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!!!
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.
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!!
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