Richmond Bakery Wednesday Ride

[BenevolantDictatorD]

Another glorious Wednesday in old Richmond town - perfect for a ride. We had eighteen in the peleton with one late arrival not seen until coffee. The old course today with a run out over water tower and out to Back Tea Tree Road and return. There were a few tired legs in the bunch from the weekend's Pepper Hill riders. It didn't seem to slow anybody down too much!

The trundle out to water tower saw one Pepper Hill man laying off the back - protesting to be left behind - but to no avail. A regroup and off along Tea Tree Road at a good pace with a few attempts at organising the bunch completely failing as usual. The pace picked up and then up again but with little wind to have any effect the bunch was all together at the turn onto Back Tea Tree - even our protester of sore legs.

The cruise out to the turn gradually turned into a smash-fest with attacks from all directions but there was little effect with two bunches making it to the turn. We lost a few going straight ahead - work commitments got a couple and "sore legs" just kept on going. We picked up Rob on the way back having retrieved his go pro after another broken bracket incident. A couple of short stops to regroup and off along Tea Tree Road lining up for the Water Tower surge.

Over we went and no stopping this time. The bunch free wheeled for most of the downhill until the rest caught up and the pace picked up again. A well place campervan at the turn onto Richmond road got everyone back together again and the pace was driven along by the five strong men at the front. As the finish neared the pace picked up and then dropped off. Some were well boxed in and the sprint started late.

ScottyB was the champ on the day with wins on all mountain points and the final sprint - well done. Everyone else was pretty close at most times and a good ride for everyone. Pace was around the 30 average. Coffee chat went on for a while - as usual - in glorious conditions. Nice work everyone.

[BenevolantDictatorD]

The last 2015 summer RBWR for some time to come saw two groups head out of Richmond.

The elite group did a lap of the Tea Tree Roads and then a Campania and return. The ratbags headed out along Middle Tea Tree Rd through to Broadmarsh Road and then right onto Blackbrush Road for a bit of dirt road training. That took us to Mangalore so back into Pontville, up the Ford Road and back to Richmond via Middle Tea Tree. The weather was close to perfect and the bunch of about 15 hummed along nicely with regroups as necessary. The pedals were pushed on occasion but mostly it was nice bunch riding with the strong boys on the front - as it should be. It was nice to see CliveR up there mixing it with the front bunch in the early stages. He paid for it later but is clearly riding stronger of late. PMM Man was there - hanging on - plotting and scheming all the while.

The inevitable race started at the train lines and off they went - so I'm told. One more regroup would have been nice. The bunch split as expected and PMM Man missed the split as expected - more plans next week no doubt. The final came down to the expected few of Christian, Stuey and ScottyB. Scotty must have been having trouble so he jettisoned his rear light and had to pull out. An expensive way of doing it as the light didn't survive the experience. Not sure who won the sprint.

Coffee chat went on for a long time as we soaked up the glorious weather and told stories that no-one else would be interested in. One point of note was that Brian the younger was at the tables and didn't tell one joke - there must be something wrong somewhere. Maybe next week.

[BenevolantDictatorD]

abbreviated report
About 10 in two groups.
laps of back tea tree and middle tea tree
windy
fast
ScottyB started the sprint at the start of MTT Rd 8kms out and won.
Still tired

[master6]

The mamil (middle aged men in lycra) was explained on ABC talk back radio by our soon to return "pain inflictor Paul" this afternoon. He revealed that he wears lycra because "you can hardly feel you have it on". Heaven forbid that Paul might move beyond that; the thought of him cycling nude has little appeal. RBWR received some favourable description, and the real men, Clive Roper, and PMM Man emerged as heroes.
If you want your newspaper home delivered, Paul is your man with experience.
All we want now is to see your smiling face Paul................May will soon be here

[Paul B]

Yep. Got a superb plug in for the RBWR

[BenevolantDictatorD]

Another glorious Richmond day greeted the 15 smiling faces - including Master6 - wow!

A new road for the trip today. Out towards Brinktop, Left onto Prossers Road, left onto Fingerpost, right onto White Kangaroo Road. It had been many years since I had been up this road and my memory was of a nice trip along a nice dirt country road. Someone sealed it! It was still a nice country road and lead us to a left hand turn onto Estate Road linking to Campania. WK Rd continues on for about another 3kms so we might have a look up there to the end some time.

