fluoro vest wearing hired help not being able to tether the 500m to go overhead banner.

I attacked on the downhill approach 1km before the climb to find that the hardest part of the ride. Damo and the Koala Foster letting me roll off the front. Managing to get 200-300m on the bunch and growing that out as the 8km climb progressed. Got smacked by the Crosswinds 20m after passing the Crosswinds sign. looking back the boys were out of sight. with 5km to the KOM I was feeling good. Having a marker every km did my head in and with 800m to go I turned the corner to see the Skoda banner lying accross the road banking up traffic. I had been stumped.

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The offending banner.

I waited for a minute or so untl they caught me. Still sprinting the last 600m with heavy legs to take out the KOM Scoreboard Vics 2 NSW 0

We hung out for an hour taking advantage of the free Powerade and Jelly Beans on offer to get some more calories in. Many were doubting their abilities to make the distance to Victor Harbour.

We headed off towards Victor Harbour, the Giant Celtic crew with their fresh legs and many of our guys took the more scenic option of riding through the McLaren Vale back to town. That left about 20 of the original group and a few ringins. We still had a head-crosswind and the Artisan boys were a blessing. They held tempo for most of the 30kms into Victor. Much appreciated boys.

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The descent into Victor Harbour.

Keeping it short and sweet I dont want to rub it in to the NSW guys too much, the Sprint into Victor harbour was again taken out by yours truly. The Sydney boys not even in sight. Scoreboard 3-0

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The viewing place for many at the Sprint finish in Victor Harbour.

 

Buzz had a great route planned for the way home, actually adding extra kms to the already long day. When given the choice it was awesome to see that almost everyone chose to do those extra kms. This turned into an epic mini journey, down a couple of really remote roads with some different scenery. Good detaour so far Buzz. We were heading away from Adelaide and the homing beacon was sensing something was wrong but just trying to ignore it. Minutes later we crossed a cool little bridge that was met at the other side with Gravel. Argh. route destroyed. 10km detour later we were still in good spirits, tailwind at our backs, we were on our way home down the highway.

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Loved this back road.

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Nice!

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Gravel roads, not for Damo on his Singles.

The trip home was pretty fun, without the usual repetitive attacks. The descent down the highway past Willunga will not be forgotten. Buzz hitting 101kph and many of us just missing the ton at 99....kph each. Sam from Artisan almost had the death wobbles at 90+kph I had to brake and detour, scared that he was going to come off I had to change line and lost some momentum too.

Overtaking at 95kph, doing a headcheck was scarey. At the bottom of the hill many a smile was to be had at the max speeds.

We collected a young fella from Newcastle who on restricted gearings still managed to string the bunch out at over 60kph down the A13. We were smashed.

At 185kms I decided that I was far too close to 200kms to head home, I made a left turn into Glenelg and just clicked over 200 just before I got back to the Medina. I was willing to do laps of the village just to get there.

Scoreboard Vics 4 NSW 1 for buzz descending on a 20kg TT bike. The wind tunnel tested chin aiding his maxmum speed the 1 point.