^{Date Published: 23 Nov 2010 11:17am
Author:Jan Russell}

Well, our courageous Blue Boys are nearly home to us. They have travelled safely and steadily as a complete unit, supporting each other as true team mates every single crank of those pedals. We at home are awestruck, gob-smacked – whatever description you want to throw out there – at their efforts. The deepest respect and love goes out to the teams of both Blues and Reds. This has been a once-in-a-lifetime challenge that each team member has set as a goal and worked incredibly hard to achieve. There is no doubt that at times each of the riders and their support crews have wondered what the hell they were doing out in the middle of nowhere in tough conditions such a long way from home – and with sleep deprivation and physical exhaustion as a bonus. A toughie in many ways for us at home too, but it is also a privilege and a source of pride to know that we have supported the dreams of a bunch of firefighters with the biggest of hearts.

Some final words from those gorgeous Boys in Blue:

Croc (Dave):  It was great riding into Adelaide where we were joined by the South Australian firefighters.  I had never met these guys before and they made us feel very welcome.  They had lots to talk about and helped our morale immensely.  I was especially grateful for their support while I rode the Adelaide Hills section.  One more sleep and I’m back with my family and friends.

Thank you Jan for your kind words of support and advice during the ride – they have been very much appreciated.  A special thanks to all of our wives and partners for allowing the Blue Team to take on one of the most challenging events ever undertaken.

JR:  We arrived in Mt Gambier after travelling through the Adelaide Hills with a bunch of SA firies riding with our boys through the hills.  It is a beautiful part of the world and I’d like to spend more time exploring the area.  We are heading to Colac today and both teams will stop and catch up at the Austral Hotel.  I’m looking forward to seeing some of my family who live nearby.  It’s finally hitting home just what we have achieved and I’m really proud to be part of this amazing event.

Simie:  I had a great ride yesterday with the Big Dick. We travelled through Adelaide and on to Hahndorf. The scenery and the hilly terrain provided one of the best stages on the ride for me. Everyone is in good spirits. Personally, I’m amazed at the fact that we can keep riding about 120kms per day with minimal sleep and no rest days! Heading home now and the weather is becoming cooler and more recognisable for me. This has been an awesome experience for me.

Dick:  We had a great day yesterday through Adelaide and got an unbelievable tailwind out of Tailem Bend. I got the Giant up to 56 k’s on the flat with an average of the stage of 43.7. I am not competitive, but I think that was the best of the trip for Blue Team. As we roll on towards Colac I am reflecting on what I didn’t need to bring and what I left behind. I didn’t need: two pairs of shoes, fleecy track suit, clip-on aero bars, pair of jeans. I wish I had brought: an Explore Australia, little speakers for my IPod, car charger for the IPod and a Garmin. Without a doubt, the best new toy is the Garmin. The most memorable accommodation was clearly Woomeral Roadhouse, which also had the most memorable chef: Mate, steak comes as it comes, no fancy cooking here. In spite of this, the food was surprisingly good. The most memorable night was our first coffee night, Shippers mooning everybody and the best star show I have ever seen. Got to mention Bernice – she has been fabulous support throughout, which has made it easy for me to concentrate on the ride. Probably over my word count – so adios.  PS  We warmed, we formed, we stormed, and now we mourn!

Marky Mark: Enjoyed a ‘gentlemanly’ ride with Nick today, viewing some of the most beautiful scenery the country has to offer. I’ve never seen the Adelaide Hills before and the chance to roll downhill and take in the sights was fantastic. I had my first scare for the trip, narrowly avoiding some debris on the road – a little reminder to keep concentrating and stay safe. The reception at Mt Gambier was great and a nice surprise for Nick’s dad when he won the raffle and received a P4P ride jersey. All thoughts are of home now and I can’t wait to see family and friends again. Au revoir (Dick and I are bilingual).

Nick: Another great day and another step closer to home. I avoided the Adelaide Hill ascent and enjoyed a champagne descent with Marky Mark. On the few hills we encountered Mark was very encouraging. Great to ride with the Adelaide firies - I still haven’t stopped laughing. A great night at the pub enjoying a nice meal, the accommodation was excellent and it was great to sleep in a queen size bed, unlike the kiddie bed that JR put me in at Port Wakefield.

Easy:  Let me tell you about my day riding to Kimba. It was my last leg of the day, 41 degrees in the shade, road temperature about 50 degrees. We started off as usual and within five minutes my heart rate and core temperature had spiked. I couldn’t get the speed above 20 kph. I thought for the first time on this ride of pulling over, but the boys encouraged me to continue, tipping water over me and letting me ride at my own pace, which allowed me to finish my stint. The next day young Nicholas Beagley informed me he was riding the Adelaide Hills, but once the ride schedule was looked at there was a rider change missing, which meant Dave and I were riding the Hills (oh the joy!). So, after yesterday’s heat stress I was a little bit nervous. It wasn’t pretty to watch, but I got the job done.

Norm:  Day 492. The crew have mutinied and have decided to head for Tahiti to paint the natives.

Shippers: The ride to Warrnambool was not a good day for me; I must have picked up a virus so I was feeling bloody crook. Just as well because the boys kicked me while I was down as they do…had something to do with minge strain. I am feeling on top of the world on the Warrnambool-Colac section and looking forward to getting home.

As usual, these latest images of the Blue Boys are provided courstesy of Shane Goss - www.licoricegallery.com

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