SA RMHC Ride for Sick Kids Day 6 (Port Wakefield to Mawson Lakes)

Friday 20th November 2015 Port Wakefield to Mawson Lakes (A hard day made brutal by the unhappy Wind Gods!)

And the tour continues............................Heat Heat go away, and it did and the wind blew even harder!

Distance - 171 kms (this was the scenic route)

Time in saddle - 7hrs 00 minutes 01 seconds   

Average Speed - 24.4 kmh (This was the slowest day on tour with the wind being either strong headwinds or crosswinds whichever direction we were heading) Max Speed under brakes was 51.1 kmh, with turbo Sump Power in full effect!

Elevation gained was not so nice, with  1357 m gained with an 11% section that almost blew Mr Lucas up with his average heart rate at 134 bpm, this little ascent int the middle of an 8k climb had him almost tapped out at 169bpm! Almost time for Paramedic Pete to be called into action?! 4yrs on and I still don't like hills Mr 3 Peaks Jiz!

Calories used : 3342, and we are not discussing the total calories consumed this week!

The majestic Port Wakefield cabin park was quiet for the night, almost, as a stirring on the grassy knoll, turned out to be the Tim Tam man Mohanbala, as he had managed to lock himself out of the ablution block by forgetting the combination to his offsite ensuite. So instead was doing some garden nurturing by spraying some uric acid around in front of his cabin.  Was only detected when upon smiling at a passing possum.

We had a home cooked breakfast put on by the lovely Family at the Port Wakefield Hotel, and a quick briefing and we were ready to roll for our second to last day and our last school visit before needing to arrive at the Mawson Lakes hotel for a final night celebration dinner.

We were joined by little miss Coca Cola Lauren Murphy for the last two legs of the tour and were quickly making our way to the Balaclava Primary school just 25kms away.  Welcome aboard Lauren, we hope you enjoy your time and rolling into the house on Saturday.

For one of very few times this tour, we had a brisk wind at our backs and happily tapped our way along at 33 kmh.  Ahhh the fresh morning air, and the more than occasional waft of road kill, had made for a more than pleasant start for most to warm the legs up for what was to be another torrid battle with the wind gods, who had obviously not forgotten the little indiscretion young Stifler had had at our last town.

The Balaclava primary school had done an amazing effort in fundraising, that had seen 127 students ride stationary bikes over 1300 km's in total over the previous week doing 5 km stints.  What a great idea and one that looked liked they had all had plenty of fun achieving.

Thank you for your support and welcoming us shabby looking  group  into your school and helping to support the RMHC Adelaide.

Some quick media by those of the bunch that didn't look or smell like they had been living on the streets for the past 12 months, and we were back on some roads that had put previous peleton members in the hurt locker before.

From Balaclava we were making our way to Lyndoch for lunch which would be at the 121 km mark and only 19 km's from the beginning of Dead Mans Pass (the 8 km climb out of Gawler).

Once again an outstanding job by the front six as they ploughed their way through the appalling weather, not unlike Homer Simpson on his Snow plough, to ensure that their domestique duties were performed for those protected species in the following pack.  Something which I have been unduly awarded the Muppet award for.  (When there is people like the Specimen on tour, there is no need for anyone to do any additional work!)

The trumpet bum baton had been passed from Horsey Hodge over to Birkdale as he had described his flatulence issue as merely making some bum Butter!! Was not pleasant for anyone that was within a 15 km radius, as the small eruption continued like Mt Ruang.

An opportunity never to messed by the Bike society crew for a sale, had managed to nudge over Whippets bike only to damage her helmet enough that she would have to buy another.  Not surprisingly they had just the correct size of helmet in the van for such an occasion should it somehow arise?

Deal closed, and they would now be honing in on Laurens bike to ensure she would be saddled on a specialized for next years tour.

Lunch was being devoured in the Beautiful Barossa valley, in Lyndoch, as Matty Tozer found an opportunity to squeeze in one more massage for his Glutius maximus.  

We rolled on for the fun part of the day as we got smashed by crosswinds and Deads Man Pass awaited, shortly after Nugget had called his first toilet break of his own for the entire tour.  

As the pedal dancers among us took off for the KOM, there could be only winner as without the Egg & Spoon race, Lucky lewis would have been odds on, not for his ability and prowess on the bike, but purely because he has won everything on tour thus far, including the $10k Tarmac that was in the raffle for the final night.  I have a tote running for the punter repair challenge in the morning with Nugget and Stifler the firm favourites, unfortunately Uncle Lewis will be a late scratching or at 0 odds as if he enters he will win by default, purely from just being there, such is his luck.

As the red of the very nimble peleton riders disappeared around the corner and off into the nirvana of the summit, Mohanbala, Mr Lucas were comforted by the kind and encouraging words of Nugget, and the childhood memories of boy Stifler as he reminisced his old stomping grounds.  We painfully ascended the climb, and rejoined the now very relaxed riders at the top for a run down on the descent and roll into Mawson Lakes.

This was negotiated without incident as apparently you can only get high sided by a Tarmac, firstly if it is not yours and secondly if you are riding it indoors, down a ramp?  Is this correct Mr Birkdale?

With the gracious support of some passing motorists we made our way through the busy streets, where again some people were obviously still in a hurry not to miss their favourite soapie, all of which were predominantly males aged between 30-40, and were happily giving us encouraging words for the previous 1000 km's completed and the $200k raised for RMHC, along with the Mr Bean wave.  Thank you to all the motorists that were indeed courteous and polite, and to those that weren't so, well theres not a lot to say to you. I hope you sleep well in the knowledge that yelling abuse out your car window clearly makes you the better person!

