Month: August 2017

Leaving Raymond Terrace at 7:00am, we had to make our way to Newcastle University where we met Darrel Sparke, President of Amputees NSW and Ayelet Muhra an Amp Camp leader. There was an organised Park Run at Newcastle Uni and they had offered Darrel a few minutes before it began to talk about the ride but more importantly to speak about Amp Camp. Ayelet and I conducted one of my impromptu interviews which we will send through to Darrel, Emma and Holly tomorrow.

At the university, we met by the building for Indigenous Studies and it was great to see some of the sculptures, especially the eagle behind us in the photo. You see, I have a love for eagles and throughout this trip I have been privileged to have them close by on most days. They are just beautiful to watch and observe. I had a brief chat with Ayelet about our final day of riding and planning where we will meet as she is to ride with us into the Opera House, which will be very cool.

After saying our farewells, we were soon travelling with good speed down the M1 from Newcastle toward Kariong (Gosford) where we would have to leave it and join the Old Pacific Highway. Thankfully the wind was, at times, behind me and provided that little assistance needed after yesterday’s brutal headwind. Looking back over recorded data on Weatherzone, it made sense that the legs were tired last night as there were wind gusts more than 70km/h. I was glad for some respite today.

Having made Kariong by 12:00pm and having notched up 100km, I left the M1 and made my way to the Old Pacific Highway. Grant had taken the opportunity to catch up with friends from WA who are now residing on the Central Coast. Meeting them close to the M1, Grant was only a phone call away. A big thank you to Margaret and Reuben for their support of Amp Camp through a donation.

Once on the Old Pacific Highway, I began my days efforts of climbing. It is a beautiful ride through this part of the country with lush bush of straight ghost gums, wattle and a thick vegetation of ferns and moss covered rocks. In places, it was semi rain-forest as the rock walls closed in on the road’s verge leaving no more than half a foot of shoulder. Long climbs followed by descending then climbing again was the order of the next 45km. The tranquility and peacefulness of the National Park were not lost on me. It was the Harley Davidson Goldwing blaring Van Halen that cracked through the serenity and stole the moment. However, the beauty of this road is that it switches back and forth and the music was lost in seconds – back to the rhythm of the bike and trying to maintain a steady cadence. Eventually, we descended down to the Hawkesbury River and prepared for the steady climb out of the valley to Cowan.

Now I remember this road as being a favourite for motorcyclists but today was just madness. Every 20 seconds I was now being passed by motor-bikes either going up or coming down the valley. Each of them turning around and returning from where they had started before having another run. The Police were ever present trying to maintain some sort of regulation and limit the loss of life. There were a great number of learner and provisional riders which was somewhat concerning. Having said all that, I understand the draw card as the road has excellent flowing corners and a great road surface. I know as a cyclist it was nice to ride on. If you ride in only one place, I’d recommend the Old Pacific Highway as it is very enriching.

Finally finishing the major climbs out of the National Park, we stopped at the café, Pie in the Sky, and took a snap of the superb Hawkesbury River catchment below. Having a really healthy lunch of sausage roll, chips and chocolate thick shake we set off to complete the final 25kms. Feeling the build up of fatigue in the legs, I reconciled there would be no sprinting to the finish today, rather, a steady pace to knock over the final kilometres.

With 10km of my ride to go, I waved to a cyclist coming the other way only to recognise it was my great friend, Phil Newman, coming the other way to greet me and ride with me into Hornsby. What a legend! Phil and I met last year when we both crossed Australia by bike and we came upon each other not dissimilar to today’s interaction. Last year, I was three days from finishing and Phil was four days into his epic crossing. Today, Phil’s arrival lifted my spirits and it was as these kids from Amp Camp all say, “Like catching up with family” – that sense of belonging and being supported. Arriving in Hornsby, Phil ensured my safe arrival at the Blue Gum Hotel, our accommodation for tonight. Phil is to join me tomorrow in our final ride into Sydney, across the Harbour Bridge and onto the concourse at the Sydney Opera House.

