Day 2 - Harvey to Dunsborough (blog)
The fastest leg of a red sky ride ever! Riders awoke to strong winds after a mixed nights sleep, many sleeping like babes and oblivious to the winds and gumnuts falling on the tin roof, others hearing every gumnut and the snores of their companions. Early indications were that the winds may be a head wind, and given that the tall trees behind the wagon wheel motel were almost bending in half, that was not a good omen. Iceman ( Alan White) gave a detailed brief in regard to crossing wheels (NOT) and close focus due to risk of being blown sideways in a cross wind.
So with some trepidation and many pleased to be back on the saddle to stretch out the legs after the hard ride from the day before, they set off. Less than 5km out of Harvey the lead support vehicles were pulled over by the Harvey Police in a random alcohol testing. With two cars ahead and the riders and Taragos not yet in sight, there was time to request a photo shoot from the officer in charge, and with his positive response, time to redirect two Taragos, 20 unsuspecting cyclists and the hertz truck into the side lane for some “ testing”. The four officers were friendly and joined in the fun of the occasion as the OIC breathalysed none other than our Vicar (Rev James Mathews ) whose parishioners can rest easy in the fact that he blew 0.0! A nice way to settle the riders, have a laugh and feel reassured that drivers on the road approaching us from behind had been well and truly screened by the boys ( and girls) in blue.
From there the wind gods smiled on the riders, and the ride was unadventurous other than some roadworks and a puncture – well, Tinkerbell ( Peter Pang’s ) tyre exploding from under him with a noise like a gunshot, and looking like a piece of the bike flew off. It was later realised by Flex ( Steve Marchesi) who was immediately behind, that the black item about 6” long was in fact air as it was escaping so fast and under such pressure. The tyre needless to say, was destroyed.
Arriving 30 mins early, with an average speed of 33kph , everyone had big smiles, lots of energy and were celebrating a job very well done. Supported ably by SWMBO ( Clare) playing the Rocky theme song as they rode into town and the miked dup riders punching the air, it was a fitting end to a great effort. Tomorrow sees the ride wind through the stunning Boranup Forest and the first of the many, many hills.
The jersey winners from yesterday proudly wore the hotly contested award jerseys and were:
Scottish Freemason Mountain High Jersey - Clare Bear ( Clare Kuzich)
AHG Knight Sky jersey – Iceman ( Al White)
Southern Coast Transit Superman jersey – Wolfman ( Mark Boyer)
Webb Brown Neaves Yellow Jersey – Cipo ( Mike Mathews) and
Sodexho High Five Jersey – K2 ( Kim Hosking)
The toughen up princess award for the first time went to the yellow jersey winner, meaning tht today he rode wearing the yellow jersey and carrying a teddy bear in a tutu on the front of his handlebars! Cipo – for wearing the wrong socks and using the wrong water bottles .
March 8th, 2010 at
Dont know where else on site to put messages so will post here.
*ahem*
Go Team!!
Sounds like a great start. Im grumbling about riding to work with a strong easterly crosswind this morning but that mustve been a walk in the park when I think of RSR bunch and what you’re up against. 33kph? Woot!
Shanon
March 8th, 2010 at
Hi parents
miss you and good luck for the rest of the ride….
Looks like your all having a good time. Dad everyone is asking how you going, good old Zenith people arent quite up with technology yet, i tell them to come on here and i get a blank stare haha…Hows the hand, the hair and the toosh ???? Mum your plants and fish are still alive
xxxxx
March 8th, 2010 at
Woo hoo! Go Mountain Queen or should that be Mountain Maid?!! Well done Clare, you look great in red dots!
March 8th, 2010 at
Hi dad
Thanks dad for not putting up any embarassing photo’s. I read all about your day looks like you’ve had a good one.If you ride past a chocolate factory can you call in and grab me some.
Love connor
March 8th, 2010 at
Dots! Well done Clare.
Tomorrow should be a beautiful ride. Hope the wind keeps blowing the right way. x
March 8th, 2010 at
Hollywood,
Was it the pure torque of your mighty pedal strokes or the carbs from your Mexican sports drinks that made you crack your cranks?
Hold strong passing all those wineries tomorrow. A carton of Lenton Brae’s finest Ribena will be pretty awkward to balance on your handle bars all the way to Augusta. Although with a bit of team work and clever utilisation of biden cages maybe you could manage it!!!
March 8th, 2010 at
Clare,
LOVE the spotty look…. Lizx
March 9th, 2010 at
To the Queen of the Pack - Clare…Well done! Keep up the stretching:) Wishing you many cool and windLESS days ahead. I hope you enjoyed the beautiful tress at Boranup.
xx
March 9th, 2010 at
Well done so far guys. Great photos. Look forward to catching up with you all in Bridgetown on Wed / Thursday. It was AC/DC last night for us - so ears still ringing this morning from a great show. Have a good ride today.
Cheers,
Steve
March 9th, 2010 at
Great Stuff Bro/s
Looks like you are having fun as well as doing a great job raising awareness and funds.
I am impressed
Love from “the baby”
March 9th, 2010 at
Hey Clare
You go, girl. Love the spotty effect - sure it’s not chicken pox, or some other weird desease? All at work are sending good vibes to your ‘hammies’.
Love
Irene
March 9th, 2010 at
Hi Drabble
We were wondering over a leisurely lunch at the noodle inn how your arse was going…. So how is your arse? And how is Maddy holding up? Not coming apart at the seams just yet we hope?
love Optirons
March 9th, 2010 at
Hi there Mikey,
We are thinking about you of course and the team.
If you are having hot weather, just think about us….we had a slight bit of snow today….Spring is not here yet.
Cheers,
Mum and Dad Chester.
March 9th, 2010 at
Go Mikey Go … Go Wiggles Go … GO MIKEY GO … GO WIGGLES GO!!
Go TEAM Go!!
March 9th, 2010 at
Good on yer, Dorothy (aka Marco)
Looks like you don’t need the cream anymore !
Ride Forrest! Ride!
regards
Stephen Baines
March 9th, 2010 at
Ah Cipo……….The Princess Bride Jersey already !
Just like when we were growing up in Merredin. The ride looks like fun, Make sure you pull at the front and push at the back.
Don’t drink out of Cipo’s water bottle, never know what you’re likely to catch