GREAT VICTORIAN
BIKE RIDE – 2006
Check out the exciting details
of last year’s ride!
Staff: Bronwyn
Hutchinson, Dani Crew, John Crew.
Students: (15)
Matt Wason, Callum Reed-Thornett, Will Cook, Stanley Foster, Rachel
Rafferty, David Blythe, Chris Mullarvey, Jim Ayrton, Ryan Bradbury,
Cailean Moore, Robert Villella, Tom Reilly, Kamila Koscialkowski,
John Tran, James Freijah.
DAY 1: Friday,
November 24.
We all met at Telstra Dome with a mixture of excitement and trepidation
as we loaded our bikes and boarded buses for the Wangaratta Showgrounds
for the start of this amazing journey. The weather was hot and we
put up our tents in the first of many ‘tent cities”
which would become part of our lives over the next 9 days. A mini
typhoon created the only drama for the afternoon when it swept through
our campsite and caused the Bicycle Victoria Marquee to blow dangerously
and erratically through the campsite. Tents were lifted vertically
and it was humorous to witness the odd tent nestled high up in some
gum trees after this spectacular event. It was even more interesting
observing how people actually retrieved these tents!
In the evening the Wangaratta Cycling Club held their weekly meet
and our students enjoyed watching the various races. They certainly
provided a very raucous and noisy reception for winning riders.
(In true “Princes Hill” spirit).
DAY 2: Saturday, November 25.
Wangaratta – Beechworth 42kms
The beginning of many 5.30am starts and the beginning of many queues
for toilets, luggage trucks, food and water. Let the riding begin!
The first 20 kms provided flat, comfortable and easy cycling conditions,
however the next 22kms created a degree of shock and horror as it
was ALL-uphill with the temperature reaching 34 degrees. Positive
cheerful moods were quickly dispensed and I’m sure many students
were now questioning how they could possibly cope with eight more
days of this pain and torture! Highlight of the evening was the
screening of ‘Kenny” in Café de Canvas with the
man himself appearing in person at the end of the film. It was a
hilarious evening and our “portaloo” experiences were
never to be the same again as we wondered what consequences our
evening meals would create!!!!!!
DAY 3: Sunday, November 26. Beechworth
– Tallangatta 67kms
This was a day of rolling hills and great views as we rode into
Yackandandah. After lunch the temperature reached 36 degrees and
there was a degree of sluggishness and weariness as we approached
the hills into Tallangatta. This began the chorus of the constant
barrage of questioning staff would have to endure daily for the
rest of the trip. “Are we there yet? How many kilometres to
go? When is the next rest stop? Are there more hills around the
corner?” “When will the hill end? Will this head wind
continue?” etc. etc… Some students appeared to be genuinely
shocked when we didn’t precisely know all of these answers!
Perhaps it didn’t occur to them that evenings were for rest
and relaxation and not for a 3-4 hour cycling reconnaissance mission
by staff to check out the next day’s route! Any way, back
to the story. The temperature was sizzling by the time we eventually
got there which hastened the “military” routine of quickly
erecting tents and then finding shade or water.
DAY 4: Monday, November 27 –
Tallangatta – Mt Beauty 74 kms
Another 36-degree day so we departed early. Most students
were very much into the groove of a 5.30am breakfast by now and
they were becoming very competent at taking down tents and packing
quickly. Apparently when I become “Army Hutch” instead
of “Mama Hutch” things happen FAST!! By the way, our
daily breakfast consisted of various cereals, milk, a tub of yoghurt,
bread, a muffin, an apple and stone fruit. (Certainly not what I
am accustomed to eating at 5.30am!!!) Riding along the quiet Gundowring
Rd in the morning was pleasant. The road followed the beautiful
Kiewa River and meandered between two valleys. Hills and fields
dwarfed us and in the foreground we could see the stunning alpine
mountains of Mt. Bogong. The “gentle” rolling hills
into Mt Beauty didn’t seem to be so “gentle!”
In fact they felt pretty uncomfortable for some of our students
who were starting to wilt in the blistering afternoon heat. Fortunately
we all got there safely and once again, the race was on to find
the local swimming pool or water hole. The evening was pleasant
with recently inducted ARIA Hall of Fame legend Ross Hannaford,
From Daddy Cool performing.
