Riders 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 .

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!