After following the buzz of those audacious Aussies in the lead up to this year’s PBP, I figured that if I was ever going to emulate this sort of amazingly absurd feat then I better start riding beyond my standard 100 to 200k comfort zone.

What better way to be brave than to do it on a relatively flat ride like Big Buckley’s!

So to the average seasoned Audax legend reading this post, a flat 300k might not seem a big deal … but it was to me!

I experienced a number of firsts on this ride;

• First time I have ridden through the country side on the west of the bay. Impressively beautiful and quiet roads.
• Not the first time on the ferry but the first time I have used a ferry hand drier to try and warm up.
• First time I have ridden by the georgeous You Yangs …. I will be back to explore them in greater detail.
• First time I have ridden through a big disgruntled mob of St. Kilda supporters leaving the MCG.
• First time I have ever eaten a microwave pasta meal from a service station. It was perfect.
• And …. first time I have ever ridden 300km!

Pictured above is me trying to dry some gear out while crossing the bay. In hindsight, the socks on the table are not a good look! Sorry.

Thanks to Thomas Price for hosting this ride. The route was superb and while I have done quite a bit of riding in and around places like Geelong, it was such a thrill discovering new and wonderfully safe and quiet roads. I guess that this is one of the real bonuses of being an Audax member – getting to share from the experience of others.

So my next step will be to knock off a 400! 

Stay tuned.