Anyway the corrugated dirt brought immediate results with my water bottle flying away and Baz scored a front wheel flat going into a bend. Interesting bike handling skills!

All together again and off to the top of Cole Hill - actually its Wards Hill, the valley we go up is called Brewers Valley, and the Coal river runs beside the road towards the base of the climb - guess who's got some new maps Into the headwind we went tapping along at a good pace with everyone pretty well together for the journey as we picked up those who had grabbed a few minutes start while waiting for Baz and co.

At the turn around and another puncture. We let Brian the Elder and couple of other get a bit of a start whilst the puncture was summarily fixed. And the flag was dropped. The tailwind didn't seem to help much but it did and the pace was up all the way back. The group stuck together until a surge by Baz through Campania started the sorting out process. Those who had a start were mostly picked up and the bunch whittled down to small numbers as most of us couldn't keep up with the pressure from Baz, Stuey and Rocket Rod. The sprint was a long way in front of me but Stuey picked it up nicely. Honourable mention for second to ScottyM who was obviously channeling ScottyB who was recovering from an off on Monday.

Coffee chat was good as always with the standards being raised by the inclusion of Master6 in the bunch. It appears he is going to be making a bad habit of turning up so he was promptly reinstated as 2IC. He'll get right back into it next week in my absence.

A good day, a good bunch, a good course and good coffee.

[master6]

It was the traditional course today, watertower, back tea tree, and back. PMM Man kept his hand on the tiller. The ride was of the usual exciting and competitive standard, I am told. Perhaps someone who actually saw more than the first 10 km can elaborate.
I can vouch for the jaffa balls at Richmond Bakery

[BenevolantDictatorD]

Another glorious day in old Richmond Town yesterday as fifteen or so riders turned out for a leg stretch. The gentlemen's group of one headed out early off up the hill to turn at Colebrook. The rest headed the same way with a right turn onto the Tunnack road and up to the top of the first hill.

The head wind out was steady and enough to keep everybody together and swapping turns on a regular basis. I was too far back to see what happened at the top of Cole Hill so no points allocated. The gentlemen's group swelled in Colebrook with a combined ages of well over 150 years for the trip back. They both went hard by all reports.

The rest of us headed for the turn. Again I was a long way behind so all but two were there by the time I arrived to start the downhill. Instructions had been given to regroup at the top of the hill on the way back to get everyone together before the pace picked up. That sort of happened and all were together at the bottom and the pace did kick up a bit and a bit more and then some.

A group went off the front and it swelled to about seven I think - by that time I couldn't count and breathe at the same time. Away they went with ScottyB taking the surge to the line. The rest of us rattled in every now and then. Mention was made of an average of 31.4 for the trip. That was for the front runners but still clearly a speed unknown to RBWR in years gone by - or any time really.

Coffee chat was subdued without Master6 present but the chatter went on for some time. All in all a good ride on a good day in good company.

[BenevolantDictatorD]

A magic Autumn day greeted the assembled riders keen to get going. The gentlemen waited patiently before following the rest. The "rest" headed off on the traditional course of water tower and Back Tea Tree and return. The breeze was mild and the pace reasonable to fast. All together over water tower and then a split along Tea Tree.

A regroup and off again. ScottyB slid off the front. There were three Scots in the bunch today and one's name is Gerry. Anyway Scotty was joined end by Scotty leaving Scotty and the Scot in the bunch. Brian the elder got a bit frisky on the undulations and attacked incessantly.

The turn and,surprise, Brian the elder took the short cut back to Richmond. Nathan also headed off somewhere and the rest of us headed back. Another regroup at the top of duckpond and another at Tea Tree Road. By now the plans and schemes were being hatched with an outrageous claim that the rest of the world team would take all the podium spots. PMM Man was not impressed and marshalled his troops.

No amount of marshalling could keep up with Scotty and Scotty - maybe they are brothers - as they took a break over water tower and worked themselves clearly out of sight. Team PMM worked hard with nil prospect of catching and managed to put Baz in the box seat and he took third for the ROW team. Mission accomplished.

Coffee chat was of the usual high quality.

