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Northgate (Qld) to Scarborough (Qld)
48.65 kms
15th November 2014
How the day went:
It feels rather strange today. In some ways it seems ages since we set off from Scarborough (NSW), and yet it also seems like all too soon, the trip is almost over!!
We have a few times to stick to today. First off to be at the Nundah Bike track at 9:00 a.m. Several of our biking buddies had indicated that they would ride there from their various start points, and ride back with us to the finish line.
While the past 2 weeks of riding on unfamiliar roads has been great, there was also something nice and relaxing about being back on familiar streets and bike-paths again today.
How nice it was to arrive at the track and see all those familiar faces – they certainly are “Biking Buddies” and it is great how they have shown their support for this ride in so many ways. I loved the comments that have been left on facebook during the trip, am extremely grateful to those who have donated to my chosen charity – the PCYC Bicycle Education Safety Training programme – and it is wonderful that so many came to share the final kms with us.
We headed off right on the dot of our planned departure time of 9:00 am. The head winds hadn’t given up – but Kevin Green gave me a great “wheel” through to Sandgate and I could virtually say – what head wind???
John Back-pack Blackley joined in near the Town Hall Bakery carrying date scones and chilled water!! Thank you John! Along Flinders Parade more joined the cycling convoy – and when we reached Decker Park, some “foot” supporters were there in the form of Lesley Egen, Ted and Kim – more of my newly found “Noonan” family. A quick rendezvous with Pat and Jucy Lucy and then off across the Ted Smout Bridge. It is always a magical feel crossing that bridge to return to the beautiful Redcliffe Peninsula – I never tire of it. Of course I reflected on the feeling I had from 2011 after biking across Australia - this was pretty similar!
First stop on the Peninsula was to get a picture at the “Newport” sign – thus completing the “Newport to Newport” section of the ride. Earlier today we had also completed “Sandgate to Sandgate”.
Around the corner and we arrived ahead of schedule at the Redcliffe PCYC. Chairman Noel Powell, Sergeant Peter Parkes and Senior Constable Bob McDonald welcomed us, along with instructors from the BEST programme and some of the PCYC youngsters. Annie and I got to ride on the training track – I do hope we did things correctly!! All road signs are there to be learned and obeyed, they have working traffic lights, round-abouts, T-intersections, 4 way intersections, slip lanes – you name what we find on the roadway – it is there. A wonderful training ground for young cyclists!!
Then it was time for the final 5 kms from the PCYC to our finishing line at Scarborough. The cycling convoy was pretty long by now – and we were escorted by the PCYC cars along the journey.
We were surrounded by more family and friends at the finish line, and it was a great time to relax and enjoy a sausage sizzle by the PCYC. Thanks Pauline Green for going over and getting us all a Neli Coffee – that was great! For someone who was going to stop off in Brighton and drive over to the finish – I think you did more kms than anyone today by riding the whole way with us and then back home again!!
Loved crossing the finish line with Annie – a great feeling of accomplishment – and nice to replicate the feeling of 2 years ago when we completed the ride the length of New Zealand!
While I finished my ride here – hat’s off to Annie – who after enjoying these festivities – continued on and biked another 32 kms to her home at Moorina. It was a very hot day by early afternoon – and there are some serious hills between Scarborough and Moorina that she had to negotiate – but she did it – AND – has now completed 2 long distance rides with me and not had a puncture!!!!! Very proud of you Annie!!!!
Each of my rides has had its different types of challenges. Previously I have had a complete rest day each week of the ride – this time I opted not to, but to cover shorter distances on a few days that I called "riding rest" days. If we had had tail winds all the way – it would have been a LOT easier – but head-winds were well and truly the majority and it made the days just that much harder than just reading the kilometer distance would indicate. Overall it wasn’t as hilly as the New Zealand ride – but it certainly wasn’t without some testing climbs!! Physically – I would rank it slightly easier than the NZ ride.
The bigger influence this time has been the mental one. It broke my heart to hear my dear mum had passed peacefully away on the day this ride commenced – and I thank my sister very much for making contact, encouraging me to continue, and dealing with the situation back home.
Don’s fall also rocked me and made me realize how vulnerable we are and that things can go wrong. I am so sad that happened Don and it wasn’t the same with you on foot and your arm in a sling when we met up on the final day. Shame you couldn’t be on your bike with us through to the end of the journey.
Our dear friend Chris Melbourne had her stem cell transplant the day we set off – we wore green wrist-bands in support, and constantly wondered how she was – she is one courageous lady facing a hell of a fight. When the going got tough – thinking of Chris put my woes into perspective.
Finally – (and just to see if she does read to the end of my posts) – another huge thanks to Pat for driving the support vehicle and looking after us. I know she was extremely anxious about driving through Sydney in particular and areas of Brisbane that she is not familiar with – and even though we had a few missed meet-ups – we got there!!! I appreciate your support for my crazy ideas and enabling me to realise my dreams!!!!
