Brisbane has a new tunnel, running under the whole of the Central Business District (or CBD) in an attempt to rectify some classically appalling 60's infrastructure and speed up the traffic flow. This year the Great Brisbane Bike Ride (GBBR) included riding through the tunnel as part of it's 30km, 45km and 80km rides and that helped lure out over 6,500 cyclists to take part. We'd signed up for the 45km ride - the longest ever ride for Liz, although oddly she has skated much further than that in a day.
The ride started bright and early on Sunday morning - well, not so much for us as somebody managed to mess up setting the alarm. I rolled over bleary-eyed and as the clock slowly came into focus I realised that it was 6 oclock and the ride was starting in just over half an hour. Liz coped with the subsequent panic admirably and, after a quick return to the flat to pick up a forgotton helmet and gloves, we managed to make it to the starting area at the designated time. Predictably it then took another 20 minutes to get started, so by the time we were rolling Liz was talking to me again.
and you shall be taken up to the heavens
Yea, though I ride past the Valley of the shadow of Hipster
I shall fear Luigi
Soon we were directed off of the Inner City Bypass and back onto regular roads. The ride continued through the University at St Lucia and then over Indooroopilly Bridge
and back along the river
After that it was downhill all the way (well, apart from the flat bits) and before we knew it we were at the end
It took us over half an hour to get a much needed cup of coffee, but fortunately some trials riders were on hand to keep us entertained
All in all a pretty good start to the day.
The ride started bright and early on Sunday morning - well, not so much for us as somebody managed to mess up setting the alarm. I rolled over bleary-eyed and as the clock slowly came into focus I realised that it was 6 oclock and the ride was starting in just over half an hour. Liz coped with the subsequent panic admirably and, after a quick return to the flat to pick up a forgotton helmet and gloves, we managed to make it to the starting area at the designated time. Predictably it then took another 20 minutes to get started, so by the time we were rolling Liz was talking to me again.
It didn't take us long to get to the start of the tunnel
The first part of the tunnel was great - a breezy & gradual downhill section that had me longing for a freewheel. We saw a couple of friends down there (one directing traffic and one carrying his bike out after breaking spokes) and then we started the climb out. It wasn't steep but it was hot and humid, and it seemed that everyone who had coasted past me on the way down was now clicking through their gears and bleeding off my valuable momentum. 'Tis ever the way on large group rides when you're on a single speed or fixed gear bike, and after a while getting balked by guys in full Tour De France lycra on $5000 carbon fibre bikes when you're on something that you built from bits donated by mates becomes more of an amusement than an irritation.
Anyway - no need for anger. All you need to do is pedal towards the light. The first part of the tunnel was great - a breezy & gradual downhill section that had me longing for a freewheel. We saw a couple of friends down there (one directing traffic and one carrying his bike out after breaking spokes) and then we started the climb out. It wasn't steep but it was hot and humid, and it seemed that everyone who had coasted past me on the way down was now clicking through their gears and bleeding off my valuable momentum. 'Tis ever the way on large group rides when you're on a single speed or fixed gear bike, and after a while getting balked by guys in full Tour De France lycra on $5000 carbon fibre bikes when you're on something that you built from bits donated by mates becomes more of an amusement than an irritation. and you shall be taken up to the heavensYea, though I ride past the Valley of the shadow of HipsterI shall fear Luigi Soon we were directed off of the Inner City Bypass and back onto regular roads. The ride continued through the University at St Lucia and then over Indooroopilly Bridgeand back along the river
It wasn't contant riding though - there were a couple of rest stops on the way to refill water bottles, catch up with friends and fuel up on bananas and water melon. I noticed at one of them that our bikes were obviously still a bit upset with each other over the confusion of the early start
But Liz's was serving her well - she had made it up the infamous 'Duttonberg' too quickly for me to grab a photo, but here she is digging into her suitcase of courage and powering her way over the top of Gladstone Rd
After that it was downhill all the way (well, apart from the flat bits) and before we knew it we were at the endIt took us over half an hour to get a much needed cup of coffee, but fortunately some trials riders were on hand to keep us entertained All in all a pretty good start to the day.
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