^{Date Published: 14 Nov 2010 9:01pm
Author:Sam Bach}

Today’s ride began in Broome WA, the spiritual home of the blue team. A town based on oysters and more than a few pearls. Both teams converged on cable beach and spent half an hour swapping stories in a Café. Blue team had had a long night (400km) and had spent time on the roadside in the middle of the night rebuilding a wheel bearing on one of the fleets trailers. Despite the red eye haul and mechanical setbacks they were in good spirits, they had crossed the rides half way point at 0100 and quickly reminded us that it was all down hill from now.With the heat approaching 37 degrees red team pulled on the Scody riding gear and headed to the Shinju Ford Dealership in Broome to begin the 320km epic to Sandfire.

Simon Jameson, a local Police Officer and president of the Red Dirt Riders, the Broome mountain bike club offered to escort us out of town. Simon rode with us for the first leg out of Broome past Twelve Mile Creek. The first 5 km of today’s ride were amazing. Broome is surrounded on three sides by crystal blue water that had most of red team wanting to stop for a dip. Simon informed us that in addition to the irikanji (the deadly box jellyfish) there was a crocodile calling Broome home and had done so for the last month or so. With dreams of swimming now quashed our minds were back on the road.

Shortly after the first rider change a well camouflaged turn saw most of the convoy roll onto the Roebuck Plains, 60km of barren salt plain. Red teams two most experienced riders, Mark and Steve, tackled the first half of the Roebuck plains and with temperatures in the 40’s and stiff cross wind both looked relieved to step off the bike after a brutal 35km.

Past the Roebuck Plains we began to traverse the coast toward Port Headland. The country was flat tundra and the scenery gave a sense of déjà vu. During a brief stop to enjoy the gourmet rolls prepares by support crew Lisa and Bill. Conan (curious George) climbed onto the roof of one of the support trailers and announced that the same scenery extended as far as the eye could see.

Cooler temperatures and a see breeze coupled with an amazing sunset made the last rotation of 100km to Sandfire fly by. The first riding any of the team has done in temperatures below 30 degrees in the last week, and everyone was feeling strong.

We pulled into a very dark roadhouse in Sandfire and with all of the Ford Territories in need of petrol it was over to red teams perfect medium Conan Daley to turn on the charm, and with his pearly white smile he managed to convince the road house manager Dot, to reopen for us. Tonight’s meals were provided by QuarterMaster and with the residual heat of the day still in the trailer we all sat down to a hot meal.

Blue team are on the road tonight heading for Port Hedland. We are currently covering the route in the Territories and it looks like they will have a great ride. Tomorrow the red team will leave Port Hedland for Fortescue. Spirits are high and legs are strong as the inaugural HOSTPLUS Pedal For Prostate rolls on. We thak you for your support and welcome your donations, but most of all hope you hear our message. Prostate cancer is a killer, if you are over 40 and a fella get yourself checked every year, testing your blood for PSA levels is a good start but you need the prod as well. Till tomorrow sports fans. Red team over and out.

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