Until 2015 .................................................. :-)
It feels rather strange today. In some ways it seems ages since we set off from Scarborough (NSW), and yet it also seems like all too soon, the trip is almost over!!
We have a few times to stick to today. First off to be at the Nundah Bike track at 9:00 a.m. Several of our biking buddies had indicated that they would ride there from their various start points, and ride back with us to the finish line.
While the past 2 weeks of riding on unfamiliar roads has been great, there was also something nice and relaxing about being back on familiar streets and bike-paths again today.
How nice it was to arrive at the track and see all those familiar faces – they certainly are “Biking Buddies” and it is great how they have shown their support for this ride in so many ways. I loved the comments that have been left on facebook during the trip, am extremely grateful to those who have donated to my chosen charity – the PCYC Bicycle Education Safety Training programme – and it is wonderful that so many came to share the final kms with us.
We headed off right on the dot of our planned departure time of 9:00 am. The head winds hadn’t given up – but Kevin Green gave me a great “wheel” through to Sandgate and I could virtually say – what head wind???
John Back-pack Blackley joined in near the Town Hall Bakery carrying date scones and chilled water!! Thank you John! Along Flinders Parade more joined the cycling convoy – and when we reached Decker Park, some “foot” supporters were there in the form of Lesley Egen, Ted and Kim – more of my newly found “Noonan” family. A quick rendezvous with Pat and Jucy Lucy and then off across the Ted Smout Bridge. It is always a magical feel crossing that bridge to return to the beautiful Redcliffe Peninsula – I never tire of it. Of course I reflected on the feeling I had from 2011 after biking across Australia - this was pretty similar!
First stop on the Peninsula was to get a picture at the “Newport” sign – thus completing the “Newport to Newport” section of the ride. Earlier today we had also completed “Sandgate to Sandgate”.
Around the corner and we arrived ahead of schedule at the Redcliffe PCYC. Chairman Noel Powell, Sergeant Peter Parkes and Senior Constable Bob McDonald welcomed us, along with instructors from the BEST programme and some of the PCYC youngsters. Annie and I got to ride on the training track – I do hope we did things correctly!! All road signs are there to be learned and obeyed, they have working traffic lights, round-abouts, T-intersections, 4 way intersections, slip lanes – you name what we find on the roadway – it is there. A wonderful training ground for young cyclists!!
Then it was time for the final 5 kms from the PCYC to our finishing line at Scarborough. The cycling convoy was pretty long by now – and we were escorted by the PCYC cars along the journey.
We were surrounded by more family and friends at the finish line, and it was a great time to relax and enjoy a sausage sizzle by the PCYC. Thanks Pauline Green for going over and getting us all a Neli Coffee – that was great! For someone who was going to stop off in Brighton and drive over to the finish – I think you did more kms than anyone today by riding the whole way with us and then back home again!!
Loved crossing the finish line with Annie – a great feeling of accomplishment – and nice to replicate the feeling of 2 years ago when we completed the ride the length of New Zealand!
While I finished my ride here – hat’s off to Annie – who after enjoying these festivities – continued on and biked another 32 kms to her home at Moorina. It was a very hot day by early afternoon – and there are some serious hills between Scarborough and Moorina that she had to negotiate – but she did it – AND – has now completed 2 long distance rides with me and not had a puncture!!!!! Very proud of you Annie!!!!
Each of my rides has had its different types of challenges. Previously I have had a complete rest day each week of the ride – this time I opted not to, but to cover shorter distances on a few days that I called "riding rest" days. If we had had tail winds all the way – it would have been a LOT easier – but head-winds were well and truly the majority and it made the days just that much harder than just reading the kilometer distance would indicate. Overall it wasn’t as hilly as the New Zealand ride – but it certainly wasn’t without some testing climbs!! Physically – I would rank it slightly easier than the NZ ride.
The bigger influence this time has been the mental one. It broke my heart to hear my dear mum had passed peacefully away on the day this ride commenced – and I thank my sister very much for making contact, encouraging me to continue, and dealing with the situation back home.
Don’s fall also rocked me and made me realize how vulnerable we are and that things can go wrong. I am so sad that happened Don and it wasn’t the same with you on foot and your arm in a sling when we met up on the final day. Shame you couldn’t be on your bike with us through to the end of the journey.
Our dear friend Chris Melbourne had her stem cell transplant the day we set off – we wore green wrist-bands in support, and constantly wondered how she was – she is one courageous lady facing a hell of a fight. When the going got tough – thinking of Chris put my woes into perspective.
Finally – (and just to see if she does read to the end of my posts) – another huge thanks to Pat for driving the support vehicle and looking after us. I know she was extremely anxious about driving through Sydney in particular and areas of Brisbane that she is not familiar with – and even though we had a few missed meet-ups – we got there!!! I appreciate your support for my crazy ideas and enabling me to realise my dreams!!!!
Until 2015 .................................................. :-)
PICTURES FROM THE DAY:
