Day 1 - Perth to Harvey
The third Red Sky Ride got off to a sensational start with a large crowd of family and friends giving up a Sunday morning sleep - in to farewell the riders. Everyone arrived with bikes, gear and energy at top notch, and Shane ( the big fella) continuing to display with justified pride his multicoloured bruises and “ third bum cheek” which was a point of interest for many of the unsuspecting family and friends!
The Deputy Lord Mayor of Perth , Mr John Tognolini gave a warm and friendly speech indicating a genuine interest in , and knowledge of ,the ride and a maybe possible participant next year ! one of last years riders, DJ, or Dr David Joske from Solariscare reminded the riders that the Red Sky Ride is not dissimilar to the journey so many of his patients undertake, and that it is important to “ not think about the miles, think about the smiles” .
A not so friendly Perth motorist decided to ignore the flashing sign of road works ahead on Wellington street, and instead decided to make a high speed inside pass in full view of Channel Ten cameras and some wellwishers , ending up between the lead vehicle and the front riders. Luckily the remainder of drivers over the 168km were friendly and receptive to the messages displayed so clearly on the Hertz support vehicles.
There were 2 flat tyres, one before the group reached Stock Road and one after going through rough road works in Mandurah. Both belonged to Wiggles ( Michael Chester) so no doubt he owes Adam the mechanic a cold beer. Adam earnt his keep today, as always, tweaking bikes , changing tyres and assisting with the loading and unloading of the truck. Always with a smile.
The three man cheer squad of Mike Jane and Deb turned up every few kilometers, on overpasses, popping out from behind trees and waving red sky ride shirts through sun roofs. The ambience of the country was somewhat altered by the cheers from them, the rumble of the riders passing and talking , and more than a few cows, of all varieties, took a close interest.
The first half of the ride was fast, the riders were really strong and there were lots of smiles. Sonny indicated that his first half was totally pain free, getting passively inebriated from inhaling Wolf mans exhaled air. Wolfman ( Mark Hoyer) deserved a bravery medal for riding so strongly after celebrating equally strongly yesterday at a work party. The second half saw the heat increase, the wind turn into a slight head wind / cross wind and the roads become more and more dead as they moved into the country. Dead roads suck the energy from riders legs, it’s like riding in quick sand so - as they were anticipating a 150km day, and made it to the 150km point only to realise it was the turnoff to Harvey with another 18 km to go, the smiles were fading.
Clare Bear had hamstring cramps, horrible any time, anywhere, a few riders were looking rather pink from both heat and exertion and the big fellas bruises and swelling were increasing. Maverick ( Kim Gilbert) was riding with his broken left wrist off the bike by last few km’s and it was a very relieved group that arrived in Harvey to an amazing welcome from the Harvey Lions Club. Robert St Jude and many Lions members had the burgers cooked, the onions frying, fresh salad, ice water and big smiles, that restored the energy and smiles of the riders. Followed by watermelon and a fantastic home cooked carrot cake , all was right with the world. Our host at Wagon Wheel Motel has decorated the tables with red serviettes and was ready and welcoming as we arrived. Riders are swimming, enjoying a massage from the untirable Anne Young, whose day starts when everyone elses ends, and relaxing before the evening dinner, the long awaited photo slide show where they get to see all the things they didn’t see, have already forgotten or would rather forget, and of course the awarding of the first days jerseys. The highlight of the riders dinner is always the feedback and blogs to them via this site, so please, tell them what you REALLY think!
March 7th, 2010 at
Hi Marco, hope you had a great first days ride to Harvey.
Hope your not to sore! as it looks like youv’e left your Hemorrhoid cream behind, will post it on to Augusta for you, “Registered post”.
All the best mate.
Go Marco, Go!!
Stephen Baines
March 7th, 2010 at
Hi Dad,
Read all about your first day. Hope you didn’t try to eat your radio instead of your banana.
Hope you didn’t have any mechanical problems.
Thanks for the embarassing photo of you on the website, I hope my friends don’t see it.
Hope you have a good ride for the next 7 days. I’ll be watching you, so no more embarasshing photos please.
Love from Harry
March 7th, 2010 at
Hi Dad,
You Rock!!!!!
Love Connor
March 7th, 2010 at
Hi to the Gorgeous Hollywood!!!!!
The most glamorous rider in the Peleton.
Reading the blog from Monday, I have to say rather you than me. Good on the whole team for making it through such a long first day. By the way what were you doing in that Photo?
I hope your new saddle has been kind to your butt. I wonder who will be the first to “double bag” after hitting those rough country roads.
Have a few mexican sport drinks for me. But sounds like Wolfman needs to detox a bit.
Hope the next few days are easier than today.
