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May 15 This is the last chapter of Di's adventure from Darwin, unfortunately reality has set back in already - my car was broken into last night with my mobile phone, address book, speedometer and diaries stolen. Welcome back to civilisation!!!! Luckily my diaries were found discarded in the park so one thing I treasure was returned, I don't hold out much hope for the rest of it......... FROM….. Wagga Wagga. Graeme's wife Jane and son Matthew rode out of town with us as did a few other "crow" cyclists on a cool, sunny morning. Di didn't get far having another puncture and about 8 people explaining the best way to change it! Jane finally left us at the local winery which was disappointingly closed. Ian, Graeme and Di were finding the going a little slow after all the festivities in Wagga, maybe alcoholic diets aren't best fuel for cyclists? So we soon caught up to Susie and Barry at the Wantabadgery Hotel (again closed, big party night before in town) before stopping on the banks of the Murrumbidgee river in great sun to debate the merits of inland fishing. Di encountered yet another flat and is winning the count thus far. All too soon we hit the Hume Highway after some great country roads with downhills, a novelty for us and were hightailing it into Gundagai as the cold, winter wind had kicked up and we were getting hungry. After indulging in our favourite pastime of hamburger and chips and hot showers we wandered around the town and historic railway and road bridges. Ian wanted to know why we were walking across a very historic bridge (really more hysteric because of its dilapidated state) when Graeme said there is a pub on the other side of course, why else would we be going? So after a few games of interesting pool on the ROUND table where Graeme won twice we went for dinner then had to listen to that Queenslander (Ian) carry on why they won the state of origin game. Then blissful sleep in a brand new motel - such luxury! Second last day was going to be cooler yet again and more headwinds just for us to remember it by. After the warm up hill out of Gundagai we tucked into great bacon and egg rolls and coffee at the famous Dog on the Tuckerbox and explained to yet more people what the ride was all about. Next stop after more hills was Jugiong in brilliant sunshine in the park beside some superb popular trees just starting to turn golden yellow in the autumn weather. We continued on and the wind got stronger and the hills got bigger - Ian showed his strength and kept ahead of Graeme and I before we saw him in the distance and said see you in Yass. We struggled by the traffic works on the highway until we decided to check out an alternative cycle route - yep, we took off for several kilometres on the newly laid concrete for the new highway! This saved us from praying for our lives on the old one and dodging trucks or picking up anymore extra weight; we had stopped and Graeme found a large piece of bitumen attached to his back wheel! We had a quick coffee just outside Yass and caught up with the pedalling pollies (who had come from Sydney and Orange) to find Ian in his usual position, holding up the bar with a rum and coke. The people of Yass turned out to greet us with a town reception where 8 of my former Youth Ambassadors played in the school band. Cyclists had rolled in from everywhere and lots of catching up was done. The pollies were pretty impressed with our achievement and I was walking fairly tall this night. We had a great pub dinner and caught up with lots of old friends, the usual pool games and juke box evening. One guy thought I was so incredible he shouted me drinks all night, well I couldn't refuse them could I?! The sleep in the next morning was really appreciated but still it was many a cyclist who could of stayed in bed rather then hit out against, you guessed it, more headwinds! With so many cyclists it was quite strange to be the majority on the roads, mind you some still need to learn their road ediquette. Murrumbaten called strongly for a coke and pie stop as the temperature continued to drop, even tea from the friendly ladies couldn't warm us up. Not long to go now and I had the pleasure of cycling beside Angelo who rode in the 51 ride and then a young 17 year old lad who had ridden from Brisbane and intends to ride in the 2052 ride!!! All too soon we were at the Australian Capital Border where I encountered the Perth riders and had an appropriate photo taken in front of the Centenary of Federation sign. As I rode the last few kilometres into Canberra I rang some special friends in Sydney and New Zealand to share my moment before finding Graeme again just 7km out of town. We rode in together and tried to verbalise the adventure which I had embarked on after our training ride - Sydney to Canberra - in early February, not an easy task!In Civic we were finally joined by my great cycling companion Ian and sister and brother who joined in for some celebratory nachos and coffee. we were hungry. By 2pm the masses had joined us at the fountain where a selected group (Graeme and I included) were gathered to pour water - this was no ordinary water, but special specimens collected from all around Australia eg Darwin, Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne, Brisbane, Snowy River, Canberra, Jervis Bay and Botany Bay to name a few. Even the TV cameras rolled out and the Canberra Times interviewed Ian and I before we all jumped back on the bikes for the final ride over Commonwealth Bridge, a lap around the forecourt and then finally arriving at the steps of old Parliament House as they had done 50 years before us!!! It was a special moment for everyone but to know that I had; with Ian of course, (and from Adelaide with Graeme) - ridden my bike from Darwin to Canberra was simply an awesome thought!!!! We did it!!! Mum, my sister Carolyn and aunt Cath (the team that put up all the towns visited signs on the flagpoles) (to all those that know, not cyclists but volunteers for bike rides) waiting to record our finish, it was a great time. We even managed to listen to most of the speeches!! So as the sun set over Canberra Ian and I pedalled our final path to my girlfriend, Lorna's place who had the champagne on ice for us. It was a nostalgic ride, knowing that after 4,500km we would be going our different directions, Ian thought maybe I was heading him back to Sydney when I did some detours! Later that night we headed to Albert Hall to join all the other cyclists before the Nowra mob led us astray at the Moosehead bar in town. Here we let our hair town, danced and drank the night away and gave the ride a great send off. Ian and I the last to leave in the wee hours, but oh what a journey. Next day we all tried to follow the Canberra "Federation Cycle" but decided it was too nice a day and enjoyed our cycling companions' company over Lake Burley Griffith with some last cappuccinos. Then with tired legs and many memories I headed back to Sydney via Wollongong where Ian was headed. So as I write this last chapter, I look at my photos and go over my diary. After ten weeks on the road, I have learnt many things - how to be a stronger person, what a wonderful country we live in, how to cycle more efficiently and that I don't want to go back to work!!! I thank everyone who has sent me messages of good luck and kept me going, I felt like I had great support behind me - so a big thanks. If any of you want to donate to the Royal Flying Doctors Service please contact me via email or at Mum's place on 02 9743 43436. So until my next adventure, go out and enjoy life, you can anything you put your mind to!! Please don't lose contact as I don't have an address and phone book anymore, so please update me!!!! Take care and I will let you know when the party is on.......... Crazy Di Darwin to Canberra Conquered! |