The LEG BUSTER ride was arduous, particularly in the 76% humidity with it’s 7 hills & 5 “bumps” of climbing. Also contemplate the total distance of 135 kilometres and the 4:08:55 hours of actual climbing, totalling a height gain of 2421 metres. Fortunately it was initially in comfortably warm conditions. My riding partner for the day was Darko Bogdanovic and on balance we were well matched, myself catching up on the hills and Darko darting down them effortlessly. I am usually the last man ‘off the hill’ on group rides.
The first climb of the well known Windy Point, was on quiet roads in the relative cool of the morning at 6.06% over 3.50km. Even so it was a sweaty climb, done at even pace, being serenaded by the “wock, wock wock-a-wock, wock, pjur, weer weer” of Magpies. This bird sound is classically Australian and pins you to a time and place. It really set the mood for the day on mostly quiet, small country lanes. The effortless sweep through Blackwood took us via Murray’s Hill road, to Oakridge Road, which averaged 7.35%, for about one British mile. Whilst briefly peaking at 19% it didn’t dampen the excitement of the day. I could only think that this achievement would make the other pending hills seem effortless. The new road surface of Clarendon road was a fast descent into the outskirts of the town, with minor slippage from the overnight dampness. The rest of the day was to be blue skies, ‘cotton’ clouds, soft winds & generally good weather conditions. My Windsock app gave the day a +3.7% rating, which essentially means mild conditions with no wind advantage.
Chalk Hill road to Angel Gully road was along narrow scenic roads with enough remnant Eucalypt Forest to make it feel cozy and tranquil. It dragged the legs for half a kilometre, at a steady eight percent pitch and was a false crest. There was no rampant downhill, as more climbing over about 1.30 kilometre took us back to the main road. A bridge crossing of the Onkaparinga river took us to the effortless Baker’s Gully road. Here we were rewarded with verdant landscapes along a silky dip in the road.
Our legs had a good spin on the flat Kangarilla road, where we were greeted by the local SSRC cycling club. As most cyclists do when “in the zone” it was a brief interlude, as they whizzed by the other way, waving hands.
Ahead of us were the consistent grades of the 6.70% Wickham’s Hill, with it’s panoramic ocean views and that marvellous big switchback that curves around a large rounded hill, just below Mt.Wilson. Even with a possible very dry Summer approaching, the normal browning of this area hadn’t yet effected and it felt pleasant. Once upon the crest of Range road at height, the air was cooler and we had the exhilaration of some small 50m ‘power climbs’, to vary the quality of our muscle workout. The seven kilometres to the top of Penny’s hill waterstop, was essentially a pleasant recovery ride before its 215 metre drop into Willunga town.
Our halfway point was the Old Willunga Hill climb to 386 metres. By this time I was feeling fatigued but the half handful of kilometres passed by quickly. The Leg Buster route as an ‘in-and-out’ route, meant having to re-trace our course, with only one variation to contemplate whilst at the Willunga Bakery. The vegetable pies there were crisp, fresh and tasty. This only rest-stop for the route certainly made a difference to my freshness and energy.
With the increasing afternoon warmth and continued humidity, my reserves weakened and the ‘one variation’ in our route was playing on my mind. The well known Potter’s road climb at Clarendon felt daunting. The next 2.7 kilometres were a personal struggle but Darko smoothly rode ahead; giving me some focus; with my own pedalling almost coming to a standstill. I almost had to walk but a big haul on my bars reset my momentum. Whilst averaging seven percent there were brief pitches of 18% on this quiet road, with its views of the Mt. Bold valley.
The “Leg Buster” didn’t quite bust my legs as the recovery downslopes were very effective in the cooling breeze. With the muscles relaxing we rolled down the well known Adelaide climbs.
This is a great route, as originally created by Luke Cutter and modified recently. Many thanks to the ride organiser Scott McCann and to Darko for being patient on this ride. It was a hard ride but one of those experiences not to be forgotton.
Ride statistics:
Ave.speed 22.10 kmh
VAM 568 Vm/h
Calories. 2944 CA
Climb time 4:08:55
Ave.grade. 2.7%
Peak grade. 36.3% (?)