Day 7 of Sharky's adventure

22 Sep 2011

Sharky's Oz 7-in-7: Day 7 Journal, Galena Bridge to Geraldton

http://www.smiddy.org.au/cms/news/Default.aspx?NewsCode=372&NewsCategoryCode=32

It sounds like a short day at only 116km but you have to remember Sharky and Kate have now ridden 2725km since 3 September!!!

Sharky's 7 in 7 strike horrific headwinds

If the ride from Brisbane to Townsville was blessed with the most favourable of conditions then it would appear that Sharky and the team are experiencing exactly the opposite as they travel south down the West Australian coastline. Horrific headwinds have confronted them each day but still they push on.

Read the latest on their epic adventure here...

Day 2

http://www.smiddy.org.au/cms/news/Default.aspx?NewsCode=368&NewsCategoryCode=32

Day 3

http://www.smiddy.org.au/cms/news/Default.aspx?NewsCode=369&NewsCategoryCode=32

Day 4

http://www.smiddy.org.au/cms/news/Default.aspx?NewsCode=370&NewsCategoryCode=32

Day 5

http://www.smiddy.org.au/cms/news/Default.aspx?NewsCode=371&NewsCategoryCode=32

The Smiddy journey continues with Sharky's 7 in 7

With our Smiddy Challenge now over for the year I thought I might keep you updated on the progress of another Smiddy event which follows on immediately after the Smiddy Challenge known as Sharky's 7 in 7.

Firstly some background on the 7 in 7.....

Sharky's Oz 7 in 7

In 2008 Smiling for Smiddy founder Mark “Sharky” Smoothy began his seven year quest to cycle around Australia in seven stages. Each September, with the continuing support of our amazing sponsor Bottlemart, Sharky extends his 1600km “Smiddy Challenge” to include one of these stages. So far Sharky has knocked off:

• 2008 - A 3200 kilometre journey from Coolangatta on the NSW border to the tip of Queensland, Cape York, in 20 days.

• 2009 - Innisfail to Darwin in 24 days and the distance was just short of 2400 kilometres.

• 2010 – A 2400 kilometre journey from Katherine to Karratha in 24 days.

2011 is the fourth stage from Karratha in Western Australia to Esperance, which is 800 kilometres south of Perth. Total distance for the two rides combined will be 4400 kilometres over a 24 day period. The past 3 years included up to 600 kilometres of off road riding. For 2011 the dirt is gone and it is nothing but a road bike and endless kilometres of tarmac.
As you can see its an epic journey Sharky is on as he continues to raise funds for cancer research.

Over the coming weeks he will post updates on his journey and I'll post links here so that you follow his travels through WA.

You can read about day 1 of this year's 7 in 7 here:
http://www.smiddy.org.au/cms/news/Default.aspx?NewsCode=367&NewsCategoryCode=32

$60,000 and 30,000 kilometres

Well this week has seen us complete the 1600km Smiddy Challenge as well as reach two other milestones. We reached $60,000 in fund raising and 30,000 kilometres in riding since 1 January 2011....quite a double and one we are very proud of.

Thanks to everyone who has supported us throughout the year.

Great shot of Cyc'd boys

This is a great shot Gav and Dammo leading the peleton on day 7 into Charters Towers (note Kent is getting a draft off the boys!!)

Smiddy Challenge Day 8 Report - That's a wrap!!

Well our final day of the Challenge dawned with bright sunny skies and yes a tailwind. We couldn't believe how lucky we had been with the weather for while it had warmed up in the previous few days the heat never became excessive and the winds were always favourable we all agreed we had been blessed with some of the best conditions ever experienced by the Smiddy Challenge.

We packed up our swags after another night under the stars and as we approached the starting line you could feel a real buzz among the group which was helped by the fact that a few families had already joined the group to cheer us on as we departed Charters Towers.

As we got stuck into the final 165k leg morale was booming and the banter in the peleton was rife as many riders took the oportunity to express their feelings of what the past 8 days had meant to them. It was hard to believe that our journey was coming to an end but we were all looking forward to the finish in Townsville later that day.

We were setting a good pace with the wind at our backs but as we approached the descent down to the coastal plain it stepped up a notch or two as first one rider then another took off from the front and charged down the hill at break neck pace. The Cyc'd boys were up for some fun and soon we were all hurtling along at 80kph!!!

