Heidelberg - Kinglake - Kangaroo Ground

kinglake climb

Today's crew consisted of Colin, Scott, Sally, Ian and myself. From Heidelberg, we made short work of the few undulating hills on our way to Eltham. From Research to St. Andrews via Kangaroo Ground and Panton Hill, we received our first taste for what was to come on today's ride - lots of climbing. This would be our warm-up.

Leaving St. Andrews behind is when the climb proper begins. This is when the pain starts. We were prepped by Scott and Sally, that before we get to the "official" start of the Kinglake climb, we would first have to traverse a hill that is shorter but significantly steeper. It would hurt, but that the gradient is not maintained all the way to the township of Kinglake. Phew! We re-grouped at the top of this hill for a breather before tackling the remainder of the climb to Kinglake at our own individual pace.

Scott and Sally by Ian M

As we started our climb, I hear a car behind me and yelled out "Car back!". It gave a friendly double-beep of the horn. I figured it was just a car letting us know of its presence and was about to overtake us. It wasn't just any car - it was Mel. She was meeting us in Kinglake with fresh supplies for the return leg. As she passed us, we joked about how our SAG (support and gear) wagon was passing us when SAG wagons are actually meant to bring up the rear. Scott said that's because we were running late. I quipped in and said if that's the case, then the SAG wagon is meant to pick us all up, not leave us behind! =)

I was comfortable riding along the ridge line for the first 5km of the climb with about 4% gradient. As the road heads away from the ridge line, the gradient picks up a few notches. This is when it started to hurt for me. I stopped once to catch my breath and to slow the heart rate down. Pushing off on a slope whilst trying to clip into the pedals and get some momentum going wasn't easy. Cue a few false starts and a few wobbly moments.

  

At some point during the second half of this climb, I thought to myself - why am I doing this? I cannot believe that people do this for fun. I wanted to kill Ian for getting me into cycling. He wanted to kill me for suggesting the Great Ocean Road and Otway ride and all these training rides that we are doing. =P I wanted to get off my bike, hail down a car and hitch a ride to the top of the climb but my pride wouldn't let me. That would mean giving up.

I had just about given up peering around every corner, hoping to see signs of the township, when I started seeing roofs in the horizon. At that precise moment, the forecasted 40km/h northerlies made their presence known. Until we commence our return leg, this tailwind is a headwind. The end (of most) of the day's climbing was in sight. Nearly there...

refuelling after running out of gas

Pulled into the township, I did. One by one, the group re-grouped and promptly scoffed down all manner of food and drinks. Scott who was still recovering from a virus decided it wasn't wise for him to continue. The temperature was string starting to climb into the mid-30s and a decision was made that he would follow Mel back in the SAG wagon and get the Broom wagon.

"The Broom Wagon (also referred to as SAG Wagon) is the affectionate name for the vehicle that follows a Cycle Road Race picking up stragglers (or sweeping them up) who are unable to make it to the finish of the race within the time permitted." - Wikipedia.

The rest of us would ride down to Eltham where Scott would meet us. After all that climbing, there was no chance of talking the rest of us out of enjoying the fruits of our labour, the descent into St. Andrews. What took 38 mins to climb was dispatched off in 16 minutes going downhill. It is a somewhat technical descent - you need to watch out for uneven road surfaces, loose gravel, blind corners and if you are chicken-shit like me, make sure you don't sit on your brakes. Descending a straight road is easy, descending a tight and twisty road is a whole different kettle of fish. The worst thing you can do is heat up the tyres to the extent that they explode. I took it easy down and rode within my comfort zone. Max speed: 72.7km/h.

Our return trip would include a few hills, most notably the tough climb from St. Andrew's to Smiths Gully and the climb into Kangaroo Ground.

quittin' time by Ian M

Just before 1pm, we pulled into the Kangaroo Ground General Store and decided to call it a day. The sun was beating down on us and the temperature was hovering around 38 degrees. It was too freaking hot and while I felt like I could have made it all the way back to the car, it just wasn't worth it.

A quick phone call to Scott sent the Broom Wagon heading towards Kangaroo Ground. When Scott turned up, we packed away five road bikes (two on the roof, three in the boot and each rear passenger clutching a bike wheel each) into the car and headed back towards our starting point to say our goodbyes until our next ride.

