Day 9 - Ashford to Stanthorpe QLD - 204km
Today: 204km
Total: 1887km
Death by 1,001 hills
Yesterday we mentioned our change of route to save 60k and our scrap with a 40k stretch of gravel road. Turns out that was part A. Part B being the number of hills added to what would have been a much flatter route into Stanthorpe.
Up and at’em early as per our normal routine but slightly later to our starting point; not sure why that happened but it did mean a slightly warmer start to the ride.
The first 50k was fast and flat and over in 1hr 36mins. Second breakfast was wolfed down and we were on our way again. Unfortunately the euphoria of the first 50k was well and truly broken by the next 50. Hills that went on forever followed by false flats leading to more hills and more again.
Andy’s enthusiasm was broken as was his body but he soldiered on thinking it must get better. It didn’t! We needed a conference to come up with a strategy that would see at least one of us complete the full ride from A2B. We still have 245k to ride on day 10 unless we could get some of those miles under the belt today. Sam was the obvious choice to concur what was proving to be a daunting task.
On we went with the intention that Andy would see if he could at least reach Stanthorpe, our motel stop. Sam whizzed off and blew his rear tyre (shattered no doubt from the gravel yesterday). Luckily Pauline was at hand with the support vehicle and the repair duly made. Sam whizzed off again, caught up to Andy, who had surprisingly come right but died shortly thereafter at the 150k stop.
The anchor man, the lantern rouge, the draftsman extraordinaire could go no further!
Sam headed ever east and north hoping to pass Stanthorpe and reduce as best he could tomorrow’s huge distance, whilst Andy jumped into the sag wagon and headed for a much needed shower and rest.
The final 30 kilometers from Stanthorpe felt like a sweet victory as Sam began the downhill journey towards Brisbane. Even as the light began to fade, he persevered and made light work of the descent, proving once again what it takes to push through the challenge.
But there's no time on our laurels just yet! Tomorrow promises to be the final icing on the cake of our journey. Each day we have pushed ourselves to new heights, both physically and mentally.
So let tomorrow come, our final leg, with all its twists and turns, its ups and downs. We are ready to face whatever lies ahead, secure in the knowledge that we have already accomplished so much. The road may be 209 kilometres long, but with another day of determination and grit, there's nothing we can't overcome. We’ll keep pedalling and never give up, because the best is yet to come!
See you tomorrow Brisbane!!!
