Hi all,
I just thought I would close off by saying a big thank you to all those that helped/contributed/supported us along the way. It really was a team effort.
Here are some final stats for you;
We rode a total of 1,020kms
There was a total of 8,971mts of climbing (29,432 feet - higher than Mt Everest)
We rode for a total of 45 1/2 hours
We have raised $10,745.00
So once again, so long and thanks for all the fish.....
Cheers
Carl
Tuesday, 1 November 2011
Friday, 28 October 2011
All Over
The ride is now competed. The last day was the easiest knowing that the finish was near.
Getting to the end was a little emotional. A combination of completion and disappointment it was now over. I had to take a deep breath just before I got there.
Great to so many people there clapping as we rolled in. This really completed the feeling of accomplishment.
I have definitely enjoyed the experience. From early morning training rides to generous people involved giving up time and/or money.
I am now content with the completion of the journey and knowing that we have help Port Kembla palliative care unit in the process.
Thank you.
Aaron
Getting to the end was a little emotional. A combination of completion and disappointment it was now over. I had to take a deep breath just before I got there.
Great to so many people there clapping as we rolled in. This really completed the feeling of accomplishment.
I have definitely enjoyed the experience. From early morning training rides to generous people involved giving up time and/or money.
I am now content with the completion of the journey and knowing that we have help Port Kembla palliative care unit in the process.
Thank you.
Aaron
Thursday, 27 October 2011
Final days
Day 7 was fun, tough to get the legs going but after 30k or so they picked up. We lunched in Vincentia and Erika's parents met us which was lovely. We ended up in Berry and Aaron and I had a little sprint up the hill which was not bad work after 150km. We then moved to the bar and stayed for quite a while... lots of beer was consumed.
Day 7 stats are here: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/124374259
Day 8, the final day, was just a short one, less than 70k for Berry to Wollongong. We had a fair amount of time to do it and I found it a little frustrating, we were pedalling slow and I just wanted it to be done with. I was very tired and a little hungover and wanted to get home. Once we got to the lighthouse I lay on the ground for a while and took it all in. It was all over, we're ridden every bit of Phillip Island to Wollongong (actually that's not true.. on day 7 I walked the bike up 100m of an incredibly steep hill - I couldn't pedal it).
All done. Thanks so much to the sponsors, you were an inspiration during the dark moments.
Stats here: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/124567753
Thanks to all the riders for making it a memorable experience.
Paul
Day 8 - the final day wrap up
Today was the final ride, hard to believe after 8 months of training and nearly 12 months of planning. We have now raised over $10,500 which is just fantastic.
Today we took an easy ride from Berry on our way to Wollongong. It is quite funny to think that ride is so easy now after so much training and then the ride itself. It was a very easy trip and it wouldnt have been complete without a big downpour at Kiama. As if we hadnt had enough rain...
We were planning a stop in Shellharbour for a coffee but we ran out of time so we just headed on to Wollongong and it was quite strange riding through familiar roads again. We headed back on the normal training route that we had used for months.
We arrived at the Wollongong lighthouse at 1pm and it was great to see family, friends and work collegues there. We were also met by Tourism Wollongong and the Illawarra Cancer Carers who later put on a bbq. Four sausage sandwhiches later I was happy:)
Thanks to everyone who has donated and supported us. Thanks to Dad who drove one of the support vehicles and took hundreds of photos. In the next week I will put up some photos on this blog. They all tell a great story.
Also thanks to Josh and Minnie who drove the other support car.
I would also like to give a special thank you to Aaron, Erika and Paul who jumped on this idea of mine and really helped it work. Without their help it would not have been as successful as this. Aaron, thanks to you for forcing me out to train during the cold, wet, windy, winter months to get hundreds of kms under the belt. Without that I would not have been able to keep the motivation up as much as I did.
So, all in all it has been very successful and it was great to be a part of.
Cheers
Carl
Today we took an easy ride from Berry on our way to Wollongong. It is quite funny to think that ride is so easy now after so much training and then the ride itself. It was a very easy trip and it wouldnt have been complete without a big downpour at Kiama. As if we hadnt had enough rain...
We were planning a stop in Shellharbour for a coffee but we ran out of time so we just headed on to Wollongong and it was quite strange riding through familiar roads again. We headed back on the normal training route that we had used for months.
We arrived at the Wollongong lighthouse at 1pm and it was great to see family, friends and work collegues there. We were also met by Tourism Wollongong and the Illawarra Cancer Carers who later put on a bbq. Four sausage sandwhiches later I was happy:)
Thanks to everyone who has donated and supported us. Thanks to Dad who drove one of the support vehicles and took hundreds of photos. In the next week I will put up some photos on this blog. They all tell a great story.
