5 February Training Ride.

As another day in Sydney's Summer heatwave dawned, the lads leaped from their beds in the pre-dawn darkness in an effort to beat some of the 40 plus temperatures forecast for the day.

Andrew and Ric met up at the Great Northern Hotel (cnr of Mowbray Road and the Pacific Highway) a little apprehensive that the pub would still be open, and a cold beer more tempting than an 80km training ride.

A few kms down the Pacific Highway, Pete was collected from Lindfield Coles, and we also met up with Guy (a mate of Andrew's) who was about to embark on his longest ride ever.

James (a mate of Pete's) was collected from St Ives, and we spent the next few kms having a chat and commiserating about Dom's calf injury that would keep him from enjoying this warm and bright morning.

While the motor traffic wasn't too bad at this time of morning (shortly before 7am) along the Pacific Highway and Mona Vale Road, it was nice to turn off and head into the National Park. Our company from then on was a rapidly intensifying sun, the whir of bike wheels, the clicking of gears and the puffs of exertion on some decent category 5 climbs.

The pace was a steady 20 - 30km/h. Andrew was in fine form surging away and then circling back. Pete grew in strength and speed as the morning wore on. Guy rode magnificently for a chap doubling his previous longest distance. James spun along strongly despite some reservations about enjoying his Friday evening too much. Ric spent most of the ride as the 'lantern rouge', clipping along steadily on his brand new mountain bike steed, and trying to keep the road bikes at least in sight.

We enjoyed a 10 minute break at West Head and gazed out to sea and toward some fish swarming in the waters below. We then headed back as the temperature rapidly climbed, not quite enjoying that or the increase in road traffic on Mona Vale Road and the Highway.

James peeled off at St Ives, and the rest of the lads enjoyed a coffee and cold water or two at a local Lindfield cafe.

The boys then spun off in their separate directions to rest up for the 4pm BBQ at Pete's.

You can see the route we rode here.

Stay tune for our next exciting episode - Pete & Karen's Kitchen Rules! We might even have some more photos for you all.