Lots of Love from Lara
March 7th, 2010 at
Hey Mike Chester, greetings from Brooklin, Ontario, Canada. Congratulations on your two flat tires!
March 7th, 2010 at
Iceman - one year later and still no calf muscles, disappointed love Mrs G
March 8th, 2010 at
Great to see the team out on the road again as the official ride kicks off and all the months of training and preparations are now complete.
Mr Wiggles didn’t you win an award for puncturing rubber (tires) years ago?? Remember to stay safe! (”Sorry” Mikey - lil’ bro couldn’t resist bringing this one up)
Best of luck to all on your journey!! We really enjoy the daily reports and pictures!
March 8th, 2010 at
Hey Clare! I hope those hammies are behaving and you aren’t in too much pain today.
Will check in lots and look out for pix of your smile as you fly along the road!
Go Clare Bear!
March 8th, 2010 at
Well done. Well done. Great effort. I understand you give jerseys to team members for their efforts. What about the bikes. Doesn’t Shane’s bike deserve to be painted with red spots? - Juice Pak Wong
March 8th, 2010 at
Hi Mum,
How’s the lead foot going?
Still attracting police attention every where you go? i may have tipped them off about rowdy bikers with terrible hair cuts, ‘gang’ related vest’s and exceptionally quick bikes coming through town.
Good to hear the riders are making good time and they didn’t cut into your drinking time too much.
House is still i good nick, i’v vhange the locks and it’s amazing how clean it stays now with out the boys in there.
Cleaner not happy thou as we forgot to wash the cloths over the week, I’m blaming the power cuts! she’s blaming us.
xx
March 8th, 2010 at
Hey Clare
Good to see you off yesterday.
Hope today was a good one. Will drink a toast with Sharon Staude to you and your fellow riders at our bookclub tonight.
Gill
March 8th, 2010 at
Hey Mike!
It may not be common knowlege to every one but when ever we get a final medical certificate at work a certain ‘happy dance’ takes place.
My self and Ado have decided that while you are punishing your self for a great cause we’d keep you informed of all the good news that is occuring with our clients.
For every final we are going to donate $10 so you dont feel left out and would love it if you could join in and share with every one on the ride ‘the happy dance’ every time a final comes through.
Hope i havn’t put you on the spot here!
First up is someone whose claim has been open since half way through last year so hoping for a good 15-20 seconds of dancing from you here!
From the A.D.D boys (aurenda dynamic duo)
March 8th, 2010 at
Clare, I hope you had a good massage last night, keep up the good work. Sandra
March 8th, 2010 at
Hey Red Sky Riders,
Just checked on the net and can’t believe it’s 1.42pm on the 2nd day and you’re already in Dunsborough…no doubt enjoying a well deserved massage, carot cake & mexican sport drink revival combo.
Dissapointed to see that everyone appears to have remembered both their wheels this year and wondering who took out the prestigous ‘Gecko Jersey’.
Look forward to seeing all the photo’s and greeting you all at the finish line.
Jon
March 8th, 2010 at
Hi Mikey, Geordie already wrote for the family, but you know me…. have to get my word in also . Yeah Team, I think I will wear my red mitts from the Olympics for luck to you all. They sure brought good luck to Canada.
Thinking of you and hope the weather is kind, and no more flat tires, eh!!
Cheers, Mum and Dad.
March 8th, 2010 at
Hey Hollywood,
I hope you haven’t been deserved of the “toughen up Princess” award! Last year you had Miss Lara in check to stop the tanties…
Hope the ride is going well for you all!
Rachel (& AJ)
March 8th, 2010 at
Hi everyone
Hope there are not too many aches and pains yet. Can’t believe you have done two days already. The SolarisCare ‘Ride to Nowhere’ which I am running at SCGH outside SolarisCare now has 61.3 kms on the clock. We won’t get anywhere near the kms you guys are pumping out, but we are there in spirit, and also are starting to ‘feel your pain!’
Still looking for volunteers to come to SCGH from 10am- 4pm Tue-Thur to ride a few kms so if you are reading this and are available in the city to ride, come to SolarisCare and we will get you started.
March 8th, 2010 at
I just read the blog about your arrival in Harvey and am glad to hear that the first Lions Club involved has welcomed you into Harvey with lots of cheer and fed you so well. Let’s hope the rest goes just as successfully.
Lions Club of Nannup have confirmed today that they will be providing the morning tea in Nannup as originally promised and a donation, so hopefully you will be well fed here as well.
March 8th, 2010 at
Clare,
Sounds painful cramps are not the best way to be remembered in despatches! Hope they’re sorted, never to return, and you enjoy the rest of the ride.
LOts of Love Lizx