It was a day packed with mechanical issues. Scott's chain came off his big chain ring. Sal's chain came off her large rear sprocket into the wheel spokes. I had a puncture and Ian's chain continued its love affair with the bottom bracket.

fixing a puncture by Ian M

I was pleasantly surprised to see heaps of cyclists doing the Kinglake climb today. Unlike riding in the flatter parts of Victoria, there is a certain camaraderie, respect and friendliness amongst riders of the hills. Cars, trucks and motorcycles alike were very well-behaved, giving us plenty of space.

It was an epic ride. Heidelberg - Kinglake - Kangaroo Ground: 69.19km. Duration: 3:20:23. Elevation climbed: 1536m.

Caught In The Act

Our one and only ... the bicycle stalker.
Fixie bikes in particular.

Perhaps he is looking for some inspiration, a fixie for the missus.

Olive green frame with tan leather saddle please ... thank you very much. =P

*hint hint wink wink blink blink*

Peek-a-Boo

Always the nosy one ...

Always the one who wants to know what is behind those closed doors. Nothing interesting inside, but I do think that the worn-looking door looks gorgeous.

I want.

Sissy and I

My little sister and my best friend whom I have known for 27 years. We play, we laugh, we fight, and we cry together. We scream at each other. We tease each other. Besides my parents, she is the other one who has been with me through everything.



She will be a mama soon ... and I am so proud of her.

No. 5

When we exchanged wedding vows, we made big plans for our 5th wedding anniversary.

We would take a few months off work. We would jump on a plane to the old continent. At a minimum, we would visit England, France, Spain, Italy and Germany.

We would eat our way through Europe - handmade pasta by Italian nonnas, thin crust pizza in Naples, smallgoods, Spanish tapas, escargots, Jamon Iberico, boullabaise, steak Bernaise and Cafe de Paris butter, black pudding, lots of cheese and degustations at Fat Duck and El Bulli.

We would visit vineyards of the Old World. We would drink Burgundy, Chateauneuf-du-pape, Cote-Rotie, Rioja, Priorat and German Rieslings.

We would visit the Eiffel Tower, Tower of Pisa, Big Ben, the Colosseum, the Louvre, Notre Dame, Buckingham Palace, Champs-Élysées and say g'day to the Queen.

Now that I am an avid cyclist, I would attempt to climb the Col du Tourmalet, ride the cobbles in the forest of d'Arenberg, and the strada bianchi (white roads) of Italy.

Fast forward five years and our plans for a European sojourn is a non-starter. Not for want of trying, but because like most things in life - somewhere between then and now - our priorities have changed. Some would say we have matured (a little) and that life is taking us down a different path. Sure, it's not as wow as a long holiday, but it is still exciting as... *wink wink*

The important thing, though, is you. I thank the Lord for your presence in my life. You love me, you care for me, you make me laugh, you pick me up, you make me angry, you make me cry, you put up with me and you sleep on my side of the bed (I won't hold this against you) but I won't have it any other way. For richer or poorer, in sickness and in health. For yesterday, for today and for tomorrow (because tomorrow never comes...). I love you more today than I did yesterday.

FYI, we need a bigger bed.

Europe and the rest of the world can wait because all I need is you - now and forever.

XOXO,
Alex

Here piggy ... piggy ... piggy ...

Finally, the missus is back!

Life has been great and work has been crazy busy. Despite the hustle bustle of everyday life, I still find time to cook something palatable for the hubbib. This is a dish that I find really simple in cooking it but the result is très magnifique!



Caramelised Piggy

Pork belly
Garlic
Oyster sauce
Dark soy sauce
Light soy sauce
Bay leaves
Cinnamon sticks
Large red chillies
Rice wine vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste

Slice pork belly into small pieces. Put everything into a deep pot and add water until it covers the meat. I haven't included measurements for this recipe because I am the queen of not using any measurements whatsoever. Just drizzle everything to taste. Bring it to boil then turn down the heat and let it simmer until the pork starts to caramelise. Serve it with jasmine rice and some steamed greens.

The hubbib usually goes all smiley when I cook this for dinner, and the smile turns into a grin when this dish is served with a bottle of cold beer.

Waffee

When I first heard the name, I will admit that the first thought that popped into my head was - "Yeah, that sounds like a name our dearest friend Gwen would have come up with." [ I'm so sorry Gwen... :P ]

I stewed on the name for a few days before I got it, and then it all made sense. So simple, yet so brilliant.

Waffles + Coffee = Waffee

Waffee is the brainchild of the brothers Liuw (YC + Shane). Their shopfront in Altona sells authentic Belgian waffles made to a family recipe passed onto the siblings by a Belgian waffle maker as they waffled their way through Belgium. You can read more about their story here.

