Long Ride - Day 5

Canberra to Sydney (293 kms)





Definetly not the longest leg of the Long Ride but in many ways the most stressful.



The day started with a presentation to Terrence Shaddick, who had been one of the group to ride all the way from Western Australia, in fact he had ridden from Newman. Big T loved the sunnies, and was thrilled that they even match the colour of his bike.

Once on the road we headed to a roadside truck stop a few kilometres outside of the nations capital to get a quick bite to eat, bacon and eggs on toast, it was bloody awful. We also met up with another motor cycle club, this time the Patriots, a bunch of serving members of the Royal Australian Air Force.

From here it was a 180 kilopmetre ride to Pheasants Nest for the last fuel stop and to try and get some on the road photos of the Patriots.

The ride was almost dead straight and freeway conditions, it was made a little more enjoyable by the fact that we decided to ride in formation and the further we went the more bikes joined in making it a great site, bikes as far as you could see and all in a staggered 2 by 2 configuration.

We eventually got to the truck stop at Pheasants Nest, and immediately there was a sense that something extremely special was beginning to happen. We all got prepared and headed to the final stop before we hit Sydney; Mascot Airport where we would all group and ride into the CBD as one.

By now the numbers had swelled to well over 300 bikes and the atmosphere was electric, this was certainly going to be something special.

All riders formed up behind event organiser, Chris Dunn at 1pm, and we rode on for the final 9 kilometres. It was amazing to see the approval and congratulations we were getting from the many motorists and pedestrians as we came off the freeway and into the Sydney CBD. The ABC helicopter hovered above making sure that the whole thing was covered. It was just a pitty that the more mainstream media didn't take notice, perhaps mens health issues aren't pink enough.

Another issue we faced was a lack of police presence which left some of us getting lost in the rabbit warren that is Sydney. NSW Police had promised an escort but apparantly on the day the officers who were charged with the task weren't contactable ... fair dinkum, don't get me started on this.

We eventually found our way and rolled into the foreshore at Darling Harbour, it was an amazing site, at least 400 motorcycles of all breeds and brands rolling into the paved area, and most riders in their pale blue prostate shirts. The scene was even more amazing when those that had ridden the whole way dismounted and in a show of real emotion began hugging each other. I'm not talking that trendy handshake and chest bump type hug that the 'youngens' are doing these days, I'm talking real embraces, that convey the love and respect that all of these riders have foor each other. I'm not ashamed to say that the emotion got to me, and was on the point of bliubbering like a school girl.

The amazed onlookers couldn't believe what they were seeing, but for us riders it was something quite hard to explain. It was now time to celebrate what the Long Ride 2011 had achieved. The tales were already beginning to flow, as was the amber stuff at the Hard Rock Cafe. After a few photos, more stories and chats with ABC television and the public it was time to take off for our last 'official' stop ... the Urban Hotel in St Leonards.

Once we were all settled in, we headed off to Luna Park, where we would embark on the final celebration aboard a Sydney Harbour cruise.

Again the tales were being reeled off everywhere, and seemed to be getting more exciting as the alcohol took hold. It was a great night with stories of how the long ride originated and why. Tales of the past riders who had unfortunately secumbed to bthe terrible disease we are on this ride for. People who had riden the furtherest were commended as were those that helped raise the most money, this is where I would like to thank all of you ... I was ranked third, behind Arnold Keuker from Brisbane and Guy Mander from Perth ... I really can't explain what your generosity means to me, and you be assured that every cent raised went straight to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia. The PCFA were extremely appreciative of the help that you guys have given them. Again it was an emotional thing, especially as an auction got underway and people dug even deeper. I couldn't believe that $50 was reached for a $3 stubby holder, but hey, we all know it's for a great cause.

It was also announced that so far the Long Ride 2011 had raised over $150,000.00, and hopefully the rides home could raise more funds.

As the night wore on friendships were cemented by the exchanging of contact details, and discussions of where to meet for the next Long Ride.

If the way I felt the next morning is anything to go on, then there were certainly going to be some sore heads. In fact I was amazed that so many riders got started for home very early. I'm staying in Sydney for a few days and will then head down the New South Wales south coast for the Long Ride home. A few of the guys from Westeren Australia have shown an interest so I might have riding partners some of the way. It will also be a chance for all riders to keep spreading the world about men's health and prostate cancer and hopefully raise further funds for the cause.