The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.
A befitting prelude for Stage 4 of CRSYD22 delivered by Phil Tanner, a legend of Chain Reaction and Captain of Team Chapalex, at the presentations concluding Stage 3.
As is customary on each Chain Reaction Challenge, there is a particular stage specifically curated to challenge all riders both physically and mentally. This stage is usually pretty easy to spot when the overall route is announced. It’s long, has high elevation, and is usually placed on Day 4, when the bodies of each rider are likely to be most fatigued, and far away from the end of the week to get excited, after all, you still have three days to go!
It’s a stage that most riders target and base their training around, and for most, it’s the stage that people fear the most.
The aim is to provide an unmatched cycling experience, and physical and mental challenges. It’s the stage where the riders must dig deep, and the many virtues of Chain Reaction come to the fore including courage and mateship, and demonstrating the Chain Reaction spirit that continues to grow across our ever building group of riders.
Today was that stage. Revised upwards from 180km to 191km (thanks Tim), vertical climbing of 2,450 metres and 7.5 hours on the bike. Not only the longest ride for our new riders but also a number of very experienced members of the peloton.
Departing the busy coastal city of Devonport (with the Spirit of Tasmania making an appearance for good measure) en route to the delightful little Scottish hamlet of Bothwell, where street signs have tartans and where the first game of golf was played in Tasmania (and also claims to have Australia’s oldest golf club).
Our on time departure and a nice little tail wind enabled the peloton to find a lovely rhythm. We meandered through the municipality of Kentish which is known as “Tasmania’s Outdoor Art Gallery”. I’m no Picasso but I don’t mind some Mondrian, and tend to agree with the slogan as the scenery was spectacular. However, ‘scenery’ is a dangerous word in the cycling world as a derivation of ‘scenery’ is, of course, ‘scenic’ which is code for hills.
Following a stop in Deloraine for quiche and cake, the peloton regrouped with plenty of gels, bananas and layers to embark on the small jaunt to the base of the Golden Valley climb, adjacent to the famous Quamby Bluff Trail.
This was a climb that most of the strong riders played down their ambitions for KOM, the typical response alluding to holding back some juice for the Day 7 climb of Mount Wellington. But that was quickly thrown out the window and the pace of those riders was fierce. On the other end of the speed spectrum, we rode within ourselves, tapping away with the training of Trent Wilson in our hearts, minds and legs.
At the end of the climb we were treated to vistas of the Great Lakes, and chicken schnitzel at the Great Lakes Hotel.
With 130km in the bank, we set out on a final 61km section to Bothwell, just missing the rain but in time to jump on the bus for an escort to Tarraleah Lodge.
What has really shone out for me so far on this year’s ride (besides the quality of the riding, support crew etc, of course) has been the nervous excitement of a number of our new riders, as well as the genuine happiness of riders who have been involved with Chain Reaction for many years including some who have returned after a bit of a spell. I’m not sure what is more impressive; new riders who sign up for what is a huge commitment (particularly riders who have no to limited cycling experience, and also have no idea what they are getting themselves in for) or the returning riders, who come back year on year, with the support of their families, their networks and their workplaces.
As you look up the peloton it’s pretty impressive to see all of the green and yellow bands indicating 5 or 10 challenges. Equally as impressive is seeing people who started training with Chain Reaction just three or four months ago with longest rides of 50km, now smashing out 191km in a single day after riding 350km the three days before.
With everything going on in the world as well as the challenges of the last few years, making the effort to dedicate time and effort to help raise money for kids in need and prepare yourself physically and mentally shows a lot about the character of our special group of riders as well as our amazing support crew and Chain Reaction Team.
We thank our families in particular for letting us devote time to Chain Reaction. Sure, today was tough, but we are lucky. We ride our bikes for people who can’t and hope our little bit of sacrifice helps make a difference to people who need it the most.
I started with a quote, so I’ll end with one that I think about when I’m struggling on the bike.
Everything will be ok in the end. If it’s not okay, it’s not the end.
Matt O’Keefe CR#300