Also thanks to Josh and Minnie who drove the other support car.
I would also like to give a special thank you to Aaron, Erika and Paul who jumped on this idea of mine and really helped it work. Without their help it would not have been as successful as this. Aaron, thanks to you for forcing me out to train during the cold, wet, windy, winter months to get hundreds of kms under the belt. Without that I would not have been able to keep the motivation up as much as I did.
So, all in all it has been very successful and it was great to be a part of.
Cheers
Carl
The final day.
Well, it has come down to the final day. A 65km ride into Wollongong via Shellharbour.
Just about to get some breakfast and a coffee and then we will head off around 9am arriving at Flagstaff Hill at 1pm.
Cheers
Carl
Just about to get some breakfast and a coffee and then we will head off around 9am arriving at Flagstaff Hill at 1pm.
Cheers
Carl
Wednesday, 26 October 2011
Day 7 - a struggle
Today was meant to be a little relief from the last few days, sure it was going to be long but not a hilly.
It was obvious from quite early on that I was going to struggle today, when ever there was a climb there was no power in the legs in comparison to the rest of the trip.
The weather looked like it didnt know what it wanted to do either which I struggled with during the day as I was either really hot or cold. As you can tell I wasn't having a good ttime of it.
We stopped in Vincentia for lunch which was good, got some food and coffee hoping to get some energy and it worked for about 20kms where I called out to Paul and Aaron "I think I have found my mojo", but it wasnt long before I lost it again:)
Paul and Aaron did a great job today and were there to help me along, thanks heaps guys. They also really drove the train home on the run into Berry.
Tomorrow is the final day and only a short one into Wollongong and then it is time to put the bike away for a week...
I cannot believe that we have covered so much distance over the last few days, we have been laughing and joking over dinner and drinks about what has happened over the last 950kms and we only have about 65kms to go.
I will give an update tomorrow evening with the full run down.
Cheers
Carl
It was obvious from quite early on that I was going to struggle today, when ever there was a climb there was no power in the legs in comparison to the rest of the trip.
The weather looked like it didnt know what it wanted to do either which I struggled with during the day as I was either really hot or cold. As you can tell I wasn't having a good ttime of it.
We stopped in Vincentia for lunch which was good, got some food and coffee hoping to get some energy and it worked for about 20kms where I called out to Paul and Aaron "I think I have found my mojo", but it wasnt long before I lost it again:)
Paul and Aaron did a great job today and were there to help me along, thanks heaps guys. They also really drove the train home on the run into Berry.
Tomorrow is the final day and only a short one into Wollongong and then it is time to put the bike away for a week...
I cannot believe that we have covered so much distance over the last few days, we have been laughing and joking over dinner and drinks about what has happened over the last 950kms and we only have about 65kms to go.
I will give an update tomorrow evening with the full run down.
Cheers
Carl
Day 7 almost done.
The last 150km day was finally a little easier for me. The hills between batemans bay and berry where not as big as the previous days. The highlights today for me was breaking my battery mount at Nowra and getting a little stroppy because of it. The frustration then lead to a putting into a driving pace with Paul for the final kms to berry. It actually picked up my spirits as I knew my performance had picked up since I was able to power up the hills keeping up with Paul. Paul had really been the leader in the last few days.
We spent to tonight swapping stories of the trip over a few beers.
Maybe one too many as it's now late and we still have one day to go.
A little sad that we are now at the end. The challenges have been mostly completed on our part and the money raise on yours.
Now to look forward to the finish line.
Aaron
We spent to tonight swapping stories of the trip over a few beers.
Maybe one too many as it's now late and we still have one day to go.
A little sad that we are now at the end. The challenges have been mostly completed on our part and the money raise on yours.
Now to look forward to the finish line.
Aaron
Tuesday, 25 October 2011
Day 6
Forecast was for morning showers clearing. The forecast was wrong there was no clearing and showers became constant rain. Like Paul I was underdress and got cold and wet within the first two hours.
Wilf had the daily coffee ready at the first stop after two hours riding. I change into winter gear enjoyed the coffee and continued. We all seemed grumpy this morning due to the cold wet weather. It wasnt long before i was coldand wet again. So far I have found each day more challenging than the previous. Today was a battle with the traffic, the rain, the cold and trying to keep up on the climbs. I felt flat up till lunch.
I met up with my parents just after lunch and that really gave me motivation for the rest of the day .
The final 20km was relentless with climbs one after the other. They where not as big as others already but continuous.
Very happy to have put this day behind me.
I'm really hoping for better weather tomorrow. At least not constantly raining.