For those looking for a ride on Friday, Rocket Rod is taking the third "Autumn leaves" ride leaving Tynwald Park in Norfik at 9am. The route is Bushy Park,Meadowbank, Hamilton and back. Talking pace is expected.

[BenevolantDictatorD]

Late - brief report
Weather good as always - warmish with a sneaky southerly
Riders - 11 in two groups
Course - the big loop - Cambridge Road, Malcolms Hut, right/left, Back Tea Tree, right, Tea Tree, right/left, Fingerpost, left East Coast Highway, Brinktop - Richmond
Difficulty - the southerly made its presence known giving us sidewinds a lot of the time to make it reasonably difficult most of the way. The highway into a headwind was no fun at all.
Points - Stuey for Water Tower and ScottyB for Brinktop
Speed - dunno
Coffee chat - usual high standard

[BenevolantDictatorD]

Another glorious day in old Richmond town today. Lots turned up - didn't count but about 16 - with the gentleman heading off to Colebrook on his own.

The rest of us headed off on a doddle ride over water tower, around Baskerville and back via Grass Tree. A fair few of us needed to be back on time to get to Peter Ray's funeral so the pace was demonic from the start and it didn't get any better at any stage. This course is hard at the best of times but today it was just torture. The fast boys up the front averaged around 30kph and those grovelling at the back still managed 28kph. Phew!!! Pete would have been proud of us all smashing ourselves to bits.

I don't know who got where first cos I was at the back all day.

Look out for next week as PMM Man is in charge again! I shall return.

[BenevolantDictatorD]

The weather is looking very promising for tomorrow. We may even get more than the ten starters from last week. Westerlies up to 40kph hmmm.

[BenevolantDictatorD]

It was another glorious day in old Richmond Town for the start of the weekly ride. Some said it was only five degrees but it seemed a lot warmer than that. Surely it would have been at least six degrees. The promised bad weather was on hold waiting for the end of our ride - as is the norm. There was a breeze out of the north west but it wasn't anything of significance.

So, the course, was the one that was going to be last weeks - out Middle Tea Tree to Brighton and then on the Broadmarsh Road to turn onto Black Brush Road back to Pontville, the Ford and then Richmond via Middle Tea Tree.

With the breeze on the nose most of the way out the bunch stayed mostly together for a while. A clothing adjustment left a couple off the back for a while until the regroup at Brighton. Another split and another regroup at Black Brush and a very pleasant trundle up the dirt to the highway at Mangalore. Another regroup at Tea Tree Road and the pace started to pick up with a pleasant tail breeze. Everything then got a bit silly at the little rise after Back Tea Tree and the bunch split. Four off the front jumped away and went with intent. Soon it was three on the front as I cracked and gave up. Then two on the front. Then ScottyB on his own. ScottM picked up most as he put the power down and then teamed up with Christian and the pace then got silly again. Hard man Rod was caught but there was no catching ScottyB as he cruised to his chosen finish line.

Everyone finally got back and coffee chat went for a while. PMM Man's second non-start was clearly noted. There were some severe words used about his absence but there must have been a really good reason - other than being soft of course.

Next week - we do it all again.

[BenevolantDictatorD]

It was another glorious day in old Richmond Town again today - well it was a bit cold and the drizzle had only stopped at around 8:30 - and there was drizzle to the left and right. The peleton assembled ready for the off. One of the group seemed under-prepared with no shoes and helmet in evidence. Some comment was made about coffee and the rest were informed of the course - over Water Tower and Back Tea Tree and back.

The flag dropped and off we flew - all four of us. PMM Man was in no mood to take prisoners and took off in an effort to get himself warm. Brian the younger was in hot pursuit whilst ScottyB and I gave them a good start as we chatted about the relative merits of Team Sky providing support to their riders and the uber-cohesive unit that is Team PMM - (??). A few gear adjustments and the schemer-extraordinaire was a good kilometre in front and going hard (ish). The roads were dry, the clouds were low and the wind was out of the south. By the time we hit Water Tower it was time to stop and take off a layer as the perceived temperature went up. The group worked nicely together with much swapping of turns and soon we were off up the hills and ready for the descent on duck pond. The road was wet and tentative cornering came to the fore. Off again ready for the hill sprint which became a non-event as ScottyB eased off the front.

