2019 Adelaide Smiddy Challenge: Day 2 (Hahndorf to Nurioopta)

Wow what a difference a day makes! Yesterday it felt like the world was ending. Today, Mother Nature delivered a majestic day so perfect that I was beginning to wonder if yesterday’s nightmare weather conditions were just a bad dream.

Roll out from Hahndorf was once again scheduled for seven-a.m. The honour of ringing the cow bell was presented to Dom, who sat out todays stage to give his body another 24 hours of rest. Dom has been nothing but super positive and happy and more than willing to help out with road crew duties.

On roll out it was a brisk ten degrees, but once we got rolling it felt a few degrees cooler. Most of us started with leg and arm warmers and thermals under our jerseys, just in case, we were taking no chances. As it turned out the temperature stayed at around 12 degrees for the first few hours so not much in the way of clothing removal was necessary.

The run into morning tea at 61 kilometres at Mt Pleasant, took us through so many quaint little towns and small villages, and an interesting array of back country roads that were either up or down. There were some amazing descents but the ascent that was the talk of the peloton was Checkers Hill.  A climb used in the Tour Down Under that saw a number of riders having to walk up pushing their bikes. Long Time Smiddy sponsor, and our favourite Larrikin in the peloton, Zane Williams (I had to say that, keep giving us money Zane!) let loose and arrived first to the top with his heart rate maxing out at 185. The short but steep climb has an average gradient of 14.2% and maxes out at 20%. The view from the top is worth the effort getting up there.

The road crew hit their straps and delivered a great morning tea. The riders arrived hungry and all was as it should be on a normal Smiddy day. 

Captain Kevvy was in a good mood and shouted me a coffee at the local Mt Pleasant Bakery. While I was there I did some investigative journalism and found this most interesting story about that bakery; it was established in 1905 and as cars became more and more popular in the 40’s and 50’s the owner then decided to branch out into selling cars. Creating a small slice of history by becoming the first bakery to sell cars!

So on that note I left the bakery with a lightness in my step and thought about how many hidden stories there are in all these little towns that we pass through. It wasn't long before we heard the first Kevvy five minute warning whistle and before I could get down my fourth Hot Cross Bun as supplied by the road crew, the peloton were on their way to the first of two school visits today.

That 34 kilometre stretch between morning tea and our visit to Cambria State Primary School saw the riders really enjoying themselves. The pace was awesome and the final descent, that saw us lose 400 metres of altitude in a few kilometres, was not only exhilarating, but a visual feast of the surrounding landscapes that could be seen as far as the eye could see.

About 30 little people greeted us at the school. They had never seen a bunch of sweaty cyclists, especially a strange man wearing a Shark hat, and they were wondering what we were there for... Well to have fun of course! After a quick educational sun safe message, eight Smiddy riders and road crew were assembled for the children to cover their faces with as much zinc as possible in 60 seconds. 

 

Our delightful and talented bike mechanic and also riding in the peloton, Kik and her two children took out the super zinced award. Not a spot on Kik’s face was not bright pink.

So back on the bikes and an initial blistering tailwind assisted ride, followed by some head and cross winds, then a five kilometre climb that had us going back up from 100 to 400 metres of altitude. Each of the riders crested the top with either a grimace or a smile but definitely with a contentment of a job well done. Seven kilometres later saw us at the Keyneton State Primary School for our second school visit of the day at 122 kilometres.

As we arrived during the kids lunch time period, the riders got to eat their lunch before entertaining the children. This time, the  wonderful Krista Page accompanied me to lead the small group of about 20 children through a dry land triathlon. Adam Smiddy loved triathlon and we wanted the kids to experience a healthy sport by going through the motions in three separate groups, with the riders joining in of course. It’s silly and a lot of fun and once again the kids loved the experience.

From there it was just a meandering 18 kilometres to our finish at the beautiful little town of Nurioopta. I’m not sure how it’s pronounced but it’s a pretty cool name. After a successful, day in the saddle, and getting the day done, the feeling was jubilant all around. Hugs and back slaps were the definite order of the day. Spirits were indeed high. Just as it should be.

The huddle was taken by long time Smiddy rider Brett Goebel. I have lost count of how many Smiddy events this great man has been part of, but we are indebted to him and his service to Smiddy and the Mater, not to mention his incredible friendship.

I just wanted to mention that today was a very up and down type of day. I believed we climbed over 1700 metres of altitude. For the experienced riders they take this in their stride. For those new to cycling, new to Smiddy, new to big days in the saddle, it is a different experience, which can be quite painful at times, not to mention stressful, having to go faster than what they are used to. So to riders Sterling Grant, Julian Walsh, Neil Dempster and Christine ‘Kik’ Rice, competing in your first Smiddy event, the entire team are incredibly proud of your efforts and know you have the goods to complete the next three days.

Lastly, for what I just mentioned above, there has to be, and always will be, other riders who are strong enough to help these riders achieve their goals when the pace is a little fast, the climbs a little steep or long, or the winds not being favourable. At times like this, they step up and help out, by extending that strong reassuring Smiddy hand placed on the persons back. The energy that exchanges between the strong and the struggling is staggering. Is is palpable and when witnessing this exchange it warms your heart. To those riders who never have to be asked, they just do it, like Zane, Cookie, Bretty, the Russell’s, Hollywood, Wayne and more, you know who you are, thank you for displaying that incredible Smiddy spirit.

A little history of this town to follow. The name Nuriooptpa is an aboriginal name reputed too mean the meeting place. It was first discovered in 1838 and settled upon shortly after. The town is  famous not just for its wines and vineyards in this Barossa Valley region, but has been cited as an inspired community development. Meaning they invest their time and money into the community in such a fashion that other towns follow their operational manual. From a sporting perspective the 1950 Australian Grand Prix was held here and a stage of the 2014 Tour Down Under.