Mount Root-tha

I know! What a play on words.

So with Kirsty out due to a pressing engagement with a country retreat in Northern New South Wales, the Mount Coot-tha challenge had dwindled down to Katina, myself and Coot-tha first-timer, Ruth.

At 6am this morning it was about 8 degrees. I had my arm warmers and my leg warmers and my HEAD and EAR warmer (mmmm) and I was STILL feeling cold (but not my ears mmm they were snug).

We headed off in the pre-dawn gloom along the river chatting away... once we crossed the footbridge in Toowong we had a bit of a pitstop. Time for a nose blow, a drink of water and a re-group before the climb...



Pre-climb iv from cara gartland on Vimeo.

The first hill alongside the Quarry is, as I have mentioned before, a bit of a doozy. It's long and straight. You just have to put your head down and get on with it. Perhaps what I didn't make clear to Ruth is that once you get to the top of this hill and you have that little downhill section... it's then that the actual climb starts. The steepest part of the climb is done, yes, but the long, slow winding road is still ahead.

For those yet to attempt the climb, enjoy this cruisy downhill section and use it to catch your breath, drink water etc.

We took things nice and slow. There were plenty of other riders around all being very friendly (as they whizzed past us). Although Ruth had to get off and push for a while, she managed to get back on again to reach the apex and wasn't discouraged by the undulating back half of the ride. Here's us around by Channel 7:

Cold Ears!

Bobsled, anyone?

 We discussed the fact that it would probably be quite a challenge to push your bike up the hill and when she got back on, she admitted that it was a bit easier. We stopped at the lookout to gaze upon what was a crystal clear morning. It was still bloody freezing!

After that it was downhill to the bikeway and then straight to Seventeen Mile Rocks for a bit of a relax and snack on the jetty in the warm sunshine. Bliss! We came home via Oxley. There were a couple of good hills which I had conveniently forgotten about when suggested taking this route home... but I don't think Katina or Ruth held it against me too much!

At one point somewhere in Yeronga we were going up a very minor hill and were being passed by some MAMILs, one of whom said "well done girls". I smiled and said thank-you but straight afterwards felt the inner feminist getting quite embarrassed by my lame acceptance of that comment. Quite patronising, really. As Katina pointed out - "We've just ridden up f*cking Mount Coot-tha!"  (they'd gone by that stage).

The last hill was Gladstone Road which we all got up with no problem at all. Katina stopped in at Flour Power for some bread and Ruth crossed over to ride through the park on Highgate Hill so I took the triumphant Dornoch Tce descent by myself and felt extremely righteous all the way home.

Congratulations to Ruth who not only conquered Mount-Coot-tha but also continued on for the rest of the ride which added up to just over 51km. Considering what a short time she has been riding, this is brilliant. She is now the 4th member of our group to do the climb. 4th of 11!

It's at this point that I'd like to pay homage to Darryl who has not only taken my weekend morning absences (and the extra childcare responsibility) in his stride but he has also outdone himself on the breakfast front when I get back in. This week, I had seen a Mexican-inspired breakfast recipe on an episode of Jamie Oliver and asked Darryl if he wouldn't mind making it for me when I got back. We went out yesterday and got all the ingredients and, upon my return today, he'd got the whole breakfast almost ready. Coffee in the pot, spicy sauce ready to poach the eggs in. All I had to do was shower, get changed and take pictures of this masterpiece.. Thank you Darryl it was the best breakfast EVER.

2 eggs poaching in chilli/capsicum/tomato sauce; all food tastes better after riding!

Dish of the day... food not bad either

Blurry: my hands were shaking with anticipation.

In case you were wondering, you make up a sauce with onion, garlic, chillies, capsicum, tomatoes, coriander, salt and pepper. Add a bit of water if it's too dry and then poach the eggs in the sauce. Serve topped up with grated cheese and fresh coriander and with hot tortillas. We also added some chopped up bacon. Future plans for this include chilli beans and chorizo. It really is the breakfast of champions.