On the eve of our final day there is an excitement that we have successfully ridden from Cairns to Sydney. No punctures or mechanical issues with my Polygon Bend RV (Blackadder) and the ever trustworthy Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres. Tomorrow, we have a late start and only a short ride to the Opera House where we officially finish this epic ride from Cairns in Far North Queensland to Sydney. We will arrive at the Opera House at 3:00pm where we will be met by Darrel, my mate Russel Hodge and other members of the Amputee family, including the youth we have been riding for. My daughter, mother, other family and friends are all due to be there to welcome us in. I am looking forward to finishing tomorrow, although please remember this is not the end for Amp Camp, rather it is the beginning. Please provide your support to Amp Camp through donating to Amputees NSW via the following address, http://ozcrowd.com/campaign/3959 or through visiting their website http://www.amputeesnsw.org.au/

Until tomorrow,
Mike and Grant

Last night was a great evening of watching the Eels play the Bulldogs and just chatting around the fire pit. The opportunity to sit, relax and talk with old friends was what was needed. John cooked a very nice meal for dinner and when we arose this morning, he was busily preparing breakfast. We were treated to a beautiful cooked breakfast and, added to this, we were privileged to have freshly squeezed orange juice from John and Paula’s tree out the back. There’s nothing better than real juice that hasn’t been watered down.

Since it had rained overnight, the morning temperature was up a few degrees from the previous few days. Turning the cranks, we were off again with high hopes as the weather forecast indicated I would be assisted with a strong 30km/h North Westerly tailwind. It didn’t take long to work out that the north and westerly didn’t come to the party together today as it was a straight westerly. Unfortunately, our main projector was in a south westerly direction so it was a hard day riding into the winds. We were recording winds between 35 and 50km/h. One blessing was that the roads through here have been upgraded over recent years and they have used hot-mix so Blackadder rolled superbly.

There were a few hairy moments today with the wind bringing in a whole new dynamic to riding. With the M1 cutting a more direct pathway than the old Pacific Highway, it has seen numerous large expansive bridges installed to carry the traffic. Unfortunately, with the wind blowing so strongly, this resulted in me being blown around like a rag doll on these bridges where there was no protection from the wind. Electing to sit on the white line and leaving the 2.5 metre shoulder as my safety zone was the right decision. On numerous occasions I used nearly all that space after being hit by strong gusts. The bridges are between 50 to 100 feet above the surface of the water and, given I wasn’t wearing a floatation vest and didn’t really like the idea of a swim, it seemed clear that the white line was my friend. Thankfully, other drivers recognised the issue and gave me the lane on every bridge.

I was not the only one receiving a grilling from the wind. Later in the day, as we made our final approach from Karuah to Raymond Terrace, I noticed a caravan passing me without a door. It had clearly been blown off and was now lying somewhere back up the highway. A second van went past and the door was only being held in place by the hook latch and the wind was playing havoc with this one as well.

Despite the wind and the increased climbing today, I arrived in Raymond Terrace at 3:30pm and sought out a shower to try and warm up and refresh the body after fighting with the elements. Grant had gone ahead and secured our accommodation which made it a quick transition from bike to shower.

Tomorrow we have another big day as we head from Raymond Terrace to Hornsby via Newcastle. Our first stop will be at Newcastle University where we are catching up with Darrel Sparke (President of Amputees NSW) and some of the Amp Camp family who are travelling from Sydney and throughout the area to meet us. We are planning to arrive at the University at 7.45am. Again, there is a predicted north westerly wind for tomorrow, but we will just have to wait and see.

Please donate to Amputees NSW via the following address, http://ozcrowd.com/campaign/3959 or through visiting their website http://www.amputeesnsw.org.au/

Until tomorrow,
Mike and Grant

Our accommodation last night was at The Bellevue Riverside Motel which was a great step back in time. The business had previously sat directly on the thoroughfare of the Pacific Highway which was redirected back in the 70s. It is soon to undergo another redirection which will see traffic bypass Macksville. The evidence of the changes coming are everywhere with homes and businesses displaying For Sale signs. We were directed to the Star Hotel for dinner which was a very good decision, it was a hive of activity and clearly the centre of Macksville.

