Another exciting thing, was meeting up with Mark Beaumont from Scotland, who is another cycling fanatic, and is riding across the world! So far he has riden in 16 different countries and parts of his trip is being documented by BBC. The RAA team shared dinner with Mark and had a time of fellowship. One of the team members, Dave Smit, gave Mark some bike shorts as Mark's had worn right through the backside because of the amount of time he has spent riding. BBC also took some video footage of Damian and Mark riding together.
These moments however should not mask the fact that it is still very tough. Damian's achilles are still very painful and causing a lot of strife but the fluid in his legs is decreasing. The team is also struggling, especially Dave, who found out that his aunty passed away quite suddenyl, here in Melbourne. The team pulled in for sleep just near Penong around 3am in the morning, and after only around 3 hours sleep Damian woke up and was off again.
If you sent a message to Glenn to pass onto Damian, he will receive them today as they didnt pass through Yalata yesterday. If you would like to send a message to the team you can send them to pastorglenndekker@wccc.net.au and he will get the message to them over the next couple days.
Facts and Figures
Mitch
- Ridden 436 kms through 4 days, for 15 hours and 50 minutes.
- Day 4 included 120.2 kms with an average of 29 km/hr, riding for 4 hours and 14 minutes.
- Not bad for a 57 year old guy.
Dave
- Riden 489 kms in the 4 days, for 18 hours and 50 minutes.
Peter (on the team has become known as 'Inspecter Gadget')
- 420 kms in total.
Rob
- Riden 420 kms in total.
- He is the one that gives a whole lot of loving to everyone.
- Averages 4 and a half hours of riding per day.
Joel (son of the champion)
- 50 kms in total
- New little brother to Rob. They spend plenty of intimate hours together, including sharing a sleeping bag due to a shortage. ("Dont worry Em, you're still number 1." Rob)
- Rob and Joel couldn't resist the temptation of a bike and a big downhill. Don't worry, Joel made sure Rob didn't go past 46 kms/hr.
Gerry
- One of his tasks is emptying the cannister of nastiness (the toilet). However, some of the team think he doesn't do it often enough. (Rob thought he would lend a hand to Gerry, and thought of the idea of putting dencorub under his nose with a face mask).
- Driven for 15 hours a day.
Lyn and Deb (the camp mothers)
- Have averaged 12 hours of driving a day.
- Having to live and survive in a dutch oven of a whole crew who have carbo guts and one who ate too much liquorice (Gerry). According to Deb, 2 cans of room spray doesn't cut it.
- They took a 5 minute time out to experience the Tower of Terror, a massive see-saw in SA. Fearful and trembling was Lyn's body as the see-saw rose 6 foot in the air. Upon coming down, Lyn threatened to jump off.
