Cycle Tour

The Cycle Tour was the first activity we experienced after learning the various different places around the campus, and after hearing nothing but bad reviews about the tour, I really wanted to get on the bike and experience it myself. When I arrived at Wambana I expected the cycle tour to commence straight away, but I was disappointed to find out that it was to start the following morning. I was still happy though, because the tour was our first fitness activity and that was the main thing I was looking forward to over the duration of the camp, the fitness.

Day 1 - Wednesday, 29th April 2009

Early Wednesday morning we were awoken and eager to get on the bikes, but before this we met the two instructors that were going to take us over the duration of the tour, Paul and Em. I was the first to meet them, as I was one, of the allocated two leaders for the day. I was to have a map and direct where we were going, as well as making sure the campus and everywhere we stopped was clean before we left.
We started by heading along the coast on a very bumpy dirt road, that made the majority of the class have sore hands by the time we stopped. But the boys, like myself, who had worn gloves proceeded to be fine.
The next time be stopped was at what was said to be 'The Old Murdoch Place', which was a school back in its day. We got off our bikes and inspected the place, finding a Holden 48, three long drops, and a whole heap of junk inside the house, including some old books that would have been used in the 'one room school'.
Up until this stop Paul had lead the group keeping a steady pace up front so everyone could keep up, but he gave that job over to me as I was the leader. So I led the group, closely followed by Corz, Turns and Shovels.
Day 1 consisted of two sections, before lunch and after lunch. Both were small loops around Pt. Turton, so that we ended up back at the camp site. Together the two sections added up to a grand total of 39 kilometres for day 1. The roads we rode on were mostly dirt roads, with the occasional patch of bitumen. Also, with the occasional break to bunch the group back up. In these breaks we were to have some water and a snack to keep us going. Also, the scenery we past was absolutely beautiful, with everything being so different to the city.
But overall day 1 was a great bike ride for all of us, leaving some eager for the next day, and others not so keen.

Day 2 - Thursday 30th April 2009

After waking up early again for some intense bike riding. With complaints about sore behinds and other muscle soreness, it was essential to properly prepare for the hard day of bike riding ahead. We were driven to Innes National Park, to start our second day of riding, which consisted of 34 kilometres of up and down, hill congested roads.
We started by going up a not very steep hill, but one that felt like it lasted forever. But the reward for getting to the top of that hill was that we got to go down the biggest hill at top speed, and after a small safety talk by Paul we were allowed to go down this hill one at a time. It was a great adrenalin rush.
For the majority of day two, shovels led us at the front of the pack, closely followed by Corz and myself, and most of the day was also on bitumen, and for me, this was the easiest day covering the distance easily.
We stopped off at a very nice beach, and after a small board walk to Pondolowie Bay, to enjoy a scrumptious lunch of tuna with my tent partners Corz and Turns.
After lunch, Shovels started out with a cracking pace after Corz and I had told him to go faster at lunch, and only Corz and myself could keep up. We were absolutely flying, alternating the leader of the pack with the font person riding to the front on a regular basis. After reaching our second intersection we decided to stop, and figured we were probably a few kilometres in front of everyone, and after Dale caught us puffing and panting we realised we were in a bit of trouble, and for the fifth time we had to ride to the back and help everyone else. Dale later addressed the group saying we were probably travelling at an average of 28 kilometres per hour. Bairdy told us not to be proud of this achievement, but secretly we were beaming about it. It was definitely my highlight for the whole cycle tour.
But overall the second day was the greatest day of the cycle tour, and the scenery was just simply amazing. The break spots were stunning and all the scenery we past was brilliant. But we all had to prepare ourselves for the next day, but we couldn't do anything to prepare ourselves for what was coming in day 3...

Day 3 - Friday 1st May 2009

We woke up day 3 ready for a big day of riding, but too our disappointment it was raining. For some of us this was great because they love riding in the rain and through the massive puddles, but for the majority of the class it was shocking as they would rather a nice dry day to ride in. But nonetheless we still had to ride the whole 40 kilometres of the third day, and had to fight over our sore bodies and the horrible weather.

We started by getting dropped off at a track which felt like it was in the middle of nowhere and set off down the muddy track with the rain bearing down our backs. The track was filled with puddles and loose dirt and all other fun things to fly through at incredible pace and it was definitely, for me, the greatest part of day 3. But when we had our first break everyone was covered in mud and complaining. But for a few of us, shovels and myself, we were having a great time and loved riding through track in the conditions. But after getting off the track and onto normal road it got bad for even me and shovs, because there was no puddles or mud to ride through just normal riding, except in rain...

When we stopped Turns and I realised we didn't pack our lunch, so we went on a massive scavenger hunt for anyone with spare food, and after succeeding in that we were set to ride the long ride towards Edithsberg. Most of this ride was along the coastline along bumpy, bumpy tracks.

After carrying our bikes and riding at a very slow pace we finally made it to a large lighthouse where we were set to have lunch. But yet again I had to scavenge for all my food, as well as shield myself from the continuous rain that was pelting down on us.

After the semi enjoyable lunch we set along the bumpiest road that we came across. It was hell, besides the beautiful sights of the sea, riding across that horrible surface. Even Paul hated riding on that road, he said the only reason we ride that road is because Moff wanted to take pictures of the amazing coastline.

But as soon as be go off that horrible road we had about 10 kilometres to Edithsburg and the people who usually were at the back of the pack lead us for the end, while the front people were at the back helping everyone out. While we were on this ride we rode past a wind farm which had about 50 massive wind mills, it was an amazing sight, even with the rain in our face.

After what seemed like forever, we reached Edithburg and everyone was totally relieved, and after putting the bike away and some people having showers, we left and headed back for Wambana.

Overall the cycle tour was both physically and mentally challenging and it was something I was very happy to be a part of. It helped both fitness, and learning to fight through the pain in hard times, as well as putting up with the shocking weather. But it wasn't all hard and painful, it was also fun and when the adrenalin was pumping, the feeling was great.