WEDNESDAY NIGHT

After a very successful day, although exhausting again with heat and humidity, the Pembie hotel gave us a wonderful dinner and their staff as usual made us feel very special.   Many of the waitresses have been there for years and it is always nice seeing familiar faces which makes Pemberton very special.

Fines tonight were as usual hilarious although lengthy and it seemed all took a turn at having the “mickey” taken out of them by our fine masters Kim and Wayne.

Many hit their beds early as I must admit the heat took it out of the riders today so with the thought of another 150 km tomorrow common sense took over.

THURSDAY

Today started with a good breakfast, riders doing their warm up with Vanda our massage therapist whose other occupation is as a personal trainer.    Only 5ft high but she sure packs a punch and they (the peloton) wouldn’t dare disobey her – at their peril!!!

The biggest hill, or certainly the second biggest, is the one that climbs forever out of Pemberton to the Nannup turnoff, so a heart starter before it becomes flat for a few kilometers.   

“Techno Tom” has again supplied me with information on Day 3 Pemberton to Busselton where we travelled a distance of 147.79 km in a time of 4 h 54 mins 56 secs and an elevation of 1,219 meters.   The guys and gals averaged a speed of 30.1 km – not bad heh!

Traffic was noticeably heavier today as we approached the larger township of Busselton and the Support Crew worked overtime to keep our peloton safe.    A number of years ago it is this stretch that an emu decided to jump into the end of the Peloton and I am pleased to report that they stayed on the other side of the fences today so no mishaps.

The highlight again today was the school visit to MacKillop College in Busselton.    They do it so well and as this was our 8th visit I guess that is understandable but they involve the students a week or so before, showing them the video and priming them with questions and answers as to why, what and how – it is a real joy to visit this school and today we introduced our new rider, Barb deCorti, who not only delivered some very good messages about “the power of one” but had the students laughing along with her.  

Also this school always rides out to greet us or out with us when we leave – all 15 of them including two teachers and our old friend and support crew member from past years, Steve Parry, looked very professional in our deep blue tee shirts nominating Hawaiian Ride for Youth 2010 across their backs.  

The school canteen had prepared a great lunch and drinks for us to devour on arrival as it was 2pm and this herd are great eaters to keep up strength and replace lost carbs etc.

Tonight sees us at the Esplanade Hotel in Busselton where we have the private dining room for dinner and will then relax in the lounge area with a band playing here tonight.   

Some have hit the ocean for a swim whilst waiting for their massages and our MT’s again are doing a fantastic job and they elbow out the lumps and bumps, sore necks, backs, legs etc. after being in the saddle for 3 days.    All though I think they are really enjoying it and tomorrow is our biggest day, so I will be back to report again tomorrow night on the school visits, and hopefully a reasonably uneventful day.

Cheers for now

Jenny