Sadly the road flattened out but with a tarmac like surface and the wind picking up the peleton was like one of those massive road trains we had seen so much of over the past few days. We knew we were doing well when the cry "ease up to 40ks!!!" came from the back of the peleton. For a 20km section we averaged over 40kph which was just the best feeling.

Lunch was at Woodstock and the local CWA ladies didn't disappoint and soon enough it was onto to Townsville where our first stop was the local Bottlemart. There were a few stories told later that night about that stop as initially no one wanted to make the stop but then had trouble leaving....how good were those sandwiches boys!! Anyone for a Jagermeister!!!

                                     Bottlemart Townsville
We now only had the final 10ks to ride before we arrived at our finishing point at the Strand. The pain of the previous 1600km had gone and there was a real spring to our peddle strokes.

Coming into the Strand we could see a massive crowd had gathered and they were going off as the 47 riders came into few. Dammo Gav and I gave each other a quick hand shake and then rode in together. It was a great scene with hugs all round and lots of congrats to to pass on. It had been an epic journey and we all felt like we had accomplished something rather special. It was sad that Brad couldn't be there with us but he has a much more important job to do supporting Fleur as she continues her treatment. mate we missed having "Spartacus" along for the ride but I know next year the Smiddy Challenge will be better for having you in it.

The final Smiddy huddle was quite a sight and when Sharky called in the road crew and riders to join him and David and Maria Smiddy in a tight huddle we knew we were in for something special. He made us go up and down slow at first then faster and faster and faster all the time chanting Smiddy Smiddy Smiddy. Its difficult to put into words the feelings I had at this time.

It was great that Hayley and Viv could join us for the celebrations at the Strand and to see us so happy with our achievement.

                                    The Finish!!!!
On a personal note I made lots of new friends on the ride but I feel truly blessed to have shared it with my great mates Gav, Dammo and Brad. These guys were so strong on the road and the Cyc'd boys enhanced their reputation in the peleton with our riding along with the support we gave the other riders. Thanks guys you made a great adventure very special.

We celebrated that night with a dinner which was a great opportunity to share some stories among the group but all too soon our Smiddy Challenge was over and we headed off to the airport on Sunday morning back to Brisbane.

I thought I'd finish with some stats for the ride:

Total distance - 1602km
Time spent on the bike 58 hours 45 minutes
Av speed - 28.2kph
Total climbing - 9954m
Punctures - 2 (one each to Gav and Kent)
Total turns of the peddles - almost 300,000
Funds raised by the Cyc'd team - $60,133

Thanks for following our journey its been amazing!!

Smiddy ride day 7 report

Boy this is going to be tough. Writing day 7 up having just posted posted the day 6 report after having ridden 198kms today!!!

So where are we? Well we are in Charters Towers some 1425kms from our starting point in Brisbane. The week has flown by which is something that still has me scratching my head how can the hours on the bike go so slowly and yet the days are flying by???

We left Belando Crossing at 6.30am heading for Charters Towers. The moring was oure magic. Clear blue skies with little wind and it wasn't long before we we up to cruising speead with an average speed of around 29kph.

One of the things that struck me was just how long and straight the roads are up here they just seem to go on and on into the distance. Fortunately it stayed relatively cool throughout the morning and wasn't until lunch that the thermometer hit 30 degrees. It did sneak up briefly to about 35 but soon dropped back to about 32.

Some riders found the going tough more from a mental perspective than a physical one with a few choosing to some van time but the Cyc'd boys were all doing great although Dammo was a little dehydrated but refused to take any time out.

The ride proved to be realtively uneventful although the crosswinds did cause some problems before they swung around and we had a strong tailwing for the last 30ks of the day. Riders who have down the Smiddy ride before cannot remember a ride with such favourable winds....lucky us!!!

The day finished with another sprint into town but this time it was a handicap event with A, B and C grade. Gav and Dammo would contest the race in A grade based upon their stella performance in yesterday's sprint and kent would line up with the B graders. The race wasa bout 12km with B grade having a 2 minute start on A grade.

While the B graders only had 6 riders they were well organised and dispite the A graders reaching speeds of 60kph they were unable to close the gap to the B graders who had all ready caught and passed C grade. This meant that the race would be decided among the few reamining B graders and kent prevailed with an explosive effort from 200m to take a victory for the Cyc'd boys. there was a little controversy however as one a rider who was a well known cyclist rode C grade and then proceeded to ride away solo to cross the line first but the Cy'c boys dismissed this and slapped him with a 2 year ban on all racing!!

