It was the dedicated few: Max, Geoff, Lemo, Ian, Steve and Josh who rose an hour earlier than necessary to enjoy the spectacular Clarence River in a rowing boat. The 6am effort was generously rewarded with a Grafton Rowing Club medal, which Josh proudly displayed all through breakfast.
The Ella Bache team was proudly represented at the 8am roll call with Flick in her blue Pratt Foundation/Prostate Cancer jersey and Adam in the pink New Idea/Breast Cancer jersey. The peloton rolled out at 8.15am to a big wave from our great hosts at Quality Inn. The boys at the front set a fast pace during the undulating ride to our morning tea break at Glenreagh.
Cougar’s flat tyre and Steve’s broken spoken kept the King of the Mountain boys busy at the end of the break. From Glenreagh we continued our speedy pace through to Nana Glen (Russell Crowe’s home town) where we were waved and cheered by the local primary school kiddies.
First race of the day
A day on the road isn’t enough without a good sprint and as much as the Ella Bache team takes it to the boys, the three girls just don’t quite have the pace to race. Adam was our sole representative on the quiet country lane chosen en route to Coffs. But with Lemo all over the road leading to the finish line (a manoeuvre he was disqualified for) it was the outside racers, Cougar and Steve who lunged for the line. After a brief debate from the multiple roadside judges, Cougar was given the blue ribbon.
The country sprint did little to tire the legs and the peloton continued on through the countryside weaving its way up to the stunning rainforests outside Coffs Harbour. Thankfully, we took the time to marvel at the amazing ghost gums. (This is a route we can definitely recommend into Coffs Harbour).
For those fearless enough to take on the downhill at the end of the rainforest it was apparently a race to the bottom. Thanks to Graham and Lucy (local Coffs Harbour riders) who manned the bottom of the hill and pulled us up in time to avoid the Pacific Highway traffic. After navigating our way over the 4-lane highway we gave the TV crew a wave at the top of the Big Banana hill (it had to be at the very top of the hill too!) before the final little bit into the centre of town.
Amazing Coffs Harbour reception
The Coffs Harbour community came out in force and we were given a celebrity reception as we rolled on in to the main street. Four criterion races kept the lunch crowd entertained and the donations flowing. C-grade was won when Max sped to the lead with just over a lap to go. Lemo punched it out to take the B-grade race. He then decided that wasn’t enough and backed up for A-grade. But it was serious stuff as the boys hooned up and down the tight strip, Adam strategically placing himself in third position. Despite Cougar’s overabundant competitive nature a local lad, who we later found out to be the regional A-grade champion, took line honours. Not to be outdone, the whole Tour de Cure team hit the start line for the final race of the day, which was marvellously commentated by Sam (everyone got a plug). The pup of the team, Alex, raced away to win. His prize? A kiss from Elle - that’s Elle the seal at the Pet Porpoise pool (our next destination). We refuelled with the best meal of the tour to date, thanks to the ladies from Canadian Kitchens, before heading off to get Alex his kiss.
Christian from Camp Quality, his family and local members of the Breast Cancer support group joined us at the Pet Porpoise Pool – great to have so many involved. Luckily we were all able to get a kiss from Elle who puckered up her lips and gave us all a fishy kiss before we were treated to a spectacular dolphin display from Bucky, Zippy, Calamity and baby Bella. However, the star of the show was our Rickster who serenaded us and got the dolphins dancing—an act that sealed him the blue jersey for the day. We all said goodbye to Christian after Geoff presented him with some Tour de Cure goodies. We then quickly found our Quality Inn City Centre accommodation and changed into our cocktail attire (black Tour de Cure shirts) for the first event, ever, to be held on the Coffs Harbour jetty.
Despite the rather chilly temperatures the team and local supporters enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and cocktails under a full moon. Jessica and her dad (Camp Quality), Bruce (the local Prostate Cancer Foundation support group) and Brenda (the Breast Cancer support group) all shared their stories with us and reminded us of why this ride is so important. A very big thank you to Gretel Hogbin for organising such a special night.
With a big day coming up the team needed a bit of a top up to the lovely pier nibbles. A raucous dinner followed (at a location never to be disclosed) before we were all shuttled back to bed where most of us fell asleep, exhausted from a wonderful afternoon in Coffs Harbour.
A very big thank you to our Coffs Harbour team member, Ian Hogbin, and his family for organising all the superb events to promote Tour de Cure and our three cancer charities.
Jersey winners for the day
Focus: The Intelligent Investor’s KOM polka dot jersey – Sam for her awesome and continuous focus on keeping us all organised and the Tour de Cure train on track.
Guts: Blue Pratt Foundation/Prostate Cancer Foundation jersey – Rickster for his awesome work around the peloton, taking on A-grade in his first ever bike race and, of course, singing in front of a crowd and four dolphins.
Support: Pink New Idea/Breast Cancer Foundation jersey – Leesa and Mel for their wonderful meals and going beyond their call of duty with turkey sandwiches at the end of the day in the car park.
Attitude: Yellow Myer/Camp Quality jersey – Ian. The support he rallied in the Coffs Harbour community was an outstanding example of Tour de Cure attitude.
Written by the Ella Bache team: Kate, Flick, Jacinta & Adam
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