The badge I chose was my first Super Randonneur from 1982. It was presented to me by Oppy himself at the Audax club's first proper awards night. I can't remember exactly where it was but I think it was in a scout hall or some such. The one thing from that night that still stands out clearly is the respect with which Oppy treated all of our achievements. It was clear that he felt a genuine passion for promoting cycling and encouraging everyone who took part.
I only have memories of two of the rides in that super series. The 200k was my first ever Audax ride and although I'd ridden 200k and more several times before that, it was an epic struggle to complete that ride. It was a bone chillingly cold day with strong winds and fog. A simple circuit of the Bellarine became a fight to the death with cold and damp. I think it took close to 13 hours to complete and I got lost several times on the way back into Geelong.
The 400k was held in the depths of winter and was plagued by gale force winds followed by torrential rain. The last 200 was in constant heavy rain and into a southerly wind. I remember taking shelter in the public toilets and Yea, laying on the floor with my feet up the wall and operating the hand dryer with my heel to warm my feet. The final stretch from Yarra Glen to Lilydale was so windy that I remember pedalling down the hills into the wind in my lowest gear.
I can't remember a thing about the 300 or 600. They must have been easy. The amazing thing about this series of rides is that they were all supported by Terry Gross' wife Sue from the back of her Mazda Bongo Van. Very young kids in tow. And she did it solo. If she's not a life member of the club, she should be.
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