Another morning of fog so it was about 9am or so when I left. Father Rob had driven the road the yesterday to see what we were in for so we knew that once we got into the hills we were still going to have some fog.

Once we did get started and into the ride today was a hard day with hills, I had to use Tony's mountain bike so it was the second time this bike got to touch the road so far!!  I got to feel good on the start of the ride with over taking a local who was riding out of town at the same time. The rider was about 1 km ahead and I caught up to him on the hills courtesy of Tony's mtn and overtook, so this felt good intitially.

The hills were definately harder than what I anticipated today. Father Rob said to me before riding out 'you will be right the hills aren't too bad' I think he was trying to give me some positive encouragement and this was soon out the window when I encountered the first big hill. I soon began my own sign language after the first hill back to Father Rob with many different signals and I think Father Rob soon worked out that I was saying he was full of poop and I could also hear the giggling coming from the support car behind me.

No track or kilometer counter today being that I was on the mountain bike, but I rode for about 2 hrs and 58 minutes, and it felt a long time riding as the majority was up hill and the average speed is slow and feels like you are pedaling a heap and not getting anywhere. Thank goodness for Tony's bike though as I definately would have struggled more if I was riding my bike on these hills.

Support vehicle change over occurred with one hill to go, Father Rob was then trying to be funny saying there was 2 more hills to go  when I got back on the bike I physced myself up for 2 hills and when I went down the first I knew that Father Rob was having a lend of me as I was coasting into town instead of climbing another hill and was releaved that it was only one hill.

Mum, Megs and the kids were waiting for me at the top of Maleny and I got to meet the local Sgt as he also came out as we were putting the bike up on the car and chatted for a while. After setting up camp we went back into town and had a great meal at the local cafe and the kids got spoilt and had a slurpee with their lunch, to no surprise the slurpee was gone before their meals. We also couldn't leave Maleny without having one of the well known homemade icecreams from the cheese shop - I wouldnn't have heard the end of it if Megs didn't have an icecream - she had been talking about it for days, the hardest part I think was just trying to get her to choose which one and being realistic with the size, cos I think she would have eaten a tub of it if I let her. Mind you after tasting the icecream I now know why she was raving about it, I ended up having about 2 spoons of my mango as Bella stole the rest of it. I am sure it will be a place that Bella and Griffin take us back to for an icecream as it is to die for and I think Megs might be in on it too if she has a say on it, mind you I won't fight it they were damn good icecreams.

We stayed the night at the Maleny showgrounds and were surprised when the Dunne Family drove into the showgrounds to meet us. Eamon, Wendy, Marie who is 9yrs and Katie who is 6yrs & fellow cycstic had tried to come into Maleny to meet me and even pulled the kids out of school early, but I got in a little earlier than expected so they missed me in the street and came to the showgrounds to see us instead, they did however wave their flags and wore their 'for the love of life' red cf tshirts so it was still a great cheer welcome to be woken up to (yep I was having a snooze when they arrived). It was great to meet them and talk with them about CF and what has happened to me over the years and hear some of the plans and dreams that they have for their Katie. The kids all had a ball climbing and playing on the skate ramps and using them like a slide.

A few disagreements family wise tonight after dinner, I guess being with each other all this time has started to press on each others nerves. It ended up being an emotional night and a late one, so by the end of it all I was very ready for bed and not really looking forward to tomorrow.... so close to home but still so far away.

At Kenilworth showgrounds giving the mountain bike a check over.


Griffin checking out what we are doing.


Bella showing off for the camera's again.


Griffin helping pump up the tyres.


Helping Griffin pump up the tyres.


Father Rob giving the bike a test run, just in case the hills get too much he might help out and do tag team and ride some for me.... well after seeing him do the test run I will have to ride the hills alone - he was lucky he didn't crash to get off the bike. The video is funny.


The kids watching Grandad ride the bike.....


Last preparations



Vesting up for the support crew.


Leaving the showgrounds.


Heading towards the hills.


On my way  - only 41 k's to go today!!


Two little dickie birds - waiting for the camper to be packed up at the showgrounds.


Riding into Maleny.


Arriving in Maleny.




Arrived in Maleny and Phoenix radio called a few minutes after getting in - good timing.


Mum getting some footage.


The Dunne Family, from left to right (back row) Eamon, Wendy & Me.
Front row - Katie, Bella, Griffin and Marie.


Griffin and Marie having some fun on the skate ramp.


Bella and Katie also having some fun.


The kids all lining up at the top of the ramp, Bella, Marie, Katie and Griffin.


Later in the night I got on the ramp with the kids and did some sliding too - was great fun.
My head lamp light looks a little crazy in this pic.




More Dad - lets go again was all that was said when we got to the bottom.