As reported in last week’s blurb, due to SRA trackwork the "Yarramalong Manor - and Bumble Hill " 100kms ride listed in Push On insert in Australian Cyclist Magazine has been replaced by a post-Audax bender Gourmet's Binge - 75.4kms ride with an ETR to Hornsby of midday after a veritable drug 'n grub binge with Nosh Stops at -

1. "Brooklyn on the Pier" from 8:05am for 25 mins - after 24kms; and
2. "Pie in the Sky" from 8:55am for 25 mins - after 32kms
3. "GreenShades" from 10:50am for 30 mins - after 56.5kms.

PJ’s rap-up of Sat, 27 Jan, 200kms "hot" Audax Alpine Classic

Seasoned Muggs again joined the annual Oz Day pilgrimage to Bright Vic. (foothills of the Victorian Alps) and added to their tally of Audax pelts. In the seven consecutive years that Enormous Eric has completed the 3,770 metres of climbing to scale four gruelling ski mountains, The FatMan contends that this was the hottest ‘n hardest. (If you want to shake the hand of "distinguished" Papa Bear on achieving this noteworthy milestone, best be quick, ‘cause invariably the Burgeoning Behemoth goes into annual winter hibernation by abandoning his trusty treadley from March to Oct.)

The Audax 201kms involves a –

1. 12 kms "easier" climb to Tawonga Gap from Bright,
2. 22kms "scramble" up to Falls Creek,
3. 8kms "clamour" up the "steeper side" to Tawonga Gap from Mt Beauty, and
4. 23km "killer slog" up to Mt Buffalo (1,300 metres above sea level) when there ain’t much left in the can.

The Arduous Audax offers three distances, with the longest leg – 200kms – attracting a record field of 600 thereabouts riders, sent off in two @ 300 waves, which incl’d pros returning from Tour DownUnder for unquestionably the most popular/prestigious/toughest enduro cycle event on the Oz calendar. Phil Anderson (Australia’s most legendary cyclist who won 6 early consecutive legs of the Tour de France many moons ago), who owns rustic digs near pristine Bright, was amongst the elites, but this little brown bunny, who was one of the latter returnees in 12 hrs 14 mins, didn’t sight him.

NB: It wasn’t all noses to the grindstone and hands to the wheel, with room for beer and skittles, as Caffé Bacco and familiar Feltrin Ristorante served up sumptuous fare and fine wine on each of three enjoyable, balmy nights in picturesque Bright.

Deckside Café, which doubles as the Tourist Information entry/admission office, provided ambience during the day for dosing-up with caffeine fixes and cakes.

Requisite Carbo/Drug Loading to get thru those lumpy two hundred clicks was a tough ask, but Muggs were up to the task!

On a ride that didn't get off to a great start, Whippet rode out of Hornsby at a cracking pace on his Pat Malone at 7.15am to maintain the ETD of 7.40am from Cowan Station with not a solitary Mugg or "RockSolid" in sight. As I was to establish subsequently, Simon R. or on this occasion Rip Van Winkle, who had undertaken to be "in situ" at Hornsby at 7am to welcome and sign-on cyclists (my train arrives around 7:05), had slept-in. The Loyal Lad was still in slumber land! Off in the land of zzzzz! But at the time, me contemplated that Simon may have bolted at the advertised time with at least a Mugg or two.

After a further wait at Cowan Station adjacent to the Muggs' Mural on the tarmac, (sadly no Muggs in sight), eight BN Sling Shot riders departed around 8am on a damp track, (drizzling rain) on a hot and steamy morning in pursuit of the slower "advance party" which left around 7.15am. With a skim of damp dust on the road surface, we slithered down to Hawkesbury river bridge and commenced the onerous Mt White climb, noting inscription’s in cycle lane, "Cyclops", "Stand up Stumpy" & "Hurting Yet. Something in me was hurting, 'cause although the drizzle had stoped, the head spinning, chest heaving, heart pounding all the way to Mt White, Calga, then back to the Bikies Hang Out with an ave speed of 29.6kph. Dam it, just couldn't hold a +30 ave which may have contributed to reputedly looking "green around the gills!"

For the first time in a while a friendly table service was provided and most welcome in the lush green paddock with an uncharacteristic dearth of the "Brum Brr’um Brigade". Perhaps double demerit points prevailing over the long w'end had something to do with it. But in any event, our bikes were the silent "majority". The serene ambience enabled a pleasant chat with Carolyn, Sue, Mary-Ann, Graham (advanced party) Alan & Mike from Hornsby our regular meet on Sunday Sorties.

Our second stop on the water at Brooklyn for coffee and cakes evidenced the Yellow Jersey, Peter pull out with a broken spoke to catch the Electric Express home at Hawkesbury River train station which opened up the field for the last climb. The leader Tony McD stopped with a flat allowing Whippet to take KOM into Pie in Sky. After a regroup, we made our way back to Cowan Station, whereupon two continued on to Hornsby, Turra & Browns Water Hole and Eastwood.

'Twas a pleasant ride with a dozen or so participating. Confusion was array at the start and we got splattered on a bit and had to take the descents a little slower. The bike still needs a clean. But well worth it.

As listed in Australian Cyclist "Push On" Magazine, Nosh Stops are at:

1. Mt White Village Store 25 mins from 8:27am after 35kms – "Move Ice Coffee" safer bet
2. Somersby General Store 20 mins from 10:15am after 67kms - unknown substance quality?
3. Mt White Village Store 15 mins from 11:37am after 92kms - ditto (i) above
4. Pie in the Sky 25 mins from 12:30am after 108kms - Segafredo Café 8½ of 10

Estimate time of return ("ETR") to Hornsby is 1:45pm.