Below pls find two versions of our training ride this week
the Authorised Version (from Katrina) and the Alternative ("In your dreams, Bruce") Version from Bruce:
Authorised Version :
10 am : Bruce calls, and asks if I would like to do the Lilydale-Warburton Rail Trail - of course I agree with alacrity - Bruce says he would be picking me and bike up at about 12 midday.
2.30 : Bruce arrives, and so we do not make the beginning of trail til 3.30.
3.30: Bruce decides we can only do half the trail - maybe to a place called Woori Yallock and back. Bruce announces airily he is leaving his phone in the car.
3.40 :We set off companiably, riding together as might be expected when you are going for a ride together.
3.45: We have a coffee at "The Cog" (see next post) then continue on together for a while.
4.00: Suddenly, without any warning, Bruce speeds up and peddles off into the distance. I realise he is wanting to "gallop" for a bit after cantering /? trotting/? walking along with me and think to myself he will stop after a while .... I think we are getting close to Woori Yallock, though don't really know, and feel sure that Bruce will wait for me there .
5.00 : After about an hour more of riding I wonder where Woori Yallock can be ? A turn off to a few shops appears - I explore up there - but no Bruce, no visible bike . I continue on the main trail ... till it runs out.
5.15 : I find myself on a major road - no bike trail - no Bruce . I have to peddle along the shoulder of this highway for a few km until I come to what seems to be a large town. I find a few teenagers on skateboards in a reserve, and ask them (feeling quite embarrassed) what the name of this town is ? Fortunately they don't laugh audibly, but tell me it is Yarra Junction - a place I have heard of , but have never been to. So I call Bruce's phone and leave him very polite messages as to where I am and what I plan to do - turn back and ride back to the car, hoping I will make it before sunset. I buy a packet of jelly beans and eat the whole lot -do not save even one for Bruce. That makes me feel a bit better.
5.45: Finally, Bruce calls - he has gone back to the car, retrieved his phone and decided to make contact with the person he was supposed to be riding with ... what was her name again ?
6.30: Bruce picks me up at Launching Place (half way beween Yarra Junction and Woori Yallock apparently). Not much conversation on the way home - I must have been tired .
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| Rotary helping everywhere .... except at where-y-yallock ? |
The Facts :
- There were some unavoidable delays at the start of the day
- Planned ride was altered to Lilydale - Woori Yallock and return
- Approx 3km from Woori Yallock Bruce accelerates from 15km/hr to 30km/hr in order to improve aerobic fitness and find place for coffee in Woori Yallock
- Bruce rides 500 metres from Woori Yallock station (pictured below, how could she miss it?) towards shops and then back to the station and waits, and waits
- No sign of Katrina; has she had a puncture, fallen off the bike or thrown a wobbly and gone back to Lilydale?
- Bruce rides back towards Lilydale for 3km but no sign of Katrina
- He returns to Woori Yallock station and waits, still no sign so he cycles at high speed to car in Lilydale and receives several voice messages from Katrina who is where? Yarra Junction first then Launching Place! What the...!
- Katrina is then rescued by gallant companion - quiet trip back to Melbourne
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