Aaron
Wilf had the daily coffee ready at the first stop after two hours riding. I change into winter gear enjoyed the coffee and continued. We all seemed grumpy this morning due to the cold wet weather. It wasnt long before i was coldand wet again. So far I have found each day more challenging than the previous. Today was a battle with the traffic, the rain, the cold and trying to keep up on the climbs. I felt flat up till lunch.
I met up with my parents just after lunch and that really gave me motivation for the rest of the day .
The final 20km was relentless with climbs one after the other. They where not as big as others already but continuous.
Very happy to have put this day behind me.
I'm really hoping for better weather tomorrow. At least not constantly raining.
Aaron
Did you hear the one about the four cyclists......
Today was day 6 and going to bed last night we knew it was going to be a tough tough day. We have already covered 650kms and today was another 150+km day with a lot of climbing.
We woke up to a blustery and wet day...We headed off at 7.15am and were in the middle of heavy rain by 7.20..the rain would not stop for the rest of the day.
Apart from the distance the weather made it so much harder. By lunch Paul had changed his clothes twice and Aaron once. Luckily I had got the clothing department right and had kept the worst out for the whole day. The problem was when we stopped, it was so cold that we had to get going again to keep warm but needed the rest in the legs, catch 22.
We got onto the 'tourist drive' just after Maruya which added to the kms we need to complete and we were told it was flatter so after what we had been through it looked promising. After about 5-10kms of flat stuff the hills started...again. It wa a relentless, everytime we desended there was another climb waiting and this went on for about 15-20kms. At the end we were all getting a bit fed up as the day had been so long. We arrived nearly 2 hours later than other days so with all the kit to be sorted, get dinner and so on it has been a frantic evening.
Tomorrow is another big day and then the day after is our finsl run into Wollongong which is going to be good as it is just 70kms or so.
Bed time...... knackered.
Cheers
Carl
We woke up to a blustery and wet day...We headed off at 7.15am and were in the middle of heavy rain by 7.20..the rain would not stop for the rest of the day.
Apart from the distance the weather made it so much harder. By lunch Paul had changed his clothes twice and Aaron once. Luckily I had got the clothing department right and had kept the worst out for the whole day. The problem was when we stopped, it was so cold that we had to get going again to keep warm but needed the rest in the legs, catch 22.
We got onto the 'tourist drive' just after Maruya which added to the kms we need to complete and we were told it was flatter so after what we had been through it looked promising. After about 5-10kms of flat stuff the hills started...again. It wa a relentless, everytime we desended there was another climb waiting and this went on for about 15-20kms. At the end we were all getting a bit fed up as the day had been so long. We arrived nearly 2 hours later than other days so with all the kit to be sorted, get dinner and so on it has been a frantic evening.
Tomorrow is another big day and then the day after is our finsl run into Wollongong which is going to be good as it is just 70kms or so.
Bed time...... knackered.
Cheers
Carl
Day 6 - a day of two halves
Thiis is the second go at this post as blogger ate the first one so i'll be briefer this time...
Today was very very wet. I started out under dressed and by the first stop was wet and freezng and miserable. By lunch i had perked up and did a near complete clothes change to end up in dry warm stuff. The rest of the day was much better after that and i finished the day feeling really strong.
We're just $400 from hitting $10000 of our $20000 target.
Stats for the day: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/124173728
Paul
Today was very very wet. I started out under dressed and by the first stop was wet and freezng and miserable. By lunch i had perked up and did a near complete clothes change to end up in dry warm stuff. The rest of the day was much better after that and i finished the day feeling really strong.
We're just $400 from hitting $10000 of our $20000 target.
Stats for the day: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/124173728
Paul
Monday, 24 October 2011
644kms and 27 hours of riding
Today was the hardest day so far, towards the end the climbs were hurting....I felt good all day but 2,000mts of vertical climbing is not going to be easy.
We are now in Tathra NSW and tomorrow we head towards Batemans Bay. Another 150km ride with about 1500mts of vertical elevation.
Everyone is in good spirits but tired. Also well done to Paul who took the lead for most of the day and was a champ in the hills, great for someone who doesnt like climbing.
Cheers
Carl
Day 5 - much better
I woke up determined to be cheerful today. We left Cann River just after 6am and it was tough to turn the legs over, I was struggling to do 20kmh on the flats and before long we were going up our first sharp incline. But we have a plan now, we do 2 hours first thing before our first break, so I know where the first rest will be and can look forward to that. Next was lunch at Eden, and dealing with a cloud of flying ants before and afterwards. I was glad of my sunnies, not for the sun protection (it was overcast all day) but to keep the bugs out of my eyes.
