The day started like any other: up at 6:00, breakfast, cleanup and on the road at 7:15am. Then the fog came in and made life as a support person a little 'interesting' as cars and bikes kept disappearing before our eyes only to emerge again a bit further down the road. Finally the fog lifted and although the car traffic was quite constant the trucks were, mostly, very well behaved allowing us plenty of room and making life 'in the fast lane' safe.
Unfortunately in every silver lining you have a black cloud. Today this was in the form of an irrate Truckee, who Paul and I had heard earlier talking to another Truckee on the UHF radio about how "all bikes should be off the roads"!
When he finally did catch up with the group he said we should learn to get a car with flashing lights ( which we have), and that he'd had to brake severely to miss hitting us (which he hadn't). Paul told him perhaps he needed his eyes checked if he couldn't see our flashing lights and banners indicating "Riders ahead"!
Some time after this the first support car, driven by 'Lande and Ray was pulled over by a friendly policeman from Heathcote who had had a complaint about the riding/ driving behaviour of us by ... You guessed it, our favourite truck driver! The policemen was very nice (according to 'Lande) and said we should keep on doing exactly what we have been doing!
Both 'Lande and Simone pulled out early from the ride today as it was a constant ascent and with a head wind, making life on the bike a tough slog for everyone. Even Frank said today was the first day he had nearly "called it quits" but persevered until the end. He said tonight though " he is completely spent" and is not looking forward with any enthusiasm to tomorrow. (Hang in there Frank "only" - there's those horrible four letters again - 3 more day to go)!
With the the last 30 kms to go, Darren gets a puncture after crossing a bridge with a terrible edge to it. As the riders were on double lines and about to climb another hill, the first support car had to keep going with Paul and I being able to stop safely a bit further back and lend a hand. The rest of the group kept going with Darren having to catch up at the next rest stop. After the repairs I have never seen a bike pushed with such determination, up hill and down dale - those big legs kept on pumping until finally we see the caravans and witches hat! Whew, that was some crazy riding.
The final leg was of course the most tiring as all riders were now on their reserve energy limits when all of a sudden in front of us I see "rider down". What a sickening sight it is to see as bikes are sprawled on the road, not knowing if the injuries are serious on even life threatening.
Paul stopped the car, (once again going up a hill and with double lines) put his green "see-me" vest on and directed traffic as bikes were untangled, along with the riders Mandy and John. Fortunately for everyone no serious injury was incurred although some gravel rash on knees, hips and John's shoulder might tell a different story in the morning. John also was a little shocked, but gathered himself gracefully and rode into our stop for the night - Kilmore. The sad part was that in the previous rest stop John had just lost his GO-PRO, as it had broken off from his front handle-bar. Imagine what this fall would have looked like if he'd still had it!!!!! Spectacular!
Please let all our bad luck be out of the way! Tomorrow we head into the 'big-smoke' where riders take to bikes tracks and supports go their own way. Till then...
No comments:
Post a Comment