Friday, September 17, 2010

The Home Stretch......

We awoke today in our cosy room at the Traralgon Uniting Church with the knowledge that today we would ride to Melbourne....it would be the longest day of riding on the tour (129 kms).....and that the last thing we needed was the headwind of the past two days. As we all contemplated these thoughts silently on our own, we packed up for the last time, ate the breakfast PJ prepared for us, and took a few photosof the team with Susan and Michael (Uniting Church Minister) who had both come to see us off.

Then we were on the road again.....by the first stop everyone was smiling - no headwind today, just rain....fantastic(not sarcastic- just appreciative)! Then the day fell into a type of rhythmn - 15 or 20kms then a pit stop, then on the road again...the pit stops are generally as much about breaking up the ride psychologically, but today with the rain and cold, even Cam and Simon appreciated the small replenishments of fruit, muesli bars, OJ and the occasional piece of chocolate to keep energy levels up. The only thing to break the routine was a stop at the tea rooms in Yarragon, which not only provided a very tasty lunch but also an open fireplace for the four riders to warm up.....As we were leaving all were surprised to find a member of Simon's, Carolyn's and PJ's Church (Catherine Mortimer) also popping in to the bakery....something was mentioned about a school camp for her kids nearby, but we chose to believe that this was just a cover story for her wanting to cheer us on our way....?!

Over the past 15 days we have encountered many odd items along the road side (as well as an amazing amount of road kill....sorry Jo - sleeping kangaroos, echidnas, wombats, rabbits, and magpies) usually in the middle of nowhere, such as microwave ovens, but we think the prize for most bizarre goes to the metallic gargoyle that sat on the roadside yesterday appearing to be as bemused by our presence as we were by its....

Eventually, the wet and cold and tired riders (and equally wet, cold and tired support team) were able to turn off the freeway near Dandenong and head off towards the home of Roberto and Tomasa Morales.....wonderful people who opened their front door to some very wet, bedraggles and hungry people who seemed to descend on their dining table and spend the next few hours devouring food, soft drink and telling anyone who would listen (Poor Roberto, Tomasa, Liz and Pam) many stories from the road....or was that just Carolyn??? Special Thanks to Tomasa who did all this on her Birthday....a big hug of appreciation from us!!

Eventually we had consumed all the food and even Carolyn seemed to run out of puff as the cold of her wet clothes made her feel the pull of home and a shower (Simon and Cam had already high tailed it back to their own homes..). Only Genevieve out of the riders seemed unflustered by the previous 7 hours of rain and seemed warm and properly attired....they breed them tough in the Netherlands!!

With a stop at Pam and Pjs on the way home, to unpack the now unnecessary items from the trailer, some lovely warm welcomes from the dogs and cat, a hot shower for Carolyn and a celebratory drink, Jo and Carolyn delivered back home, where Jo also was finally able to get a hot shower (funny how the hardships of the support crew always seem to be left to last?!)

What a day......but we did it.... a little wet.....a little tired.....but in pretty good condition and spirits.....Not bad!

We are all in our own beds tonight....Yeah!

Just 45 kms to go......... And the Freedom Celebration Concert in Queensbridge Square at 12md.... Hope to see you there..

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