Day 2 | Lakes Entrance to Sale | 140km
A foot note to Day 1….
It will be memorable for a couple of us with an incident on the ‘slippery when wet’ roads. We managed to pick ourselves up and kept going. Following a visit to the first aid tent, to tend to some grazes, a trip to the bike mechanic tent was in order. The final stop before dinner some new lycra and hardwear for the head!
What I really meant to say was – I crashed!
And, went sliding down the road at 50kph! First road crash ever! And if ever a time to do it – this was the time to do it!
The medics & mechanics on tour are fantastic – a quick patch so I could get back on my, worse for wear, bike and rode the last 60kms into town.
As soon as I arrived in town the medics & mechanics had both my bike and I in triage – I was off to get my wounds properly attended to – I have some serious grazing on my buttocks! (trying to keep this family friendly!) My bike…..well that repair went on for most of the night!!!
For my efforts, I was finally awarded my first ever TDC jersey – The Blue Jersey – awarded for ‘Guts & Grit’. Poignantly, the sponsor of the jersey – Clint’s company – Fluid Building Services!
Day 2 | Lakes Entrance to Sale | 140km
Moto for the today – Keeping It Upright!
The mechanic’s did a great job on restoring my wheels. I hear they borrowed a few ‘spare parts’ from Sunrise’s JT’s bike! Apart from a few injuries to the chassis it felt pretty good on the test ride this morning. As for my behind – as long as I’m not sitting on a chair I’m ok!
Mother nature put on a spectacular display with a beautiful country sunrise. Everyone’s bodies are like calorie steam trains. To keep the engines running, we’re basically eating from the time we wake up to the time we hit the sack. The bircher muesli, fruit, toast, bacon, eggs……..we eat it all.
The first leg of day two was a short 36 km ride, starting with an uphill climb but as the road levelled out we pedalled through open forests, bright green farmland paddocks and passed a historic railway bridge over the Tambo river.
We stopped for morning tea in Bairnsdale, the largest town in the East Gippsland region. Here, we proudly presented a cheque for $10k to Bairnsdale Regional Health to buy beds and chairs for palliative care.
One of the most inspiring aspects of these rides is the outpouring of love and support we receive from local communities. In Bairnsdale, a young boy shyly handed over the contents of his money box. Another lady said she didn’t have much money but she could give us hugs. The team loved meeting everyone – even the Mayor and his wife.
We were welcomed into Sale by the local fire brigade. What a reception – we felt like royalty!
I have been summoned by the medics to have my backside ‘readdressed’…until tomorrow…..
Check out this link from our friends at Strava – https://www.relive.cc/view/913130211
Rider # 54 | 2017 TDC Signature Tour
This photo is taken just after my crash on Day 1
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