Amy's Ride is a Community Ride run by the Amy Gillett Foundation.
The Amy Gillett Foundation is a charity with one purpose – reducing the incidence of death and injury of bike riders.
The Foundation was born out of tragedy, the death of Amy Gillett, who was hit by an out of control motorist whilst cycling with her National Team mates in Germany. Since its inception they have been a catalyst for change, focused on what should be, rather than what is. That’s why they have set ambitious aims and outcomes working to reduce bike related deaths and serious injuries.
Our Mission is for: Safe cycling in Australia
Our Vision: Zero bike related fatalities
Recently South Autralia brought in new regulations for motorists on our roads.
The new rules will require road users to give bicycle riders at least one metre on roads with speed limits of up to 60kmh, and 1.5 metres for anything above that speed.
Amy's Ride was held on the 1st November and there were many choices for the length you could ride from 12km all the way up to 125km!!
 |
| Injuries From My Crash The Day Before |
As I was doing this ride with my 10yr old son Oliver, and it was his first big Community Ride, we decided to do the 100km course which still included travelling along the length of the Southern Expressway as well as taking on the iconic Willunga Hill. This would be a good challenge for him and would also be ok for me considering I had another bike accident the day before!!
Yes once again I came off, through no fault of my own, when riding in a group going through a roundabout and the rider on the inside didn't leave enough room for me to get around, and hitting or jumping the kerb was my only option. I chose the latter with a slim hope of survival, but at 40km/h and a split second to jump, I didn't quite make it and went sprawling over the handlebars. Grazes to both knees, arms, back, and a sore chest were my injuries, and my bike suffered $800 damage with an irrepairable rear wheel and a cracked helmet!
 |
| Ollie and I on the Start Line |
Thanks to some great and efficient work from Megabike, they were able to fix my bike that day so I was on the start line the next morning!
The day was slightly overcast but perfect riding weather and we set of at 8am with approximately 2000 other riders from outside Flinders University and headed up the Southern Expressway.
Once at the top of the climb the slope heads downward, and an over enthusiastic Ollie was trying to set speed records, much to the disapproval of his dad thinking that he was going too hard too early and he would be stuffed by the 50km mark!
I taught him alot about getting through these rides including;
- Don't pedal when going downhill to conserve energy (he didn't take to that one too well at the start!!)
- Get in a group and sit behind someone as to take advantage of drafting
- Eat something (museli bar, Bounce bar, banana etc) every 25kms, and have a sip from your drink bottle every 15kms
- Always ride in your easiest gear when going up hills, even if you think you can do it in a harder gear
- Ride at your own pace and don't get on the back of groups that are well above your speed capability
- Always keep in a gear where your cadence (pedal speed) is between 90 - 100rpm
- Enjoy it, look around, talk to other people, admire all the awesome bikes being ridden, and conserve energy so you still have something left at the end!
We stopped at Willunga at the 60km mark and ate and drank a few of the freebies that were on offer, and it was here that I met Mark Wadsworth who will also be in the 2016 Beat Cancer Tour!! We had a great chat, then it was time to be off and climb Willunga Hill. We set a steady pace all the way, being passed mid way by last years Beat Cancer Tour Yellow Jersey winner Matt Schmidke.
 |
| Ollie and I Crossing The Finish Line! |
With Willunga Hill out the way it was then undulating with a few climbs and a really nice decent before being relatively flat for the last 15kms where we were able to get on the back of a group.
When we had 5kms to go Ollie came beside me and said 'I want you to floor it for the last 1km so we can pass all these people and cross the finish line before them!' As there was a strong headwind we left it for the last 500m, but we did manage to 'breakaway' then had out own little sprint to the finish line! Such a magnificent effort for a 10yr old to ride a 100km hilly course - I was a very proud father!
Overall Amy's Ride was very enjoyable and supports such a great cause and we both look forward to doing it all again next year!!
To Make A Donation To My 2016 Beat Cancer Tour Fundraising:
