A Berry Good Celebration of Spring

Our original, slightly ambitious route through the Royal National Park was swapped for a simpler, less-stressed path to make our pub lunch in Berry that didn't involve heroics. Five of us, Longest Day veterans and excited newcomers, were ready for the ride where the story is more important than the speed.

Our Longest Day has evolved over time. It is about the route and the distance, the lunch, the adventure. A ride which is out of the ordinary with a primary purpose of getting together with friends for a full day on the bike. Success is measured by the enjoyment and camaraderie, rather than speed or suffering.

Jeff, the optimist, showed up in kit suggesting he misread Spring for Summer, and didn’t check the wind levels. No sleeves, no gloves, no gilet - just hope - hope that the sun would soon warm him up. Sorcha, having learned from her last Longest Day, had her watch fully charged. Carly, on her second Longest Day, was a walking advertisement for how much fun these things are. And Swerlo, a Longest Day stalwart, calmly bottled his excitement - he knew what was in store.

Carly and Sorcha had never cycled south of Cape Solander and as we passed Taren Point, it was all new roads. We love it when people get to discover new roads with us. The scenery kept them both smiling all the way down the coast. Sorcha, seeing the coast from the saddle for the first time, was in awe, calling out new discoveries at every turn. 

As we sat at our brunch stop in Wollongong, the winds picked up and the clouds looked ominous. But as soon as we headed south again, we left the gloom behind for blue skies and sunshine. The sun's warmth gradually made Jeff's kit seem semi-sensible, though the winds kept a persistent chill on his bare arms.

It was a smooth ride, which Swerlo was sure was due to him carrying his pump. He insists it wards off mishaps, a theory he has clung to since that Longest Day to Bowral. At our water stop in Kiama, the chat turned to past adventures and the legendary tales of Longest Days which have gotten the better of some friends.

Arriving in Berry was a beautiful thing. Perfect timing for a pub lunch. Jeff vanished and reappeared with a "special chocolate milk," followed by a ginger ale spider, and a coffee. A combination that he insisted was his secret to unlocking extra energy. Before we left, he did what makes Berry famous, he secured half-dozen of Berry's famous cinnamon donuts, which we all enjoyed.

On the train, a well-fed Swerlo donned his beanie to combat the air conditioning, leaned back, and delivered his philosophical gem "there are always characters on this train." 

Another Longest Day complete. It wasn't about the distance or the suffering, just the simple joy of a cycling day with friends. 

Everyone enjoyed a few moments of shut-eye on the train back to Sydney, and as the sun faded in the late afternoon and we rode home from the train station, Jeff finally admitted he was bitterly cold all day.

The numbers:

• 0 mechanicals

• 751kms 8263^m

• 5:34 riding time 7:04 elapsed

• 7 donuts