So did a 100 kmish ride today.
First was a 7 km ride to the train station, 22 mins to catch the train to blue mountain. Had an argument with the train driver and had to move to the back as there were some electric equipment that he can't get access to if I'm there. then the 2 hour journey starts. Good thing it's a bent so I can still sit.
In NSW, particularly near Sydney, it's great that many trains let you carry your bike. On the train I Checked in with the ride leader. Who also had some questions whether I would be good enough to catch up and follow. It even irked a MTBer who was with me, as he said that the ride leader kinda dismissed me. Im OK with it, as (1) It's a bent (2) it's T50 with a pannier. so not kinda the bike you bring with a group that has people with 3-8 K road bikes. But this group is more social and the age were more elderly so I think I should be OK. I also said we'll see how it goes and if I can't make it I'll just pull off.
First course, is more about downhill from ~950 metres, but still has some sharp climbs. I used my T50 with panniers and Schwalbe Splicer, (heavy tire, because who wants to get punctures?). Descending wasn't too much of a problem but the climbing was a killer. A bit surprised as I can keep up on some climbs. The descending was designed so a car can get in, so 50-100 metres between the riders for this 950 metre descend from blue mountains.
We were going mainly through back roads, but at some times had to go to the highway and cross 2 lanes to get to the position to turn at traffic lights. Had to have the skills here. Richard, our leader, briefed us many times during the course, as some parts had to be carefully done. How we set ourselves apart, the slowest be near him, me second last with the sweeper, how to turn and when to go. all broken in small parts during our stops.
Kinda regret having heavy tires and not using a more lightweight bag. It seems I can't put more power into the pedals. The ride itself was quite beautiful, sadly can't use camera while riding. It's inda utumn to winter here are the sceneries were beautiful. It's also cool descending in a group through the roads. At one point, Richard said probably we would do gravel or MTBing out of the road shoulder of the highway, but thankfully it wasn't too busy.
Had stops at the cafe and a historical bridge. It's funny the potholes around the road were painted yellow and arrowed. Definitely be more aware when descending as a group, as we have to make the distance to let cars going, how to slow down or accelerate.
We then go through parks and the bridge, with Shared user paths
Beautiful bridge, but costs around 20 million. I think it's a good price as the other bridge footpath was so narrow and cars come flying fast.
The ride back was exhausting, in a feeling sense. This is a ride through busy roads, mainly through the shoulder, and there are parts where there was no shoulder at all or we have to mix with the traffic with these cars. Havin a mirror and vehicular cycling skill helps. I still kept up.
Then we had a lunch break. I ordered a small pizza, which took most of the time. My friends have already finished and was going to briefed when the Pizza was ready. Only ate half of it. This is when panniers came in handy. Richard also said he never saw someone ordering and eating as much as I do. Checked my Strava and it seems to be acting again. It always stops recording at some point. Was busy stuffing stuff when the group took off. But then catched up.
Really need to have a better route choosing as it was really a main road route with parked cars, intersections, roundabouts, high speed cars, traffic lights, etc. Relief came when we approached M7, the best engineered Shared user path in Sydney, beside the M7 motorway.
cont'd
- and I'm trying to get either a weblink to it to publish here, or a copy of the published article. 
