Day Four: A Bit Of A Mixed Bag...

In 2013, on the last day of Aaron's Red Shield Ride from Adelaide to Melbourne, I found myself for much of that final stage in a position similarly occupied by Richie Porte in front of Chris Froome; only I was in front of Aaron.  On that occasion I giving him a bit of a rest in setting the pace. 

Aaron Petersen doing "some of the work!" setting the pace!

Today, Aaron returned the favour.  At about the 60km mark, I'd been out in front for a few km's and Aaron came past; "You've got another 80km's to do tomorrow, I don't.  Let me do some of the work for you!"  It felt so good drafting behind him, and we made our best time of the day over the next 15-20kms.

Last night we decided that if we could start a little earlier today we should.  The main consideration was finishing the 100km from Bicheno to Orford in enough time for Aaron to pack down his bike and get him to the Airport for his flight home.

Aaron's Bike going into the bike bag for the flight home!

So we got underway by 8:30am with the intention of reaching Orford by 2pm at the latest, including stops and whatever else may come up!  At any given point of the ride, I was almost always thinking about the clock and the likely reality that this being day four, we may well get slower the further we went today.

Food and a breather!

In the end. despite the cold - it was cold today - we motored along quite well!  We arrived at Swansea for a second breakfast to find us on the front page of the Examiner! :-)

FRONT PAGE!!!!

Today's run was the longest single stage of the Red Shield Ride; 101km.  We completed it in just over 4hours and 10minutes; setting our best pace of the Ride so far!  We saw some of this great States most wonderful coast, and we are now facing only two more stages.

Freycinet behind us!

Today's ride was really the biggest psychological barrier of the Ride.  I expected it to be tougher; any 100km ride is a good effort.  But from here on out the stages only get shorter.

Stuart and I with Support Crew Member / Driver / Photographer: Dennis Petersen (my Father-in-law)

And to cap of the day;  we made it to Hobart Airport in good time for Aaron to make his flight and I'm home tonight: back to my family, my own bed and a home cooked dinner by my wife Nicole!

Tonight's slow cooked pork and roast veggie's.