Ride Report 7th October 2012 – Dorrigo to Tyringham

To feel good about yourself apparently you need to commit regularly to challenging circumstances – and then achieve your target.

That must have been the motivation for the three Dorrigo Mountain virgins on the all male ride on Sunday.  The 10 km of unrelenting hill climbing up to Dorrigo was the prelude to a further 56km of savage undulations from Dorrigo to Tyringham and return.  Kirk, Tim and Mike now join the company of those who have ascended this mountain but are yet to break the sub-one hour barrier.

For the real cyclists in the DUBBUG, however, additional challenges were required so Steve and Dave commenced from Bellingen and Phil and Tim set out from Raleigh.  Tim was later to exceed the old 100 mile barrier by cycling all the way back home to Nambucca Heads.

Meanwhile, demonstrating the benefits of experience, the over-seventy age grouping of Herb, Allan and George cleverly limited themselves to the Dorrigo/Tyringham out and back course.  While we in the DUBBUG do not test for drug enhanced performance it is suggested that it is difficult to unearth any alternative explanation for the evergreen efforts of these septuagenarians.

The scientific amongst us know that for long cycle rides 1.2 grams of carbohydrate per kilo of body weight per hour of cycling needs to be consumed to maintain energy levels. Bananas were the energy source of choice, but various muesli bars, liquorices, sweets and even Indian tonic water were used to conquer the unrelenting terrain.

A cold, coastal breeze replaced the hot dry north wind later in the ride as fog rolled in from the sea allowing some relief for the riders continuing on their long rides home from the bottom of Dorrigo Mountain.

No flat tyres, accidents, road rage or mechanical incidents occurred to mar a memorable ride.

Next Sunday’s 50km ride is the first of the summer rides and commences at 07.30 am from the BP in Urunga to Crossmaglan and return. All are welcome.