Day 1 - The Successes and Frustrations of Sydney to Kiama

Today has been an eventful one to say the least. After arriving at the Sydney Opera House with minimal sleep we were greeted by a group of friends who had not only managed get out of bed to see us off at 5am but some had traveled as far as Canberra just to pass on their well wishes. Once we had been fed and caffeinated myself, Shu and Adam set out for what was to become an epic adventure.

The first rest was set to be at Kareela, 25 km out from the start, which was a hassle free journey filled with light hearted chatter about holiday happenings and the etiquette of Sydney drivers towards cyclists. We were welcomed to the rest stop with a nice surprise of the St George / Sutherland Parkinson's support group who had come to wish us well on the ride. After spending some time chatting the time had come for us to move along and begin the next stage of the cycle.

St George / Sutherland Parkinson's support group greeted me at Kareela

The next rest stop was in Helensburg. As was bound to happen I managed to get lost, which was surprisingly easy seeing that we were just following the one road. After our slight detour everything ran smoothly to the rest stop. After Helensburg we moved on to Corrimal, which we arrived late after we managed to loose the Princes Highway when it turned into Bulli Pass, it was after this that I decided I really should have spent the extra money and invested in a GPS.

Shu and I posing at Helensburg

At Corrimal we were welcomed by John from the Corrimal Parkinson's support group. Unfortunately due to the fact that we were already late I was unable to spend as much time as I would have liked talking with John but we had to move on to the next stop at Haywards Bay.

John and I at Corrimal

This stop was by far my favourite only because it was here that my dad was to join me for the final leg into Sydney. Just the thought of my dad waiting for me at Haywards Bay gave me more of a boost then a GU Gell (the best energy supplement a cyclist could ever ask for). Sure enough as I arrived at the rest my dad was ready and waiting, bike at side. After we had all been fed up on much needed tuna sandwiches we all headed out on the last leg of day 1. As luck would have it it was on this last leg that the wind and rain started to pick up resulting in us just taking it nice and slow. Once we arrived in Kiama our spirits were lifted by the sight of the Lighthouse. As would be expected we were not even 100m from ending what turned out to be a 130.3km day when I managed to get a puncture in my rear tire, I guess it was the best place it could have happened.

End of Day 1, I think we are all ready to flop

Currently we are all sitting around fixing my brand new "heavy duty" tires which were cannibalised by a shard of break light penetrating right the way through, even with a glass of champas in hand this is proving a tiresome and frustrating task.

Adam and I resting up

Tomorrows stretch is from Kiama to Mollymook and the weather seems to be staying wet. Even though I am tired I am still really looking forward to the adventures which lie ahead.

Stay dry.

Oh the Rain

Well it would appear that this weeks forecast is not ideal for the ride with showers predicted each day along the way and a storm predicted for Thursday (YUCK!). While I probably should be grateful for loosing the scorching heat I am dreading the continuous dampness that will linger for at least the first half of the ride. This may be made a touch worse by the fact that we are camping along the way so not only will we have wet cycling clothes we will have wet everything, and no real place to dry them.

All in all preparation and packing has been going well. I have managed to wrestle my way through all the kind hearted shoppers who chose to spend this fine rainy afternoon shopping at Woolies as for today all their profits are being directed towards Red Cross in aid of the Victorian Fires. Fantastic idea if I say so myself and as a result I too chose to buy all my non perishables today as well as the first few days of perishable supplies.

Now that I have everything I am currently playing the lets get obsessive compulsive with zip lock bags game. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this game you simply section everything you can in to serves, place 1 serve per zip lock bag and mark out what it is and when it is for with a permanent marker. Once all serves are sectioned out and marked you select a range of the zip locked serves to create a "meal", putting all the selected serves into a larger zip lock bag and marking what meal it is and when it is to be eaten. After arranging a collection of "meals" you simply select the meals you will consume in one day and place these in an even larger zip lock bag marking it with your name and the day you plan to eat it. Anyway I am sure you get the point. My hope is that this will make my life a zillion-billion times easier to make no fuss food when I'm exhausted, soaking wet and cold, I guess we will see.


Other events of today have included triple checking all camping gear, as a result I have learnt that my living area can fit two fully assembled 3-4 man tents with out having to move anything around. Granted that you may have problems navigating your way to the entrances or across the room, but that's not really the point is it.

Well I believe I have had well and truly enough of a procrastination break and better get back to it as I could really do with a good night sleep tonight. I look forward to seeing some of you at 5am tomorrow outside the front stairs of the Sydney Opera House.

Take care, stay dry.

Launching the Ride

With only 2 days to go all participants have been running around madly. A fair proportion of today's running around involved the Launch of the 2009 Pedal for Parkinson's Sydney to Melbourne Cycle. The launch was held at Manning Bar and was attended by a range of people including riders, friends, family, Parkinson's sufferers as well as Parkinson's NSW. Attendees had the opportunity to review the schedule the cyclists will be following as well as learn more about Parkinson's and how it effects sufferers as well as those close to them.


A special thank you goes out to Winey Suen who made the launch a reality and shared her touching story and experiences with Parkinson's. Further thanks goes goes out to Miriam and the Parkinson's NSW crew who took the time to come talk the launch attendees about Parkinson's Disease and provide support to the riders. Finally a big thank you to everyone who helped and attended the launch you support and encouragement meant a lot and we look forward to keeping you all updated on out progress over the next 2 weeks.

5 Days to Take Off - Victorian Fire Concerns

I have had many people express their concerns about me cycling through Victoria in two weeks. I would just like to let everyone know that I am keeping a close look out on the Victorian fires and the areas the have been and may progress too. So far all seems well with the only slight concern is the fires around the pictured area as we will be cycling down the Princes (A1) and spending a Night in Moe.


If any one else is interested in keeping tabs a useful map is updated regularly and can be viewed here.

Negative 7 and Counting

With exactly one week before I leave on my big adventure the nerves have well and truly begun to kick in. Between the 40 degree plus temperatures, bush fires along the roads and the usual organisational kayos which goes hand-in-hand with organising these things I am still amazed how collected I am remaining.

I went for a short cycle today as I decided given the expected temperatures I would be best not killing myself trying to get more training, even if the rides that tiny fraction harder because I only rode 3/4 of my training ride one day I'll at least be alive. So far training has been more or less going to plan, I have been good at ensuring I do the required distances as well as cross train to avoid injury while boosting my fitness further. I must say given my history I am most surprised that I am still in one piece and touch wood it remains that way.

Currently I am having what i feel is a well earned break from preparation of maps, camping gear, launch logistics, schedules et al and reflecting on the wod of work that needs doing over the next week. Here is what I need to do (for my benefit and your interest):

• Finalise maps and ensure the rout is ride-able (By Sunday)

• Work out a schedule of where we will be when, including times we will pass through/near towns in attempt to rally up support (By Monday)

• Write a list of everything we will need and check it against a list of what we have (By Sunday)

• Put bike in for service and get all the required parts (TODAY!!!!)

• Check my cycling Buddy is still alive (By Tuesday)

• Pick up "Cyclists Ahead" signs (On Wednesday)

• Build map poster for launch (By Thursday)

• Set up and attend Launch (On Thursday)

• Double check EVERYTHING... and then again (On Friday)

• Arrive at Opera House (On Saturday)

• Start Cycling (On Saturday)

Now I have no doubts that I have missed something of great importance but that is looking nice and long as it is, especially since this is only a list of the ride related things I need to do.

I guess I better stop procrastination...

Post soon.