Day 1
The first two days of the RideWest Charity Cycle was off to a glorious start on Saturday the 21st of April. According to rider Don Chandler, it was a “magnificent morning leaving Amberley” air base with a full stomach from a barbecue breakfast provided by the ladies at Girls Got Heart.
Geared up and ready to go with the first rest stop in Rosewood, Queensland where the support crew provided a delicious morning tea.
Then onward and upward over the Toowoomba ranges – one of the most challenging parts of the ride, before coming to a halt for the night in Oakey. The amazing ladies of the Oakey Anglican Church put together a scrumptious high tea for the riders at CWA hall.
The first day was a success with no injuries and no riders left behind and the entire team in a valiant effort even amongst the steady flow of traffic. We even had some amazing locals waiting at the end of their driveways and on the side of the road waving to the team and encouraging the riders as they rode past! The team went for dinner at the Oakey RSL, to re-fuel and do it all again on Day 2.
Some highlights and comments from the Riders on Day 1:
“Having Toby there when he had 2 flats and a problem tyre, the brownies and having a few great chats with the boys and making new mates” – Bill Maddocks
“Getting up that effing hill!” – Charles Burkes
“The ladies Anglican Church sausage sandwiches and the apple cake!” – Tony Macintosh
Day 2
Day 2 started with a fresh coffee for the team made by Toby Winten ready to trek 176kms to Chinchilla. At the morning tea stop at St Ruth’s or ‘struths,’ we were met with more fabulous Queensland hospitality. Some of the locals got involved and made a beautiful cake for Andrew Perkin’s (Perko) birthday. Other locals drove over an hour and a half to meet up with the riders, and cheer them on ringing cowbells and cheering.
After St Ruth’s the boys soldiered on through an insane dirt track, where we even had a local in a tractor stop, run up to the tram and donate to RideWest. As the team rolled on into Chinchilla, we had not one but three amazing families with signs and waving on the sides of the road to support the team! The support from locals was second to none.
Once they were settled in Chinchilla, the riders hit the ice baths and beverages for the afternoon before retiring to prepare for day 3.
Some highlights and comments from the Riders on Day 2:
“Tobys coffee followed closely by morning tea at ‘Struths.’” – David Neals
“My first smithy FQB after rolling into Chinchilla.” – Mike Williams
“Making it through the dirt road without a puncture or whiplash!”- Keeley Mancinis
“Ice bath with each other (see evidence below) and the 35km tailwind!” – Mark Maiden and John Sloman
“Birthday cake at struth hall!!”- Andrew Perkins
“Feeling thankful I was in the truck while the team had to ride the hard yards through the dirt roads.”- Emma, RFDS Nurse