As we arrived into Mawson Lakes we were greeted by some welcoming families and a just in time for a quick clean up and over the road for celebration night that Katherine had been feverishly working on.  

Katherine Bates or ride ambassador (MC) and Stuart O'Grady joined us for dinner and the festivities as the Peleton had its last dinner together as a group, and with 140 guests had a great night.

Although Stuart won't be riding my wheel tomorrow as he quickly realised that I would always be behind him!

To ensure that we could see Mohanbala riding into the house, he was awarded the final Maillot Jaune for outstanding contribution now for two successive rides and always ensuring that the peleton was entertained or infact motivated by his threat of the black snake sitting behind you.  This image had ensured that Trudi the riddler had at least forgotten about the pain of 30kms for the day as the black snake chirped away behind her.  Well down Mohanbala my Pirie roomy, its been a pleasure having you on tour again and looking forward to your return for three in a row next year from wherever we start?

The ended with all prizes and raffles being won by only one person........Lucky Lewis, and as he took his bounty home, the rest of the crew relected on great tour and the fact that we had just ridden from Port Lincoln on push bikes and were now in the presence of family and friends and work colleagues in Mawson Lakes just a few kilometres from our destination, the Ronnie Mac House and returning to our families from what has been a truly awesome adventure.

I will sign off tomorrow night after i have a sleep at the AC/DC concert and attempt to complete the blog for the first time in 4 years.  

For now its time for bed, and we look forward to making it safely back to the house tomorrow.

Mr Lucas

SA RMHC Ride for Sick Kids Day 5 Port Pirie to Port Wakefield (With a shortcut)

Thursday 19th November 2015 Port Pirie to Port Wakefield via every headwind possible!!

And the tour continues............................Heat Heat go away, and it did and along came the wind!!

Distance - 131.9 kms (but the wind and heat made it feel like 172 at least?)

Time in saddle - 4hrs 59 minutes 48 seconds   

Average Speed - 26.4 kmh (Slow going with the day meant to be a relaxed roll?) Max Speed coming down into the very beautiful town of Port Wakefield was 49.7 km.

Elevation gained was a very nice 461 m, the kind of day Mr Lucas would normally appreciate.

Average Temp N/A (not interested in this stat anymore, but it is fair to say that this has been the hottest and most brutal R4sk's on record! As spoken by the man himself, the Hostess with the mostest, King Nugget!

Port Pirie to Port Wakefield was to be a relaxed recovery ride, was what most of us had heard at the team briefing the night before.

A little sleep in at the Port Pirie Motor Inn, as Mohanbala bartered with the current Governor General of SA, Hieu Van Le, for the use of his public vehicle, to which security quickly removed the regal flag from the front of the vehicle for fear of it being stolen by the man sized TimTam.

For the first time in its history, the peleton was going back for a second visit to a school.  The St Marks College Primary campus, who had been busy having a wear something red day in honour of the peleton and as a fundraiser, and had been busy colouring Ronald on a bike for the chance to win a McDonald's prize pack and a bike from our very special friends at bike society.

A massive guard of honour as the peleton rode off down the street for an easy day.................

The wind gods were clearly either not listening or were indeed listening and realised that we had the once wanted young man Stifler amongst our peleton as we made our way back to the scene of the crime in Port Wakefield.

Whatever it was they were only kind to us as we rolled 35k's out of Port Pirie and then it began.

The front six of Wayno, Whippet, Barday, Diesel, Specimen, and Legs Lewis, were making there way along the Port Broughton road blissfully unaware that the day was about to turn as ugly as the previous two days.

We had made good time, and as we were still lamenting the bright star that was radiating its oven like temperatures upon us for a third consecutive day, the signs of a cool change were looking ominous.

Although the cool change and wind direction was to be appreciated, not least of all for the rider sitting behind trumpet bum Horsey Hodge, it was to bring another challenging day for the entire Peleton, with either a strong gusting head wind or worse still a cross wind that was soon seeing many riders back in the dark place they had been previously on tour.  (The light permeating through was the knowledge that we had reduced the day by 20 k's and took the most direct route to our destination for the first time ever on tour!)

Chug Chug Chug went the little diesel engine on the front of the pack as he punched through to the very appreciated early lunch that had been moved by the very insightful Stifler.  He had foreseen that the initial arrival at Port Broughton would not have seen us have the ample shade cover, if we had just used it for a morning break.  Who would have known, I thought Stifler was only capable of selling expensive stuff to unsuspecting people that don't know any better, consuming copious amounts of any alcoholic beverage and smashing out k's on a bike like taking candy from a kid! Welcome back Mr Cotter! 

At the early lunch break in the very picturesque coastal town of Port Broughton we had a few team photos and a message from Rhino, who was lying in a Hospital bed in Port Augusta (enjoying the effects of a little morphine), wishing he could be back out in the inhospitable conditions with the rest of the peleton.  Hope you are better soon Rhino, and we will hopefully catch up with you next year, all going well?

A short little 33k stretch from Port Broughton to Bute, and the hush that fell over the rolling peleton was deafening, as the endurance test continued, with some rolling little hills, (or as I like to refer to them as the Broughton Alps), and a little pain was dished out to some fast fatiguing legs.

