October 25, 2010

Spring Cycle 2010

The Spring Cycle event was yet again attended by the Biker Bunnies. Sunday 17th October dished up a beautifully sunny morning, where we jostled with more than 10,000 other enthusiastic early-birds on two wheels, and made our way from North Sydney to Homebush along the back streets of Sydney. 

There was talk (prior to the ride) of there being a collision of sorts with the coronation taking place on the same day (North Sydney in particular, expected to be visited by many), I thought we may be able to get through crowds swiftly by dressing as bunny-eared nuns - luckily we didn't, (a long black flowing outfit would most definitely have resulted in a tangled mess well before the harbour bridge) because, as it turned out the coronation supporters were not quite as early out of the sack as the spring cycle attendees... 


EDIT: Oh dear... after being picked up (ever so correctly) by both Amanda and Lost in Space, I'm adding this correction to the coronation that never was.... *cough* it was a canonization - NOT a coronation! So to all of you who are busy waving your new Aussie monarchy gadgets about -you need to put them back in the draw this minute! :D

Our bicycle morning passed through some wonderful scenery where we managed all sorts of interesting observations, which you'll find in Amanda's ride update below:

Statistics
Bunnies on board - Amanda, Noey, Tor, Matt & Annette
Meeting place - Wahroonga station 5:55am (train to North Sydney)
Start - 6:50am
Finish - 10:20am onwards
Distance - 53km
Speed - 18km/h average 44km/h max
Calories - 1761
Heart rate - 128 average 170 max
Weather - Lovely!

I seriously think there is something wrong with me lately – fancy getting up at 4.15 am to go on a bike ride! But oh what a beautiful day it turned out to be. Matt and I greeted Noelle at 5am in the dark and set off on our merry way to Wahroonga to meet up with Tori labori and Netty poletti. Along the way, cold and dark we spotted a sleeping drunk and lots of youngsters spilling out of the Woodport – those were the days when we had not a care in the world!

Matt drove which was rather refreshing for me on these morning hikes and we met the girls and managed to get to the train station with a few minutes to spare. Noelle discovered that we hadn't put her wheel on properly (trust me – must stop using the bunny in distress and learn how things work) and I am not sure if it was mechanic Annette or Tor who fixed it. In actual fact neither did because when we got to North Sydney Noelle went straight to the biker mechanic. Poor Collette couldn't join us today, after planning for months how to come and get James babysit. It all fell through at the last minute so this ride was for you Collette.

We got to the starting line and the weather was getting warmer, we cycled over the harbour bridge half together half not – but as usual it is an exhilarating experience and I think this is one of my favourite rides. Nobody seemed to be dressed up except us with our bunny ears and we experienced all sorts of comments:

  • Easter bunny – but it’s not Easter.
  • Go the Rabbidohs (as if).
  • Playboy bunnies – unfortunately for us it was said by an older creepy guy who invited Annette and I back to his Playboy mansion at Woy Woy – yuk and he actually told me to take off my clothes at the end of the ride (whilst he was drinking a beer) – he also cycled behind us a bit of the way staring at our pert bottoms – well Annette’s is pert mine, is a bit flabby.
  • Bunnies on heat (or something similar).
  • Lots of comments on how people loved our ears.
  • One guy cycled behind me saying, "got up this morning and did my check – bike, helmut, drink bottle etc but I knew there was something I forgot – damn – it was my bunny ears" – he kept saying this which made me laugh for a little while.

Matt cycled most of the way with a bunch of weird girls giggling and Noelle who hadn't cycled in over a year put her head down and achieved a fantastic ride in fantastic time. Well done to all of the girls and the BOY and I look forward to next year – YES including YOU NOELLE! (big hand pointing at you).

Photos:

Sunscreen & Bunny-ear adjustments on the train

All lined up at the start in North Sydney


Sun shining on 'team leader'

Bunny Tor crossing the harbour bridge

... & here come Noey & Amanda

First snack stop at Pyrmont

Looking for goodies in the bag...

Bunny ears galore...

Cruising into Bray's reserve for a pick-me-up Voltaren

Doing fabulously!

Bunny Banana & Matt on a Mission

We did it!

Matt at the finish!

2 silly sprinters cross the finish line (again...)

Matt & Amanda across the finish line

Wave to the crowd!

We did it!! Fabulous Tor & Noey cross the line

A kiss for the champion

Wearing that medal & a silly grin...

All smiles on the train back to Wahroonga

Need that coffee NOW!

Favourite part of the ride – riding over the harbour bridge

Least favourite – getting up in the dark

Most disgusting – a young boy with snot hanging from his nose spread across his cheek

Funniest – riding past the punters being kicked out of the pubs with their bleary eyes as they realise it is morning (7.30am) and the seeing a bunch of mad women in bunny ears cycle past

The train trip home was rather hilarious as Matt led us all the way to the end of the train just so he could get the carriage to himself and then we all giggled until we reached Wahroonga for our lunch at our fave little café...


All up it was a fabulous experience and a great ride - leaving that bit earlier certainly made for a 'smoother' ride compared to last year's jostling for space on the road :) - Getting the GOLD medal at the end was definitely an exciting finale - especially after racing Amanda to the finish line in true Tour de France style (I think we got a tad carried away screaming down the final stretch, but it was so much fun it was impossible to resist)! Well done to all of you and look forward to our next ride.

Amanda & Annette :)