Another long but very satisfying day in the saddle with just 175km to Townsville our amazing journey is coming to an end.

Eack night at dinner Sharky presents two special jerseys and tonight kent was presented with the teamwork jersey for his efforts throughout the year and over the past week. He will get to wear the blue jersey into Townsville tomorrow....a very special privilige for the Cyc'd boys.

Well its late again and time to call it a day before we ride into Townsville to complete the Smiddy challenge.

Kent

Smiddy ride day 6 report

Well I have to apologise for the lack of a post last night but we were in Belyando Crossing and there was no mobile service.

Claremont was famous for one one thing.....Kent's billet the lovely Mia. Much to the chagrin of the younger male riders when the billets names were read out all eyes were on the lovely young brunette in the Rio Tinto uniform and you could hear the disappointment when Kent's name was read out.

The ride from Claremont to Belyando was the shortest leg of the trip at just 175km. It seems strange to say "just" but after two 240k days that's how we saw it. But even though it was a relatively short day it didn't mean it would be easy. In fact it proved to be a very tough day mentally and it wasn't long before riders started entering the "quite room" that special place riders sometimes visit when they are struggling with the mental effort of riding yet another 8 hours when tired and fatigued.

Dammo was the first of the Cyc'd boys to pay a visit to the "quite room". We know this because as Gav and I rode past him he was searching his back back pocket for the key. Looking for an imaginary key to a room that doesn't actually exist probably gives you and idea as to the state of mind of the rider who is about to enter this room.

The other about the "quite room" is that it is also the entrance foyer to that other place that riders some times visit known as the "hurt locker". Now while riders often enter the "quite room" and some even deliberately go there the "hurt locker" is a very different proposition all together. The hurt locker can be the beginning of the end and as the day heated up and the cross winds began to bite Gav and I had a lengthy conversation about the "hurt locker" and we agreed it might have been a good idea to air condition and put a fridge in there stocked full of Peroni just in case we found ourselves there. Fortunately none of the Cyc'd boys enetered the hurt locker and we continued to ride strongly all day although Dammo was struggling at times by his own admission.

The day finishes with the Belyando Sprint and Smiddy tradition and the Cyc'd competitive spirit came out when the flag was dropped with Gav Dammo and Kent all in the breakaway for the 15km race. Unfortunately after about 3 kms the road kicked up and Kent was to first to faulter and dropped off the back but Gav and Dammo hung in there right till the end. As the lead group approached the finish Dammo did his best Renshaw impersonation and yelled to Gav "come on mate follow me we can do this!!!". Unfortunately Dammo and Gav had miss read the rather complex finishing instruction and lead at the 300m mark but had run their race and were swamped on the finish line. Still a great effort by the lads in some pretty good company.

The night was something special. Belyando Crossing is literally in the middle on nowhere. The only thing there is a roadhouse and we sat around drinking some beers and chillin out which was jst what we needed. Later in the night one of the riders had his brother and partner join us and they played the guitar and sang some classic songs under what seemed like a million stars. A few of the younger lads gave the beer and spirits a real nudge.

Each night a rider is invited to speake about their motivation for doing the ride and tonight it was Dammo's turn. Its a real honour to be invited by Sharky to do this and Dammo stood up and told of his battle with leukemia. Some thing he must continue to monitor closely today. His heartfelt story and the emotion with which he told it had all riders hanging on his everyword and it was great to see him stand there and tell of his motivation for doing the ride....well done mate.

We slept in swags under the stars and had one of the best sleeps we had had all week. All too soon we we up and getting ready for day 7 a 198k ride to Charters Towers.

The Smiddy ride is proving to be everything we had imagined it would be and more. What we have learned is that our training has prepared our legs to ride 200k days day after day but turning the peddles is just one of the challenges to overcome but we are all going really well and getting stronger by the day.

We all agree that at times the hours can go slowly but the days are flying by and all too soon this adventure will be over. We have meet some amazing people and heard some inspirational stories. The Cyc'd boys are giving it their all and earning heaps of respect from the peleton.

Tomorrow we are off to Charters Towers a lazy 198ks down the road!!!

