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by Diane and Norman Roy |
Back at theDocklands |
 Sunning ourselves on a packed ferry ride |
 Heading from Queenscliff to Sorrento |
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"It was with much trepidation that I set out on the 2005 ATB, my third time participating in the 210km ride Around the Bay in a Day event. The last time I participated in the event was in 2003 and the weather was so bad that I couldn't face another ATB in 2004. I wasn't going to do the ride in 2005, but a girl who I had done the previous two rides with said she was going to do it so I agreed to ride with her. Unfortunately she pulled out so I was left to do the ride on my own. My husband, Norman, and a friend were also doing the ride but they are a lot stronger than I am so I knew it wouldn't be too long before the lure of the packs of riders passing me became too great for them and they had to join in. Once I had decided to do the 2005 ATB I asked my coach, Carey Hall, to put together a monthly program for me to make sure that I completed the 210km in the best time I could manage and that I could still walk when I got off my bike. He set to the task at hand with diligence and determination and I can honestly say that is the only reason why I completed the 210km without too much pain and suffering and could still walk at the end of it. The ride itself was a great event, the weather was excellent, though I am sure a head wind always follows me no matter which way I am riding, and the Bicycle Victoria support staff and volunteers along the way were very encouraging. I made it to Queenscliff by 10.00am and joined the queue with thousands of other cyclists waiting to collect their ferry pass and lunch. So long as you don't let the wait for the ferry annoy you and only concentrate on your ride time, it can be a great day out. I was guided onto a small charter boat when it was my turn to board the large ferry which fortunately made it across to Sorrento before the ferry docked so I could get on my way before all the cyclists on the ferry disembarked. Once I was on the road again and in familiar territory I felt I was riding a lot stronger (with the help of a gel or two) and I even managed to pass some riders going up the hill to Mt. Martha - thanks to Carey making me do all those hill efforts which I dislike. I arrived back at Docklands around 4.30pm, after getting lost in Port Melbourne, but very pleased with myself as I completed the ride before 5.00pm, which was the goal I had set myself. My ride time was also a personal best. ATB is definitely an endurance ride and without Carey's assistance I doubt I would have done it as quickly nor recovered as well as I did. Thank you very much to KWPT Personal Training." Dianne Roy
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