Bade to his credit pulled the peleton back to ensure we could get as many of us as possible to todays finish line as the heat and some stomach bugs were taking their toll.  Hoping that both Trudi and Petrina are feeling better now?

At Bute the Muppet award was stolen from a small faux pax by mr Lucas at the school presentation, clearly identifying one of 250 kids wearing red to answer a question, by the overheating Wayno as he dutifully bathed articles of clothing and most probably appendages of his body in the lovely iced cold water sitting in the bottom of the drinks esky.  This would have been fine, only he wasn't solo camping in the Australian wilderness and had not informed any of his fellow riders before they began filling their bidons with the now not so refreshingly ice cold water for the next leg.

If anyone was to succumb to feeing unwell now, we could put it down to the residual taste of Sweaty Wayno in their bidons, or the fact that we were to endure even stronger winds for the remainder of the  48kms to port Wakefield.

Kulpara awaited and along the way the normally nocturnal and quiet uneffusive creature, the Linda, made an impromptu display to the peleton swinging in an unwieldily provocative display, on its home away from home the street sign post.

Fortunately for the safety of the peleton, the display was G rated and no harm was done physically to the peleton, however the imprinted image burnt onto ones retinas and frontal Lobes was enough damage!

From Kulpara to Port Wakefield was never going to be a pleasant ride with Harvesting trucks a plenty and the odd motorist not being entirely happy being held up by the lycra clad brigade as they desperately had to make their way home to ensure they didn't miss a minute of Home & Away.

Big Demo, and Wayno sat on the outside of Horsy Hodge and Mr Lucas giving some protection from the wind generated naturally, but little from the raucous rumble emanating from the cheeks of Elbows, this time in fact raising himself from the saddle, ensuring that the full impact was not lost on the prevailing rider.

Legs Lewis and Barday bunkered down and road us safely into our fifth stop of the tour in Port Wakefield, which had surprisingly not been blown away, so strong had the wind been.

A safe navigation through the notorious Port Wakefield Highway junction was superbly executed by all, only to be upstaged by a last ditch attempt to steal away the Muppet by the Sturmy the lead car driver, who had managed to stay awake during our break neck speed day, taking a small detour through the local BP for what appeared to be a much needed emergency fuel stop?  Realising that his V8 re fuelling race team had deserted him, a rapid pit lane departure exuding the speed limit back onto the highway just in front of the Peleton.  A days work in the car had been done by Sturmy, who had also gesticulated to a less than happy motorist, as Sturmy had forgotten intact that he was in a charity stickered Kluger and not his own!

The good Sturmy soon redeemed himself as Mr Lucas's driver for small amenities and a quick tour around the bustling town that is Port Wakefield.

Upon this enlighting tour we were introduced to an individual that we thought had swallowed team bursar Kristen, and a gentleman that had kicked an old man off his gopher and proceeded to do doughnuts in the gopher in the street!

The Port Wakefield caravan park was home for the night and with not many taking up the opportunity to swim in the pool, we relaxed and took over the park as all good folk do.  Mohanbala demanding money off anyone who could understand him, the two Wayno's perched on someone else's balcony as they waited for their heated room to be turned to a summer unit, and Sturmy freelancing as a Hired Car driver for anyone that was important!

We then progressed down to the local, the Port Wakefield Pub, not to be confused with the Rising Sun Hotel, as we were warmly greeted by the family run business ready for Christmas to give us a great feed ready for the tumultuous day ahead.

Maillot Juane was awarded to the cavernous stomach of the specimen as he devoured three quarters of a cow in one sitting and had the remaining quarter put in a doggy bag for later as there was not establishment within walking distance that could supply the ravenous hunger for 5 Filet o Fish at midnight for him.  the Maillot Jaune was awarded for having the best calves on tour and helping Darren prepare for his ride on the first leg as well as raising a huge amount of money for the charity.

The 100 metre walk from the pub to room 1 was only interrupted by the good driver Sturmy to take me safely home. Thanks Sturmy.

Im sure theres more, but a good day in all and we have an early start to roll out to the Balaclava primary school, who have been busy raising funds by attempting to ride as many kilometres as possible in a week on a stationary bike.  Well done guys and girls and we look forward to seeing you in the morning.

Time for a snooze now with my new besty, who somehow has managed to finish the day a few dollars ahead of the Wayno on the fundraising leaderboard.

Goodnight to all.

SA RMHC Ride for Sick Kids Day 4 (Port Augusta to Pirie The long way round)

Wednesday 18th November 2015 Port Augusta to Port Pirie via Quorn, Wilmington, Melrose, Booleroo Centre, Laura and the to Port Pirie.

Even Ewan MgGregor and Charley Boorman would have found today difficult.

And the tour continues............................further into the epicentre of the sun (or so it felt!)

Distance - 209.7 kms Some extra k's have been added for those that believe life revolves around Strava! and as we all know Strava never lies!?

Time in saddle - 7hrs 31 minutes 52 seconds precisely  

Average Speed - 27.9 kmh (with the venge reaching a max of 64.4 kmh with sump power showing that it is only an advantage downhill.)

A very bumpy and lumpy stage with my total climbing metres now completed for the year with  1125 metres gained. Thanks to Sam, Trudi, Mohanbala, Petrina and Stifler for setting a pace through to quern that didn't blow us up for the remainder of the day.

Average Temp was riduclous with the mercury making life on and off a bike hardly bareable. 

It was one of the Hottest days we have ever had on tour, comparable only to the day on the 2nd year as we headed to Victor Harbour.

