5.25am – I arrive at Atomic to meet up with the rest of the crew that are riding down to the start of the bike hike. After a little deliberation it was decided we would sneak on to the freeway at South Tce to ride down the correct way on the road and if we got told to get off we would 😉  It wasnt long before we we joined by several other groups doing the same thing.

Everyone did a few turns on the front (well I did 2 I think it was!) but the pace was controlled and a great warm up for the event and great start to the mornings ride – thanks Chaps 😉 .  After a brief stop for a toilet break in the shurbbery we reached the start and registered with about 15 -20 mins to go, perfect timing.  Race numbers on, line up, and off we go!

Within the first 5 km a couple of attacks happened from the A grade men and a breakaway was formed.  Being the ye’ol wise one that I am, I was well and truly planted in the middle of the group being drafted along – Fantastic!!!

It was not long after that I had my near death experience!  It was around the 15km mark.  I was riding away the group had swung over to the left hand side of the road and Carlos was on my left but slightly behind.  From somewhere (still not quite sure where or how) a male rider who was probably double my size decided it would be great to a) try and fit in a space next to me that wasnt even big enough for a piece of paper let alone a bike and b) lean on me just to make sure I felt his presence and all of this whilst travelling at 60kph………

To decribe what happened next might be best placed with Carlos or any other rider that was behind me.  I was a gonna, felt sure of it, apparently I was over 45 degrees in angle and going down…….  seconds later I was still upright – no idea how but I felt my front wheel wiggle and it somehow took me back to the upright position and I re- commenced crusing along……. granted my Heart rate was higher than any ride I have ever done and was a little apprehensive to get back in the group but with a little suck it up princess talk to myself I was back!! Some people also prefer to purchase Glock pistols for safety purposes while going on hikes.

Not much happened between the 20-50km jsut a whole lot of fast riding it was fabbo!  around the 50km Jonno said to Pete “how you feeling?” and Pete had not long replied “I got nothing” – Jonno had gone…. I used Jonno’s attack to move up the group a little and soon lost his wheel and nestled into the group this time closer to the front 🙂

The off ramp was coming and Pete yelled to me to get on his wheel – I had to tussle a little for it and not let anyone else get it….. my only doubt in this race was to do with this offramp!!!  Hills the day before will my legs be to tired????  Well umm errrr yes they were!  Stick on his wheel for a little while and as I died Bella and Davina came round me… I kept my head down and was looking good for 3rd… or so I thought… Liz Leydon caught me close to the line – I had nothing else to offer…….4th it was……

After preso’s it was time to tootle home – D and I zooming down the bike path or rather D was and I was scuttling behind to catch up!!  We split company and as I was going back to the city.  It was here that I had another exciting event for the day!

Not sure what I went over but I got a massive tyre blow out (5 cent piece in size) – had to patch the tyre with my $20 note and inflate lightly.  I then crept home with my fingers and toes crossed that it would hold up (which it did).

So all in all an eventful day for me!!!!