An early start to the day — finally I’ve been convinced that I really do need to train for the Alpine Classic — that day-to-day rides to and from work just aren’t likely to be enough preparation! Six o’clock wake up, breakfast and wait… and wait… and wait some more. The phone rings; Kelvin has had another puncture — of course — and so they’ll be a little late to pick me up. I sat around outside watching and listening to the morning’s bird-life, spotting a butcher bird that I’d never seen before on the neighbour’s roof.
Off to the east towards Launching Place, navigating by memory since Evan’s Melways was lost in Wednesday’s flood. A moment of confusion and we end up almost back at Lilydale before finally finding the right turn-off, then events conspire against us with the local CFA blocking the road since someone has just managed to drive head-on into a tree. More detours down back lanes, finally back on the main Warburton road, finally get to Launching Place for the 8.30 am start — only about an hour and a half late!
As we’re getting the bikes off the roof racks, the mist over the hills promises a cool ride. Much discussion takes place on what people should wear, and there are further delays as arm-warmers and long nicks are donned. Failing to bring anything other than the nicks and jersey I was wearing, I stood and waited and hoped that cold or hot, the weather wouldn’t be too uncomfortable!
Finally we were ready, off down the rail-trail towards Warburton, the surface not really suited to some of the road bikes. Over the years the track seems to be deteriorating, like a lot of bicycle facilities, it doesn’t look as if there is any budget for maintenance, once the thing has been built, that’s it! One particular timber bridge is in a sorry state, the approach from the eastern side being eroded away, and quite dangerous unless you zigzag onto the opposite side of the track.
By the time we reached Warburton we were all ready for a bite to eat; the sun had cleared away the mist, all the previously donned warm clothing needed to be shed, and people were starting to comment about the warmth of the day!
Back on the bikes, off through Warburton, then turn off the main road and seventeen kilometres of climbing up through the Yarra Ranges park to the summit of Mount Donna Buang. It’s still a great ride, there’s never much traffic, the scenery is fantastic, and at 1250m, it’s quite a climb!