So Hot was the forecast that the peleton had gathered at 5.10am at the Port Augusta McDonald's for breakfast, with a big thank you to Jeff and the team there that did a great job putting on the spread and had us rolling off for the first challenge of the day at 6.00am.

Knowing it was to be a long day in the saddle, there was some anxiety as we had to climb through to the picturesque town of Quorn via the Quorn pass.

The peleton had been split into 3 groups with the handicap being given to the A graders, Sam, Trudi, Petrina, Mohan, Stifler and Mr Lucas as we headed off last.

As we watched the other two groups disappear over the rolling hills in the distance and the cool morning breeze off the rolling hills of the Southern Flinders Ranges and prepared ourselves for the task ahead, which was going to be a challenge in the least.

The first two groups worked well together we heard, as the the third chasing group was continually encouraging even when Sam and Trudi had a tangle and unfortunately Trudi gently fell to the floor.

Brushing herself off like the trooper she is and being gracious enough to allow a quick breather for our team.

We rolled into Quorn after Stifler punched out the group on the way down to allow the venge to be pedalled.  2 minutes to refill bottles and we were back on the bikes as the first two teams had obviously been idle for a couple of hours or so prior to our arrival?

Wilmingnton was to be the next stop a further 35 k's down the road as Elbows was encouraged to put the peleton on the rivet by joining the specimen at the front of the peleton as the speed steadily rose along with buzzing heart rate monitors to a steady 38kmh.  Elbows has been training with diesel and now was behaving in much the same manner as his friend in crime or was putting a challenge out to the specimen?
Unfortunately for the Whippet, whilst on the front of the peleton and enjoying the fresh aroma of the countryside as the rest of us were, Horse Hodge had obviously had too much chaff for morning feed and consequently after rolling the front six and now taking his position in front of the whippet and Rhino, and feeling relaxed,  enveloped his following riders as if they was following a cattle cart! 

The support crew had put on morning tea at Wilmington along with ice cold towels as the temperature and sun were know beginning to bite, and it was still in the morning.  This was to be long day and mot a lot of fun in the peleton or the support crew vehicles as the temperature was to test all of us.  Mohanbala was quoting "this is a test of ones character" and so it was.

As we made our way closer to Port Pirie for the first time before heading away again, we were on the way to Melrose for a quick drink stop, when the ever aware Nugget during his line inspection of the troops, noticed not all was well with our Rhino.  Very quickly Stacey and then Wayne were called into action and Ryan was soon being taken care of.

We wish Ryan a speedy recovery, and the peleton misses you already.

We had a NNW blowing and for periods of the day had been mostly kind until now.............would have been nice to head to Murraytown, down the gorge and back to Pirie for a swim and a beer by midday, instead we had chosen to turn firstly into a crosswind and then head directly back into a heavy headwind from the North as we made our way to Booleroo centre.

At least there was a little bit of comic relief as we reminisced about our once chubby Jiz from New Zealand with a few happy snaps of some of his family by the town rotunda.  (these were a few statues of Rams and ewes Jiz! hope you liked the photos as we were thinking of you?)

A quick scan over the profile gave some relief as we had most of the climbing completed and were to have an easy roll back to Laura for lunch?!  This was not to be as half of the peleton after Nugget had finished playing chess with them were being belted by a hot crosswind that was putting all under the pump.  Well done to all of the peleton, but especially those that all willingly took their place to protect those in the peleton that were having more than ordinary day on the bike.

If all days were like this on a bike, I'm not sure Stifler and Birkdale would be eating maccas at 1 in the morning with the 5 filet munching monster Dave the Specimen Allen, or serving the specimen, as no one would want a bike!

After being battered and bruised more than i had been the night before by the two Waynes, the peleton ambled into Laura "The home of golden north ice cream", and a very generous cafe owner, for another lunch put on by the support crew.  A stroke of genius by Jan Paxton, as she had expertly cut up the uneaten steak from the previous nights BBQ and steak wraps were the order of the day, along with some cold sausages to keep the salt intake up!  Nice work support crew.

Now we only had to make it back up to the tanks, onto the highway into what was now a block headwind and tick off 200 k's and roll into Maccas to greet Marc and the team for some refreshing McFlurries and cold drinks. Calories spent for the day 4358, so anything was allowed to be eaten.

Although giving free McFlurry's to my paying customers is generally considered a no no!!

Finally to the top of the tanks after tapping out on the hill and 22 k's of a 210 km day was to over.

The day had one final thing to through at us as Wayne after a herculian effort yesterday in trying conditions and then again today and now the holder and wearer of the Maillot Jaune and well deserved, had decided that Stacey hadn't done enough work for the day and started to succumb to some serious cramping.  He is also all square with Stifler on some man betting they have on, much to the delight of Stifler? Wayne is fully recovered and well also.

Muppet award goes to the Whippet for marginally crossing the white line on three occasions, in an attempt to check on those behind her.

Stacey's job done and we rolled down to Maccas to give more free product away to a hugely deserving group of people that have given more than just time and effort for the charity, but over the last two days, actual blood sweat and tears.  Well done to all of you and the Committee is forever grateful for all the work you have done and the time spent away from your families in doing so.

Into the John Pirie Motor inn for the night and down to Francis & Connie Lam's Chinese restaurant for a great dinner that even filled the Filet monster up!

A game of true and false that fooled everyone to believing that Linda was in fact learning to Pole dance and Cotter gave discounts on his bikes!