  

They make, in our opinion, the best waffles in Melbourne. There is no need for toppings on what is already delicious waffles - the proof is in the waffle. Their barista Jerome makes a bloody good coffee. It is an understatement to say that they are passionate about waffles. Don't just take our word for it, get yourselves down to Waffee and try it in person.

Shane, YC and Jerome

Waffee Shopfront
Shop 25, Harrington Square
Altona 3018
Mon-Fri (except public hols) 7.30am - 4.30pm
Sat 9:30am - 3.30pm

St. Kilda Twilight Market
O’Donnell Gardens, St Kilda
Two Thursdays remaining (16th Feb and 23rd of Feb 2012), 5-10pm (or until sold out)

* Note: Don't call Shane - Shawn - or he will call you Ian (when your name really is Kev) (Apologies... this is an inside joke.). If you go all coffee geek on Jerome, be prepared to be blown away by his awesome coffee knowledge but in return, it may gain you access to special single origin coffee beans from his secret stash. :)

** Note: This post was not solicited by Waffee in return for payment of waffles, coffee or cash or whatever - I don't think we need to say this but here is our disclaimer anyway. This is just us clearing months of backlog from our little corner of the planet.

I Heart Bresaola

To infinity ... and beyond!

I know I said upcoming posts would not be completely bicycle related but here we are with yet another cycling related post. Yes Mr. Doubles, your disappointment in our blogging efforts have been duly noted. :) I'm working on the non-cycling stuff, they are coming soon - the images have been selected, I just need to finish the post-processing and put some words to it.

In the meantime, sit back and enjoy...

On the last day of work last year, an email arrived in my inbox about a 145km ride along the Great Ocean Road and Otway Rainforest in March this year. Nonchalantly, I suggested to Ian (aka Studmuffin) that we should do it. He surprised me by saying we should. Yeah right...

Word soon got around and exercise power couple, Scott and Sal, wanted in as well.

Very soon after, conversations were had about organising accommodation for the event.

*BIG GULP*

Oh bugger, this is starting to get serious...

Two Sundays ago, my meet up with Ian for a casual ride to Yarra Boulevard, Kew turned into a foursome with Scott and Sally where Scott turned up the heat and I kept up. Just. It was a short 30-ish km ride that Sunday but plans were made for longer rides in preparation for the 145km 2XU Great Ocean & Otway Classic Ride 2012.

We were given the brief by Scott that Sunday's ride would involve riding from their place in Brighton to Mornington. Forget about checking out Google Maps - this training ride qualifies as a century ride. 100km. Not quite to infinity and beyond, but I was justifiably concerned. The longest ride I have completed so far was 89km on New Year's Eve but it was done at a semi-leisurely pace. This ride would be different - this ride would require constant effort at a higher tempo.

The great news is that the ride went better than expected - 100km in 4 hours, averaging 25km/hr. All four of us got back in surprisingly good shape. I guess I'm in better riding shape now compared to last year. I was tired when I got home but I wasn't exhausted - still plenty in the tank for me to consider cycling to work on Monday. Enough battery life in me to have some bad for you but I don't care after 100km KFC, a nice shower and a short nap in the loving arms of the missus.

I was pleasantly surprised that the cars gave us plenty of space between Mordie and Mornington. We saw a few idiot cyclists who were too good to stop at red lights - you fools give us a bad name - and we made an unexpected stop when we witnessed a van running over a poor dog. There was nothing the driver could do - the dog came out of nowhere. The dog was in pain but it managed to get up - the driver stopped and headed straight into the bushes to look for the injured dog.

Scott and Sal led from Brighton to Mordie. I then joined Scott up front for the rest of the ride. We avoided the 20% gradient climb up Oliver's Hill on the way down to Mornington, opting for a more manageable 9% gradient along some back roads that Scott showed us. We stopped for coffee and cake at Coffee Traders in Mornington, a chat and a few laughs, then started to make our way back to Brighton.

Like the ride down towards Mornington, we rode mostly in a formation of 2 x 2 - Scott and myself in front setting the pace, with Ian and Sally pulling up the rear. On a few occassions though, through some of the harder climbs and descents, Scott and I let rip and stretched our legs - it was heaps of fun.

So, I have registered myself for the 145km 2XU Great Ocean & Otway Classic Ride 2012. There's no backing out now.