In a eventful day on the bike, a couple of things really stood out. Joel Clifford and my son Josh (14) completed their first 100km rides. Both of their stories from today speak to their determination and resolve to keep going.
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| First 100km Ride for Joel and Josh |
We set off from Derwent Park Drive this morning and I was happy to finally be underway. We had a couple of reproters and cameramen from WIN and Southern Cross come to see us off which was nice.
Our pace wasn't too bad for the first hour or so and then we hit the first climb of the day. All five of us coped well and the thought of a rest at Richmond drew us up and over. It was really here that Josh and Joel's stories started to be written.
Joel found an early groove and just kept plugging away up and up. Josh took the hill by storm and chased Craig all the way to the top - he did well too.
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| Josh storming up Grass Tree Hill |
Josh and I did some drafting on the way into Richmond - so much fun!
Brinktop Hill Road on the eastward road out of Richmond is one of those fairly short climbs that just keeps kicking up and up and up. We'd spread out a bit coming out of Richmond; Craig set himself upwards and off he went. Josh and Joel headed off together at a good pace, while Stuart and I headed off in pursuit after a short delay.
By the time I got caught upto Josh and Joel, I found Josh off the bike having just drifted a little off the verge of the road into some sand and then he'd hit the deck. I told Joel to push on - keep in that groove again - and then coaxed Josh back onto the bike and up and over.
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| The Red Shield Ride; "bringing hope where it's needed most!" |
The next 20km's were probably the worst for Josh. While there was immediate pain to get through, I think it was more about riding through the psychology barrier for the young fella. It isn't easy to not think about the pain. But he got through it and started laying down some good speed.
Having clearly enjoyed the descent down the other side of Brinktop, Joel was going fine until we started getting further into the third quarter of the ride. I often think this is the hardest period of any ride. I confess that I thought we were coming pretty close to Joel pulling the pin, but after a quick stop at the 85km mark, Joel somehow just kept plugging away.
And that was it; well almost. Having just cleared 100km, Stuart legs put up a really fight, but credit to the man, Stuart stretched; stamped and ground those legs into submission.
On the whole the weather was too bad except for the last hour where the rain set in solidly. but it was all smiles as we pulled back into the DHQ carpark.
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| Craig, Stuart, Joel, me and Josh at the end of Day 1 |
So proud of the Riders today.
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