Early night after a very long day and with any luck a shorter day will also give us a prevailing tailwind, to allow some chat to come over the peleton again after most had gone into their cycling dark hole for most of the day.

Off to the St mark's primary school in the morning and then a leisurely cruise to Port Broughton and then onto rest night at Port Wakefield, before we head into the last two days of the tour.

Enjoy the rest to the Peleton and only a few more days until everyone is able to be reunited with their families.

Good night, and we look forward to some more shenanigans from the group on the road tomorrow if things are a little easier?

Mr Lucas

SA RMHC Ride for Sick Kids Day 3

Tuesday 17th November 2015 Whyalla to Port Augusta

And the tour continues............................into the epicentre of the sun (or so it felt!)

Distance - 126.7 kms

Time in saddle - 4hrs 41 minutes 37 seconds approx 

Average Speed - 27 kmh (with the venge reaching a max of 59.4 kmh with sump power, probably across the pave' as we came into Port Augusta.

Another non Lumpy stage with  501 metres gained (Looking forward to tomorrow not!)

Average Temp over 48 degrees on the road  degrees (not sure as my garmin had melted onto the frame of my bike!)

Tomorrows forecast is over 42 degrees ambient temp from Augusta to Pirie, looking for some favourable winds?

Day 3 started with a lovely hot breakfast at the Westlands Hotel, for those of us that don't suffer from illiteracy and managed to walk through the open door into Breakfast.  We missed this for the Muppet award, Kristen, Katherine, Bade and Glenn i think.  Instead it  was awarded for the Specimen not being able to clip in for nearly a kilometre, or was it actually for smashing it out over the Pave' as he attempted to rip the legs off of Barday, he may have succeeded only to destroy the moral of the rest of the peleton as they were having gooches and crabs smashed back in the pack!

This was a blistering hot day and into a Nor Easterly all day the Front six should be commended other than the Pave' incident and Diesel having a sprint finish into Lunch from 3 k's out just to finish us off.

We started with a quick visit to the Maccas in Whyalla for a photo shoot with Kent & Hannah the Operators there and kind suppliers of the morning break and lunch food.  We then headed for our first time ever on the ride to the Whyalla special school in where we were greeted by Ronald McDonald and all the excited children, whom many have stayed at the house.

A few more photos and off to the much awaited Point Lowly for the Team Time Trial.  Team Nugget v Team mark v Team Cotter.  Once again much cheating under investigation with the use of vehicles and EPO on both Team Nugget & Team Cotter, so the moral victory irrespective of the 2 minute time difference was Team Birkdale with the very quiet whippet , Team captain Mark, Matt Bulldozer Tozer, Rhino, first night Roomy Wayno and Mr Lucas the anchor of the team, unfortunately this is a disadvantage in a TT not an advantage!

A Quick visit to the Point Lowly Lighthouse to re enact the team photo from 4 years ago, and ensuring that most riders will require new shoes from the team at Bike Society (Good name for a shop, apparently Maccas was already taken!)

We then returned along the 22km stretch into a cross headwind to complete 60kms and were only 13kms away from our start for the day!

As the mercury continued to rise, anyone who was at the front of the peleton was earning their domestique stripes, as the rest of the peleton bunkered down behind them and with feet burning from the near melting black top were in for a long ride home to the ever enticing Majestic Oasis apartments and the BBQ and pool.

This was the quietest the peleton had been since the start of the tour with the whippet reduced to only speaking when off the bike as agreed upon by the alliance (TBL's) for a $200 donation to her fundraising effort, as riders disappeared into their own deep black holes as they tackled the mentally and physically demands of riding a bike in 40 degree temps and a block headwind.

The only reprieve was stopping at 20km intervals and emptying the now boiled water in our Bidons and to scoff a few lollies that Stacey hasn't managed to through on the ground this year, or if she has, has washed well that no one has noticed?

Other than the punched out 3kms before lunch that blew up a few heart rate monitors, it was just Hot Hot Hot getting there. We stopped at the tanks outside of Port Augusta in some shade that the support crew had found.  As there wasn't a lot of shade, the ever thinking Billy Paxton had left the bus running with the air con on for us to devour our lunches.  On a tough day for all, a round of applause for the support crew today who just kept working the whole day and deserve our praise and thanks as we just sit on the bike.  Thanks again support crew, fantastic work and nice BBQ skills Jamie elbows Hodge, great dinner.

A special thanks to Tozers mum who had baked her special Vanilla slice for us to enjoy around the pool.

As the Key gate scandal continued around the pool between a few, the specimen was banned from removing his shirt in the presence of any other riding member around the vicinity of the pool, for fear of embarrassing himself!

Tim tam Mohanbala had very quickly assimilated with his surroundings by donning on his Ton abbots and then positioning himself in the middle of the carpark, with what appeared to be no intention of venturing near the pool?!

The Maillot Jaune was awarded to the lovely hard working couple of Bill & Jan Paxton from Penola (originally) for an outstanding effort and feeling as though they are veterans and not virgins on this Charity ride.  Well deserved and where the Maillot Jaune with pride.

As Stifler returned from his massage looking like a happy schoolboy, the following day was discussed and an early start at 4.00 am, so its off to relax the weary legs and posterior ready for a long and hot day tomorrow.

Love to all the supporting families from your riders and we will be in Port Pirie hopefully sometime tomorrow?!

Ciao for now.

RMHC SA Ride for Sick kids 2015 Day 2 (Hump day for some)

Monday 16th November 2015 

And the tour continues............................

