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 Rotary Club of Maclean

2012  Tour de Woodford.

Woodford Island Range Ride

14th October 2006

Trail Boss Doug-J

The day dawn with a hint of mist for the start of the ride. Ken-F and I (Simon-W) met at McFarlane Bridge at 5:30am the plan being that if some riders came for a casual ride around the Island I would Accompany them, at 5:35 when there were no starters Ken & I had a very relaxed warm up to the Golf Links turn where we were to meet some of the others at 5:45am. 

Doug-J, Trevor-C, Peter-D, Ken-F on mountain bikes & Graham-D,& I on Hybrids (me I still had on the road tyres 700-28c) with 100psi :>) there's one born every day. At the golf Club we met Roger-M who obviously couldn't see the point of riding to the start when we were passing his front door.

Now Repeater Road for those not in the know is a rather steep bit of a climb and any riders that come to the shop asking where they can get some hill training work that's where I send them <never had one come back yet complaining that where they come from they have real hills> thinking about it I can't remember ever seeing them return at all, Trevors bike needed a bit of a tweek on the  R/cogs as it was over shifting to the spokes so the others proceeded to the climb while we fixed it then a leisurely walk for the next Klm, meeting the rest up further Doug was on hands and knees trying to breath life into his front tyre <loose valve> and a chance to get the breath back for the last bit to the Tower, no time to enjoy the view before descending down what proved to be just one of a fair bit of rough climbs and descents for the next 7k. Got to tell you riding a cross bike is NOT recommended on this track Graham seemed to manage with ease 700-40c tyres do help. Doug, Ken and Roger were powering ahead waiting every now and then for the team to catch up Peter riding a mtb with no front suspension was probably kept busy adjusting his teeth that were rattling around It was duelly noted that he was seen at one time with bike on shoulder climbing one of the more difficult climbs. 

On a rutty loose little down hill when I had decided to to walk there was a crash behind me and Trevor was lying in a bit of a hole <must have been tired> ether that or to much time on the road bike and had forgotten that he was ridding off road, dusting him self of and a bit of blood to make it look good we continued on, one thing I do say after all these years of hearing stories of this track and the bits of climbs I recon next time the western track is by far a better ride but in saying that I am glad I went. Arriving at the Southern end of the range 9.8ks & 1hour it was a steady ride back to Maclean 12ks. Thanks Doug for a Great ride --I would do it again but next time I think I will bring a Mountain goat to help.

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Last modified: May 04, 2012