Turnaround time and another layer came off. Again working together the ks disappeared quickly with PMM Man and Brian the younger pushing hard at the front as the rest of the two of us tried (not so hard) to catch up. Together again and heading for home we stuck together over water tower into about two minutes of light drizzle and then into the clear again. And then on to Richmond Road. 300m to go and the teamwork finally shattered as PMM Man put in a withering sprint and took the sprint all the way to the line for a rare win.

All in all the PMM team took out all podium positions, the leaders jersey, points jersey, hills jersey, young riders jersey, most aggressive rider award and lantern rouge. What a triumph. Not a bad effort given the conditions as we clocked up an average of 29kms without trying too hard. Easy days in years gone by were around 25kph - hmmm. Coffee chat was enjoyable as always.

[BenevolantDictatorD]

We had thirteen riders in three bunches for this week's ramble. The course was an easy out to Coal Hill and back via Fingerpost, the Highway and Brinktop.

Denis the Elder headed off on his own with Brian the Elder taking the main route but heading out early. The rest of us did it as best as possible. It started out quite cool but soon layers were coming off and it was quite pleasant by the end of the ride. ScottyB was in the bunch so the obvious points went to him on the hills. Nice day - nice ride - nice company - nice chat afterwards.

[AndrewTTas]

A small field today for the RBWR. Never-the -less the faithful assembled in the certain knowledge that Richmond and the Benevolent Dictator would provide the perfect weather that we are accustomed to. And where reality appeared to contradict our unshakable confidence, it was dismissed as clearly mistaken. So out along Grasstree Hill Rd rode the author and Scotty B. As if he wasn't hard enough, Scotty rode his Cyclocross bike, that proved quite merciful for the rest of the peloton. The ride turned into a nice cruise along Back Tea Tree, Tea Tree, Fingerpost and Brinktop. All quite civil and uneventful. There was a cranky old motorist dude who expressed his displeasure at us utilising his Richmond Bridge. Having passed my fiftieth orbit of the sun recently, and hence my ability to discern the real from reflection is impaired, I think we waved him on, or did we heave him off the bridge? We would not have needed to park both our bikes on the bridge if we just gestured him on his way, would we Scotty? Best delete those photos. Nutrition at the Bakery was as usual of high standard. Team PMM met up for the obligatory Pub Meal after the event. I was a bit late having stopped into Harvey Normans to request a a micro SD card, for insertion into my cerebral cortex, or was that for my GoPro. D'oh! There I go again.

[BenevolantDictatorD]

The RBWR returned to its usual format today. Lots of riders and good weather. Two bunches headed out. Two gentlemen headed off up towards Cole Brook and the ratbags took on PMM man's favourite of Finger post and then Cole Hill. There was a gentle but hurtful north westerly blowing which was enough to keep the peleton together most of the time. A bit of a split for a dropped chain, another for some sort of bladder issue an a third for an early turn. The main bunch reassembled at the top and headed off again when I finally got there. The pace was on with ScottB leading the charge. Two were picked up and the speed picked up again. The first split came at the big dipper with ScottyB slipping of the front with me glued to his wheel. The gap stayed at around 300m all the way back - not that I was able to look around!
I was about to give up when the pace dropped marginally. The gap remained. Scotty looked tired towards the end so I did a turn for the last 100m. Not good form but .......
ScottyM blasted home for a podium finish and the ra/ride was done. As usual numbers increased for the coffee chat which went on for a while.

[BenevolantDictatorD]

It was another glorious day in old Richmond Town for the start of the RBWR. The sun was shining. The wind was absent. Eleven riders present. Garmin said the temperature was four degrees! The gentleman set his own course and headed off. The rest of us gathered to hear the course for the day. I had resisted all attempts to find out what it was earlier and announced it in simple terms - "I'm looking for some flat road today" - it just happened that flat bit of road is the stretch between the other side of Black Charlies and Bust-Me-Gall!