Distance - 145.9 kms

Time in saddle - 5hrs 22 minutes 07 seconds approx 

Average Speed - 27.2.2 kmh (After a slow start to the day, Diesel smashed it out into a headwind, for the last 40k's to ensure we had an extra 9 minutes for lunch! Really appreciated that Diesel!) Fastest speed recorded from one of S-Works venges as they flew through the finish line in the Individual TT 49kms under brakes)

Lumpy stage with 580 metres gained 

Average Temp 32.7 degrees (Enough to hurt the fatman at the back of the pack!)

Calories used by very average rider 2,570 (Mr Lucas is still the very average rider!)

Day 2 began innocuously enough with an early breakfast at 6.30am at the commercial in Cowell, as the emotional social media content was discussed with past riders D1 & D2, Mav and Manchild Coldbeck!

We rolled out early only to return to Cowell after a quick morning round trip ride of 30 k's before entertaining the kids at he Cowell primary school.

The reason for rolling out early was to blow some of the testosterone out of the legs of some riders in an individual TT.  It would appear that after much cheating & inconclusive doping tests, that the testosterone levels in the Whippet are abnormally high and further investigation will be required, as the young whippet not only finished first in the female category but finished in a time that also beat the fastest legitimate male competitor, the honest Brett Lewis from First National. Lucky Lewis also took out the Maillot Jaune, the raffle and would have one the egg & spoon race if we had that as team alliance found their best form after joining the table of Diesel, Lucas, Elbows and the fancy footed Stacey.  The overall winner was undoubtedly the sound of the Venge ripping up the bitumen as Mr Lucas crossed the line.

After checking Strava, I was pleased to see i had made the podium in my weight range and as the only cyclist from the Pirie Cycling club to have completed the segment, I was proudly standing on top of that dias!! 

Tyler had managed to stay upright during this morning effort and we cruised back to Cowell for our visit to the Primary school.

Another great effort by the school that had done a poster day in the competition for the kindly donated Bike from our good friends at bike society and the RMHC and bike safety talk were given.

As the children had assembled outside we kept the talk brief, and in bardays haste in asking questions and choosing the child to answer, he had unwittingly set himself up for an early Muppet award that would be difficult to budge even for Tyler!

This faux Pax was identifying the child to answer the question by saying "yes, the boy in the hat", The school being sun smart had actually had every single child in a hat and this form of identification was not dissimilar to playing Where's Wally?

Muppet Awarded to Bade Stapleton by bade Stapleton.

Dishonorable mentions for the muppet were to Stifler for riding helmet less, although the red wine from the previous night may have protected him in the event of a fall? Actually the Stifler would never fall from his bike, so no damage done.

Nugget also got an dishonourable mention for a demeanour so insignificant it was not worth mentioning. (Nugget, I have your back.........Dont forget to return the favour please!) Tyler would have undoubtedly taken an unprecedented Hat trick of Muppet awards given he magaed to lose a previous muppet award and rode the day with two different socks!

With only 30 kms under the belt, we pushed on to the Morning Tea break, which was a mere 60kms away.  Somewhere between 2.30pm and 3.30pm I have little recollection of the ride as I had disappeared in the black abyss of the hurt locker as the temperature rose and so to my corresponding heart rate that tapped out at 179bpm, or had somehow started reading Nuggets garmin?

Nugget had commented that he had previously tapped out during the individual TT chasing down the rider that had started 30 seconds in front of him, and whilst he had managed to chase down this rider in 2 kms of the 10 km TT, for some reason had decided to sit on the wheel and as he so eloquently put it "Tapped Out", and couldn't or wouldn't make a pass!

I was awoken from this dark place momentarily by the ringing of the fence wires as some local fauna after being spooked by the passing peleton decided to jump into the fence instead of over it.  I wasn't sure who felt worse, the unfortunate kangaroo, Tyler or the fatman Lucas!

Finally morning tea, and the realisation as a family that was on their way to the house for their sone Jacob, had also stopped at the pit stop to give their best wishes and cheer us on.  Jacob like bananas as he finished mine for me, obviously also aware by my appearance that I had consumed enough food for one man!

Great work by the support crew once again as they run around to tdo their best to make the riders life as comfortable as possible.  Our thanks to Chloe, Stacey, Linda, Glenn, Bill and jan, Kristen, Katherine and lead car supremo Sturmy, great work guys and girls, the peleton really appreciates all the work you do.

The next 40kms were pretty uneventful other than the odd irrelevant fist pump from the Alliance at the front of the pack.  Most of the riders were feeling better than the 1st day and we started making some good time as we approached Whyalla for another School visit, Lunch and the celebration dinner. 

The last 30 kms of the day was as aforementioned with the normally very accommodating Diesel smashing it out on the front.  (appreciate the goodies from the shop though mate, you can be kind off the bike at least?)

We made Lunch in Whyalla as the longest driveway into a town was completed into a headwind and we relaxed on the foreshore with another lunch as provided by the tireless support crew A team.

Up the hill to Ryano's sons school the Samaritan college, who had completed an amazing effort in fundraising by making milkshakes with a beater attached to a bike and had raised an amazing $700 towards our ever increasing total.  They also donated back to the house the bike that was a prize for them as decided by their student council.  Much appreciated Samaritan College students, you should all feel very proud of yourselves.

We now had a lovely ride back with the wind behind us for the last 6 k's back to the Westlands hotel for our nights rest and the function dinner, so it was now fitting for me to take a turn in the front six.

