Tuesday 15 January 2013

Day 14 photos





Day 14 HOBART!!!!!

Oatlands to Hobart 80 km

We rode from Oatlands heading home to Hobart. We were in cruise- mode. Getting a bit of a sleep-in after 13 days of getting up at 0430 and being on the road by 0600. We rode in memory of Kerrie Stokes - Jenelle's (Tinka's wife) mum. It was a privilege to ride for her into Hobart, her story is very moving  and inspirational. The ride through the northern suburbs of Hobart was great fun, we were led into the city by Glenorchy 1:1 Fire Appliance and we had goosebumps all the way in.
We stopped by the Glenorchy Bendigo Bank and got a very excited welcome and then headed to the Hobart Bendigo Branch in Murray St. It was AMAZING to arrive  there, Lou, Kerri and Amy and the team welcomed us with a big banner and lots of emotional hugs.  Thank you so much Bendigo - we love you guys.

Then we rode behind the truck with our support crews in vehicles behind us up Argyle street in a big line across the road and into the Hobart Fire Brigade engine bay. There were so many people there to meet us - family, friends, colleagues and sponsors. It was awesome!! Thank you everyone for being there, it was so wonderful!!

We made it!!  We rode 2239 km from Brisbane to Hobart in 14 days!! I'm stuck for words to describe the feeling. I don't think it has sunk in yet. We achieved an incredible thing!

We met some amazing people: Firies, members of the communities we rode through, Bendigo Bank employees. The generosity of everyone was unbelievable and we can't thank you enough. We are all so privileged to have meet you all.

I'm so proud to be a firefighter. Every firie we met was like a brother or sister - firefighters Australia- wide are like one big family. We would all do anything for one another.  We swamped many local fire stations when we rocked into their town and they couldn't do enough for us. They led us in behind their trucks, found somewhere for us to sleep and fed us - amazing hospitality and generosity.

A massive thank you to the firies at: Brisbane Roma Street, Byron Bay, Lismore, Grafton, Coffs Harbour, South West Rocks, Port Macquarie, Forster, Newcastle, Karingal, Sydney City, Picton, Moss Vale, Yass, Wagga-Wagga, Turvey Park, Albury, Wodonga, Glenorchy and Hobart.

The Headin' South team - WOW!! A group of tough, inspirational people - both riders and support crew! We helped each other when the going got tough, we encouraged each other, motivated each other, looked after each other. We worked well as a team. We had our moments, highs and lows, but we got through it together, all in one piece, all as friends. We have shared an experience of a lifetime - one we will never forget. Thank you riders for being on the road with me: Tink,  Jase, Flash, J-Bone, Megs, Polly, Ace, Nads - you guys are seriously amazing!! Thank you support crew for looking after us so well, feeding us, keeping us safe on the road, washing our bike gear, for being there for us whenever we needed anything, we couldn't have done it without you: Andy, Kathy and Ellen, Karen, Elsie and Jai, and Wal and Barry! We can't think you enough.

Thank you to our sponsors - you made our ride possible: Bendigo Bank, Sultan Holdings, McBain Cycles, 4Shaw, Aussie Butt Cream, Adidas Eyewear, Art Poster - Imagetec, Tinelli, Cripps, Tassal, Robbies, Southern Cross Care, 7HOfm, Tony Hill Dental.

We were so happy to be riding to raise money for the Australian Cancer Research Foundation - theyare a brilliant charity. Our final fundraising total is not in yet,  and online donations can still be made on the website for the next couple of weeks. We still have some awesome calendars for sale, you can get them from any of the riders or from any Bendigo Bank. All profits from the calendars go to Headin' South and the ACRF.

THANK YOU!!!

Em

Sunday 13 January 2013

Day 13 photos




Day 13 TASSIE!!

