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Tales from the (Aussie) peloton
Training in Australia's high country
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How does one battle the sugar rush after downing mouthfuls of chocolate eggs before, during (and sometimes after) the Easter long weekend? Well, as Tony Horneman discovers, you go down to Australia's high country and work your butt off riding your bike, that's how.
Twenty-five senior and junior cyclists from the Randwick Botany Cycling Club enjoyed four days of training in the Snowy Mountains over the Easter weekend, staying at "The Three Way Inn" in Jindabyne.
The first destination was Charlotte's Pass via Perisher Valley, a distance of 40km and rising to an altitude of over 1800m. The temperature at the top was close to zero degrees celsius in mist and passing light showers., but returning to Jindabyne, the skies cleared and remained that way for the rest of the tour.
Day 2 was another climb to Thredbo village over 30km from Jindabyne. Some of the stronger riders, including Dave Jackson, Mark Robertson, Robert Cater, Chris Jenkins, Matthew Lucas, Patrick Jones and Scott Callum continued over the top and down to Dead Horse Gap. The incredibly steep climb back up to Thredbo tested the strength of the riders before a speedy descent back to Jindabyne.
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The third day was an 80km circuit through Dalgety and Berridale and back to Jindabyne. Included was some high-speed descents with Marek Pracher clocking the highest speed at 96.1 km/h.
The last day was a return to Thredbo, to enjoy coffee at one of the highest altitude coffee shops in Australia. Michael Murdoch and Robert Cater started early for another attack on Dead Horse Gap, but the rest of the riders enjoyed the warm sun before a leisurely roll down the mountain back the Jindabyne.
The Randwick Botany Cycling Club conducts similar training tours over the Australia Day long weekend in January each year in addition to the Easter weekend. For more information about joining the Randwick Botany Cycling Club please contact the club secretary Helen Vella on 02 9667 3307 or email secretary@randwickbotanycc.com or web site www.randwickbotanycc.com.
Photos
Images by Tony Horneman and Marek Prachar
- Some of the riders at the Jindabyne training camp.
- The Dead Horse Gap crew: (from left to right) Chris Jenkins, Patrick Naughton, Dave Jackson, Robert Cater, Scott Callum, Patrick Jones and Matthew Lucas.
- A sample of the beautiful countryside in the Snowy Mountains during autumn.
- Wooaarrgh! Marek Pracher's speedo showing a maximum speed of 96.1kmh on Day 3.
