Day 4 - Augusta to Bridgetown
Pain, suffering, hills, big hills, bigger hills and more pain and suffering. So goes the riders summary of the day.
What an amazing ride though! The riders showed sheer guts and determination, lots of humour ( until the 50km mark when, with another 100km to go the hills knocked the humour out of the most devoted rider. ) Wiggles ( Michael Chester) threw a chain at the bottom of a big hill, had to stop to get it back on, and then managed to spin his way up to the front of the pack – even in the cars we could hear the riders yelling “ WI GGLES, WI GGLES , WI GGLES “ to cheer him on. Sensational team effort!
Some of our strongest riders put in an extraordinary effort assisting the riders experiencing real pain. Hollywood ( Mark Drabble) commenting that he saw pain barriers crossed like never before. Superhuman efforts by Sonny ( Sonny Rahim) leading at the front on many an occasion, Cipo (Mike Mathews) Wolfman ( Marco Hoyer) and Hollywood assisting whenever needed, Cadel ( Evan Collis) talked Wiggles up the final soul breaking hills, getting him there with mind as well as body intact, and Dorothy ( Marco De Campi) discovered the power of mind over matter. Well done to everyone for a truly extraordinary days riding. Every dollar donated ( $278,000 to date ) was paid for in triplicate today.
Lighter moments were the lovely lunch and generous donation by the Nannup Lions Club, Kangaroos and Emus escorting us at times, beautiful karris trees , and the encouragement of a rest day ahead in beautiful Bridgetown. A highlight of the day was the warm welcome and amazing generosity in time and energy of the Natural therapy and wellness center in Bridgetown who , for the third year running, had 5 massage therapists waiting to support and pamper the riders, All volunteering their time for the red sky ride, today and tomorrow.
Jersey winners from yesterday were:
Scottish Masonic Foundation Mountain High – Wilson ( Jo Wilson)
AHG Knight Sky – Vicar ( James Mathews)
SCT Superman Jersey - Biscuit ( Mathew Miller)
Webb & Brown- Neaves – The Kid ( Sonya Debenham)
Sodexho High Five -Tinkerbell ( Peter Pang)
The Princess Award – Sonny
March 10th, 2010 at
Dear Red Sky Riders
Congratulations on making it to the completion of day 4 and arriving in Bridgetown after 4 days in the saddle. Enjoy the rest day tomorrow but be sure to have a celebratory drink or 3 tonight (get down to that pub early though - they tried to lock us out last year….).
All the best for a safe and enjoyable ride back to Perth and we look forward to catching up with you when you get back.
Regards
Chris and Marissa
March 10th, 2010 at
Great work guys. I looked at this morning’s photo on the web & there’s Mishy B charging along at the front. Is it any coincidence the Red Sky Ride and Paris-Nice, two elite cycling events being held at the same time? I think not!
March 10th, 2010 at
Wiggles can put a chain back on a bike! !!! I am in shock. Go Wiggles Go. I think of you on my 5 minute long bike ride into work each day. And eat some chocolate in support. You are all almost home. Sunny and cool in southern England. I miss western Oz….I miss Canada…I miss my bike… I miss Wiggles…
March 10th, 2010 at
Sounds like it was tough going out there today Dorothy, well done on those hills mate, enjoy the break in Bridgetown.
Regards
Stephen Baines
March 11th, 2010 at
Well Done Wiggles today. You’re making a name for yourself now! Any chance we might see you at London 2012? If I was you I would spend tomorrow’s rest day at the Massage parlour in Bridgetown! A quick rub down with the Sporting Life? Love from us both, and R E S P E C T.
March 11th, 2010 at
Hi everyone
Well, it sounds like you had to do some serious cycling yesterday after days of eating chocolate and cakes, yoga, enjoying the scenery - things normal people do on holiday! Those hills do look a bit grim and they make my couple of hills in Kings Park this morning look rather pathetic. Enjoy today - Bridgetown won’t know what hit it!
March 11th, 2010 at
As I ride my chair in the office, I was wondering how WI-GGLES and the RSR team made out today … Wow, I have to say, I’m glad I spent my day sitting flat on my chair - what a day for everyone.
