Day 8: Riding 4 Amp Camp – Clairview to Marlborough

Another late start after a cold night due to a front coming through and, honestly, a tired body. Grant cooked up some nice eggs on toast with butter beans and cumin seeds. We decided today was our ‘We’re on Holiday’s Day’ and we will take it as it comes. The terrain has switched it up a level from being flat runs to long distances and a bit of extra climbing. From the moment we hit the road, the wind was a constant 20+km/h with the temperature a lot cooler this morning than most other days.

Our first objective was only 13km up the road where we stopped for morning tea at the Clairview Service station. After a break, we were off again. Today was a case of just battling the wind and achieving the objective of reaching our selected destination. It was a relaxed day and, although we only had to cover 105km, we still took around 8 hours due to the stops and conditions. The countryside through this region is traditional Australian bush with mountains in the distance and open paddocks dotted throughout which are usually home to large Brahman cows and bulls.

Eventually we arrived at Waverley Rest Stop for lunch, consisting of Ryvita biscuits and peanut butter (the staple diet I learnt to enjoy with Rev Mel Macarthur on our ride across Australia last year). It was here we met a couple travelling to Cape York. A discussion ensued about the reason for our ride and the gentleman soon disclosed that he had lost a digit on his right hand as a 22-year-old in a farming accident. Now in his 60s, he related to the teens from Amp Camp and learning to live with the loss. They wished us well and gave a few dollars toward the AFSG donations. It is incredible how many people have been affected through injury, accident, birth and illness. What strikes me is that each person we have spoken to so far, appears resolute and they are each getting on with life. It is a strong reminder that raising awareness for Amp Camp can Make A Difference in the lives of these children and their families. Also, it has seen a connection with others in the wider Australian community who may have never considered the whole topic of living with amputation, limb loss and limb difference.

As the day drew closer to an end, I started seeing Kangaroos moving closer to the road and feeding in the table drains. Interestingly, they remained still when cars would pass, but a weird looking two wheeled, fluro-lycra monster was enough to make them dart off into the scrub. It was about 20km out of Marlborough that I came upon a little Echidna on the side of the road, walking peacefully and without concern for the dual-trailer road trains passing a mere two metres away. So, I stopped and watched this beautiful Australian for a few minutes as it foraged for food. It is not very often you have the pleasure of being able to see Echidnas in the wild, so this was a very special moment. After filming this unique and protected little Aussie I was on my way.

Now we had hoped to bring you a new segment tonight called ‘Clothing Yourself With Items You Find Beside the Road’. However, the abundance of clothes we had seen prior to today seemed to have dried up. We will try again tomorrow. If you are a cyclist, you will know that you can find the oddest and coolest things while out for a ride. Today we found what I initially thought was a drum from a drum kit; however, when Grant returned to inspect the item it was a near new portable dunny! We did leave it but, at the next opportunity, advised a traveller that they could get a free dunny for their caravan – just up the road, round a few corners and on top of the next hill.

Tomorrow we are off to Rockhampton where we will reward ourselves with a rest day on Saturday. If you are not linked to the @Riding4AmpCamp Facebook page, we recommend you link in there as well to follow some of our day’s events. A big thank you to those who have donated and we greatly appreciate your support. For those reading this blog who would like to donate to this amazing program for teens living with amputation, limb loss and limb difference, please go to our donation links on the home page of www.go-mad.net or via @Riding4AmpCamp Facebook page.

Until tomorrow,
Mike and Grant