200km today from Devonport to Oatlands!!
We rode today in memory of  Cyril and Doreen Drake, J-Bone's grandparents. And in support of Natasha Hazlewood, Nadsy's sister in law. It was an honor to ride for them, it inspired us to keep going - especially when the going got tough, VERY tough this afternoon.
We knew we were back riding in Tassie, it was cold and hilly.
We honked along to Longford and got the first 100km done pretty quickly, although we had another couple of punctures - unbelievable, we have had soooo many flat tyres.
We had a great lunch in Longford - a big thank you to the Pasta Merchant in
Launceston for some very yummy pasta. So we were well-fueled for the last 100km.
It was crazy - we had just ridden down most of the east coast of Australia and the 50 km from Campbell Town to Oatlands would have to have been one the toughest 50 km.  A strong headwind all the way at the end of a 200km day!
But we made it to Oatlands to an amazing welcome of family and friends who made the trip up from Hobart. Thanks guys for coming up, we loved seeing you!  The Rotary Club of  Oatlands have arranged wonderful accommodation for us all tonight and put on a fantastic BBQ. Thank you so much for your hospitality - Oatlands is our favorite Tassie town.
Southwards to Hobart tomorrow. Only 80 km. We can have a bit of a sleep in, don't have to be on the road early - we are riding into Hobart Fire Brigade at 1600!

See you in Hobart tomorrow everyone!!

Saturday 12 January 2013

Day 12 photos




Day 12 Euroa to Melbourne

I'm typing this blog on board The Spirit of Tasmania!! It's so cool that we have made it this far and we have only two days to go. Hobart here we come!!  We are all so blown away dealing that we have just ridden our bikes from Brisbane to Melbourne in only 12 days!! And we have raised lots of money for the ACRF along the way!!

Today we rode in memory of Gavin McPherson, Meg's cousin who passed away when he was only eight years old. We rode strongly for him, for the life he didn't get to have.

It was a pretty eventful and frustrating 155km from Euroa to Melbourne. It was a very crisp morning - the temperature dropped more than 20 degrees overnight! On the highway we were cruising along nicely, no tailwind though, a very slight headwind. The shoulder of the highway was littered with so much junk that we got seven punctures and shredded a couple of tyres, slowing us down a fair bit.

It took us a while to get into the city - traffic was mayhem, despite being Saturday and we got every red light possible. We did some fundraising at the Vic markets and in Swanston Street. Then went down to the port. We met up with some family members and Jono from Tineli - our clothing sponsor, they made the best cycling kit ever! It was great to finally put a name to a face, after we had so many phone conversations with him. Thanks again Jono and the crew from Tineli - we love the gear!!

It's great to be on the boat, amazing to be heading to Tassie!!

Thanks again everyone for all your encouragement and your support.

See you in Hobart on Monday arvo.

Em

Friday 11 January 2013

Day 11 Wodonga to Euroa

Only 1 day to go until we get to Melbourne. AMAZING!! I can't believe it!

Today was 160 km from Wodonga to Euroa. We made great time and got to Euroa just after 1300! We beat the heat, it only got to 43 on the road. We are at Euroa hotel - mixing it with the locals and some passing bikies, filling up our money tins! But the temperature is rising and as the day goes on, it's still getting hotter!

Tomorrow will be another 160km into Melbourne and onto the ferry. So tonight is our last night on the mainland. WOOHOO!! On the home stretch and every one is feeling pretty good. The heat has knocked us around but we are kind of used to it now.

Everyone is in high spirits and no one has lost their sense of humor - you know what Firies are like- always joking around and teasing each other. We are having a lot of fun!

I have forgotten to mention the awards lately, the dummy award went to Flash for telling Tinka to "Stop *##%{£+* singing" when Tinka sang for about an hour on the road - the funny thing is that we were all thinking it but Flash said it. Hahaha
Jase got the ASS award for punching one of the girls at the Bendigo Bank at Albury in the face. It was an accident and he was very embarrassed and apologetic but he got the award anyway!

Stay tuned for report from Spirit of Tasmania!!

