Its July 21 2009. Its hard to believe that today is the last day of our journey across Australia. We've come over 5600 ks and its just a short 95 k tap home. So it's a boisterous breakfast, one spent thanking our marvelous support team, Helen, Annettte, Maurie, Paulette and Julie. Unless you experienced the ride you can't comprehend how much they are part of our completion. Food, hydration and simple love and understanding were critical to our surviving and they delivered on all counts.
Then the ride team is back on the road, just spinning our way along the highway, chatting, laughing and sharing our last day together. I had a good chat with Dennise and the smile on her face made the whole ride worthwhile. Pretty soon we are in Raymond Terrace for coffee and morning tea, then on to Active Cycles for a photo. They have been great supporters of the ride supplying all the spares we needed, thanks guys.
Then a short push through Newcastle and another stop at a sponsors place, this time Crosbie Warren Sinclair. Again they are great supporters and a photo with them is the least we can do to thank them.
The welcome at the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service is a a wram one, lots of friends and family as well as the Helicopter mob and HMRI.
For the record the day was 95 ks, Average 25, 3 hours 30, Max 53. Numbers have been important to us up to now but we might forget about them for a while.
Its been one special adventure and bieng back home feels good. Everyone is fit and healthy (Dave seems to have survived his fall OK). We've pedalled together for 5620 ks and enjoyed some crazy stuff both on the bikes and in camp, the sort of stuff that we will remember for a long time.
For me this was a special trip. There were some tough days but overall as long as you got your head right it was a comfortable ride and the very best way to see Australia. The ride teams achievment was way above any individuals. To complete together despite the hardships, the injuries and the dislocation from home was the real milestone. We left Broome together and we rode into Newcastle, still together and still helping eachother if it was needed. Events like this where you test yourself physically and mentally can see some personalities unravel, but not this mob. The ride spirit lived on and will live on.
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