Smiddy ride day 5 report

I am sooooo tired!!! It amazing just how much the Smiddy challenge takes out of you both physically and mentally.after 5 days on the road fatigue is definitely setting but we are feeling strong on the bike and are actually riding better now than when we started last Saturday.

Today we road 192kms from Blackwater to Claremont which saw us turning the peddles for 6 hrs 23 mins at an average speed of 28.2kph.

Today we reached a milestone when on the road about 10km north of Capella Sharky let out one if his legendary cries this to let the peleton know that we had just passed the 1000km mark for the trip. As he did I thought about what we had achieved so far...what would normally take us to cover in a month had been done in 4 and a half days.

The stage today was relatively flat and hence there are no tales of legendary climbing feats by Dammo or spectacular time trialing by Gav. In fact the only only two notable efforts by the Cyc'd boys involved Kent almost bringing himself and a few other riders down when he failed to replace his water bottle correctly after a drink and subsequently saw it almost jam in his rear before becoming an obstacle for the other riders. Thankfully Sharky came to the rescue ANC picked it meaning that Kent had only a very short ride back to the peleton.

Gav had a flat and needed to fix it before continuing on which meant he couldn't ride back on but rather he need to do some VAN time which raised a few eye brows and resulted in him getting some grief mainly from Katie.

We are being billetted again this evening which is great.

Tomorrow is just 175km and we are looking forward to another great day on the Ross to Townsville.

Day 4 report part 2

We rolled into Blackwater at 5.10pm to a rousing reception from the locals and we did another round of those very manly man hugs among the Cyc'd boys but this time invited Lucie and Katie to share the love around.

The lads remain in high spirits and are cycling strongly but a few little niggles like sore quads knees back and of course the mandatory saddle soreness are all starting to come into play so we're hoping to manage that in the coming days.

Tomorrow is from Blackwater to Claremont a ride of about 190ks.... A nice short one!!!

Our thoughts will be with Brad and Fleur tomorrow and we will be riding strongly with you in our thoughts.

Day 4 report - may the wind be at your back

Total kms - 240k
Avg speed - 29.7kph
Total climbing - 1007m
Turning the peddles for 8 hours 16 mins

Day 4 is traditionally a very important day in the Smiddy challenge. With 3 big days and some climbs behind us day four is when the niggles come out and with a monster 240ks ahead if us it can be the undoing of many a Smiddy rider.

Thankfully the weather gods were looking kindly upon the peleton as once again a strong tailwind was blowing and morale was high.

One hour in and we were averaging 30kph and that's pretty much where it stayed all day.

After 100ks we hit the Capricorn Highway and met our Police escort which meant we could ride 3 abreast which is something very unfamiliar for the riders but meant we could take a whole lane. The ride settled into a good tempo clocking up the ks but without doubt the highlight was when Gav Dammo and Kent took up the first row of the peleton and drove it hard!! Cries of ease up EASE UP screamed from the peleton but the Cyc'd boys were not to be held back and continued to dish out pain in ample proportions.

To be continued....

Day 3 part 3

Gav had has well organized and in hot pursuit of the lead group of 7 riders. It was seat of the pants stuff with the speed being above 45kph for much of the 15ks.

Gav broke clear near the end to win our bunch sprint Kent grabbed third on the line and Dammo found himself off the road but safe. Seriously hard work thx Gave for that!!!

The Smiddy huddle at the end of the day was huge riders support crew and billets involved. It was at this point that Sharky gave Kent 30 secs notice to run the huddle. It was an honour to do so and was a wonderful experience which I hope I did it justice.

A big community function with great food and fund raising activities.

Another legendary Smiddy day.

Tomorrow 240ks to Blackwater so another big day in the saddle. Almost midnight off to bed finally!!

Day 3 part 2

Dammo gave it to the gun climbers and in his own words was out of his league but still finished just behind the lead group. When asked how he was "shattered" came the response.

The rain came and went but the tailwind never gave up and at times the 50 strong peleton was hurtling along at 40+ kph which was sensational and saw us ahead of schedule all day.

The last stop of the day was at Thangool state school where once again we were met by the kids who had lined the streets. Thus gives the riders a huge morale boost.

This it was Kent's turn to have the zinc applied and the kids didn't disappoint although one little boy proved that you can actually be too aggressive in applying sunscreen!!!