Eden was at 110km so we split the remaining 50k in half, with the second half starting in Merimbula with the climb up 'Magic Mountain'.
Not long after we arrived in Tathree the wind and rain came. We've been so lucky with the weather so far, there were two wet days early on but other than that it's been dry and the winds have been behind us and quite light.melts hope this continues for the last three days.
Stats are here. 2k of climbing today. http://connect.garmin.com/activity/123947705
Paul
Day 4 not much fun
A late blog entry as I was too grumpy to post yesterday. I did not enjoy the 75km from Orbost to Cann River. Well that's not quite true - I enjoyed the bits I didn't have to pedal, e.g. downhill. Unfortunately there were way too many uphills for my liking. Just glad to be done with that one.
Stats here: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/123584165
Paul
Day 5 Cann river to Tathra
This was the toughest day on paper. It proved to be even tougher riding it. There where hills from 5 to 160km. Some climbs so steep that I had no choice but to get out of the saddle to make it. The good thing is climbs and height make for great scenery. The not so good was they hurt the legs. As the climbs where that tough today the now custom if your happy song only include a 'nod your head'.
The donations have been great and make it worthwhile putting in long hard days like this for.
Also passed the half way mark and back in NSW. Yet another milestone.
3 days of riding to go.
The donations have been great and make it worthwhile putting in long hard days like this for.
Also passed the half way mark and back in NSW. Yet another milestone.
3 days of riding to go.
Sunday, 23 October 2011
4 of 8 days.
Day 4 now ticked off. This was meant to be a bit of a recovery day before we realized the climbs are quite big. The day was made up of basically 3 big climbs the biggest being the last. It hurt. What was good was after the climbs coming down and not needing brakes.
The scenery was great again today national parks with scattered green fields in between. The height made for great views.
Still have 3 big days of 150kms infront so the challenge still seems big.
Aaron
The scenery was great again today national parks with scattered green fields in between. The height made for great views.
Still have 3 big days of 150kms infront so the challenge still seems big.
Aaron
4 days and 483kms done
Today was a short 73km hop from Orbost to Cann River.
The day started with a nice bacon and eggs at a local cafe, washed down with a superb coffee. I dont know what it is, either the country folk make amazing coffee or the taste buds are on high alert with all the kms we have done..
The weather was spectacular today which made a change for all the rain and wind we have had so far, temps in the high 20's, sunny and very little breeze. We started a bit later today due to the short kms to be covered, 9:45am and we were off.
The rolling hills and the green fields made the start of the day really enjoyable but then after about 10kms the first of the climbs started. We were all prepared for them after looking at the days profile the night before, but it didnt end up being too bad at the beginning. The legs have felt strong the last two days even though they are tired. It makes the climbing so much easier.
There were two more big (long) climbs left in the day and the last one was the longest at about 4.5kms and rising about 180-200 meters but the looong desent into Cann River was great fun. About 5kms of fast free wheeling.
All of the team have done a great effort, Erika has a suspected broken toe (she can explain that one:)) but still powered on, Paul has developed a sore knee, and Aaron has been getting over a chest infection.
I also want to send a big thanks to the support crew, my Dad, Josh and Minnie. They have been great and always around incase we need something. It has been great looking at the days photos that Dad has been taking, they really tell a story. I will put some up from today after dinner.
OK, I am hungry and thirsty so those who know me will know where I am about to go:)
Tomorrow is another big day over 150kms, with hills...
Cheers
Carl
The day started with a nice bacon and eggs at a local cafe, washed down with a superb coffee. I dont know what it is, either the country folk make amazing coffee or the taste buds are on high alert with all the kms we have done..
The weather was spectacular today which made a change for all the rain and wind we have had so far, temps in the high 20's, sunny and very little breeze. We started a bit later today due to the short kms to be covered, 9:45am and we were off.
The rolling hills and the green fields made the start of the day really enjoyable but then after about 10kms the first of the climbs started. We were all prepared for them after looking at the days profile the night before, but it didnt end up being too bad at the beginning. The legs have felt strong the last two days even though they are tired. It makes the climbing so much easier.
There were two more big (long) climbs left in the day and the last one was the longest at about 4.5kms and rising about 180-200 meters but the looong desent into Cann River was great fun. About 5kms of fast free wheeling.
All of the team have done a great effort, Erika has a suspected broken toe (she can explain that one:)) but still powered on, Paul has developed a sore knee, and Aaron has been getting over a chest infection.
I also want to send a big thanks to the support crew, my Dad, Josh and Minnie. They have been great and always around incase we need something. It has been great looking at the days photos that Dad has been taking, they really tell a story. I will put some up from today after dinner.
