Another early morning, and a gorgeous day. Got to ride with some of the team from strack attack triathlons - Kim Watkins, Angie and Hannah Black, Lauren Dixon, Gary Poppi and Allira Noonan rode with me to give me some support and break the winds.

Today was a big ride as we had 100 plus k's to do. For some of the girls this was the longest ride that they had done before and they did a great job, I wish I had half as much energy and stamina that they had today.

Throughout the ride some of the girls had to take a toilet break and it was funny cos they needed to go into the bush and were following each other so they could find a good spot to hide, they then quickly realised that they were all heading in the same direction and area and didn't want each other to be following, it was like seeing ants scattering when it rains.

On the ride I was being a bit silly and having some fun along the way, I had company so I had to entertain a little. I was singing songs, on the flats I sang Proclaimers 'I would ride one hundred miles' and on the hills, which there was plenty of I sang 'high on the hill is the lonely goater', from the sound of music. I made sure that everytime I rode past Kim I would sing!!

Riding with triathlon riders was a little hard for me today, I found that I rode some of the ride by myself and they naturally had a faster stride and pace than me and I couldn't keep up and they found it hard to also go at my slower pace. I seemed to catch up with the group and then they broke away from me and would wait for me to catch up and then when I did they would ride and just get way infront again without even trying - they make it look so easy and I felt as though I was trying to catch up. In some of those moments of just catching up I would break out in puffed song ' I have been everywhere man' so I also entertained myself too.

As we got closer to town we lost some of the group and got lost with where we needed to go, we ended up going down the main street of Gympie, which is one way and had to ride a hill up to the station instead of coming in the back roads and riding a hill down to the station. We all found each other in the end and it was a long hilly ride, I think it was a little bigger and harder than what my body was ready for today - but we all got there and had a good ride overall.

So in the end today we did 102 kms it took me 4hours and 36minutes (Gary and one of the girls got in a while before us, they ended up having an amazing race challenge and got in first and won as the rest of us where still lost and just trying to find our way) my average speed was 22.26kms and max was 63.04kms. Like I say it was a big day. After everyone packed up and headed off back to Maryborough we ducked into town and I had some Red rooster - I was that buggered that I was struggling to stay awake to eat it. So after eatting I went back to my Dad's second cousin, Shirley's farm and had a snooze.

Kids were excited to go to another farm with more animals. Very yum dinner with a a big serve of triffle to wash it down. Shirley put on a big spread of food and we were very spoilt. Tomorrow is a rest day so we may possibly take kids to Tin Can bay to feed dolphins in the morning, morning being leaving the farm before 7a.  I am glad for a rest day tomorrow, bring it on and then some more snoozing in the arvo.

I must say a huge thank you to the Watkin family for letting us camp at their place, it was great to catch up and it was very much appreciated. Thanks also to Kim Watkins, Angie and Hannah Black, Lauren Dixon, Gary Poppi and Allira Noonan from Strack attack for riding with me and being part of this journey.

Some pics of the day.......



Allira, Lauren and Hannah getting ready.


Strack attack team, from the left Hannah Black, Allira Noonan, Lauren Dixon, Me, Kim Watkins,
Angie Black and Gary Poppi.


On the road - with Kim yelling no bum shots to Megs as we rode away.








Hannah Coming in with Allira not too far behind.


Allira coming in.


Angie, Kim and I riding the last hill in.


Feeling the last hill.






Everyone chatting and chilling






I think looking a little better than the legs felt after today's ride.


An after shot after the big ride - well done team and thanks again for your support.


Kim and I - Big thanks Kim for all your help & support.