![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.longrides.bike\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/GetHigh17_0101-2.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nIn the weeks prior to the ride, Atherton had sulked along\u00a0under \u00a0grey skies and the endless drizzle of\u00a0dreary winter weather. \u00a0So it was initially unnerving to see bright spots of light in the pre-dawn hours\u00a0of Sunday 16 July. \u00a0Fortunately, someone identified the unfamiliar night lights as\u00a0stars, and we all relaxed. \u00a0\u00a0Once again, the weather gods had smiled on Audax FNQ, and given us our\u00a0most perfect winter day in months.<\/p>\n
The climb up the range is mercifully short, and rewards riders with a quick roll into the town of Herberton, where is was becoming The ride down Tomoulin Road\u00a0into Ravenshoe is wickedly quick, and even more delightful without the usual buffeting from sneaky side- <\/p>\n The streets of downtown Atherton are pretty quiet on a Sunday afternoon, particularly after the coffee shop has closed and most of The rest of the 200km field made it home an hour or so later. \u00a0While we are always full of admiration for those tackling their first ever 200km, some feats of the day left us in awe. \u00a0 How about doing your\u00a0first ever group ride, just a few months after starting riding, and in sandshoes ???<\/p>\n It was smiles all around as the last few riders found their way home, <\/p>\n Congratulations to everyone who joined in the ride, and a special thanks to our volunteers – Brenda, Kim and Nola.<\/p>\n Get High 200km results<\/a><\/p>\n (25 July 2017)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The 2017 version of Get High on the Tablelands was looking like a hard sell. \u00a0Ride to the highest point in Queensland….. through fog and drizzle….. battling headwinds and chill…… AND …… in the depths of winter. \u00a0The whole deal seemed like the perfect storm and destined to have \u00a0FNQ\u00a0Audax riders avoiding it like the … Continue reading Get High On The Tablelands – 16 July 2017<\/span> <\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>After a quick round of collecting Brevets, checking lights, stocking up on bananas (of course) and a ride briefing, the three wave starts set off to tackle the first challenge of the day. \u00a0After a few kilometres of leg warming, the real task of Getting High begins with a climb up the Herberton Range. \u00a0Attempts to downplay this climb in the ride description were thwarted by a shiny new road sign warning of a “very steep climb”, which only served to make the slightly nervous riders even more twitchy.<\/p>\n<\/a>abundantly clear just how beautiful the day was looking. \u00a0The blue skies were a welcome distraction from the uphill tilt of the road all the way to the\u00a0first control at Longlands Gap. \u00a0 Once again, Kim was waiting with the plenty of yummies\u00a0including his\u00a0top-secret recipe fruit cake<\/a>. \u00a0After lingering for much longer than necessary, and eating <\/a>more fruit cake than required by any\u00a0caloric expenditure, it was time to find the secret stamp at\u00a0the highest point of the ride and stop for the obligatory photo shoot. \u00a0In stark contrast to the foggy skies of 2016, there were crystal clear views for miles across green paddocks to the wind turbines in the distance. \u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>winds. \u00a0We rolled into Ravenshoe just in time to see the rest of the pack disappearing into the distance, leaving us slightly concerned about the remaining cake and coffee supplies in the cafe. \u00a0 After more unnecessary (but otherwise yummy) food, we headed back towards Atherton, trying not to ponder why the road <\/a>points uphill after leaving Queensland’s highest town. \u00a0The picture perfect weather continued, and we gleefully\u00a0scoffed at the fog warning signs, stopped for tourist shots and soaked up the views. \u00a0Somewhere in all that sun worship, there was a\u00a0moment of panic as I recalled the tube of sunscreen still sitting in Atherton, and suddenly the\u00a0gloomy weather of weeks gone by looked more appealing. \u00a0There was an unscheduled stop for a puncture repair, fortunately in a shady spot, where a bevvy <\/a>of \u00a0experts assisted with\u00a0fingers and tools and suggestions, before the tube was replaced and everyone was underway again.<\/p>\n<\/a>It was (mostly) downhill from Longlands Gap all the way back to Atherton, passing through the rainforest and back into the green paddocks and cane fields. \u00a0The views across to Atherton from the lookout were a welcome sight\u00a0for many, who were by now content to marvel at the downhill ahead and their speedo readings, rather than continue to luxuriate in the big vistas of the day.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>the 100km riders had long finished and gone home. \u00a0Undeterred, Brenda and Nola were waiting patiently at the final control, with Brenda showing a remarkable touch of inventiveness by begging a passerby to slip across to the shop and buy her a puzzle book.<\/p>\n<\/a>The first of the 200km riders arrived home in 9 hours 56 minutes, looking well pleased with their efforts.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>just as the sun was setting on this amazing Atherton winter’s day. \u00a0Our Victorian visitor, Ron, arrived home still looking cheerful after a big reconnaissance day in preparation for his FNQ Gran Turismo ride in September.<\/p>\n<\/a>And it was a special welcome home to our last rider, who had pumped up his leaking tyre every few kilometres for the last hour or two. \u00a0He assures us he will do a bit more research into on-road repairs of tubeless tyres before the next Audax ride. \u00a0After all, it was the first big run for his new bike.<\/p>\n<\/a>There is a world of choice coming up from 2\u00a0September to 10 September 2017, with the Great Northern 6 Pack and the Far North Queensland Gran Turismo<\/a>. \u00a0Choose from day rides of 100km<\/a> and 200km<\/a>, or a longer challenge of 300km<\/a>, 400km<\/a> or 600km<\/a>. \u00a0Grab a few days off work and join the Audax crew from around Australia and overseas. \u00a0Day registrations<\/a> are now open. \u00a0See you in September 2017.<\/p>\n<\/a>Get High 100km results<\/a><\/p>\n