Woody Point ride

It was our first big ride in a while. All that fundraising got in the way. So it was back to training and those 6am starts are a very different story at this time of year. I had the arm warmers, the leg warmers and the head warmer going on as well. Even then it took me a few kms to warm up. I think my toes were numb until about Shorncliffe (45km). At one point somewhere near Shaw Park I managed to fall awkardly onto my crossbar OUCH. Jax said there was a word they used in South Africa instead of ouch... "Ay-NAR". I said it to myself a few times after that.

Riding through the Wetlands was slow going and the boardwalks were slick with dew and moss. I managed a slow-motion skid and Michelle, behind me, managed a slow-motion tumble forward. I think I may have broken her fall with my shoulder. It's feeling a bit stiff. Ay-nar. Ah well another one to chalk up to experience!

We rode longingly past our intended coffee stop and on to Decker Park - our previous farthest point - and then it was up onto the Houghton Highway bridge also known as the Ted Smout memorial bridge...

The bridge itself is 3kms long! Here's an aerial shot of it...

Photo courtesy: Courier Mail

It's a beautiful, flat bridge to cross with the ocean glistening and the sun shining and the wind behind you. Once over the bridge it was about another 4kms to the jetty at Woody Point where we posed for a few snaps...

Then it was back to Shorncliffe for coffee and snacks at the posh cafe we had been meaning to try. Staff very friendly. Must order larger coffee next time. This one didn't touch the sides. Fruit and nut toast lovely! (and so it should be at $8.90).

The journey back was fragmented. Michelle was late and needed to speed up so she could pick her sister up from hospital, Jacqui's recent illness was catching up on her and slowing her down. We decided to split up to cater for everyone. Michelle and I rolled into West End at about 1.15pm whew!

It was a training session that gave us a sense of the length of time in the saddle required... and that's just day 1!

Flippin' Aynar!

Riders: Cara, Emma, Michelle, Jax, Katina, Ruth and Jacqui.
Total kms: 112