Great accomplishment to all - FANTASTIC team effort! Enjoy the well earned R&R in Bridgetown.
March 11th, 2010 at
Gday everyone!
Just a call out to the Matthews brothers!!!! hope the pain is intense but so to is the mateship haha!
Congratulations on making it this far!!!! have a few beverages for me whilst i am studying!!!!
cheers guys.
- Josh
March 11th, 2010 at
Hi Alan
Hope you’ve taken the chocolates that your bringing us back out of your pockets from the Chocolate Factory (does lycra have pockets?). All well, so much so that Maureen has sold all the Apartments and has convinced the powers that be to start building the next tower, first of the concrete being poured as we speak!! Can you believe that!! Money still pouring in to support your effort, although you might have to leave a large donation of your own at the Club as Suzie uncovered your stash of cups/saucers/plates & glasses that you and only you haven’t returned to them over the last months/years
March 11th, 2010 at
Hi Bear
[go Wiggles indeed]. Don’t let them there mountains beat you - they don’t call you a mountain bear for nuthin’.
Well, it sounds like I got my wish! I didn’t really mean it, honestly. Adversity is obviously bringing the best out of everyone, however, as the team spirit sounds awesome. Are you keeping a low profile this year? There are no ’stories’ about you - Wiggles seems to be hogging the lot
Looking forward to hearing aallll about it when you get back to work.
Love
Irene
March 11th, 2010 at
A lame limerick for the lads and ladies on the leisurely lay day
There is a group of riders from Red Sky
Who took on the Bridgetown hills and thought they would die
But they’re a tough bunch this lot
They push on where others might not
Taking courage and commitment to a new high
Keep up the good work gang.
Love from your Zenith fan club
March 11th, 2010 at
Hey Matt (sorry, we just can’t call you Biscuit, it’s wrong!!)
We’re all impressed with your efforts and how many photos you’ve got yourself in, we’re wall papering your office as we speak..
Looking forward to reading more blog entries on the ride’s progress and hearing the stories next week.
Kia kaha (stay strong)
Konekt crew xx
PS. Nice work to you and Sonya with the jerseys - that shot is making it into this months Konektions!!
March 11th, 2010 at
Wow!!!!!!We did not know you had so many big hills to go up.
Very impressed with all of you and the encouragemant you give to each other.
I will wear my red Olympic mitts to bed to cheer you on….what will Dad think of that?
Cheers,
Mum and Dad.
March 11th, 2010 at
HAHAHA “Hollywood assisting whenever needed,”
I can imagine him pedaling his own bike with one right leg then somehow helping someone pedal their bike with his left!
Keep the TUP Awards coming ! (Toughen Up Princess)
March 11th, 2010 at
Hi Dad
Well done on a champion effort so far. I’m particularly impressed to see the pink teddy award you picked up yesterday. No doubt a stylish addition to your Colnago.
Steve & I are following the blog daily, great photos and well done to all the team on such a great achievement so far.
It’s exhausting just looking at the mammoth hills in the blog photos… you ROCK!! I am very proud of you.
Looking forward to seeing you on Sunday. Fingers crossed that this year you pick up the ‘best legs’ award after being pipped at the post last time.
Love Alison & Steve.
March 11th, 2010 at
Hi Clare
Got the local paper - the write up & photo was very impressive. I hope it brings in big bucks for you all. We all miss you heaps.
Love Irene
March 11th, 2010 at
Hi Clare Bear!
Hope the hammies are holding up - haven’t heard more about them so they are either behaving or you are being incredibly stoic!
Thinking about you as I go about life as usual, well done to you all!
shazza x x
March 11th, 2010 at
Go Mish, Mikey and Marco. Well done on your awesome effort so far. I’ve missed my cycling buddies this week. Good to see you are almost home….well apart from that 190km the day after tomorrow…!
Ride safe and enjoy. See you Sunday. QE xx
March 11th, 2010 at
Hay Dad [mark]
We’ve been following your progress on the ride, must be tough out there
hope your going well ive got a test this week english hope i go well. Hope you have a good time
love harrison xoxo
March 11th, 2010 at
Hi daddy
i saw your pictures - you look really funny. I miss you very much. I had Kidznsports today and afterschool I went in the pool. I cant wait to see you on Sunday. love TT
hi dad
on tuesday i had my commissioning ceremony and i got my badge. on wednesday i learnt a few songs on the saxophone. i miss you heaps and i hope you are not hurt from ruby
March 11th, 2010 at
Hi to the Champ - Clare! Love the hills! Hope your rest day is very relaxing. We will miss you at the wedding, but we will have a drink to you and your fantastic effort with this wonderful fundraising challenge.
