Our day started at 4.45am this morning. Breakfast, again hosted by Gerry and Chris along with Peter and Kathleen, meant the rides had to be collected from their hotel and bought to San Jose before the 6.30am start. It was more 6.50am before the riders headed off for the big climb up Lavers Hills. It was decided by the riders the night before that morning tea was to be held at the bottom of Lavers Hill and not at the top as per the schedule. We found the morning tea stop 13kms from the top. Again when the riders got to us, you could see today was more of a challenge for them than yesterday. The team spirit amongst these guys shown to date is amazing, they are definitely working as a team. A challenge was set by AI (Alf Ianniello) for the Hill. First wife to call her husband on a tea break was Mrs Manley – wasn’t poor Bob embarrassed and kindly advised Jane that now was not a good time. 1st one up got $100.00. All the riders said that Ang had it in the bag, there was no contest. 20 Minutes later AA (Angelo Anibaldi) and DB (David Buck rode in to be joint winners of the challenge. Great effort. We didn’t even have time to finish our coffee!!!! The last 2 riders rode in 1 hour later DJ & BM (David Jeffries and Bob Manley) rode in. BM, the captain for the day stayed with DJ right through to the end. Well done DJ for not giving up and accomplishing the big hill. As the boys rode in, they were greeted by a round of applause from all the riders and support crew. To see the reactions of the riders at the front, in the middle and at the end is quite interesting from reactions like, that was great, to never doing that again to a few choice swear words.
After a well deserved coffee break, the boys got back on the bike to head down the other side. The Doctor was more worried about the journey down the hill than the one up. We certainly didn’t want anyone sliding down the hill and injuring themselves.
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