Em

Day 11 photos

Wodonga to Eurora

Riding for Glen Johanesen today an old friend of Barry's (support crew).
Lunch break at a truck stop!

 Arrival in Euroa - bikies on roadies and bikers on Harleys



Thursday 10 January 2013

Day 9 photos

Only a couple of photos today.



Day 10 photos

Riding for Melissa and Ralph


With the staff from Bendigo Bank in Albury











Day 10 Wagga-Wagga to Albury- Wodonga

Yay!!! Back on the bikes again!! Fire conditions had improved overnight but there was still a fair bit of smoke hanging around. The morning was cool, at 0600 it was only 15 degrees - pretty chilly, not what we  have gotten used to, so we had our arm warmers and vests on for the first hour or so.
Today we rode in memory of Melissa Strange, the cousin of Ange from Bendigo Bank in Wagga and in support of Ralph Hawkins, one of the regional managers of Bendigo Bank. It was an honor to ride for them today.
Today's trip south was heaps easier than what we have ridden so far. ONLY 130km  (that's so short hahaha). A fast, flat road, with no wind, very little traffic, in pretty good condition. The temperature was gradually rising and hit 33 degrees whilst we were riding! It got hotter later, after we had stopped to do some fundraising and got to about 42 degrees. It's pretty hot right now in fact - it's 1840 and its still 32 degrees. Anyway, we honked along the road and got to Albury by 1130 - total champs, we smashed it! Wal from our support crew joined us on his bike for the last 30 km into town, it was nice to have someone else in the pack!!

We also smashed the fundraising in Albury, cruising the streets with our tins and on the windtrainers again outside the Albury Bendigo Bank, in 1 hour we raised close to $ 1700!! We love these country cities. We then crossed " the border" from NSW to VIC with an escort from the Wodonga Fire Brigade. We're now in Victoria! We are now being really looked after by the Wodonga Firies, both career and volunteer! Firie hospitality is amazing. Being a firefighter is like being part of one big family. Firies can't do enough to help each other out. We really hope that some of the guys we are meeting will come to Hobart or to Launceston so we can look after them as well as they have been looking after us.

Off to do some more fundraising soon, apparently Thursday night is a busy pub night - suits us, you know how Firies love to drink beer!
Forecast for tomorrow is hot and we are heading to Euroa - about 160km of a pretty flat road!!

Em

Day 9... Fire

Day 9 Yass to Wagga-Wagga
Unfortunately we were unable to ride our bikes from Yass to Wagga, there was a fire burning near Yass and local authorities advised us not to ride. The fire was out of control and the winds were unpredictable, we would've been riding into a potentially very dangerous situation! So Ben, the publican from The Australian Hotel in Yass lent us his mini bus and we drove to Wagga. We were very disappointed about not getting on our bikes but we had to put our safety first and lucky we didn't ride as the fire was burning fiercely again during the day and the whole area was smoke-logged.
So we got to Wagga early and had heaps of time to fundraise with the amazing crew from Wagga Bendigo  Bank. With their BBQ, riding on our windtrainers and tin rattling we raised close to $1,800!!! !


The Bendigo guys were awesome, they made us very welcome and put on some food and drinks for us!! Thanks guys, it was great to meet you. We stayed at Turvey Park Fire Station and once again the on shift crew really looked after us! Thanks heaps Turvey Park crew!!

Back on the road tomorrow!!

Tuesday 8 January 2013

Day 8 photos




Day 8 Moss Vale to Yass

Wow!! It was a tough day on the road today for the Headin South riders! We had 165 kms to cover mostly on the Hume highway - not fun to ride on at the best of times, let alone today. We rode in 45 degree heat, 60 km/hr gusts and a mad headwind all day. It was certainly a test of toughness!!
In the end we had to resort to riding in behind one of our support vans to try to get some respite from the constant headwind.