DAY 5: Tuesday, November 28 –
Mt Beauty – Myrtleford 63kms.
There was a buzz in the air and a sense of nervous anticipation
as we were about to tackle Tawonga Gap. Ten kilometres of hills
straight up! The first of those was a bit precarious when we had
to share the road with huge logging trucks whose drivers weren’t
exactly too interested in “sharing”. “The higher
you climb, the more spectacular the scenery” so the brochure
said, but believe me, you don’t see much when your head is
down and your “bum is up!” There was to be lots of huffing,
puffing, grunting, groaning, growling and a little swearing but
fortunately we all made it with varying degrees of humour still
remaining!!! After a well deserved rest and much “back slapping”,
we were thrilled to be unleashed onto the 20km descent. David Blythe
and I began what was to become a vigorous and ferocious battle to
“out gun” each other on these downhill stretches without
becoming ambulance statistics. We both have different versions of
course about who won. The rest area in Bright was pleasant and once
again the post lunch session was a gruelling sluggish affair in
40 degree heat. Finally we got to Myrtleford. Yippee. Tomorrow would
be REST DAY.
DAY 6: Wed, Nov 29 - REST DAY
Myrtleford.
How thrilling to have an 8.00am sleep in. We camped with
the dramatic backdrop of Mt. Buffalo in the background next to the
beautiful Ovens River. It was a “bum free day” so we
declined the invitation for “rest day” rides which were
on offer. It was to be another 40-degree day, so survival from the
heat and sun was the major priority.
DAY 7: Thursday, Nov 30 –
Myrtleford – Whitfield 80kms.
It was weird waking up at 5.00am to be “freezing”
as opposed to being “boiling”. It was a very quiet and
sombre start to the day with most of us whinging about our frozen
fingers and bodies. It all seemed so absurd after days of scorching
heat! How could it possibly be so cold? We were acknowledged for
the entire duration of the day by hundreds of riders due to our
beautiful and stunning helmets. I guess it’s not every day
people witness18 people riding in single file with either elf or
Santa hats attached to their helmets. Wow, we looked great. This
certainly created lots of attention and everyone now knew where
exactly we were from. We set off for the equal longest day of the
ride through the gourmet and wine region of the King valley. Fortunately
it warmed up and we were able to enjoy our first mid 20s day which
made riding conditions perfect. Lunch was at Brown Brothers Winery
where the water was very cool! We passed numerous wineries on the
road to Whitfield which was generally flat and easy. Whitfield was
a bit of a shock. A very dry and parched town greeted us with only
one general store and one pub. Oh well!
DAY 8: Friday, Dec 1 - Whitfield
to Mansfield – 63kms.
This was considered the “big, challenging” day.
30kms of non stop pedalling uphill and 30kms where we did not need
to touch our pedals on the downhill. At the top we could see the
scenic Powers Lookout which was an amazing view of the upper King
Valley and the Alpine National Park. Most students were thrilled
and amazed with their achievement. Fortunately there were no accidents
on the kamikaze downhill stretch, where once again I blitzed the
field!!!!!! As usual, the last 10kms seemed like 30 and it certainly
wasn’t as flat as the route profile indicated. Mansfield was
just about to begin level 4 water restrictions so some of our boys
generously reneged on having showers!!!!!!! Oooh, a very bad yet
noble decision in the heat and dust!!!!!
DAY 9: Sat, Dec 2 – Mansfield
to Yea – 80kms
We were all looking forward to the 80km “cruise”
on relatively flat terrain but no one informed us about the head
winds we would encounter for the entire day!!! Oh and that hill
into Yea was a “killer”. This was the last night and
we were entertained by a funky Brazilian band who certainly had
more energy than us!!!!
DAY 10: Sun, Dec 3 – Yea
– Whittlesea
Yea, Yea, Yea, We only had 58 kms to go!!!!. I think we were
in a “little” bit of shock with the 15km climb into
Flowerdale and the 15km climb through Kinglake when we were under
the impression that this would be a pleasant little ride home!!!!!!
Well done to ALL students. What an amazing achievement.
We are sooooooooo proud of you.
Bron Hutchinson.