Anne xx
March 12th, 2010 at
Congratulations on day 4, which is day 3 here in Canada…do you ride up hills as well as down hills? Be careful of the downhills they can be nasty..
Sorry to hear you broke a chain…otherwise keep up the good work, sounds like a lot of fun(not)…brutal seems a better word…Uncle Pete(Go Canada Go)
March 12th, 2010 at
Not that a blog winner should be declared at this stage but from checking out the blogs that Canadian fella is kickin arse….Mish leave it to me!!!
March 12th, 2010 at
Mishy - Go you good thing!! Keep up the great work
March 12th, 2010 at
Hey Dad,
You guys have done really well so far and deserve to be contratulated - you are making every one proud!
Nice pink teddy there… although when i spoke to you the other day you failed to mention you fell off your bike while stationary… sounds like something i’d do!
Sorry we can’t be there on Sunday so see everyone in but looking forward to seeing the pics and hearing all the stories!
Best of luck for the rest of the ride but given how hard you have worked i’m sure you won’t need it.
Love Andrea and Dan
March 12th, 2010 at
Grande Steve-O,
You’re my hero!
I hope you’re all as proud of yourselves as we are of what you’re achieving.
Genuine expression of human spirit.
xo Annie
Ps. I don’t believe for a second you deserved that Princess award:)
March 12th, 2010 at
Yesterday R&R, today W.R. (Wagin Ram)! Hope the ride was smooth.
March 12th, 2010 at
Guys, Fantastic stuff, sounds like some of you are hurting now … you are doing a brilliant job. (I’m a bit worried - in one of the photos there seems to be only half a peleton!!) Many people thinking of you up here. Spent today with 40 solaris staff on our first vocational training day, great people too. After tomorrow, it’s all down hill, and so don’t fret it, enjoy the company. Remember it could be worse - you could be at work!! I saw th blog about flex getting best legs - it’ll never happen. Thinking of you all, DJ. PS how many are double-bagging now??
March 12th, 2010 at
Clare,
We are, as always, very impressed with you and the whole group! Hope you all enjoyed the well deserved rest day yesterday. You will be in Wagin by now and I look forward to hearing todays report.
Keep on riding, keep on riding….
Love Sharon and John
March 12th, 2010 at
Hi Dad (Michael Matthews)
I’m missing you and I really want you to come back. When you get home can we go for a long bike ride together?
Love from your best mate Hamish.
PS Mum said you would share your drink bottle with me because we have the same spit.
March 12th, 2010 at
I hope you get lots of messages Mishi all the best for the rest of the week.
Love Nomes
March 12th, 2010 at
Dad I just got home from camp. I’v got heaps to tell you about abseiling and canoeing and the camp food and the drop toilet
You are doing a great job and I bet you will have a shower for half an hour like I did when you get home.
We are missing you and can’t wait to see you.
Love Ruru xxx
March 12th, 2010 at
Hi Bear
Great to have a chat on the phone - it sounds like the ride today was a bit of a killer, so enjoy the well-earned massage [by the way, who massages the masseur, one may ask]. Only two more sleeps and you’ll be home - not that you’ll be wishing the time away - but it must be good knowing that the summit of Mount Everest is in sight once more. All joking aside, your family and friends are all so proud of you, kiddo. You set a standard that we all aspire to.
Enough of the soppy stuff - put your back into it and get into one o’ them fancy shirts.
Love
Irene
March 12th, 2010 at
PS Don’t let anyone’s hands come anywhere near your back
March 12th, 2010 at
Hi Everyone - you guys are legends!!!! Keep it up. Hey Mish any contravening fashion standards amongst the team? Bike bells, stack hats with clip on visors perhaps? if so, offending persons should have a big skull at dinner… Updating my bike bits and pieces for your return. Have fun. ab