With Sydney in our sights, we set off early knowing we had a 145km ride ahead of us and the need to navigate road works regularly until just before the Port Macquarie interchange. Road works aside, the roads have become reasonably good with a generally smooth surfaces as it is mostly motorway these days. The bridges and works being completed are on a level of construction that I have never seen before. We travelled over the Kempsey bypass bridge which seemed to continue on and on for numerous kilometres. It was around this time that a very nice tailwind seemed to clip in behind me. The combination of smooth roads, a nice tailwind and the bulk of the ride completed helped me cover territory quickly.

The terrain that I rode today has been heavily modified by the significant road works being completed. With engineers clearly trying to find the flattest route through, it has reduced the climbing that I was expecting to face. Flora through this area is nicely wooded and the forests appear to be thriving due to the State Forest Management. Great greenery surrounds the roadside with gums, wattles and a sweet scent in the air. The Manning Valley area is brilliantly alive with bird life and a vibrancy in the bush that draws you in. A very enjoyable place to ride through with a very wide shoulder for riding.

Arriving in Moorland earlier than expected, allowed us to consider our options for tomorrow and venture down the road a little in the car to restock on essentials at Taree. We have ‘upped the ante’ a little with our sights set on trying to reach either Raymond Terrace or Newcastle’s outer suburbs by tomorrow evening. Weatherzone indicates there is a nice front coming through overnight with a potential tailwind of around 25+km/h. This will be an incredible assistance for covering greater kilometres and giving us a greater sense of control over our approach to Sydney. We will see how we go. As we move into the last three days of riding there is a building of anticipation.

Tonight, we are staying with a work colleague and his family who have kindly opened their home to us and who have offered us support in trying to market the cause of Amp Camp. A big thanks to John and Paula for their hospitality.

Please donate to Amputees NSW via the following address, http://ozcrowd.com/campaign/3959 or through visiting their website http://www.amputeesnsw.org.au/
If you are a business owner or involved in a large corporation, please consider Amp Camp as your ongoing charity to support.

Until tomorrow,
Mike and Grant

We had fine weather and very low temperatures to greet us as we left the motel room in Grafton. In hoping for a good run to Macksville, we were met first with a three degree chill which only rose above 5 degrees after an hour on the road.

Soon after leaving Grafton, I was climbing amongst beautiful, natural bush-lands of gums, small grasses and the occasional wattle tree in bloom. The filtered light of the sun cast interesting shadows across the road and the occasional break in the trees provided a burst of warmth from the sun, only to be stolen away with the next section of bush-land. It makes a difference when you are riding through bush-lands of eucalyptus, as it tends to open your airways and breathing always seems easier. For Grant, on the other hand, the change of flora has led to hay-fever. I think the wattle looks superb, Grant couldn’t get rid of it quickly enough today.

There were fences about two metres high running for nearly the entire distance of our ride. Dotted along the road side are small ramps with a cut in the fence about one metre high and a drop into the bush on the other side. My first thoughts were of the animated movie Over the Hedge where the animals dare not venture beyond the hedge. In Australia, we just put up ring lock fencing. The animals can see the road but can’t get to it. Seriously though, the ramps have been installed to assist Koalas, Possums and other animals to get back to their side of the fence and away from road trains, caravans and cars. Further along, there came a sign to look out for wild horses for the next 25km. Nope, I don’t want to hit one of them!

Banana plantations on the hills were an imposing sight and they seemed to crawl all over the mountains and hills throughout this area. Previously, in North Queensland and Northern NSW, it was cane fields across the flats. Now every hill seems covered in bananas.

Arriving on the outskirts of Coffs Harbour, we made the customary stop at the Big Banana. Having completed 80km, it was time for lunch. I figured given that I was wearing a fluro yellow long sleeve and yellow shoes that I would be B1 and the iconic Big Banana could be B2. Whilst having lunch here, we were approached by a gentleman, Simon Hay, from Ability Links NSW. He was advised by Darrel, from Amputees NSW, that we’d be rolling through at around 11.30am. Jason stopped and chatted about the purpose of the ride and we gained a brief insight into his work here in Coffs Harbour and the Mid North Coast. It has been these interactions that have made this trip worthwhile.

Back on the road and having navigated through Coffs Harbour, we were out on the open highway again. Thankfully we have been able to remain on the M1 which has greatly assisted our travelling times but, equally, has provided us with smoother and wider roads. Well…not all the time. The old Pacific Highway is still used in sections and these runs are a little tight and scary at times. Once the M1 is finished, it will be a fantastic drive. The loss will be for the small towns throughout this area who rely on the passing trade, much like America’s Route 66. Time will tell if they will survive or reinvent themselves.