There was a catastrophic fire danger rating today in the area we were riding into, so we were very mindful about what was going on around us.  We arrived safely in Yass, not yet affected by any of the bushfires. Although since we arrived one has started about 30 mins out of town  and we can smell the smoke. There are fires going all around. There is a bad one near Wagga-Wagga which is tomorrow's destination. At this stage it looks like we are going to be unable to ride to Wagga - it will be too dangerous and many of the roads are closed. It's terrible to hear that already some homes have been lost in NSW. We are thinking of all those people being affected by the fires and those Firies working hard to bring the fires under control.

On a positive note, we have had an amazing day of fundraising in two country towns - Goulburn and Yass, the members of the community have donted generously. Especially Yass - in one pub, The Australian, we filled up a whole tin!! The publican and owner, Ben, gave us the pub's swear tin - all of it, plus $150 plus a free nights accomodation for us all - so we can have a comfy bed instead of sleeping on matresses on fire station floors. Thanks Ben at The Australian- you're awesome!!

Big thanks to Yass Fire Brigade for letting us leave all our gear in their engine bay and for supporting us, especially whilst they have been so busy fighting the fire only 10 km away from town. The guys from Yass Brigade are a great bunch!! Cheers!!

Not sure what is happening tomorrow, it depends on the fire situation.

Take care all our family, friends and colleagues in Tassie - thinking of you all the time!!

Em

Monday 7 January 2013

Day 7 photos

Sunrise

With the 400 in 4 guys at Sydney City Station museum


With the Bendigo Bank crew, Jae and Firies.



Day 7 Sydney to Moss Vale

We were on Sunrise this morning - very cool!! We had the Sydney City Ladder Truck as our back drop and we were joined by NSW Firies, riders, Elvises, David and Gilbert from ACRF. We had a quick interview and a few shots of the team!! Great publicity for us- hopefully we will get some more donations from it!! Thanks heaps to Mark Reilly for making it happen! Also a big thank you to B platoon at Sydney City Station for their hospitality!!

After the excitement of Sunrise, we headed out of the city, joined by Marian, Mark and the boys from the 400 in 4 (a charity bike ride those guys do in April every year to raise money for the children's burns unit). Thanks for riding with us guys!

Then one of the support vans broke down and had to get towed and then Karen, Jai, Wal and Barry spent hours on the side of the road waiting for a replacement van! Great job getting a new one organized - well done support crew.

So we headed off, honking down the M5 followed by one support car - Andy and Elsie in the ute!  The motorway was pretty scary - big trucks speeding part, lots of rubbish and glass on the side of the road - we got three punctures!

We arrived at Picton Bendigo Bank, where the gang there put on a fundraising BBQ, the local Firies joined us and we caught up with Jae - a melanoma survivor with a very inspirational story. It was awesome to meet him and hear about his campaign to have solariums banned nation-wide.  Thanks everyone from Picton for your support!!!

We then headed south to Moss Vale on the highway again, temperatures soared to 42 degrees. We had to stop every 30 km for drinks! Then we arrived in Moss Vale to an amazing dinner pit on for us by the Firies. Again, we were spoilt, we loved it and we really appreciate it. Thanks to Danielle and the boys.

Huge day of hill climbing tomorrow, high temperatures forecast and a catastrophic fire danger rating. We will have to really look after ourselves.

Sending all our thoughts to everyone in Tassie. Wish we could've there to help out in some way.

