Arriving up at the PB Service station at Rockbank where the race was scheduled to start I was greeted by a sea of cars and wind trainers.  With over 230 riders registered in 8 handicap grades, limit was set at 27 minutes and due to start at 11.15.

The race route followed the Western Freeway (where riders were given a police escort) from Rockbank to Ballarat, hooking around the north of Ballarat before turning south to finish with a lap around Lake Wendouree and finishing in Wendouree gardens for a total of 100km. The first 26km of the route is fairly flat with only a few rollers along the way. The first climb begins at the 24km mark where the road snakes up Pentland Hill for approx 20km at a gradient between 3 and 5%. The road then flattens off somewhat to a mere 2.5% for approx 4km before the final little climb to Gordon at 3.2% for another 4km at the 60km mark. The gradient then flattened out for the next 20km with a slight decline until hitting the outskirts of Ballarat where another small 3.2% climb takes riders to the final flat stretch to Lake Wendouree where the last 10km consisted of a lap around the lake and the finish line on Wendouree Parade.

Starting in the 27minute (limit) group, we were first to the start line. I could already feel the headwind buffering against my body as I looked up to watch the flags flapping wildly in the wind! As we set off the boys went straight to the front (fine by me) but after a few minutes along the western freeway we quickly organised ourselves into a peleton and started rolling turns.

Upon hitting the first little ascent before Bacchus Marsh approx 17km into the race, the first stragglers began to fall off. By the time we hit the climb at 24km the peleton started to dissipate into several smaller groups as we began the climb. At the 30km mark the 24 minute group passed us, managing to hold on for a few km, before my heart rate hit the roof (at 189bpm) and I fell off the back! The 21 minute group with Jo Hogan, Nicole Whitburn, Jenny McPherson  and Bridget Officer as well as a few of the Becoz boys whizzed past, managing to gather momentum I managed to get on the back of the group for approx 5km (long enough to get me over Pentland Hill) before being spat out the back.

Stuck in no-man’s land on my own into a headwind my head started to fill with thoughts of quitting… but what would I do? I have no phone, no-one know where on the highway I am! If I stop now will I get to Ballarat? With the sky above turning from blue to grey and the temperature gauge dropping form 19 to 8 deg C, I quickly decided the best thing was to keep going!

I was finally caught by a smaller group of riders just before Gordon. I jumped on the back and once over the climb we rolled turns into the now very strong headwind along the highway. Picking up a number of riders along the way, our small group of 6 quickly grew.  Finally reaching the outskirts on Ballarat with only 25km to go our little group was caught by a mix of 9 & 12 minute riders. As the remainder of the course was fairly flat I jumped on the back gritting my teeth as we ascended the last climb of the day just before exiting the freeway with only 20km to go, thankfully it was only a small climb at 3% for only 1.2km. Finally we were on the homeward stretch.

We finally turned off the freeway towards Lake Wendouree, heading down Learmonth Road with a tailwind. However as soon as we hit the lake for the final 10km the headwinds proved too strong for me, as a small group of riders, including myself dropped off the back. As I turned the final corner with the wind now behind me I could see the 1 km to go sign, begging my legs for a last little spurt of energy. As the finish line came into sight I think my body just went into auto pilot, as I crossed the line I marvelled at my body’s ability having completed this horrendous race. My legs felt like jelly and mentally I was exhausted having battled my body’s will to stop and quit for about 80km. Stopping felt good, getting off the bike even better!

With cold and windy conditions to greet us in Ballarat the presentations were fairly quick. Travers Nuttall (CCCC) won the race in a time of 2hrs 50.57, with Tom Walker (SKCC) taking out second place and Darryl Anderson (WCC) third. The Women’s race was won by Jo Hogan (SKCC), with Jenny McPherson (CCCC) taking second and Chloe McConville (CCCC) third. Fastest time was awarded to Steele Von Hoff (CPCC) for a time of 2hrs 29.07. I finished in a more leisurely time of 3hrs 08.26 which placed me 8^th Women overall.

The amazing efforts put in by competitors, officials and Victoria Police helped make this tough event another fantastic race in an important year which marks the 100^th race since its inception. Although the race route has changed a bit over the years the spirit and hardship of the race remains the same. Until next year… ride safe.

Written by Melina Bernecker