In preparation for the MS Gong Ride on 7th November the team met up in Centennial Park on an overcast morning last Sunday for what turned out to be one of our longest training sessions ever.
Established in 1888, Centennial Park was originally a catchment area of swamps, sand dunes and springs. Home to over 15,000 trees, the cycling takes place for the most part on the Grand Drive, Sydney’s first public suburban drive, with a circumference of around 3.5km.
It was a solid ride–we’re calling it 45km in total.
Kudos to Dark Horse for cycling to, from and during the ride while trying to kill off the 'flu! (His total distance for the day must have been around the 60km mark.)
Centennial Park is a popular cycling destination, because it has a dedicated cycling lane and cars, all vehicles in fact, are limited to 30km/h. (Were it not so I’m sure we’d be climbing the hills at far greater speeds.)
This is the recommended pace for the climb up to the reservoir.
I lost count of the number of times we threw this climb into the mix.
Why so many climbs?
Well, I'm so glad you asked. Here’s the topographical profile for the Gong Ride:
Why so many climbs?
Well, I'm so glad you asked. Here’s the topographical profile for the Gong Ride:
Hills are a key feature.
The key benefit of which is that after pushing yourself to the top, you can glide down the other side ... which we also practised on the day:
The key benefit of which is that after pushing yourself to the top, you can glide down the other side ... which we also practised on the day:
So, loins girded, this Sunday we take on one of the most challenging and gruelling, lycra-clad epics of human endeavour ever devised ...
OK, a tad too much hyperbole there: but remember, it’s all for a good cause.
OK, a tad too much hyperbole there: but remember, it’s all for a good cause.
Until next time,
Pedal on!
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