Em

Sunday 6 January 2013

Day 6 photos




Day 6 Newcastle to Sydney

Totally awesome day today - although every one of us (including the support crew) is absolutely smashed!!
Today we rode from Newcastle to Sydney, 176 km in memory of Andy's mum, Ruth Weitnauer.
It was a day full of fun, fundraising and suffering. We were met at Doyleson Fire Station by a great firie called Guy Ellis, he rocked up with a Metz Ladder truck and led us all around the central coast to do some fundraising - The Entrance, Shelly Beach and Terigal. We raised heaps and we got to see some fabulous places - who needs to go on overseas holidays, when we have such amazing places here in our own backyard? We all agreed that the northern and central coasts of NSW are going to be one of our next holiday destinations!
We rode to Kariong Fire Station, where the Firies put on a lunch for us - it was fantastic - thanks guys!!  We were then fueled up nd ready to hit the 80 km very hilly road into Sydney. We followed Guy on the Old Pacific Highway - rarely used by cars, just by push bikes and motorbikes. It was hot, hot, hot!!
We arrived at Crows Nest Fire Station just near the Harbour Bridge to meet up with Mark Reilly and his crew, who led us over the bridge and down to The Rocks.   We did some fundraising then went back to the Sydney city station - HQ, where B platoon has made us very welcome. This station is amazing! It is huge, like a mini city - makes Hobart Fire Station seem teeny!

Tomorrow morning we are on Sunrise at about 0700hrs. Tune in!!!

150km to Moss Vale tomorrow,

But the way, we have just ridden 1060kms in 6 days!!! Awesome effort Headin' South team!!

Saturday 5 January 2013

Day 5 pics

We rode in memory of Wal's  (support crew) dad, Simon Van Schie today.

Day 5 Forster to Newcastle

We were relieved to only be riding 160km after the huge day yesterday. We set off early again and rode south through the smoke from a bushfire just south of Forster. Then followed The Lakes Way  - a really beautiful hilly road. Then we honked along the Pacific Highway (we are allowed to ride on the highway once south of Port Mac). It got pretty hot out there again today -  my computer registered 43 degrees at one stage!
 A great guy by the name of Dave , met us at Medowie and we followed him into Newcastle township. We finished off a long ride with a steepish climb over Stockton Bridge - which none of us were expecting (except me - I had a heads up from Dave when I chatted to him on the phone).
We spent most of the end of the afternoon fundraising along the esplanade at Newcastle - again they loved us and donated lots. Our tins were very heavy!
Now we are having an amazing dinner out on my Dave and Anne- Marie at their amazing shack at Lake Macqaurie. It's stunning here and the lake was awesome to jump into and freshen up!
Thank you so much Dave and Anne-Marie, we feel very welcomed and well- looked after!

Heading to Sydney tomorrow. Woohoo!!

Day 4 photos

Photo of us in front of the van - day 4  we were riding in memory of my nana, Mary Donaldson

Photo of early morning mist along the river





Day 4 South West Rocks to Forster

Another great day for the HS crew - 228km!
We left at 0600 and followed a winding river with early morning mist, it was pretty amazing!
Then we had 30 km on a crazy gravel road that was VERY bumpy - our poor bikes and poor bums!! It was our only choice - other options were a crappy 4wd track or a dangerous part of the Pacific highway.
We had a quick 5 min ferry trip to Port Macquarie, where we were met by the local Firies and escorted into town. We did some media shots and filming for local tv and then some fundraising.  Heading south to Forster and we had some issues with our planned route,  luckily local photographer Darrel from Nashyspix saved us from more gravel - thanks mate, and your photos are awesome!!

At Forster we were made welcome by the local Firies, even though most of their crew were at a pretty big bushfire just south of township. Thanks for accommodating and feeding us guys - we really appreciate it!

Not so big day tomorrow, lots of fundraising planned, and still headin' south!!

Thursday 3 January 2013

Day three photos

Check out some pics from day three



Day three - fundraising

A short ride today - only 80km because NSW police wouldn't let us ride on the highway between Coffs Harbour and South West Rocks and the only other route was way too far.

We rode today in memory of Station Officer Peter Coppleman who passed away about 3 years ago from cancer. Many of the riders worked with Peter and say he was a great guy!!

We rattled the tins at Coffs with the help of the local Firies - thanks Sally and crew! We raised over $1000!!  We then bused it to the surf club at SW Rocks, with a BBQ and drinks organized by Les and the local volunteer brigade - awesome spread guys, thanks heaps.

The spit the dummy award went to me (Em) for yelling at Andy, for making the king of the mountain finish line about two thirds of the way up the hill (he did get nominated for the dumb ass award for that). The dumb ass award went to Nigel for claiming the king of the mountain title on a hill that was more like a speed hump. Hahaha!

