Training Log Archive: YakIn the 1 days ending Oct 1, 2020:
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Thursday Oct 1, 2020 #
mt bike 3:45:00 [3] 61.0 km (3:41 / km) +222m 3:37 / km
Day 1 - Gawler – Owen
While S & J commenced in Adelaide & came via Mawson lakes and the SOG (Stuart O’Grady) bike path, I started in Gawler, as had a morning appointment. Parked car at Whissons in Second St.
I rode to the Gawler end of SOG and a few kms along until where Stacey’s route intercepted it and went off on Wingate rd. into the Gawler Plains. I presumed they were ahead of me so after 10kms or so I was pleasantly surprised when they came upon me trying to work out how to escape the busy Redmans rd. that I had been routed on for some kms. So, we headed off together largely through very boring flat rds. with the added pain of very strong (30-40kph) headwinds.
I was glad to see that I slotted in nicely riding wise with the other two, having never ridden with them before. Jo was on a gravel bike, so rolled faster than Stacey and I, who were both on mtb dualies. Also, that they didn’t mind my propensity for photo taking. Interesting Stacey had let Strava plan our route to Clare and seemingly it doesn’t pick up minor tracks or road reserves. Think I prefer doing my own.
We got into Owen before dark, so I took time for a ride around town. It had a really nice 4-5km trail going around the outskirts, through the golf course, small wetlands & a bush area featuring a bush chapel. A small ride through the streets showed well kept, tidy houses & a primary school with a good community feel. No general store but a post office that sells a few basic necessities, as does the Owen Arms Hotel. Also, a historical emporium come op shop. The silo has a “farmer to soldier themed” artwork designed by famous Riverton artist Robert Hannaford planned for installation in March.
The Owen pub was a highlight in many ways. Firstly, we were greeted by a 5-year-old camel! Publican Ian had jokingly told a friend who culled camels that he wouldn’t mind one as a pet and was given a baby one, which has subsequently grown. Luckily there is a good-sized paddock adjacent to the hotel. Rooms upstairs were clean & upgraded, as was the bathroom, and we had self-serve toast & cereal provided for brecki. Meals were ginormous. Entertainment was provided by watching Port beat Geelong in a AFL semi-final with a few locals. Stacey’s phone had died, perhaps from moisture as stored in her leggings, so that spent the evening in rice in the freezer. (And did come back to life!)
While S & J commenced in Adelaide & came via Mawson lakes and the SOG (Stuart O’Grady) bike path, I started in Gawler, as had a morning appointment. Parked car at Whissons in Second St.
I rode to the Gawler end of SOG and a few kms along until where Stacey’s route intercepted it and went off on Wingate rd. into the Gawler Plains. I presumed they were ahead of me so after 10kms or so I was pleasantly surprised when they came upon me trying to work out how to escape the busy Redmans rd. that I had been routed on for some kms. So, we headed off together largely through very boring flat rds. with the added pain of very strong (30-40kph) headwinds.
I was glad to see that I slotted in nicely riding wise with the other two, having never ridden with them before. Jo was on a gravel bike, so rolled faster than Stacey and I, who were both on mtb dualies. Also, that they didn’t mind my propensity for photo taking. Interesting Stacey had let Strava plan our route to Clare and seemingly it doesn’t pick up minor tracks or road reserves. Think I prefer doing my own.
We got into Owen before dark, so I took time for a ride around town. It had a really nice 4-5km trail going around the outskirts, through the golf course, small wetlands & a bush area featuring a bush chapel. A small ride through the streets showed well kept, tidy houses & a primary school with a good community feel. No general store but a post office that sells a few basic necessities, as does the Owen Arms Hotel. Also, a historical emporium come op shop. The silo has a “farmer to soldier themed” artwork designed by famous Riverton artist Robert Hannaford planned for installation in March.
The Owen pub was a highlight in many ways. Firstly, we were greeted by a 5-year-old camel! Publican Ian had jokingly told a friend who culled camels that he wouldn’t mind one as a pet and was given a baby one, which has subsequently grown. Luckily there is a good-sized paddock adjacent to the hotel. Rooms upstairs were clean & upgraded, as was the bathroom, and we had self-serve toast & cereal provided for brecki. Meals were ginormous. Entertainment was provided by watching Port beat Geelong in a AFL semi-final with a few locals. Stacey’s phone had died, perhaps from moisture as stored in her leggings, so that spent the evening in rice in the freezer. (And did come back to life!)