Tanya and Kat logging in b4 we log out….

Tanya & Kat checking in for the first time after three nights

This is the first opportunity we have had to complete this blog… after 3.5 days of being on the go with non-stop work ensuring the best support to the 6 cyclists!

Our journey began on Tuesday night, when Kat and Tanya flew in from their states - Adelaide and Melbourne. Arriving into Hervey Bay we were greeted with instant warmth.. fantastic!! We wandered outside and…. not a taxi in site! After 10 minutes we flagged down what appeared to be airport security who called a taxi for us.  We greeted by John an ex Real Estate Agent from Tasmania who relocated to Hervey bay with his wife, following the sun and lax qld lifestyle.  John took us the ’scenic’ way to Maryborough where we were to meet the cyclists and support crew for the first time (we will admit we were slightly nervous of the unknown!)  Arriving at Maryborough, we were greeted by the team of cyclists and were greeted by Baish and Brett. The team had just finished dinner and were getting ready for bed, making adjustments to their bikes, to embark on another big day of 268 k’s!  For Tanya and I we had a quick bite (thai green curry, yumm!) and then there was no mucking around, we were straight into setting up tents, with Baish and Brett showing us the way.

Day 7 began early as the riders wanted to get an early start to embark a huge 278ks riding all the way to Benaraby.  Our morning started at 6am, jumping out of our tents (after a freezing night) and moved straight onto putting all the tents down,  packing up the site… no time for showers!! The cyclists left at 5am and it was a race against time to pack up, to ensure we met up with them for their breakfast stop. After Breakfast and a 2nd stop for lunch we were on track to our next camp site.  We did it all over again… set up the tents and then got stuck into making dinner, to make sure all was set for the cyclists to arrive back. We made two different types of pasta sauces, a napolatena/vege and a pesto/bacon/brocolli and secretly it was the best dinner so far

After a 6am start, our night finished at 9.30pm… pwwwefff what a day… ready to start at 6am all over again

Today felt like four days rolled into one…… it was hard!!!

Day 8, the Cycle for Smile riders rode from Benaraby to Maleorough. We had to pick them up for a short stint as the Bruce highway is way too dangerous… it was a good thing we did as there was a fatality on the highway and the road was closed. Today was the complete opposite of day 7…  we made our way to Emu Park where we went to the local pub as one of the cyclist went to school with the publican, Rick the owner, was very kind to shout us all a counter meal and also donate $1000 towards Cycle for Smile.
Dinner was a breeze as we had left over pasta.

Tip: for anyone coming on board as support crew if you have spare time at night do as much food prep for the next day as you can.  We made sandwiches for Friday’s  lunch and also cooked dinner for tonight - lamb with cous cous and a side of tzaziki yummmm.

This morning we left Marlborough in two separate vans. Tanya and Pete in one straight through to destination (Sarena)  and Tara and Kat in the second, travelling along the old highway to catch up with the cyclists and stop for breakfast / lunch.

This afternoon the team settle into Sarena, Tanya and mines last destination!! Its warm, and the caravan park is dotted with palms trees and lots of topical plants, its very pretty! Lovely to feel the warmth up here.

Support team four greets us at Sarena - Lisa and Rebecca from WA! Bright eyed and fresh eager to get straight onto duties. Have fun girls, despite all the hard work it is a whole lot of fun with a great bunch of people!

All the very best for the days ahead guys.. Kat and Tanya signing out……………………