Thanks for the story Ross 14,000 riders no wonder they have great cycling tracks

AROUND THE BAY IN A DAY....

Sunday 15 October 2006.

The spring Melbourne weather had been true to form over the week leading up to the ride. On Thursday 12 October the temperature in Melbourne had reached a high of 35° C and as I packed for the trip that same day I was reluctant to include my winter gear. That was my first mistake because at 5 am on 15 October it was very cold as I travelled down Royal Parade from Brunswick to Docklands only wearing nicks, an Around the Bay in A Day cycling top and a very light shower jacket. When I was overtaken by other cyclists dressed in arm and leg warmers and heavier jackets I became a little concerned but cycled on optimistically believing that once the ride had commenced I would soon warm up and be fine.

There were 14,277 registered riders for the 2006 Around the Bay in a Day event. Along with 2,000 other riders I choose the clockwise circumnavigation of the Bay, a distance of 210k, leaving Melbourne and riding down the Mornington Peninsula to Sorrento, across to Queenscliff on the ferry, and then returning to Melbourne via the Geelong/Melbourne freeway.

At the 6 am starting line at Docklands there were at least 4,000 riders for the 210k ride, half heading clockwise and the other half anti-clockwise. I had never seen so many bikes in one place, but when the starting gun sounded everyone moved off in a very orderly fashion, I did not see any accidents at this stage.

The stage from Melbourne to Sorrento was certainly the most picturesque. The Bay side suburbs of Melbourne and the towns and villages along the Mornington Peninsula were a feature of the ride.

I rode for a time with a fellow wearing a Manildra top who knows the Maclean area well. He also knows Harwood Mill Manager, Peter Dobilla. I also met a fellow, now living in Melbourne, who is married to a former Maclean resident nee Marsh. It’s a small world!

Bicycle Victoria did a fantastic job of organisation. Everything on the day seemed to run very smoothly, there were many volunteers giving directions, supplying lunches, manning rest stops, driving “sag” wagons etc. The Victoria Police did their best to ensure that riders were safe by closing sections of roads and intersections.

I am sure you all know how much water you need to drink on an endurance ride? The guide is 1 bottle per hour, that’s a lot of water and there is an obvious need to meet the call of nature regularly. The male riders simply stopped wherever a tree or shrub gave some cover however the women were lined up at toilets all along the ride. I believe that the women should be given a time credit for nature stops.

The ferry ride from Sorrento to Queenscliff was certainly an experience and although the trip only lasted about 35 minutes the southerly wind was blowing directly off Bass Strait and it was freezing. Being a first timer I mistakenly took my time in stowing my bike to ensure it was safe and would not be damaged. By the time I got upstairs to the enclosed cabin area it was absolutely full. I sat outside on the foredeck for a time with some other intrepid souls but was eventually forced down into the vehicle area and found a spot out of the breeze to eat my chicken roll, apple and power bar, supplied by the organisers.

I completed the 210k event, including ferry ride and other stops in 9 hours 25 minutes with an average riding speed of 25.5k ph.

The ride over the Westgate Bridge was certainly a highlight of the day. The views from the top are striking, however the cross wind was a bit gusty so riders needed to be alert.

For those considering entering this event next year I would certainly give it a recommendation and suggest that you do pack your cooler weather gear just in case.

Ross @ the finishing line

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Last modified: May 04, 2012

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