Date Published: 11 Nov 2010 9:34pm
Author:Jan Russell
The NT Fire Service escorted Red and Blue teams from Hidden Valley Ford in Darwin into the city for a Remembrance Day service on Thursday 11th and then onto a media function. Nick and Dick (“NickDick”?), along with Ted Whitten, called in to pick up Dave’s new Garmin cycle computer from K9 Cycles in Darwin – an early birthday present from his beloved Blue Boys to replace the one he lost along the way. Geoff, the owner of K9 Cycles (an ex-Victorian) was pleased to meet Ted and the boys and assisted very generously with the purchase. Thanks very much Geoff.
Darwin was just a one-day detour from Highway One and by the end of the day the juggernaut was back in Katherine. From there they headed across the WA border to Kununurra with Broome and the west coast in their sights. The Kimberley stretch has been a favourite; spectacular scenery unfolding all the way across, high quality roads and no traffic.
The weather has been typically very hot, hovering around mid to high 30s. Because of this, Blue Team has been very happy to have the ‘night rider’ gig as the night temperatures are much more forgiving and pleasant – generally around 24 – 30 degrees. This has saved the lads and they have all thoroughly enjoyed the ideal riding conditions under star-filled skies.
And now a bit of ‘backchat’ from those courageous bitumen blitzers, the mighty Blue Boys:
Marky Mark: Very happy to be riding in the cooler night – but still warm at between 25 – 30 degrees. Still trying to adjust to night riding, body clock is very confused and the only way I can tell if I’m going uphill or down is when my heart rate goes through the roof. Fantastic lightning shows most nights and I’m enjoying getting to know a little bit more about each team mate as we rotate through our pairings (great idea Simon). Starting to find our rhythm now, and I think after Perth it will be like turning for home, full steam for home.
Dave: The heat during the day is oppressive. Thank God we are riding at night! Driving after the ride stages is a big problem which is managed by constant driver changes. All of us are very tired during the driving sections. I am very happy with the team and we are still riding ahead of the schedule. All of us can now see light at the end of the tunnel and I am amazed how the team have adapted to the many challenges. I miss my family and I look forward to seeing them.
Simon: Having a great time. Excellent riding conditions. Man this is a big country. Heading for Broome tonight. Love to say more but I’m a poor typist so this will have to do. Missing everyone. Cheers.
JR: Amazing light show from lightning streaks all night heading into Darwin, and the country is so lush and green. The boys are holding up considering the lack of sleep, although we had a few of the boys MIA due to lack of sleep. And there are always snorers in the back.
Dick: Riding at night has been an experience. Sleep wants to come at about 3am but the payoff is riding as the sun comes up. The colours are amazing. I am clearly no artist but I wish I could paint this. We stopped this morning and had coffee at about 3.30 on the side of the road. Turned off all the lights and saw stars like never before. Missing everybody at home but we have gone through halfway and I feel the rest of the trip will be over too quickly – maybe we should throw in Tassie! I am feeling amazingly good and all my fears about bum rash have not been realised. The Giant is going really well. Craig and the boys at Bicycles Inc. did a great job setting up the bike. Don’t know how, but I reckon we are getting stronger as average speeds are trending up for most of us. We have music to ride by – some good crap. Most of the guys reckon my iPod is full of rubbish; they keep asking for something contemporary. Stuff that. I have undergone somewhat of a renaissance; apart from being converted from chocolate milk to ice coffee, after continually misplacing stuff I found that if I put the things back in their cases they don’t get lost – a place for everything and everything in its place. Hope I can keep it up. I love youse all!
All images courtesy of Shane Goss. www.licoricegallery.com
Simon Hohmann (left) and David Doherty bring the blue team home into Happy Valley Ford in Darwin.
Happy Valley Ford staff meet Simon Hohmann (left) and David Doherty in Darwin.
(l-r) Peter Leahy , Richard ‘Dick’ Grant and Grahame Bourke (support) stay out of the heat in Darwin.
Spirits are high in the blue team with Simon Hohmann on day twelve.
Mark Lyons takes the plunge into Katherine’s hot springs on day eleven. The team leave Katherine at around 10pm tonight for the trek to Darwin.
At last they are together again: The riders from the red and blue teams with Dane and Adam (holding jersey) of Happy Valley Ford in Darwin.
Richard ‘Dick’ Grant likes his sausage rolls for breakfast and loves his pasta for dinner.
Riders from both teams show their respect for the fallen at the Remembrance Service in Darwin.
Snake alert!!! A rider-change was about to receive an unwanted intruder (left) thirty kilometres out of Katherine.
Mark Lyons (left) and Peter Leahy got the ride underway and pass some spot fires on the outskirts of Katherine.
Peter Leahy (left) and Mark Lyons had a new friend prior to leaving Katherine at around 10pm.
Ted Whitten jnr is presented with a cheque from members of the Darwin Fire Brigade.
A Black Head Spotted Python put the wind up a few of us at a rider –change during the night near Katherine.
The boys from the blue team in the hot springs at Katherine in the Northern Territory.
Trailer trouble for the blue team at the Daly Waters truck-stop on day eleven.
Lightning strikes in the background as the crew meet the locals at the Daly Waters Hotel.
Ted Whitten jnr with the daily jersey winner at the Daly Waters Hotel.
Ted Whitten jnr speaks to locals about prostate cancer outside the Daly Waters Hotel.
Ted Whitten jnr meets a long-lost cousin in Daly Waters.
Blue team leader David Doherty grabs a Beraldo coffee fix on day ten.
Officials and locals enjoying the beer outside the Daly Waters Hotel in the Northern Territory on day ten.
Ted Whitten jnr pours a beer at the Daly Waters Hotel as the local barmaid donates to the Ted Whitten Foundation.
Mark Lyons (right) and Simon Hohmann relax among the number plates at the Daly Waters pub after their ride overnight from Three Ways.
The blue team had their washing on the line early on day ten in Camooweal before setting out on day ten.
Even the country’s most remote traffic light won’t stop the 2010 HOSTPLUS Pedal 4 Prostate Fire-fighters Ride Around Australia.
Cheers Nic: Blue team rider Nicholas Beagley enjoys a cold VB at the Daly Waters pub after his ride overnight in the Northern Territory.
Peter Leahy (left) and Nicholas Beagley meet some Taiwanese tourists in Daly Waters after the finish to their first overnight leg of the ride.
Riders on the blue team settle down for breakfast at the Daly Waters pub.
Blue team leader David Doherty has the group in high spirits nearing the half-way mark of the ride.