{"id":20383,"date":"2021-07-07T10:23:34","date_gmt":"2021-07-07T10:23:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.longrides.bike\/?page_id=20383"},"modified":"2021-07-07T10:23:34","modified_gmt":"2021-07-07T10:23:34","slug":"fnq-super-series-200km-4-july-2021","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.longrides.bike\/?page_id=20383","title":{"rendered":"FNQ Super Series 200km – 4 July 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In Audax terminology, a Super Series is a piece of obsessionality consisting of four epic rides – 200km, 300km, 400km and 600km – that are somehow linked together in time, space or concept. A year or so ago, it seemed like a good idea to throw one of these things together in the cycling paradise that is FNQ. There were cheers of anticipation and excitement, and promises of heaps of training to be done. As time loomed closer, there were more whispers in the air about a lack of cycling fitness and doubts about whether body and spirit were up to the task.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the pre-dawn of Sunday 4 July 2021, 13 riders gathered near Atherton to have a crack at the 200km. Some were finalising months of preparation and clearly focussed on completing the whole series. Others were already declaring that just one 200km was definitely more than enough. Darren had obviously given it all a lot of thought – he jumped in the night before following a spontaneous decision to ride 200km. But team MNG (Mary Ann, Nola and Gayle) was taking a “wait and see” attitude, with decisions on the 300km being deferred until the days end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>
\n

Like all the best Atherton rides, the plan was to start in the darkness, hoping to sneak up the Herberton Range and across Longlands Gap before any of the riders noticed they were actually out of bed. Some loved the concept, and there was heaps of enthusiasm for the run down Upper Barron Road that followed.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>
\n

“I am probably crazy but\u00a0 the first part of the day was great, really enjoyed riding up the Herberton Range and up Longlands Gap, and then when we came out of the scrub the views were amazing on the way down the Upper Barron Road.<\/em>” (Chris)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“We had a really enjoyable climb up the Herberton Range and a nice spin to Longlands Gap before the \u2018Best Road on the Tablelands\u2019 Upper Barron downhill.”<\/em> (Sean)<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>
\n

“High point – the stretch across the Upper Barron in the early morning light.”<\/em> (Grahame, Ian, Mary Ann)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The weather really turned it on for us at the beginning of the day with cool temps and a spectacular sunrise.”<\/em> (Dave and Virve)<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>
\n

It was then a quick trip through Malanda and to the first control in Yungaburra (67km). It was quicker than average for some, with the first group arriving before the volunteers !!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“We managed to arrive at Yungaburra before the control volunteer arrived which just proves that Kim is human” – <\/em>Sean<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kim and Ian later spotted a “rattler of turkeys” in the main street of Yungaburra – but alas no photographic evidence.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>
\n

The rest of us arrived in Yungaburra in time to enjoy Mundi’s welcome and Kim’s home cooking, before setting off to find coffee at Control Two in Atherton (100km). Some were lucky, but by the time the Team MNG tailenders had arrived, every other traveller in Australia seemed to have descended on Atherton and surrounds. The coffee shop was packed, and the roads were unusually busy. Mary Ann’s Low point – “The traffic around Atherton was horrendous”<\/em> (I think she was still lamenting the lack of coffee).<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\"\"<\/a>
A photo shoot at the windmills – all smiles for the downhill-downwind run.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>
\n

Somewhere along the way, other riders were having their personal highs and lows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Virve and I had a fantastic day except for when I was sick on the side of the road as clearly not fully recovered. It was a combination of my chest infection and that I broke my wrist on the MTB about 10 weeks ago and was only on Zwift for 6 weeks.<\/em>” (Dave) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They finished – 10hrs3mins – awesome effort.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>
\n

“A highpoint<\/em> – Sean thinking that one of the volunteers was getting just a little bit too handsy with me (jealousy or infringement of Audax rules?)<\/em>” (Grahame) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s true – Mundi has that special smile for Grahame. They have even been seen travelling to and from rides together.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>
\n

The trip from Atherton was definitely a universal winner. “Highpoint – Atherton to end of Springmount Road with the wind behind” (<\/em>Mary Ann, Ian, Grahame). Yep, it was a good 45km of downhill with a solid tailwind. Which just means one thing…… Having to grab the Audax flag to keep it upright for the photo, while it flaps madly in the opposite direction to where you are going – it’s never a good omen.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>
\n

The comments about the return trip from Springmount Road to Walkamin (and maybe even Atherton) are self-explanatory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Low points ? I bet no-one else says back from Springmount Road into the headwind” <\/em>(Mary Ann)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The headwind was a killer on the way back at the end” <\/em>(Dave and Virve)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The bummers -Back home up hill and into the wind”<\/em>\u00a0(Ian)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“What seemed like long slog into the wind on the way back to Walkamin”<\/em> (Chris)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Lowpoint \u2013 the head wind but this was negated somewhat by the camaraderie of fellow riders Sean & Darren so really a highlight!<\/em> (Grahame)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Who called this the Tablelands – tables are flat”<\/em> (Kevin)<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

So… everyone was understandably happy to make it to the Walkamin Control (175km). <\/p>\n\n\n\n