Participants - Scot, Nick, Eddie, Simon, Cory, Andrew and Jeremy.
Support Crew - Carmel, Ron, Eliza, Margaret, Bruce, Gerald, Ian, Kevin and June
Return to the Mother Country today as we headed back to the Mallee with the first day of the bike leg (a lazy 172km). Last night we didn't retire till late because we began the job of repairing the bikes which had been pretty bruised and battered (and covered in dust) over the last 5 days of the kayak leg with the support crew weaving in and out of dusty check points.
What presented itself as a nice change from the uncomfortableness of the kayak quickly became a nightmare as we confronted 25-30 km/h head winds and 35 degree heat.
It was good to have some new conversation in the group with guest appearances by Andrew Prosser and Jeremy (all the way from Sydney). Both boys had never ridden more than 100km in the day before so today was going to be interesting for them and for us to watch their triumph or capitulation.
To spoil the suspense... no wait a bit longer.
Our first break was in Sea Lake after about 70km and we were met by photographers, a front page article in the local paper and a very excited MS sufferer who'd seen the logos on our cycling jerseys and read about our trip in the paper. She shared her experiences of living with MS for the last 18 years and I think that add to the list of hardships of living in the country the fact that you have very limited to specialised medical expertise and support.
We continued on to Birchip by following the beacon of light from the heavens for a very long and well earned rest as we clocked 132km. We rode by the old Weinert house in Fraser St where we spent so much time as kids but the verandah was too small to ride around as we'd done as children.
After icy poles and ice towels we posed towards Wycheproof with the promise of a swim at Tchum Lake on the way home. Thankfully we had to tail wind most of the journey to the finish and were able to get organised as a group and knock off some of the 34kms of the last leg pretty quickly by sitting on 35-38km for the first 15kms. We were soon bought back to reality as we rounded the bend into the strong head wind and it split us to bits.
Very happy to say we all (including Andrew and Jeremy) crossed the finish line and for the record we did the last 34kms in an hour and ten minutes. Not bad after the 130kms that came before it in energy sapping wind.
Tomorrow is another 170km day so we'll see how we pull up in the morning.
Start time : 8.04am
Last bike : 5.26pm
Stay tuned for details of the initiation ceremony that Nick will undergo tomorrow morning in Birchip so that he can become an honorary cousin. Hint - It involves the giant Mallee Bull statue.
Support Crew - Carmel, Ron, Eliza, Margaret, Bruce, Gerald, Ian, Kevin and June
Return to the Mother Country today as we headed back to the Mallee with the first day of the bike leg (a lazy 172km). Last night we didn't retire till late because we began the job of repairing the bikes which had been pretty bruised and battered (and covered in dust) over the last 5 days of the kayak leg with the support crew weaving in and out of dusty check points.
What presented itself as a nice change from the uncomfortableness of the kayak quickly became a nightmare as we confronted 25-30 km/h head winds and 35 degree heat.
It was good to have some new conversation in the group with guest appearances by Andrew Prosser and Jeremy (all the way from Sydney). Both boys had never ridden more than 100km in the day before so today was going to be interesting for them and for us to watch their triumph or capitulation.
To spoil the suspense... no wait a bit longer.
Our first break was in Sea Lake after about 70km and we were met by photographers, a front page article in the local paper and a very excited MS sufferer who'd seen the logos on our cycling jerseys and read about our trip in the paper. She shared her experiences of living with MS for the last 18 years and I think that add to the list of hardships of living in the country the fact that you have very limited to specialised medical expertise and support.
We continued on to Birchip by following the beacon of light from the heavens for a very long and well earned rest as we clocked 132km. We rode by the old Weinert house in Fraser St where we spent so much time as kids but the verandah was too small to ride around as we'd done as children.
After icy poles and ice towels we posed towards Wycheproof with the promise of a swim at Tchum Lake on the way home. Thankfully we had to tail wind most of the journey to the finish and were able to get organised as a group and knock off some of the 34kms of the last leg pretty quickly by sitting on 35-38km for the first 15kms. We were soon bought back to reality as we rounded the bend into the strong head wind and it split us to bits.
Very happy to say we all (including Andrew and Jeremy) crossed the finish line and for the record we did the last 34kms in an hour and ten minutes. Not bad after the 130kms that came before it in energy sapping wind.
Tomorrow is another 170km day so we'll see how we pull up in the morning.
Start time : 8.04am
Last bike : 5.26pm
Stay tuned for details of the initiation ceremony that Nick will undergo tomorrow morning in Birchip so that he can become an honorary cousin. Hint - It involves the giant Mallee Bull statue.
Hope there aint no headwind for Hamish cos his beard will be like a sail.
ReplyDeletedave and Trina