It was not a bad day in scenery or landscape terms. It was a monster of a day and it was rough. The day was 109 kilometers with 1,600 meters of climbing. Nothing really too bad at first glance. But the devil was in the details.
We started off with a 5 kilometer climb up Hanging Rock.
The view from Hanging Rock lookout.
It is one of the top 3 cycling climbs in Australia. It really wasn't so bad even though it was an 18%+ type climb. It was on pavement. The real trials for the day were after the legs were worn out with Hanging Rock. We hit the dirt. And it wasn't just dirt. It was almost 50 kilometers of soul crushing corrugation that was enough to make a grown man weep. It was relentless and it was constant hills... I went down once when the front wheel hit loose gravel. The next thing I knew, my forearm hit the gravel and bloodied and my hip sprung a new crop of bruises. But back on the bike and on with the exuberance of gravel biking. 😠
It was a painful, exhausting day. The best and probably only positive thing I can say is ... today will make all the other days look very good.
And that is all I can say about today. It is over and I am exhausted. So sleep I shall go and dream of softer, easier days. 😴
Mike, Sounds like a tough day. Maybe even Rule 5 does not apply here. Just hope the future days are better. Hang in there! Regards, Scott.
ReplyDeleteYes, rule 5 didn't even help. I felt like I got the hell beat out of me by the corrugation of the road! 😁
DeleteMike, I bet the Danube ride is looking pretty nice right about now! In the meantime, keep up the good (grunt!) work. Debra
ReplyDeleteDanube sounds so civilized and great right now... Looking forward to it.
DeleteI bet a nice, hot soaking bath would have been very welcomed after a day like you described.
ReplyDeleteI hope you're recovered from your spill.
I was a bit battered but bouncing back and enjoying the biking!
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