Big day tomorrow - 220km!!!

Day two part two....hot,hot,hot



There were lots of nominees for all the awards - it so hard for the committee (the oldies, Polly, and Flash) to decide, although they never seem to choose themselves, they just give themselves "honorable mentions ".

Tinka will get an honorable mention tomorrow for just putting on a bright green man-kini and parading around the place- too rude for a photo,

We are staying at Grafton in an awesome gym/ house, owned and run by Tracey and Deon ( a retained firie). They have found beds for us all, we swam in their pool, went in the sauna, they prepared  a brilliant BBQ for us and have made us feel very at home. Thanks guys, you are amazing!!

The Grafton Firies met us 10km out of town with their tanker and we followed them in - a brilliant welcome. 

I mustn't forget to mention the Firies at Lismore, they met us at a park for a photo with the local newspaper and then led us out of town behind their pumper. Thanks Lismore Firies, great to meet you!

Day Two Part 3 - hot, hot, hot...




We are loving meeting all the excellent people on our trip south and it's only day two. We met a great guy in Byron called Ben, an elite triathlete, who was only going to ride 50 km with us this morning but ended up riding with us all day into Grafton - he's a total dude.  And he has his own triathlon coaching business based in Byron Bay www.triitmate.com check it out!







Day Two part 1...hot,hot,hot


A very tough day in the saddle today  - 180km from Byron Bay to Grafton. It got to 48 degrees on the road when we were south of Casino, then we worked hard against a pretty decent headwind for 80kms into Grafton. It was a day of rolling hills!

The riders all coped reasonably well in the conditions. Only one puncture, no crashes! What total champs!

I didn't report on yesterday's award winners. So I better do that first then I'll get to today's winners.
Yesterday: Spit the Dummy  award : Karen (support crew) - we could hear her yelling over the phone to Polly, when she was miles away!! 
Dumb-Ass award: Andy (support crew) for complaining about having sore feet from driving all day, in front of all the riders and in front of me - covered in grazes and bruises. Hahaha!!
Pink 4Shaw Socks performance award: to me (Em) for getting back on my bike after the crash and riding another 130km (as if I wouldn't get back on, and I probably should have got a gumby award instead)

Today: Spit the Dummy award went to Jason for angrily lecturing a  team mate - brutal, but he did apologize profusely and nominated himself!
Dumb Ass award went to Jai (support crew) for saying "wow I think I got sunburnt today"- after sitting in an air conditioned car all day. Hahaha!,
Pink socks performance award went to Nadsy for winning the sprint into Grafton. Although he did have some assistance from Flash, who blocked Nadsy's main rival.

Tuesday 1 January 2013

Day One

230km very eventful kilometers from Brisbane to Byron Bay!!
Our day began with a mad rush to finish off the logistics, but we ended up leaving 1 hour late from the Roma Street Fire Station. Steve Cooke, Janelle's (Tinka's wife) uncle, blew the start horn and we were off, heading south at 0630.
We made good time, negotiating our way out of Brisbane city centre.  The police escort we were required to have was a no-show - go figure!!

A few things happened once on the road. Lowndsie and Jase got punctures, there were numerous dummy spits (I'll report on the awards later).  At about 100km  I hit a rock that no one saw in time and I hit the deck pretty hard - non broken bones, so all good, just missing some skin and I'm sporting some great bruises!!

We did some fundraising around Surfers Paradise, but not much luck there - it was almost as though we were speaking a foreign language!!

We got to Byron Bay quite late but before dark.  We got met by the Byron Firies with their pumper and we followed them around the town with lights flashing. It was a great welcome. We are sleeping at the station tonight!

It was an incredible day and today was the longest , so every day should get easier.  We are about to go out and about in busy Byron on New Years Day to get some money in our tins!!

170 km to Grafton tomorrow!




Stay tuned!!