The day finished with the traditional sprint into Biloela a 15km flat out sprint.

All afternoon Gav had been saying he was not going to contest but when the flag dropped Gav was off with Kent and Dammo barely hanging on. Gav's racing experience showed through......

Smiddy ride 3 report

It's now after 11pm and it hardly seems possible that we have fitted in everything we have done since 6am this morning.

I am wrecked so this post will just touch on the highlights,

Headed off at 6.30sm with a strong tailwind which stayed with us all day...YEAH!!!

Met at St Therese's school Monto by hundreds if screaming kids. Sat down and chatted with them and watched them paint Gav's face with bright pink zinc cream.

One big climb for the day was the Monto range or 4 peaks as we call it. About 6 I'm of climbing at 8%. Kent punctured 2k short of start and gave up his Msvic cosmic with a 27 cog for a dodgy wheel with a 25 cog...very sad. Wheel made a horrible screeching sound all the way up the climb and was so bad no one would climb with me.

Dammo took up the challenge while Gav pushed Rose and Kent continued to curse dodgy noisy wheel.

Smiddy ride day 2 - Could this have been the best day on a bike ever??

Today was a bittersweet day for the Cyc'd boys as we farewelled Brad from the challenge as he returned to look after Fleur and his family while still being excited about what day two of the Smiddy challenge had in store for us.

Firstly the stats:

240km (the longest ride any of us has ever done)
8 hours 33minutes turning the peddles
28.5kph avg
1835m climbed
3500 calories burnt

It was great to see the whole Smiddy crew acknowledge Brad's courage and contribution to this year's challenge before we rode out of Nanago at 6am. To see Brad wearing the "Inspiration" jersey awarded to him the previous night made all of the Cyc'd boys very proud. His presence in the peleton gave special meaning to what we were doing and Gav, Dammo and I felt proud as every rider made special mention of our tight knit group. We have become great mates over the past couple of years and we have dedicated the rest of ride to Brad and Fleur and wish them all the best.

As we rolled out we all agreed that today was shaping up as something special. Before we left a common message of goodwill sent to us was "may the wind be at your back" well today it was!! As we rolled out a southerly picked up and remained with us for the next 240km making for a great day on the bike. With 60km knocked over by 8.15am we were well on our and morale was high. Clear skies and good roads added to the experience and we maintained an average of just under 30kph for the rest of the day.

At morning tea all took time to think about our families being Father's Day and all and it was great to have messages of support from them all. Whoever arranged for the tailwind as present for us we say THANKYOU!!

Unlike yesterday we all found ourselves spending some time at the front driving the peleton along none more so that Kent who relished the opportunity to dish out some pain to those in the peleton. Apparently Gav and Dammo appreciated this as they lent a hand to some of the riders who were struggling with the pace....sorry guys.

With the tailwind remaining we arrived at lunch some 40 mins early and enjoyed the great hospitality of our awesome road crew. Nothing is to much trouble for these guys who make us all feel like we belong on the Tour de France.

After 6 hours in the saddle the only thing more popular than lunch was the line up at the toilets to reapply some Aussie Butt Cream that essential item in all riders day bags. It was noted that after only two days on the road that people's privacy when it comes to application of the said cream is rapidly diminishing who knows what it will be like after 5 more days!!

There was only one climb of note today which was about 2.5km and 8-9%. Sharky raised the ante and suggested that the climbers might come out to play to test the legs before tomorrow"s Queen stage which includes the infamous 3 peaks.

Dammo led the charge for the Cyc'd boys confident that his new 27 cog would hold him in good stead while Gav and Kent settled more a more steady tempo knowing that tomorrow would be the true test. Unfortunately Dammo while giving it his all came up short although still managed a gallent top 5 finish among some pretty illustrious company.

While the climb was challenging the downhill was sensational!!! The 5km decent was a freewheeling extravangsa of speed and skill with the lads reaching 70kph. It was at this point that Gav and Dammo enjoyed the highlight of the day as they dropped Lucie who is a gun rider and great person to boot. Working together they left her in the wake and while Kent was not far behind he was given a mouth full from the other female gun rider Katie who let fly when the the pace dropped and she was forced to the front in hot pursuit of the boys. Katie if you can't tell is a little competitive and it was said in good spirits and we had a good laugh afterwards about how she demanded more from her domestiques.

