Day 5 Nambucca Heads to Grafton

If there was a day to train for it was today.

We knew it was the longest day, stretching almost 150 kms, and Skipper was keen for us to make an early start. We were scheduled to leave at 7.05am, and Ray and I certainly benefited from having taken a cabin at the Big4 Caravan Park the night before. Adrian had us ready to go and moved to our breakfast with all the others, and off we took - the first time to leave early as Pack Late (8). Once assembled we were informed by Rolex (Skipper) that we had another flat tyre - on the support vehicle! Each pack has its own vehicle that tails the pack, with a sign informing approaching motorists that they were approaching fund raising cyclists. Ironic that we set off early - only to be hit by the only car flat of the trip!

We had a really good pedal into Coffs Harbour. About 10kms out, we turned off the freeway and hit the sidestreets, which quickly became cycle paths. Mark (Welby / Erroll) had a fall - at a pedestrian crossing. I think he was looking for a mandarin. We were heading to the porpoise pools and making good time, when Laurie headed up the wrong street. This would still have got us there, but about 40 riders 'followed the lead sheep' ( I think I was third), only to be rounded up and sent back and on the correct route. Morning tea was great (Laurie beat us), but I lost a cycling glove there, and then thought I had lost my phone.

Leaving Coffs we headed up past the Big Bannana. Happier memories soon evaporated as we began the 'banana climb' on Bruxner Road, which was the first left after the Big banana, and heading towards Nana Glen (not to be mistaken for Nana Bawannna). The Big Banana climb became the most cahllenging piece of fruit to master on the whole trip. Although Erroll would prefer a mandarin, this was a 5 km which rose probably about 300 - 350 metres. I was told the stretch was only 1.8kms, and went out a little hard. There were different pack riders that soon became in a race to the top. I passed 11 riders from Pack 7 (told they had nothing!) and got beaten to the top in the last 100 metres by Lachlan. We all had a break at the top for 5 minutes, then Rolex turned up and we had another 15 minute break!

Lunch was at Glenreagh, and we began what Erroll / Welby said was the start of the real riding for the trip. We had about 35 plus kms to lunch, through initially some steep descents and some through some lovely rolling country. Pack Late became a bit spread out as it was a good opportunity to have a bit of a ride. It seemed that today was racing day for many of the Packs, as there was quite a bit of boasting about who was King of The Mountain at the top of the Big Banan hill, and who won the sprint to Glenreagh. We were all riding pretty well, when Matlock had a flat tyre at the bottom of one of the rolling hills we were riding on. Most of our pack rode straight past, except Welby who stooped to help. Whilst we regrouped at the top of the hill to wait for the repairs, Falconio and Sweet rode past to do their own thing.

Lunch was much appreciated at Glenreagh, although having rode almost 100 kms with 50 to go, I think we were wondering where we would get the legs from on the longest day of the tour. Lunch each day was well organised, healthy and nourishing, with a good spread of cold meats, salads and bread rolls, with water and soft drink to replenish fluids. The volunteers who were always cheery and encouraging, and rolled out extra platters of food as extra Packs came in for lunch each day. Morning tea was the same, although it ended to be a little more social between the riders, as most of the time all the Packs were at morning tea for some time that over lapped. Morning tea was cakes, fruit, tea and coffee, plus water, which was on a custom built trailor which belonged to Engadine Rotary Club, who I think took it from the Volunteer Fire Service years ago.

We took off after lunch, riding as a pack to Grafton, until we hit some hills again. Thereafter, pack 8 split up and rode there own lines into town. I don't think we had any more flats that afternoon. Ray and I were passed by Pack 4 mid way into the afternoon, and we decided to join the back for a bit. Arnotts also tagged on, and we drafted for about 10 kms (Ray the Investor), whilst Arnotts and I were there were about 6 - 7 kms. The skipper - Mike Pearson - of Pack 4 was quite entertaining and amusing, as he realised that he had some dropins at the back. The Investor inflamed the situation by calling out 'slowing' a few times for us Pack Laters at the back. Pack riding took on another level here, as Pack 4 were sitting on 35 kms plus constantly over this stretch. Eventually he got rid of the 'serial pests' from Pack 8, as they burned up some hills.

Pack 8 regrouped about 10 kms out of Grafton, and we rode into town together. Kenny Robinson, who was doing few sessions with our Pack, took us a back way into Grafton, although when we passed the Railway Station, it was tempting to book some tickets to Queensland.

Dinner was at the RSL, and a pretty good feed, and we had hotel accommodation at the pub. I shared with Reg (Johnny) and after some fighting, Johnny got the double bed.

A few quotes from the past days worth sharing;

'Pain is weakness leaving your body'

'There is no hill higher then 3 metres'

'Conticki in Action again'

'Theres no bad kids - only some better then others'

151 kms 6 hours 28 minutes. 22.9 kms / hour