Ok, so there wasn’t quite as much at stake as on the Gavia Pass in 1988…but this was the image that came to mind as the rain at Gordon turned to that tell-tale distinctive double helix curtain of soft white flakes of actual snow. The weekend’s Channel Double was also the last calendar opportunity to add kilometres to our Audax quota count.
It may look bright and cheery at this particular moment in Huonville, but Saturday reminded me to share Spring Cycling Survival Tip #17.
A stop for go-fuel-in-a-bottle and pretty-in-pink gloves came after a rather zombie-like stretch from Verona Sands to the Deep Bay climb in heavy rain. Previously the conditions had turned from a crisp and sunny five degrees, to drizzly, then slushy rain, followed by a brief minute of actual snow ( only 50m above sea level ) before settling into icy, icy rain. Laughing at first at the absurdity of doing the channel double in such conditions, and at actually seeing snow fall right down to sea level ( not a common occurrence even in Tas. ), soon turned into grimaces of concentrated determination. Icy water was slowly seeping past the cuff of gloves and into the heels of cycling shoes.
By Verona Sands Craig couldn’t change gears, I was inwardly feeling a bit frightened at the thought of descending the Deep Bay hill because I couldn’t feel the hoods when standing to pedal, and Gav was quickly disappearing up the road – powering on in an attempt to keep the warmth going in his legs – not realising in the conditions that neither of us could hold his pace. Luckily the squall eased, and we could start to squeeze the water systematically from gloves as the climb over deep bay began. By the top, our exertions had warmed us through again, and finger tips announced their return to the living with a searing, burning sensation. As we sat astride our bikes at the summit, alternately deep breathing and quietly swearing under our breaths, Spring Cycling Survival Tip #17 came to mind.
When 150 from home in pouring ice cold rain - when fingers are so numb you can’t actually feel the handlebars anymore – stop at the first opportunity and purchase an ordinary $1.99 pair of dish washing gloves and pull them on over the top of whatever gloves you may already be wearing. Doesn’t matter if they are wet already, eventually fingers will warm up and stay warm.
As far as survival tips go, #17 really is only useful as long as you are not miles from anywhere – which we were. Just like a plastic garbage bag over core ( Tip #16 ) and freezer bags over feet inside cycling shoes ( #18 ) survival depends on either forethought or proximity to civilisation. Obviously, the week’s forecast had not triggered preparedness in my mind, and Craig and Gav were yet to be introduced to this archaic fashion tip from yesteryear.
Luckily for us, Cygnet was only 20 away and the clouds had mercifully parted to let through a few meek but warming rays. I shivered so hard on the descent that it was a bit hard to ride in a straight line, however we made it down on slick roads, and rolled into town with minds clamped firmly on a warming coffee and sugary sweet pastry from the Lotus Eaters Café.
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