So off we went at a very reasonable pace along Richmond Road. We must have looked pretty impressive because one of our friendly motorist mates gave us effusive praise and comment as he went past. Nice bloke - didn't quite pick up the full content but it seems loud enough for all to hear. Right on to Fingerpost and the usual jockying occurred as the boys lined up behind Captain Strava to test him across the top. Pfft he said. A regroup at the highway and off again. Most went up the old road the the bottom of the climb but some took the boring drag on the highway. We got there at the same time. Over the climb, another regroup as the Captain fixed a puncture andoff looking for that flat stuff.

We made good time along that stretch but no good enough for ScottyB and Andrew who surged off on their own. The base of the buster came and went. Captain Strava went with intent to pick up the two breakaways and another regroup ensued at the top. Off and away we went heding for home. The peleton strung out everywhere as the rises came and went. The fast boys kept going and someone took the win. The rest of us regrouped at the Kart track and stayed together for a while again.

It was still gosh-darned cold at the coffee table but we persisted for as long as we could.

[BenevolantDictatorD]

Another glorious day in old Richmond town greeted the assembled nine riders ready for the off. No gentlemen today so only one peleton. The wind wasn't too bad and reasonably consistent from the north west so we headed straight into it up to Cole Brook and back.

The group splintered and reformed a few times on the way out and we set off for coffee with seven left and two early turners. As usual the pace picked up and the pack splintered. Rossie was on a mission off the front until he blew a tyre! The rest of us showed true compassion as we went past - as you would expect.

Coffee chat went for ages.

[BenevolantDictatorD]

A dozen riders ready for the off. The weather was pleasant as always. The Tour finished so time to put in some hills training in readiness for the Vuelta. The call was made for two laps of Finger post and Brinktop.
Baz took a call and followed after us - in the wrong direction - again! The rest tootled along watching ScottyB disappear into the distance on a regular basis. We lost one rider to work commitments after lap one and the rest soldiered on. I don't think anyone enjoyed the head wind up Brinktop but we kept at it.
At the end of the ride we had taken nearly two and a half hours. Scotty averaged nearly 30 so that was a lot of time waiting for the rest of us. A good ride all around.
Coffee chat was good as always.

[BenevolantDictatorD]

It was damn cold in old Richmond Town for the start of the weekly sojourn. What breeze there was had a horrible bight in it and the sun had none.Choice of a course was difficult given the possibility of ice and nasty conditions. So after one aborted attempt we decided on a couple loops of Back Tea Tree and Middle Tea Tree as being generally the safest under the conditions.

Seven of us left the car park at the allotted time with ScottyB late and chasing and RodH even later and chasing even harder. The pace was constant into the biting wind up Grass Tree Hill Road and everybody was tightly packed as we headed along Back Tea Tree. ScottyB had tacked on by this stage. I would have talked more but my tonsils were frozen. A bit of a split up the duck pond climb and soon we were back together continuing into the wind. Rossie was working hard on the front showing some continuing improving form. The rest helped where possible.

A turn onto Tea Tree Road and a tail wind. The pace picked up and up again until the peleton splintered. RodB joined the bunch to make nine on the road. A recovery and a turn onto Middle Tea Tree and another split with two groups making their way to the half way point. Brian the Elder bailed and headed for coffee - back to eight. Around we went again into the wind with everyone working hard either on the front or trying to stay with them. Another regroup and everyone started thinking about the sprint to come.

The turn onto Middle Tea Tree is usually the key for an almighty surge and free for all. AndrewTT did his best but set a sensible pace and it looked likely we might get over the rise generally in tact. Hmm. ScottyB was having nothing of that and wizzed past. RodH went with him and then attacked. The race was on. The rest of us plugged away. Rossie caught them. We kept 'chasing'. Casey caught them. Andrew caught them. ScottyM caught them. I watched. And then the couple of rises and dips came and the serious boys hit out again. ScottyB went and Rod chased. Rossie reassumed his "gun-sprinter' mode and took the win for the day. A big effort.

There weren't even any additions to join us for coffee. Brian the Elder was there waiting and looking very cold. We chatted for as long as we could until our chattering teeth sent us for the cars. 2ICs in charge next week. PMM Man might even make an appearance - otherwise Tony is the Man.

[BenevolantDictatorD]

It was cold in old Richmond Town this morning - although not too cold. The sun was out and the the wind was non-existent. A great day for a ride. We headed off on a journey up Fingerpost and then to Cole Hill and return. Apparently twice in a row as I was told but I had an early call and made the decision early so off we went. A bit of a split early as Andrew struggled to be ready in time for the off and the pressure was on after that to bring back the front runners.

