Riders Blog

When I asked Maverick (Kim Gilbert) about today’s ride, once I edited the swear words, I was left with all the H words - hard, bloody hard, hills, head wind, humidity and heat. I reckon the Red Sky Riders are full of G words – good, great, guts, grit, gumption and finally grateful to get to Wagin. 

Getting on the bike after a day off can be a mental challenge but head count had them all present and accounted for as we left Bridgetown.  We love the rest day in Bridgetown. Pool and dart in the pub Wednesday night, late breakfast on Thursday, browsing the shops for the girls, clean and fiddling with bikes for the boys. In the afternoon, Joanne and Brian Moore organised an event with the Bridgetown town councillors at the Red Panda Cafe (food shared with Braking Cow cafe). Wine was supplied by the local winery – Tanglewood.  We had a great time and received a donation from our friendly host at Nelson’s. Thanks Gary.

Today’s ride from Bridgetown began 45 minutes early to try and avoid the heat.  The cloud cover also protected the riders from an even possibly hotter day. The other aspect of the today’s “flat” ride was the hills. It was a rollercoaster of one hill after another. At the top of every hill, the riders could see the next one coming. What great staying power they had to keep pedalling up and over each challenge.

One lady on the road between Bridgetown and Boyup Brook, pulled over to give a spontaneous donation.  That is the sort of thing that makes it all worthwhile.

Don’t let anyone tell you cyclist don’t have egos. We had to photograph all their highly cut calf muscles to see who wins the best leg competition.  All except Iceman (Alan White) because we all know he doesn’t have calf muscles.

In Moodiarrup We met up with Rose, a regular stalwart of the Red Sky Ride. Rose has met us in Kojonup for the last two years with her fund raising efforts. This year Rose and Maureen had put together well deserved and well received refreshments in the Moodiarrup Sports Complex. Rose never ceases to amaze us with her yearly total which this year came in over $2800.00. Well done Rose – you’re fantastic.

A tired and relieve bunch pulled into Wagin in the lovely park below the Giant Ram. (Hey Chester’s, the photos of the ram will have to wait till tomorrow. The hotel, showers and massages called.) We were welcomed by the Wagin Lions Club with cold drinks, sandwiches, cake and fruit. They also graced us with a donation.

Tonight we are staying at the Wagin Hotel complete with creepy butler standing attentively in the corner.

And the last few words from some of our riders:

“ the toughest day thus far” Sonny (Sonny Rahim)

“while up front it was like riding behind a barn for everyone else” Biscuit (Matthew Miller)

“flat and I enjoyed being a wind block!!” Wolfman (Mark Hoyer)

“thank god for Nutrigrain” Wilson (Jo Wilson)

“what hills, what wind!!!!” Evan Collis

“my feet are burning” Tinkerbell (Peter Pang)

“so are mine” Iceman (Alan White)

“probably one of my hardest rides ever, I have to dig deep” Clare Bare (Kuzich)

“hilly” The Kid (Sonya Debeham)

 

The highly prized jerseys yesterday were awarded in Bridgetown on Wednesday night (the riders had to kerb their enthusiasm for wearing them for a whole day :

Scottish Masonic Foundation Mountain High jersey – WI -GGLES (Michael Chester)

AHG Knight Sky Jersey – Cadel  (Evan Collis)

Southern Coast Transit Superman Jersey – Cipo (Michael Matthews)

Webb & Brown- Neaves  Yellow Jersey -  Sonny (Sonny Rahim)

Sodexho High Five Jersey – Flex ( Steve Marchesi)

The Princess award – K2 (Kim Hosking)

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