I had a lovely chat with Tom this morning who was concerned that I had jumped on the bus yesterday because someone had made my feel uncomfortable about being slow, but that was absolutely not the case. It was the searing heat that caused the issue. He then used a marvelous phrase chill your beans. I like that, it's a keeper!
We had a short transfer from the winery down a wonderful avenue of bougainvillea (sorry, didn't get a picture). We then started riding at Montague and the day was split into 3 sections, just over 20km each. After several puncture repairs at the pre ride coffee stop (who knew valves could snap off so easily) we finally get on the road.
First section was OK, but the heat rose well above 30 deg again and I realise that 30 deg is my limit for cycling. At the first break Bevan describes the second section, which seems to involve a large climb. It's midday and freakin hot again. I jump on the bus!
Electrolytes for rehydration are much discussed by the group and all the various types that people have brought. Lucy gives me a Hi5 tablet for my water bottle, which I drink whilst sitting on the bus, I feel so much better than yesterday. So even though electrolytes are something that Stuart and I have generally avoided in the past (chemicals etc) it seems that in the types of heat that we are experiencing they are much needed.
We then get to stop for a BBQ picnic lunch which everyone really enjoyed,
and next the final section into Barrydale, a beautiful ride along wine route 62
I'm amazed to be riding along a road which has a speed limit of 120km / hour, but the shoulders are wide and there is very little traffic.
Cross winds seem to be a bit of an issue today, and although I couldn't take a photo as it was happening, it was really weird to see Stuart leaning over about 20deg as he was riding along, to avoid being blown over by the wind.
We arrive at a fabulous quirky guesthouse belonging to Leon, who is lovely. Bevan was worried we might not appreciate this guest house after the fancy winery, but everyone loves it, and we have time to relax in the garden over a beer! We definitely get to chill our beans!
Stuart and I wore our hill hunters jerseys today, which in my case was particularly ironic, as I skipped the big climb today!
Today I learned the value of electrolytes, and I was very happy to find that beer contains electrolytes, so I decided that this beer was medicinal!
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