A couple of hours rest before the night celebrations to either relax by the pool or have some amber carbs while watching the cricket.

Whilst the cricket was relaxing it dint allow us to raise anymore funds unlike the poolside.

The Brick with eyes Demo, and the whippet had decided the pool was for them, and fruitful it was, as a passing ute with tradies onboard had stopped (surprisingly) and reversed to hand the whippet $20 towards the ride for a reason was only apparent after the fact as they had watched the Brick with eyes emerging James Bond like from the pool! anything for the charity, nice work Demo.

Thanks to Katherine, Kent and Hannah, for another great celebration night and more funds raised for the charity.

A great feed for those that got up early and some who had seconds before young Sam Harper had had firsts!  Pork with crackling, you can't ask for more than that!!

Tiger Dave with a hairstyle made only by the specialized prevail helmet and sufferance from alopecia and the hot Australian sun, was in the alliance and also fighting for the title of Stuart O'Grady lookalike competition, as all contestants from the alliance are looking like eligible candidates.

So another day done and as we get tucked up into bed for the next day to Port Augusta, team specialised is finishing off the remaining alcohol left on other patrons tables as the basked in the glory of the sweet smell of success in the trivia quiz competition, that only smelt a little bit like team Google! Well done guys, your integrity is still intact!

Ciao for now and we will be back tomorrow.

Day 1 2015 RMHC SA Ride for Sick Kids (Day 22 for some!)

First instalment of year 4 of the RMHC SA Ride for Sick Kids

Saturday 14th Nov 2015

Prologue : A great day and night in Port Lincoln as Tony Baj and the Port Lincoln community got right behind the Ride for another year and the celebration night ended in adding another $30k to the total fundraising before we headed off, which brings the total to date at $187,000 nett to the RMHC in Adelaide.  Great job to all and a great start to what is sure to be another memorable if not fatiguing ride back to Adelaide.

Thank you to Bubba and the Port Lincoln community for a fantastic send off.

Early Muppet award went to Tyler for leaving two of the three pieces of equipment required to ride a bike at home!

Almost awarded to the Forget me not couple of Linda and Bade' (pronounced for the european community as bar day) for leaving behind a rather critical piece of equipment for the budding visual arts student, Linda, to ply her trade as the official photographer, that being of the camera!

Paramedic Pete the twerker, recently banned from the Christmas pageant for such a heinous display during the Christmas anthem, shamefully made his way over to Port Lincoln with big fluffy head bowed to join us.

And the normally shy and quiet Meggo from Broken Hillo, gave a brief description of her ability to dance better on the table than the dance floor!

As the crew from Bike society recovered from a night of swilling copious amounts of cheap red wine as delivered by the very accommodating videographer Geoff as he was unaware of what was to eventually happen to his beloved ride when given to a young Footballer from the Norwood Football club in the coming day.  

Nugget eventually made his way to the start line and dinner after complimenting the Australian flagship airline on Facebook after they offloaded all passengers and baggage except for one old bike, jamming up the cargo door of the plane.  (even the airline crew must have thought it was time for a new bike Nugget!)

We all settled in for a few hours sleep prior to the first day of this years ride.

Sunday 15th November 2015 

And another tour begins............................

Distance - 166.80 kms

Time in saddle - 6hrs 21 minutes 22 seconds approx (inclusive of the time that four riders decided to lie their bikes over from a standstill for a rest........with the rider still on board!)

Average Speed - 26.2 kmh (with the help of Tylers 4000 mechanical failures and a reid bike that fell apart after the first 40kmh!)

Mountainous stage with 621 metres gained

Average Temp 25.2 degrees

Calories used by very average rider 2,455 (Mr Lucas was the very average rider!)

A glorious Sunday morning in Port Lincoln for some quick photo shots and media commitments by the Daz & Dave the local team from Port Lincoln and the Norwood footy team arrived on what they described as bikes? Apparently they still make reid bikes?

After making it out of the Port Lincoln Hotel and 50 metres to the first round about, there was a small explosion from the rear of the peleton which surely was the Reid having someone on it and pedalling!?  And so the day of mechanicals began and we had a leisurely cruise out of Port Lincoln and only 166 kms to go! Piece of cake the footy boys said.............

The good fisherman weather forecasters among us had got the wind right but failed to know what direction the peleton would be heading, and so the promised tailwind we had heard so much about became a cross/tail sometimes headwind for those that decided that positioning in the peleton was not important.

Tumby Bay or as the the Footy boys thought that the road sign of TB 5ks stood for Tender Bottom, after 50 kms and the beep test was looking like a much better pre season training session than riding 160kms on a Sunday, was a first stop.  We eventually arrived after young Tyler had decided to wrap his chain so tight around his crank that the cranks required removing by Stifler (Cotter) to fix, then proceeded to the shoulder of gravel with both feet still clipped in and decided that lying the bike down would be a good idea! A sigh of relief fell over the peleton as the Muppet award had surely been locked away early in the day? Thanks Tyler.

An uneventful Pitstop and off for Lunch in Arno Bay.  The whippet from Broken Hill (Megan) had seen a running Hare and as a whippet does with scant regard for those behind her took off after said Hare at a rate that blew the peleton to pieces, not least of all were the handsome Norwood footy players, who were now lamenting their jovial commitment to the charity ride and now required a  change over from the Reid bike to videographers Geoff's beloved Specialized.

