Cyclists too strong for car

On June 13 more than a dozen cyclists raced an Audi A5 from Mornington to Docklands with a small group arriving 45 minutes before the car.

The car was handicapped by having to drive around Port Phillip Bay via the Sorrento Ferry and Geelong.

Driver and DCN advertising director Amanda Innes was surprised to find the cyclists relaxing at the finish line at the Melbourne Yacht Club Hotel at Waterfront City.

Having organised special treatment (last on, first off) with Jack Mackeddie’s ferry company, and driving safely and skilfully all the way, she was left feeling duped by the whole process. See her report below.

Next year, the bikes will have further to ride – perhaps Dromana – to make the contest more even.

View from the bike

Shane Scanlan, DCN editor

It’s 7am on a Saturday morning outside Bike Force in Docklands. It’s cold, dark, wet and windy.

The sensible people are in bed. That’s why I’m the only one here. Thankfully, there is a crew at St Kilda so I won’t have to face the 30 km/h northerly winds by myself. Some riders drop off. Others meet us at the start.

Amanda is there in a car that looks like something James Bond would drive. “Hmm. Want to swap spots Amanda?”

She’s nervous about missing the ferry. We tease her. At least this bit is fun.

The flag drops and within minutes my lungs are inside out. It’s a fair climb out of Mornington. Our group splinters. Someone has to tell the leaders to slow up and wait for me. The Bike Force guys are powering. I sit in.

We roll turns into the wind. Despite the effort the speedo says 20-something. This won’t be fast enough to beat the car.

I’m happier when I see 30-something consistently showing and by the time we approach Brighton I calculate Amanda is not long off the ferry. The pressure’s off.

We shell some more riders and get to the finish line within two hours. Sorry Amanda (not)!

... and the car

Amanda Innes, DCN advertiser director

Email exchange. June 18:

“Hey A, Can you give me a 250-word race report? Ta. Shane”

Reply: “Cheating poops!! I will think of another 248 but so far this sums it up!!”

Docklands cycling group

Come along on the “Teachers Ride”.

Tuesdays and Thursdays. Mordialloc and return.

Meet at the corner of Bourke St and Batman’s Hill Drive (The Nixon) at 5.20am.

Protocol: Gentle down – riding two abreast, changing lead every 5 km or so (30 km/h). Solid (not stupid) back, single file, changing lead as required.

Breakfast at Café Racer, St Kilda. Back to Docklands by 8am. For further info ring Shane on 0419 542 625.

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