The annual Crank Addicts (one of our riding groups)  Launceston to St Helens ride happens on the Friday before the November long weekend every year. This is one of their iconic must do rides and I was able to ride it this year. Sharon had to work so she drove down after work to meet up with us at the end which worked out perfectly as you will see reading on.

Last years ride was a bit wet but this year we had perfect weather. We started in 2 groups as there were a large bunch of fast cats only going to the Sidling Lookout and return and a few of the slower riders left 15 minutes early to get a head start on the hills. The rest of us met at the Margret St Church at 6:30AM and we were off. I think there was about 16 in our group at the start. Nice bunch riding all the way through to the Sidling Lookout in under 2:30. We passed a lot of the first bunch going up the Sidling where the fast cats upped the pace considerably for the climb but I held onto the front bunch to the lookout.

Quick look at the view, drink and bite to eat and those going through to St Helens + one going to Bridport headed off for Scottsdale on the fast descent down the other side. Fifteen of us rolled into the bakery for the first food stop on the trip. After way to long getting fed and watered fourteen of us headed off to Derby, our lunch stop. A few nice hills along that section but everybody made it up them at there own pace and we regrouped at the top of each climb. We also picked up a St Helens rider who had ridden out to meet us and ride back with us.

Lunch stop was Derby but we were a bit early making good time this year which was fortunate as the shop we settled on had new operators and only been open for a few days and they were a bit stressed when we all rocked in but they got through it Ok and made some nice toasties and drinks for us with only a few minor hick-ups.  We rocked out of Derby after about an hour or so to some decent climbs to get everybody back in the groove.

Next stop was the Weldborough Hotel for the mandatory cider(s). I had inside info that the climb after the pub was not good on too many ciders so stopped at 1 and it was a good decision as the climb out of the pub was probably the steepest on the ride but reasonably short up to the Little Plains Lookout, all good for a hill climber like me anyway.

Mostly downhill from the Little Plains Lookout to St Helens with a very fast few KM to start with down to Pyengana. There were a few tired bodies on the last drag into St Helens but we all made it Ok and settled into the Bayside for the mandatory finishing beer. James was staying at White Sands and Barge was at Coles Bay so I decided to go on with James and Barge to White Sands and give them a hand on the front. A great fast run along the coast and we arrived at James stop off where I decided I would stick with Barge for a while longer and help him out. I rang Sharon who was at Fingal and told her to meet us at Bicheno. Sharon peeld off down the Elephant Pass and we crossed paths about 15km outside Bicheno.

Barge was pretty well done by this stage and I was out of nutrition so when we arrived in Bicheno it was decided that getting to Coles Bay would have to wait for another day. We all headed to the local fish N chip joint and demolished a feed fit for several people. Barge was picked up by his family and Sharon drove me back to St Helens after teasing seagulls with chips behind the windscreen for ages down on the wharf.

We has a great lamb spit roast on the Saturday evening after spending Saturday mountain biking on the tracks behind St Helens. On Sunday I did a quick ride out to the Gardens  and back and then we had to head back to Launceston. Great ride and great weekend with quite a few KM ridden but I love these long extended rides. Can’t wait till next year to try and get Barge all the way to Coles Bay and maybe break the 300km barrier on the road bike?

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