Day 5: Mansfield to Wangaratta

Breakfast this morning was unusually quiet as team members reflected on the challenging day - known to them as the "killer day" - to come. The seven riders ate their breakfast soberly. The Ironman cereal had, of course, been scoffed by Lance and Cadel days previously, but there was still a goodly collection of cereals, some with antioxidants. Of course some team members felt this was probably a waste , as their chances of living more than a few hours were slim. Perhaps Margaret even felt that she might not need to wash up the entire 9 cups and bowls as team numbers might be diminished by nightfall. In the Athlete's Village the three guys - Cadel, Lance and Stuart - were being unusually considerate of each other - making way for the others to have showers, shave etc. Graham, our Ride Director, had given us a no-holds-barred briefing .... before morning tea at Tolmie there would be a long, slow, steady climb, but we should conserve our energy, because from then on we could expect a long and very steep climb of 7 km over The Divide, the last 1 km being particularly severe. Graham then stated that each rider needed to prepare in his/her own way. Bruce was heard saying over and over: "It's Day 4 and fitness improves on the ride doesn't it ?" Laurie appeared to be in a trance-like state, possibly conjuring up visions of his Laurie-lie, sorry Lorelei. King John had acquired slick tyres and a slick hairstyle, but was disappointed tha the Mansfield barber had refused to wax his or Lance's legs. Lance also had gone for the slick hairstyle, but this only served to emphasise his striped suntan (see photo). Even Graham was heard mumbling about : "limpid streams and bucolic hills" and appeared to be hearing heavenly song birds already. And Cadel was polishing his bike... yet again. Last group photos were taken.... tearful farewells from Eileen and Margaret and the riders were off. The group managed the first leg of the ride comfortably. At Tolmie cheering crowds awaited , their cheers increased somewhat after Graham threw bread (see photo). Cadel's cousin and retinue arrived somewhat unexpectedly to say last farewells. The riders set off on what would be the most gruelling leg of their trip - and to the astonishment of all, the seven riders all summited successfully within the hour. They were rewarded by a long downhill swoop to Whitfield (King John even applied brakes). A delicious lunch, then onwards to Wangaratta . The riders were bathed all day in glorious sunshine "which you could almost taste" (according to Graham), and experienced the most wonderful vistas of King Valley. On arrival in Wangaratta the team processed triumphantly through the streets and congratulated each other on 116 challenging but exhilarating kilometres. Eileen was there to greet us, having swum another 7 km .... and we were treated to a BBQ dinner by awe-struck local Rotarians (Appin Park).