Day 1 1st May

Well, the journey began at about 4.40am, well before the alarm bell with the pre event jitters; what the hell am I doing this for? And more importantly - can I do this thing?

Not to worry as Anne-Marie and I greeted Lauren as she prepared for work, and opening Woolies at 6.00am.

I was looking for a hatrick of things to go wrong - the first of which was when the zipper on my backpack broke before I left.

Out the door by 6.10am, we arrived in plenty of time at Hornsby Tafe - only to find it deserted. Luckily, i spotted a car with a bike on top of the roof, and followed it to the correct destination (along with a few others who had done the same thing).

By this stage, the great weather predicted for our departure had turned into an Iris mist. Luckily, I ignored the weather, determined to beat all the elements (and shutting off the desire to go home!). I also ignored the fact that this was the third thing before even leaving!

We signed on, had a host of visitors (Anne-Marie, Joanne and friend, Hogans, Therese Smeal), and a crowd of what appeared well into the 1000's! There were over 130 bike riders dispersed in 9 packs. The Kelleher Brothers - Johnny, Mark and Michael - along with the famous Italian Ray Bernasconi (who was to become known shortly as the investor) decided to lodge an application with the rear packs, figuring it might be easier just to "drop off" if at the rear of the field.

We set off at a leisurely pace, with our group - Pack 8 - being the leaders in technology (look at this blog!), resilience (we headed off in the rain as it moved from mist to rain - and we were ready for any hail that descended), and versatility and flexibility. We already had Pack 9 in our sights after some inspirational words form our stand in skipper Peter "lance Armstrong", when we heard a horrible hissing sound.

After 2 minute 24 seconds, and 925 metres into our epic 910km ride, we had our first flat tyre. This certainly tested our 'versatility and flexibility', but we felt proud of the fact that no other pack could lay claim to this trophy. Pack 8 gas decided to send up Ray Bernasconi at Fridays Presentation dinner to recieve this new award (as suggested by our Pack). Ray had a wow of a time replacing his tube, given his hands were chilled to ice in the rainy conditions.

We estimated that 5 packs then passed us by whilst Ray repaired his bike, no doubt envious of our new found status.

Undeterred we set off again, and after 9 kms in 35 minutes, we stopped for a toilet stop at the Petrol Station on Pacific Highway near Asquith, we watched the next few packs pass us by, and at our current speed expected to arrive by 8.30pm that night.

We settled down to the fair dinkum staff, and Pack 8 with 21 riders (including Don and John on a tandem bike - our version of Miami Vice) headed off up the highway. When we got to Mt White, all of the packs and riders had to wait together to have a police escort up the 10 km climb (Pack 8 was always confident we would catch them!). this was actually quite a buzz, as 130 plus riders climbed this ascent, with a bit of an adrenalim rush.

At the and we stopped for morning tea. Upon our departure, we quickly realised much to the skippers horror that we had lost a rider. The support 'search and rescue' team were sent out for our missing lady who had apparently taken a wrong term, and was heading to Wisemans Ferry. To make the day a little more challenging, the skipper informed us that it was his partner. Some male riders were heard to offer helpful suggestions like 'get her a Nat Sav', or 'do you let her read the street directory?.'

We headed off after morning tea to move up past Wyong and some lovely countryside. After 300 metres, one could here the terrible snake sound, and yep - we had another flat tyre. Ray Bernasconi once again showed remarkable skills in repairing his tyre in half the time as this morning. Ray quickly became known as 'The Investor' (because he has two flats).

we travalled the next 30 kms without much ado, until we had our descent along Bumble Mountain(?), which is a sharp rapid descent. I managed to lose my water bottle at the end, and in turning around fell off my bike - easily done when you forget to undo your cleats. we were pretty dispersed in this ride, with the pack being spread over 3 kms, and some again taking wrong turns.

After lunch, we all looked to The Investor for any action as we pulled out onto the road. But Ray seemed to have fixed the problem, and was talking of returning to his slick wheels tomorrow (you should have seen the box Ray took on the truck; could have held a bike shop in there for all we know!)

We rode as pack for the last 40 kms into Morrisset, which was uneventful but good fun.

Upon arrival we pitched tents. Ray appears to have a size problem in his hutch.

Dinner at the Club was great. We were given our sponsors product of a shirt and bike shorts. John Kelleher didnt have any, but thanks Chris Kelleher, as Johhny now owns his gear.

Anyhow - day 1 down.

115 kms in just over 5 hours riding.

photos attached for viewing and laughs