OK, I am hungry and thirsty so those who know me will know where I am about to go:)
Tomorrow is another big day over 150kms, with hills...
Cheers
Carl
Saturday, 22 October 2011
The trip starts here....
At the end of yesterdays ride we knew today would be the start of the hardest days of the trip.
We kicked off at about 6:15am and it was cold and damp, after about 15kms the rain started which made it colder, we stopped after 47kms and then again after 101kms at Lakes Entrance which was well needed.
It was hard getting going again as the legs had cooled down but I after a few kms I had warmed up and attacked the first climb with a bit of anger and it seemed to work...The legs felt like they were back to where they were a few weeks ago.
The final 20kms into Orbost was really fun and great scenery, great place for riding.
I was even happier after finishing as we covered 162kms which also meant I completed my first imperial ton ie over 100 MILES.
I would like to make a special thank you to Carol at the Triple F cafe in Sale who gave us 5 coffees and 3 sandwhiches free of charge as a way to help us with what we are doing, thanks again.
Tomorrow is another big day, so time for rest.
Cheers
Carl
We kicked off at about 6:15am and it was cold and damp, after about 15kms the rain started which made it colder, we stopped after 47kms and then again after 101kms at Lakes Entrance which was well needed.
It was hard getting going again as the legs had cooled down but I after a few kms I had warmed up and attacked the first climb with a bit of anger and it seemed to work...The legs felt like they were back to where they were a few weeks ago.
The final 20kms into Orbost was really fun and great scenery, great place for riding.
I was even happier after finishing as we covered 162kms which also meant I completed my first imperial ton ie over 100 MILES.
I would like to make a special thank you to Carol at the Triple F cafe in Sale who gave us 5 coffees and 3 sandwhiches free of charge as a way to help us with what we are doing, thanks again.
Tomorrow is another big day, so time for rest.
Cheers
Carl
Aarons day 3
Didn't post yesterday as I really was feeling terrible after the ride. I had 3 flats and then coughed up a lung or two after dinner. I was focused on getting ready for today and rest.
Today was still tough to start out. Wet in the morning yet the rain ceased in the afternoon. With the sky's being grey and dark each day the scenery wasn't as inspiring. I have found new way of making the ride more exciting over the long distance by mooing at cows. Interesting enough they seem to respond and definitely watch us go pass unlike when you pass them in a car. Guess not to many cyclists pass these parts regularly. Ive also stared singing one of my daughters favorites "if you happy and you know it". I have vowed to add a new line each day. Let's see if the others just push me off my bike than let me sing.
It was a long ride and I'm happy making the distance still grouped with the others.
Also happy to say feeling much better after the big effort today. With sore legs tomorrow will be yet another challenge.
Onto day 4.
Aaron
Today was still tough to start out. Wet in the morning yet the rain ceased in the afternoon. With the sky's being grey and dark each day the scenery wasn't as inspiring. I have found new way of making the ride more exciting over the long distance by mooing at cows. Interesting enough they seem to respond and definitely watch us go pass unlike when you pass them in a car. Guess not to many cyclists pass these parts regularly. Ive also stared singing one of my daughters favorites "if you happy and you know it". I have vowed to add a new line each day. Let's see if the others just push me off my bike than let me sing.
It was a long ride and I'm happy making the distance still grouped with the others.
Also happy to say feeling much better after the big effort today. With sore legs tomorrow will be yet another challenge.
Onto day 4.
Aaron
Day 3 - the longest day
Today was scheduled to be our longest day - 162km. We agreed the night before to keep the speed to 25/26 km/h as this would be the furthest that many of us have ridden. This was quite difficult to stick to - we were bowling along at over 30km/h yesterday with the average ending up above 28 - high for us. But today would be 40k more than yesterday so we needed to pace ourselves.
There wasn't much in the way of towns on the route so our first stop was in the middle of nowhere after 47km - Carl's dad found a bus shelter (it had been raining) and brought coffee which was awesome. I also changed into dry socks and put on my shoe covers which helped my mood hugely. We stopped for a photo at the Lakes Entrance sign and I felt a pain in my knee as we pushed off to go into the town for lunch. Two bread rolls, a coffee and a load of full-fat coke later, (sugar... caffeine... rocket fuel) we were off again. We split the remainder of the day into two 30k sections and for the first one I felt awesome, still strong and in a good mood. After the push off for the second 30k I felt some knee pain again and it didn't go away for the rest of the ride. We have a shorter day tomorrow and a later start so hopefully the extra time will help.
Anyway, stats are here: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/123346328.
Reading this back I realize it's a very self-centred view so hopefully the other teams members will post their points of view too.
Paul
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