Arriving in Adelaide.
It’s that time of year again when the annual pilgrimage to Adelaide is on.
This year saw a bunch of Bayside Bandidos make the journey across to Adelaide with most opting to fly this year. That proved a prudent decision given the flooding situation in the Warnambool region. We saw it from the air and was glad that we didn’t drive.
We arrived yesterday, unpacked bikes and went for a leisurely spin down to Glenelg and Semaphore. There was a fair bit of Sunday beach traffic but it was nice to get on the bike and turn the legs over.
How far do we have to walk??
We came back and grabbed a quick shower before wandering across to look at anti-cancer council challenge around Victoria Park. The crowds were out and the racing was sensational. The break away looked great for a large part of the race but it was Matt Goss lead out by Mark Renshaw that took out the honours. The crowd went wild and it provided the perfect opening salvo to the pro season.
Strewth those blokes are fasssssssssssst.
We wandered away to our usual eatery, Boccelli’s and contributed to the noise pollution that makes up the ‘ambiance’ of the place. I could tell you what occurred but as with all TDU trips, what happens on the trip, stays on the trip.
Boccelli’s for dinner and cranial inspection (optional).
Today was a lay day for the riders and we decided to do the ‘Gorge’. The Adelaide hills provide stunning rolling terrain to ride through however, before you get there, you have to get up the escapement which is short but challenging. Thankfully the temperatures this year are a little more civilised and those who wanted to fry up their breakkie on the bike helmets were disappointed.
The people you see when you’re hot and sweaty.
A quick stop at Cuddly Creek to top up bidons and tummies and we rolled on again toward Birdwood.
We were entertained by the sight of a standoff between a great dane and the cafe cat. Thankfully a ‘Dido stepped in and the Dane was asked to move along.
Jet did a great job of trying to fill Sats shoes keeping the group together (no one does Stats like Stats). It was great to see how people responded to the hills. People who had struggled a little in previous years had put in the work and the transformation was noticable. The transition from struggle town to ‘cruisin the hills’ was a delight to see and kudos to them for the work that they’ve done.
The drink drive campaign is taken seriously in Birdwood.
Another TDU tradition is the ride to the Cooper’s Pub for a cleansing Ale at the end of the day’s ride. It doesn’t get much better. A cold ale and more claims of daring-do and exaggerated accounts of the day’s ride were tossed around the table. Perce checked the ‘Cowboy’s Code of Conduct’ to ensure that no major transgressions occurred. Sadly, a number of Didos were found to be close to the wind or in fact, in breach of the code. Hiding in the bunch and attacking your riding buddies on the final climb just isn’t cricket! A certain Dido who shall remain nameless has been diagnosed with CPD (Compulsive Pedalling Disorder) and is currently undergoing assessment pending a treatment package aimed at alleviating our suffering!
A ‘dotty’ Dido looked resplendent in his jersey but was held to account when he lifted his butt off the saddle providing a glimpse of his anatomy that should only be on display at certain, private family functions.
Ahhhhhhh, a Coopers.
Tomorrow is the first day of racing proper and the tour lifts a notch. I can’t wait but for now, off to Boccelli’s for dinner.
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