Day 10 Signature Tour
Swansea to Hobart 142km 1725m climbing (never a flat day!) over 5hrs 16mins riding time.
Well, well. It’s now the day after the Tour. I cannot believe I did it, and I cannot believe it is over. Have to admit it is an awesome achievement. All the training, all the fundraising, all the effort has culminated to this amazing finale. I am very proud of myself!
My trusty steed that has reliably carried me all the way to Hobart.
The final statistics – $16,382 raised to date, cycled 1,642 kilometres, climbed 22,600 metres (that is lots of up!!), and this all took 65 hours in the saddle (and yes my ass is sore, but not as sore as I thought it would be!!). We passed through 3 states and a territory over some of the most amazing terrain, with over 100 terrific and committed people (my TdC family). I have met some amazing people over the past 12 days, and caught up with some old friends. It’s the people that make this whole journey so worthwhile. Everyone looks after each other. It’s an extraordinary person who does this type of thing, cause it is not easy. It’s the extra extraordinary people that come back year after year to do it again!!
Thanks to my buddy Paul Egan for introducing me to Tour. It was his fifth year this year. I have watched him in awe since I first met him, and was so happy to join him on the ride this year. Watching the riders from the comfort of the Lexus last year was fun (and challenging), but I know that my real place is on the bike, as I really do love to ride!
Thanks to all the generous donators, and to each and every one of you who have posted messages of encouragement. I can guarantee you that on day 8 when I hit the wall, I was thinking of all the reasons why I ride, and all the support I get from you all. It was a real highlight to roll into my home town of Healesville and have some very special friends there to see us all roll in. I am so lucky to have a beautiful and encouraging family. Aidan and Madelene each wrote me a letter which I was allowed to open at a certain point on Tour. These also helped me get through when I was hurting. I have shown these to numerous people – I am so proud of how my kids have turned out. They are amazing individuals. I was so happy that Warren came down to see us roll into Hobart, and join in the finale celebrations. I am still in awe of the whole thing.
Lots of cuddles at the end!
The final ride day was not as tough as days 8 and 9. It was a shorter day, less climbing, and with the thought of the celebration at the end, was much easier. I chatted to Mal Heath, who has done every one of the 8 Tours. He said without a doubt this has been the most difficult one with all the elevation and distance. I also asked the same question of Mark Beretta who said it was definitely his hardest too. If I am lucky enough to make it in as a rider next year, it should therefore be a breeze!! You have some fascinating conversations as you ride along side all the other riders. You get to find out about their reasons, all about their families,etc. You also find out that at some stage, everyone hits the wall and finds it a struggle to push those pedals. Sometimes the comfort stops cannot come fast enough. My energy levels were way down in the last 3 days, so I had to be very mindful of the amount of nutrition I was putting in (more than normal). I have eaten so much food on this Tour. Cannot imagine how many calories I have burned!
Luckily the weather improved from day one on the roll out of Sydney, which was shite!! We had some misty rain rolling down the Black Spur into Healesville, but this sort of made it more beautiful. Tassie has turned on the glorious weather. A chill in the air but clear blue skies (a bit unexpected really!!).
Warren has headed home and I have a leave pass until Friday to trip around Tassie. Naomi from Bowen is staying with me, and there are numerous others staying on too. I have never been to Tassie so figured whilst I am here I may as well check it out, and reward myself a little!
Finally in Hobart after a small cycle!!
That’s enough for today. I am going to go and chill out. Will do another blog later in the week as my mind clears and I can think about some fun and interesting stories to share.
WHAT A RIDE!!
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