Day 10 – Wyong to Sydney – 100km
Day 10 – Wyong to Sydney – 100km
Well I am pleased to advise that Chris has made it back to Sydney – all in one piece and no obvious signs of injury.
The final day began with a ferry ride from the Central Coast and arriving at Palm Beach.
Chris’s good riding buddies Matt Kenny, Ben Cutmore & Rob Louis joined Chris for the last leg in and by all accounts they and Chris loved every minute. Riding down the lovely Northern Beaches of Sydney to the cheers of passersby who lined the streets.
Once over the Harbour Bridge the final group photo shoot was at Observatory Hill. All that was left between the riders and their families now was a few traffic jams and some one-way streets.
Whilst their arrival was slightly delayed due to a few last minute punctures and a few nervous bladders, family and friends lined the barricades in Darling Harbour cheering their arrival.
And what a cheer they received. The cheers were followed by long lingering hugs from loved ones, and in most cases tears were shed. The emotions flowing from faces turned to big beaming smiles of pride for what had been achieved over the last 10 days. It really was a sight to behold.
Cathie just wouldn’t let him go!!!!
Over the course of the last nine days the blogs that have been posted have been a combination of notes and photos sent through to me via Chris and Renee Cobcroft, a TDC organisers who participated in the ride. Without their insights it would have been near impossible for me to convey to you all the ‘ins & outs’ and ‘ups & downs’ of day to day life on the tour.
I hear many of you were eagerly awaiting the final instalment of the blog last night. However, I needed a bit of thinking time to take in and reflect over the last 10 days of what Chris has accomplished.
So in this the final blog, I would like to take the opportunity to share with you from my perspective just what my big brother has achieved.
10 DAYS OF FIRSTS
– First week of riding over 1,000+ kms (previous record was under 500!)
– First time riding over 200 kms in one ride.
– First time on the bike for 10 consecutive days (previous record was 5 days)
– Three longest ever rides ever
Each night over the course of the tour jerseys very awarded to six participants – whether they were riders, support riders, mechanics, and service or support crew. They were awarded for ‘Awareness’, ‘Focus’, ‘Guts/Grit’, ‘Inspiring Others’, ‘Attitude’ & ‘Doer’.
If we, his family & friends were nominating and judging I’m sure Chris would have won all of these jersey’s at least once over the course of the tour!
The praise and testimony his fellow riders shared yesterday made his family so proud. To witness members of Chris’s team share with Cathie what an remarkable husband she has, and share stories with Caitlin & Alyssa of how their awe-inspiring Dad helped less experienced riders by ‘pacing’ them up the tough hills!!!
Mum had a smile from ear to ear, just so proud of her son! She would proudly admit she couldn’t have wished for a better Mother’s Day present!
A tour veteran and multiple Tour de Cure rider, Clint Bowen, teamed up with Chris as a training buddy in the lead up to the tour sent me these kind words yesterday to share with you.
Mate,
1st year on tour and you were inspirational. Incredible effort with fundraising, powerhouse on the bike and a great bloke.
You embraced the tour and all it entails with a grin. Certainly becoming mates has been a highlight of my tour.
Clint
Just before I wrap up my final blog, it gives me great pleasure to let you know that out of 113 riders, Chris was the 6th highest rider with donations reaching a staggering $38,000!
A big, big thank you to you all, we certainly wouldn’t have been able to do it without each and every one of you!!!
On behalf of everyone – Well done Chris! We are all very proud of you!!!
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