At times the peleton of nearly 50 riders was hitting speeds in excess of 50kph which must have been awesome sight for the numerous cars and trucks who were trying to pass us.

The day finished on a high point when as we approached the finish at Eidsvold the three Cyc'd boys found themeselves at the front of the peleton and refused to let anyone pass in the final kilometres. The three of us crossed the line at the front of peleton arms raised saluting the adoring fans ok the support crew but for a moemnt there you would have sworn we had just won a stage at the Tour de France. We dedicated the "win" to Brad and Fleur got off our bikes and celebrated as you do with a very manly blokey man hug.

Tonight we are sharing a room at the Eidsvold HQ motel and after a great meal and a few Peronis and Canadian Clubs (thanks Brad) we are are just about done for the day.

As I said a bittersweet day but as I thought about the past 12 hours I asked the boys "has there ever been a better day on the bike??" The answer was NO!!! It wasn't a good day it was a great day.

Tomorrow is a shorter day at just 180km but with teh biggest climbs of the challenge but in true Smiddy spirit we say bring it on!!!

Smiddy Challenge Day One Part One

Writing this at my billets place at 10.30pm in Nanango....it's been a long day!! Day summary Km cycled - 205km Riding time - 8hrs 25 min Avg speed - 24.5kph Total ascent - 2835m Well it finally arrived. After months of training the riders with their family and friends gathered at UQ for the traditional send off which didn't disappoint. It was great to have our Sunday group the Peroni boys there and even better that they joined us for the ride to Samford. The omens for the day were looking good. Beautiful clear skies and a gentle southerly blowing us on our way north. A quick stop at Samford to farewell dome good friends and say hello to some more who joined us. Our first real test for the day was Mt Mee which was navigated without too much trouble although Brad was well in the grasp of the dreaded manflu and was starting to suffer. As we regrouped at the top of Mt Mee we were somewhat surprised to see a Landrover screaming up the the horn blaring people yelling from the open windows and we thought what have we done to upset this driver but then we saw a rather sheepish Dammo smiling in the background. As it turned it it was a case of road rage but rather the fanatical support of Dammo's family with Hayley at the wheel!!! The ride progressed without incident as we took morning tea with the Windles again joining us which was great. It was at morning tea that we first heard that shortly we would be taking what us known as Sharky's shortcut. Looking at some of the grimaces on the faces of some veteran Smiddy riders we knew this could mean only one thing......pain!! Well Sharky didn't disappoint with his shortcut including two little climbs of about 20% and a section of dirt road and one creek crossing which was to prove the undoing of a few riders. Lunch at Kilcoy and the support crew excelled yet again. The Blackbutt range proved to be another challenge for while only about 6% it was a good long climb which tested the legs and in Dammo's case his left arm as he lent a hand to a fellow rider who was struggling. Well done mate that must have hurt big time. Gav rode with me and spent about 30 mins climbing without anyone worse near us. It was a very pleasant 30 mins to just chill with him even though weever working hard it was nice to have some space for a while. Afternoon tea was outstanding and consumed whatever was put in front if us. The last 2 hours saw some good riding and we finally rolled into Nanango at 5.40pm. A swim in the hot pool followed by dinner at the Darts Club topped off a great day. A big day tomorrow.....242k so need some sleep!!!

What a ride its been!!

Last year I was involved in something that was pretty special. It was called the Midi-Smiddy the little brother to the main Smiddy Challenge which had been running since 2006.

After 3 days of being part of the Smiddy team I was hooked and knew right then that in 2011 I would give the Smiddy Challenge a go.

As we neared Christmas last year I started running the idea past a few of the guys to see if I could get any of them interested in joining me on this great adventure. I was rapt when Gav, Brad and Jase all put their hand up. I think I remember saying to them that this would be one of the greatest things they would ever do in their lives.

To do be involved with Smiling for Smiddy is an unbelievable experience and one which is difficult for those who have done to explain and for those who have yet to do it to grasp it. Fortunately these guys took me for my word and signed up.

For the previous 12 months we had all grown pretty close in a blokey sort of way although my lovely wife still had a little trouble coming to terms with the fact that I got pleasure out of getting up at 4.15am to pull on some lycra meet up with some similarly clad guys and ride a bike followed by sitting around again in lycra drinking coffee.....she just shook her head but I know deep down she was pleased that I had found something that obviously I enjoyed and got me shedding some unwanted kilos.