No PMM Man again today so no schemes, no plans, no incessant chatter and no discussion about the secret attack at the train lines. Where is that man?

The pace was pretty solid up Fingerpost and we split up again to regroup on the way back. Back to Colebrook Road and the pedals were pressed once again. Soon there was two groups and then three and then the climb of Cole Hill started. I was struggling at the back having started my 'ride out' training so an early turn for Andrew and me. We made good time and Andrew scooted off into the distance. It was nice tootling along on a glorious day.

And then - up up they said - jump on they said. Christian and ScottyB. I pretended I didn't hear them and they kept going. Not long after that the rest of the bunch caught me and I managed to sit on for a while. They were working well but it didn't look like any chance of catching the guns was likely. I could have helped - not likely - I dropped off just as they accelerated once again.

Scotty and Christian rolled over the line together. Third place on the podium was hotly contested by those left and the rest of us straggled in. There were ten of us in all out there. Add to that seven 'gentlemen' riders who came out to join us for coffee and we had another good turn out for coffee chat.

[BenevolantDictatorD]

It was a bit of a cool start in old Richmond Town for the weekly ride. We had about ten (forgot to count) riders head out on a tourism ride for a change. As Baz had joined the group we had to make special arrangements to explain the course fully and ensure he was ready to leave. The things we do!

First we headed up Prossers Road to sample a bit of the countryside and some quality dirt surface. Left onto Fingerpost and then right onto White Kangaroo Road. We followed this to the end of the bitumen which clocks up a new piece of road that RBWR hadn't been on before. Turning around we headed back to make a right onto Estate Road which took us to Campania. Last time we went down this road it was heavily corrugated and we had a bit of trouble but this time is was generally smoother than some of the bitumen we encounter.

Into Campania and across the main road and onto Native Corners Road. Up the little rise and the bunch was split everywhere. Down the other side for a nice ride in the valley until we came to the dirt at which point we stopped and waited for Baz before heading off with his instructions not to wait for him next time.

Back towards Richmond, up Tea Tree Road to a regroup at water tower. We weren't waiting for Baz but by the time we had a quick chat he had caught up. Off again and then left on Back Tea Tree. The pace was quite benign until someone worked out the boys on the front were slowing things down. The ones at the front changed and the bunch splintered again. Right onto Grasstree and then a quick left onto Malcolms Hut Road.

I waited at the corner to make sure Baz didn't take the short cut. How supportive is our bunch??!! There was no sprint - as is appropriate for a tourism ride. We had seven gentlemen join us for coffee which kept the discussions active - where is Master6?

A good ride and a good day by any standards.

Its very early but this years Orford Ride will be on Wednesday the 30th of December i.e. the Wednesday between Christmas and New Year as usual.

[BenevolantDictatorD]

No report for a while but we have been riding. This week, under beautiful skies, we headed north to explore previously unridden roads. We tapped out a nice pace through Campania, up Coal Hill and then to Colebrook. At the Cantina we turned left onto Yarlington Road. The first bit was a bit of a pinch of around 10-11% which opened the pipes a bit A descent on the other side on the gravel then a left onto Springhill Bottom Road to take us through the hamlet of Springhill Bottom. Continuing on for a while we hit a few other little pinches which Mr Strava tells me were up to 16% I like these new courses.
A turn before the end of the road but we had done our distance and off we went. A puncture slowed Rocket Rod down for a while. A regroup and off we went again to a second regroup at Colebrook. Through the middle of town and ScottyB took off chasing a draft from a car. Everyone was upset about this and gallantly waved him goodbye relishing a less frenetic ride back to Richmond.
We lost AndrewT to a mechanical on the way down Coal Hill. We were making good time on catching the bunch when we came across Rocket having fixed his second puncture. Up and going again for a couple of hundred metres and we stopped for his third puncture. This time we made it back for coffee - late - but back.
A few of the gentlemen joined us making the usual noises of intention to actually ride with us one day. Ah well - coffee was good - chat was excellent - next week bitumen all the way!!!!

[Paul B]

- next week bitumen all the way!!!!