Geelong to Queenscliff (via Apollo Bay)Bloody hell could things get any worse?
Waking to torrential rain seemed bad enough but a once over of the bike revealed a flat rear tyre ... in a change over reminiscent of the best Formula One team, the tyre was removed and repaired within an hour, although the schedule was well and truly behind time, making it up through the hills between Colac and Apollo Bay would be a lot of fun.
After around 2 hours of some pretty serious riding, and getting absolutely covered in splattered insects I eventually caught the main group at Apollo Bay only to find out that this leg had been far worse than what I had been through.
Two of the Melbourne based riders who were doing the Tasmanian leg had crashed, so serious that both bikes had been written off. Thankfully both riders are ok and will still head to Sydney, in a car.
The Great Ocean Road had also taken its toll with a bike being dropped and another secumbing to mechanical issues. The worst of it happened the night before as the riders headed into Hamilton. One poor sod was taken on by our rather stupid wildlife at 100kph, he swurved and missed the roo but ended up in a ditch with his bike on top of him. The result was a helicopter ride back to Melbourne.
Once we got into Queenscliff the rides first major festivities started. The Queenscliff Bowls Club had put on a free BBQ for the riders and friends, while an auction and raffle were held. A presentation of $3000 was made by Chemring, a local Geelong based business, that was greatly received.
As the merriment continued and everyone was made aware that all riders were ok despite the incidents it was revealed that the ride so far has raised $145,000 and with many more donations along the way it was looking extremely good to beat all targets.
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