Quote of the day : Lunch decorum was being enforced by the Brick with eyes, Demo the coppa from the Hill, to the young partially disrobed Footy boys, that they were not to take their shirts off during lunch as they were making us all look bad, to which the reply from the young footballer was "Why, you've been making us look bad for 120kms!"

The support team had set up a beautiful lunch stop for us and we now only had 46kms to get to Cowell and dinner and bed.

As we were mounting ready to leave from Arno Bay for the last leg of the day, Barday was giving a last minute safety briefing on fatigue setting in and how inattention can result in the occasional accident, only to be interrupted not once but three times by a domino like procession of people falling over whilst standing still? Firstly Tyler wrapped up back to back muppet awards after failing to remain upright for a second time of the day, swiftly followed by Matt from the Norwood Footy club hitting the pavement only to make a decent effort in covering this faux pax by proceeding to perform the intended push ups as he made his way to his feet and required Stacey the Paramedic to apply the first first aid of the tour for what was apparently a career ending injury to his hand, which required a band aid....just!  Caught in the jocular moment, YoYo MoMo Mohan somehow fell over the kerb he was standing on with only one foot clipped in??

Safety briefing over, we were on our way.

As the Hurt locker had been opened for the four boys from Norwood, to their credit they dug deep, and huge amount of admiration to these guys for not only joining us on this ride but gritting it out when they are not punching out huge training kilometres like some of us following the Nuggets training plan, but were there for the charity and understand that there are families out there that are much dealing with much worse situations and all four finished triumphantly into Cowell.

Credit where credit is due boys.  It was great that you could join us on day 1 and we look forward to you rejoining us on the last day as we make our way into Adelaide and the house.  A start of a great relationship between the House and the Norwood Football Club.  Thank you.

Also to Darren from Port Lincoln as a 1 day rider in the Malliot Jaune on Tony's bike with a ladies saddle that was about 3 foot too low, outstanding effort mate, and did most the work on the outside in the wind.  You did yourself and the Port Lincoln community proud.

The riders settled into their rooms at the Cowell cabin park with Glenn handing out ice cold flannels upon our arrival and air conditioners on in rooms (it is customary to turn on an aircontioner to cool a room by turing it to cool and not just turning the fan on, for future reference!)

Two support crew made there way the 100kms up the road to collect the missing defib machine from Whyalla.  In doing so nearly t boned a Police vehicle and as the officer exited his car and Chloe squirrelled her mobile phone away for fear of being in trouble for using a mobile device as a passenger, was confronted with  a flustered officer looking for an individual that had presumably either escaped custody or stolen his lunch. The girls were asked to report any sightings of the unknown man to the authority if the came across him in their search in the Metropolis of Whyalla for the misplaced or lost McDonald's store for the now required portable defib!

the extent the support crew will go to for the riders well being........Thank you.

A few pre dinner drinks at the franklin hotel as an alliance was being formed by paramedic Wayno and crew that initially included the whippet, but was quickly excommunicated by the alliance for talking to support crd lead driver and 2 day fill in rider Steve Sturmy Sturm.

A quick walk down the the Cowell  Commercial pub for dinner and the night was soon to be over for most.  Great food and service at this pub, thank you to the town of Cowell.

Tomorrow's short trip to Whyalla looks like a kinder wind with a SSE, although for some reason we are doing a 10km individual time trial, that in the event Mr Lucas wins on the Venge, Bike society will be selling multiple new bikes to the peleton.  Wont be happening as I'm still sandbagging until we are with Stuart O'Grady for the ride home!

Thats it for now, and I will add some photos tomorrow hopefully.  Thank you to all those that have given their support and to all the families that are back at home making it possible for the riders and support crew to complete this ride.

Love to my family, Katherine, jackson, Tayla and Spencer, see myou soon as we make our way to Port Pirie on Wednesday.

Chow

A few Bumps!!

RMHC Ride for Sick Kids Day 6 November 27th 2014 

Nurioopta to Hahndorf via a lunch stop by the river in Mannum.

Total Time 07:30:57, (One knows you have sat on a bike after a day like today!)

Total distance 190 kms (A stage not built for the fine Sprinting body of Mr Lucas and right up the Ally of Tweety bird Megan and King Karlo the magnificent).

 

Quote of the Day :  

Maximum Speed 58.7 kph (Sump Power again working its magic although the brake pads did get a fine workout).

Total Gain 1833m (My Garmin along with other parts of my body have just exploded).

Total calories spent : 3988, Time for a Big Mac Meal!

Heart rate : Average 135 bpm peaked at 166bpm Must have been picking up someone else's HR, as mine was left somewhere between Mannum and Hahndorf on the side of the road like roadkill.

A climbing stage and a nervous start for some, with the only commitments being a community event in hahndorf at 6.30pm and a quick get together with Mr Percival the pelican at Mannum for Lunch.

A massive day that I will have to wrap up on the weekend. So for now I will just have a photographic montage for you.

Mark B from Bike Society enjoying Family and his 40th B'Day.

Coldbeck having a nice Nanna nap.

The Mighty Sam Harper and Muscles Glenn

Mr Percival

Lunch at Mannum

Coldbeck having a Nanna nap

When Harry met Sammy

The mighty Sam Harper and Muscles Glenn

ALANALANALAN can you see me? Mojo

Well hello there Maillot Jaune Jami

Maverick & Diesel 

Blade

Good boy Jami

Men! (Mr Lucas, Geoff, Cotter & Mark)

Not Men! Whyalla Ryan, Tweety bird Megan & Karlo the Magnificent.

Men!