With a baby on the way and due in September Jase stepped down from the ride a tough call but the right one and Dammo stepped in and become a rock in the team.

I remember thinking how far away September seemed to feel and here we are now only hours away from heading off. For me its a great time to reflect upon the many months of training and fund raising that we have done. At times its been hard with early winter mornings and yet another trip up Mt Cootha but I wouldn't swap any of it. I can honestly say I have laughed more in the past year than in the past few, I'm fitter, have a better outlook on life and I hope have now got my priorities in order.

When I started this I was asked why I was doing it. A simple enough question but as I thought about it it dawned upon me that there were a number of reasons. Sure I wanted to be involved in something that made a difference in the fight against cancer but I also wanted to show my kids (aged 17, 10 and 6) that some times you have to challenge yourself to do something that your not quite sure you can. I hope they have taken something out of my participation which they can apply in their lives down the track.

I know we have always tried to limit the impact that our training has had on our families but inevitably there were times where we needed to do a long ride or a training weekend and in these cases our families were very supportive and let us do what needed to. To my family and the other families thankyou for allowing us to be involved in this for allowing us the time to train and for putting up with way more talk about all things cycling than anyone should ever have to.

To the guys Brad, Gav and Dammo what can I say its been a blast hanging out with you guys. I couldn't ask to do this with a better bunch of blokes and I know we are going to have an awesome week. Brad mate the news that Fleur would be having treatment for breast cancer as we ride to Townsville was a huge shock and you know our hearts go out to you and Fleur. I think we have all drawn some strength knowing that we are all doing something in the fight against cancer and you and Fleur will be in our thoughts for every peddle stroke we take next week.

8 days, 1600km, one great cause......can't wait to begin!!

Brad's reflections on the year

Here's the next installment of our reflections of the past 9 months this time from Brad "Spartacus" Scriven....

Summary by Spartacus.

I still recall the moment when I hit the submit button with the registration back in Dec 2010. Very nervous, excited and anxious about what was to unfold. There was no way that one could anticipate at that time the memories and events that would take place as this experience has been life changing.

Funniest Memory would have to be the training ride we did to Glorious up the PEI road. I can almost guarantee there has never been that much laughter on that stretch of road by a group of riders when you consider the workout we were about to endure. Wiping tears from the eyes is almost a hazard on the bike however at this stage we had already started the climbing

Most painful experience was definitely the week after the Warwick weekend recuperating after my knicks ate tissue from my arse. This was closely followed by the RSI I had after turning 1,000 sausages with a pair of tongs on a Sunday.

The most nervous moment was looking down Checkers hill in SA when we drove out there to do a bit of recon before the Community Challenge ride. While standing on the top of the hill I was reflecting on the difficulty the car had getting up there and listening to Kent think of ways he could loose 10 kilo’s in less than 24 hours to aid his performance. Dammo, you should have been there mate

This brings me to the biggest mystery during our training regime. Did Bruzer ride up Checkers???

The things I am most proud of are: -

-          How we have worked so closely as a team

-          Inspired others to think and train

-          Created our own Brand "Cyc'd Boys" within the spirit of Smiddy.

-          Raising over $50k is an outstanding effort and quite frankly something I never imagined we would achieve at first. I thought I was going to struggle getting the $3k at one point.

Right now I am a better and stronger cyclist, a few kilo’s lighter and a person that feels an overwhelming sensation of pride looking back on what we have achieved while also feeling very fortunate for meeting so many good people along the way.

I can honestly say that I would not have done this or achieved anything like this if it wasn’t for you guys being there as well so thanks for the push lads.

Here’s to the Cyc’d Boys...

One final word, the worst week of training was last week as we dealt with the shocking news that Cancer has entered my household with Fleur being diagnosed with Breast Cancer. I can say that while we are more positive now the nervousness I referred to at the beginning of the Smiddy Journey has started again while we gather energy and clear the way to focus 100% on her well being. We are really fortunate to have some fabulous support with Family, Friends and with work which relieves a large part of the burden.

While this will result in me only participating in 2 days of the ride, rest assured my quest for raising valuable funds for Cancer Research has now become very personal.

Your friendly cyclist buddy

Brad Spartacus, Drifter, Scrivo, Scriven