Written by Geoff Owen, David Hill and Natalie Goebel (aka Gowen, Captain and Peppa Pig)
Daily Stats
By David “Stinky Dave” Colahan
Distance: 175.2 kilometres
Ride Time: 9:07 hours total, 6:46 hours riding
Ave Speed: 25.9 km/hr
Elevation: 587 m climbed
Min Temperature: 9C degrees
Max Temperature: 41C degrees
We awoke to clear and crisp morning in Clermont, all riders feeling refreshed hopefully after a sharing comfortable night with their billets, especially Sep who was taken back to his 1970s shaggin’ wagon.
As the riders prepared to roll out, Carol Ng was looking resplendent in the category jersey which was richly deserved from yesterday. Chris “Geevsy” Geeves spoke passionately about the Sunburn power trip that Captain Kevvy was on and urged the riders to join the union to stop this oppression!
We all sang happy birthday to Amelia, a girl from the local state school, much to the delight of her friends - her? Not so much!
The cowbell was rung the by Crystal and Barb, our community champions at Clermont who organised the billets and the community dinner. We then rolled with the oppressor (aka Captain Kevvy) in his new pimped up ride, a Kenilworth prime mover – the word on the street is that it’s the new rear support vehicle for next Smiddy challenge. This will allow Kevvy to rule over all his subjects!
The first 30km from Clermont to a familiar town called Roadside was uneventful with a light tail wind. It was a nice to start to the day with all riders in high spirits. The following stage to Marzappa for the morning tea stop, the conversation in the peloton turned to the legendary Hog Cup (the 15km sprint into Belyando Crossing) with many chats about strategy, particularly about who was in the lead out train/s. As usual, the infatuation with food overtook the Smiddy Peloton as rumours of pancakes were circulating heading into morning tea.
Alas, no pancakes, but freshly baked muffins were provided by the local bakery in Clermont. Thank you Bluemac Bakehouse!
The 50km run to lunch was hard work with a reverse tail wind, and many riders were praying for corner or at least a crest to break the monotony. At the lunch stop at Elgin Downs, a suburb of Mars (it is not quite the end the earth but you can see it from there), the Road Crew were dressed up as clown like fairies, easily spotted in the arid Martian landscape. Mick McDonald looked particularly hot in his red wig but I guess that’s how they roll in Ingham!
The shelter provided by the road crew was very much appreciated, with fresh sandwiches left over from yesterday were provided (which meant we haven’t needed our plates for five days now – thanks Wendo). The fruit salad and custard was a big hit.
The next stage was onto another town called Roadside, again into a reverse tail wind. Nat decided to give the road surface a closer inspection, and yes it is sharp, bumpy and hard! A keen observer (aka Gareth) quipped that it was a score of 9 for the recovery and 2 for the dismount. On the subject of crash test dummies, Sep remained upright all day! Well done, Sep! No dusties were recorded today.
The Hog Cup started a little further out this year with a 15km run into Belyando Crossing, and as usual, Ken Woods was the favourite and didn’t disappoint! However, Heath Deeble ran a close second! Well done to both riders.
The ladies Hog Cup was well represented, including Scotty Baum and Leon, and the eventual winner was the popular Nat Goebel, by a sliver – well done Nat and Leonie!
The Huddle at Belyando was led by Mick and Cath, where Mick gave kind words of encouragement to the riders, and Cath who shared her reasons for being involved with a special mention to all the mothers past and present who have been touched by cancer.
Thanks Mick and Cath #WeLoveRoadCrew!
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