^{Date Published: 08 Nov 2010 12:57pm
Author:Jan Russell}

The fabulous Blue Boys jotted down a few thoughts at the end of another long day in the saddle:

• Simon ("Simie"): Rode with Big Dick. Had an awesome ride. Highlight was the last leg with a 50s song booming from the lead vehicle and Dick was singing along to "Saturday Night at the Movies" even though it was 40 degrees. I was absolutely shocked and impressed - for an ugly man he has a beautiful voice. Maybe he missed his true calling… At the end of my last ride I stepped off the bike and dived into the pool - bike and all. An awesome end to the day, sitting in the pool with a cold beer.
• Nick ("Beagz"): JR reckons I need to cut my toe nails and he thinks I could use them as paint scrapers.  He also chastised me about going back to bed after going to the toilet at 3.57 am.  I told him I had another three minutes before the alarm went off at 4.00am. Back in bed…heaven…aaaahhh…
  JR also further influenced my day by plastering me with sunscreen for my final leg. I felt like a turkey on Christmas Day, basting in 40 degree heat. Takes me back to our Station Officer's course 20 years ago with his antics.
• Pete ("Easy"): Mark and I left Mt Isa escorted by Queensland Fire and Rescue Service. 10kms out Mark punctured both front and rear tyres at the same time. I was devastated because I was on the rivet (limit of my endurance) and had to ride into a headwind in 40 deg heat for the rest of my leg by myself.
• Norm (with a name like Norm, who needs a nickname?): Another frenetic day in support to get to Camooweal in daylight for a swim and exercise.
• Dave ("Crocodile"): Enjoyed riding with Nick, kept within our limits, very hot.
• Mark ("Marky Mark"): Two punctures at the same time, spewing only 10kms out of Mt Isa. Overcame the disappointment with a really enjoyable ride with Pete at the end of the day. Boys, I am telling you – no more audio books whilst I am riding behind the lead vehicle otherwise Bad Boy Mark will surface and it won't be pretty.
• Steve (Shippers): A caring and thoughtless team member who shall remain nameless (Norm Olsen) borrowed my iPod and refused to give it back even though over the radio I asked him to leave it with the bike trailer. I got to the change over point and no iPod. Revenge will be sweet. He won't know when it is coming…
  Very enjoyable morning in the back pocket, driving the float car. Taking pics from very high vantage points after scaling near vertical rocks for the artistic effect, particularly with the sun rising in the background.
• John (JR): Another long, hot day driving, trying to keep the team on schedule, watered, fed, bikes ready to go and catering to all needs. I think some of the boys are a little over my constant nagging "Let's rock and roll"; however, they thank me at the end of the day when we are sitting down with a few beers talking about the day and what's to come.
• Dick (just "Dick"): Bloody hot, damn hot; however, benefited from my pasta meal last night and getting stronger as the days go by.

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