Jake Thomas, Martin "Morton Porker" Parker and Phil "Bobby Fishlock junior" Stewart at the Family Hotel bar in Carrathool.Leave 9am arrive 12.50pm
A short 60km stage today. A coffee late run and arrive in Carrathool just before 1pm after a leisurely run for most. The exception is Inverell teacher Nick McLoughlin who drops back to help a struggling Geoff Newling try and stay in touch with the group. After a painful 6km ride Newlo retires to Brian Birchall's bus leaving Nick to make up a 2.5km deficit to the rest.
He carves 1km off that distance before, firstly, Shane Paul and then Mal Nash and Andy Bayliss drop back to help him catch the group.
They do it impressively relinking with the group about 12kms from Carrathool.
"I thought it might take me an hour to catch them," Nick said later.
"Then when Shane, Mal and Andy joined me we were doing about 25km/h."
He was quite happy to see the Carrathool sign.
Andy Bayliss said the "Hay Train" of the day before had developed into the "wide load" with the riders able to form a large group spread across the quiet Murrumbidgee River Road.
The small town has a sign-posted population of 99 but "that's cats and dogs", said Andy Bayliss.
One local told us it was more like 23.
Some are staying at the Family Hotel and the rest are roughing it at the local hall.
Anna Bay miner Jack Gillard said it "was good to be finished."
"Good to be home," he said.
"Carrathool is home for the night. Any shelter in any storm."
Tamworth's Keith Lockhart, the chief cook and bottlewasher, is enjoying another charity ride in the support crew.
"It's all going well," the retiree said.
"Everyone's been cooperating and helping out."
He is rising some two hours before the riders depart each morning to prepare breakfast.
"We go and have a capuccino after they all leave and then go out the road and prepare lunch," he said.A short 60km stage today. A coffee late run and arrive in Carrathool just before 1pm after a leisurely run for most. The exception is Inverell teacher Nick McLoughlin who drops back to help a struggling Geoff Newling try and stay in touch with the group. After a painful 6km ride Newlo retires to Brian Birchall's bus leaving Nick to make up a 2.5km deficit to the rest.
He carves 1km off that distance before, firstly, Shane Paul and then Mal Nash and Andy Bayliss drop back to help him catch the group.
They do it impressively relinking with the group about 12kms from Carrathool.
"I thought it might take me an hour to catch them," Nick said later.
"Then when Shane, Mal and Andy joined me we were doing about 25km/h."
He was quite happy to see the Carrathool sign.
Andy Bayliss said the "Hay Train" of the day before had developed into the "wide load" with the riders able to form a large group spread across the quiet Murrumbidgee River Road.
The small town has a sign-posted population of 99 but "that's cats and dogs", said Andy Bayliss.
One local told us it was more like 23.
Some are staying at the Family Hotel and the rest are roughing it at the local hall.
Anna Bay miner Jack Gillard said it "was good to be finished."
"Good to be home," he said.
"Carrathool is home for the night. Any shelter in any storm."
Tamworth's Keith Lockhart, the chief cook and bottlewasher, is enjoying another charity ride in the support crew.
"It's all going well," the retiree said.
"Everyone's been cooperating and helping out."
He is rising some two hours before the riders depart each morning to prepare breakfast.
Port Fairy massage therapist John Mercer continues to enjoy the 2010 Mountain Bike Challenge.
He also passed on best wishes to his children, Brandon and Amber Evans, who are following the ride on the blog.
Also Annette and Peter Watson pass on their best wishes to one of their grandchildren, Sam, who was ill late last week and taking a day off school.
Deadrock says
ReplyDeleteKeep going team. You're doing a great job and bloody jealous of the lot of you and wish I was riding with you... Regards Deadrock and family.