Sunday 4th August to Orton Bradley and back

The annual jaunt to Orton Bradley was arranged and what a ride.  Dozer arrived at mine and shortly after Tinkerbell and Silverfox rode up.  We loaded the bikes and drove to Lyttleton.  Rode over the bridge and straight onto the Ferry.  Phatboy did not make it in time so he came on the next Ferry.  At Diamond Harbour we looked at the new cafe setup and then rode around to Orton Bradley.  The planting went down well.  We met up with Phatboy and even saw the Mellonfarmer.  So from here there were five riding what was a tarmac ride.  Heading out of Orton we turnt right and rode over to Teddington.  2 Short climbs to warm us up.  Phatboy setting a good pace.  Brisk.  At Teddington we turnt left and climbed up Gebbies Pass.  This was not as steep as I remembered but it was enough to cause a little separation between the team.  A short regroup here but not long as the wind was howling.  We then headed up the Summit Road.  It disappeared into the clouds but you could see it was a long climb.  Good pace set up here which eventually caused us to separate into different parties.  Phatboy noted that our arses had not had a workout like this in ages. Finally we got to the top of the climb where we waited for the others to arrive in.  All in ok condition and good spirits.  A quick bite and a chance to put jackets on.  Wind was cool and cloud was thick.  I then led off around the Summit road trying to keep the pace as high as possible,  lots of up and down sections but we eventually left the cloud behind just before Worsley Rd.  One last climb to the top where we came to a brake screeching halt to regroup.  Decided to head down the main trail, not the best decision really.  It was so cut up by 4wd oafs that it  was dab here and dab there slip here and slip there.  It really did not flow as it has done in the past.  Finally down to tarmac and flowed down here.  First Tinkerbell peeled off, then Silverfox, then Phatboy.  Dozer and I continued to pump back to my place.  Felt rather good although legs were saying enough for the day.  In total we did over 45km.  So much of it seemed to be uphill and over 30km of it was into a head wind.