Now a great donation has been received for the Queensland guys and we are excited that this has come through to support more youth being able to attend Amp Camp next year. If you’re a NSW supporter, now is the time to dig deep. The boys lost the State of Origin, the girls won! Lets see what we can do in regard to raising the funds for Amp Camp. Can’t let those Queenslanders get the upper hand.

Please donate to Amputees NSW via the following address, http://ozcrowd.com/campaign/3959 or through visiting their website http://www.amputeesnsw.org.au/
If you are a business owner or involved in a large corporation, please consider Amp Camp as your ongoing charity to support.

Tomorrow we will be heading to a work colleague’s home in Mooreland as we have now reconfigured our run into Sydney. As we make our way down the coast, we have been afforded great weather and pray it remains that way into Sydney.

Until tomorrow,
Mike and Grant

We had an excellent night at the Ramada Hotel and Suites Ballina. We decided to have dinner at one of the onsite restaurants as we were meeting with Emma from Amputees NSW to discuss how the ride has been so far and plan some of the logistics for the remaining six days.

Getting up this morning was a challenge given the comfort of our beds and accommodation. Whilst downing a coffee and fruit and watching the sun rise, we witnessed more dolphins frolicking in the river. The Ramada has been an impressive place to stay.

The weather this morning was cool and the wind was blowing from the south west. As we rolled out of Ballina, there was one last important stop I had to make before re-entering the Pacific Highway. But first, a little history. Back in 1992 there was a young guy, who lived in the little town of Young in South Western NSW, and there was a girl living in Tweed Heads. Their relationship had been growing and the young man travelled to Tweed Heads to see his girlfriend. It took 12-14 hours on buses and numerous stops at road houses until, eventually, he arrived tired and knew that within 24 hours he’d be back on a bus returning to Young. After a special time together, he was on his way on the returning bus. The bus made its first stop in Ballina, at the old roadhouse. Already annoyed at having to leave the love of his life, he walked to the payphone (remember this is pre-mobile phone days) and rang his girlfriend with one message and request, “Will You Marry me?” Her answer? “Yes!” Now that call was made beneath an icon on our trip down the coast – The Big Prawn. So, for any of you out there who are wondering if you have to spend thousands on getting the proposal right with activities and events, let me tell you that event took place nearly twenty-five years ago to the day and Merrilynne and I have been happily married for 24 years. Long live the Ballina Prawn! At this point my wife will raise the issue of an Eternity Ring…hmmm that’s why I didn’t ring her from beneath the Big Prawn this morning!

Back on the road and we were making good headway. I think the few days of riding with Kym, Martin and Keith has spurred me on. Despite a headwind I was still able to lift the average speed to 27km/h over the 130km of today’s ride. The Pacific Highway has lived up to its reputation with some very wide shoulders along the way, although, there have been some hairy moments where the edge is less than a foot wide with trucks and other vehicles passing at 100km/h. There were no close calls and I praise the truck drivers again for their professionalism and patience.

Travelling down the Pacific Highway is always a nice journey for me and one which reminds me that my father rode his bicycle from Sydney to Brisbane. He was in his late teens when he made the journey to visit his Aunt and Uncle and pursue work. In some sections, I don’t think the road has ever been upgraded from when he rode this route. There are major road works occurring between Grafton and Ballina due to an investment and upgrade expected to be finished by 2020.

Making our way into Grafton in good time, has given us the opportunity to rest up and complete some of the administrative things we need to do each night which delay us getting to bed early. Signage to the support vehicle’s doors has now changed to Amputees NSW, reflecting the change from Queensland to New South Wales. Please support the Amputees NSW team as they raise funds in support of Amp Camp. Donations to Amputees NSW can be made via the following address, http://ozcrowd.com/campaign/3959 or through visiting their website http://www.amputeesnsw.org.au/

Tomorrow, we will be heading to Macksville as we try to rearrange our run into Sydney. We will be riding through Coffs Harbour tomorrow and hoping for another day of great weather and supportive winds. Sydney here we come!!

Until tomorrow,
Mike and Grant