Day 5 - Mallacoota to Merimbula

After a solid 400+ km over the previous 2 days and early departures, we had a leisurely start to Day 5 with breakfast at 8am. We awoke to a gorgeous sunny, clear and almost windless morning.
Following brekkie, our new black Body Torque jerseys were presented to the team down by Lake Mallacoota. Then we gathered for some model team photos before heading back to pack the Avis truck and Lexus cars. We said a big farewell and thank you to Cath Turner and the ladies at the lovely Mallacoota Hotel Motel, before finally rolling out at 10am.

Thanks to a solid morning by Robyn Canner Massage a few more bodies were back in shape for the start of today. Which was just as well, because the first 23kms out of Mallacoota were pretty hilly and a lot of us took a while to warm up. But it was gorgeous scenery and everyone enjoyed the beauty of the morning. Lemo was even willing to pay for it - $40 flew out of his jacket as he sped down one of our descents. Thankfully Garren stopped to pick up $20. If anyone happens to find $20 on the road from Mallacoota to Genoa just donate it to TourDeCure.com.au! The peloton then turned onto the Prince's Hwy and shared the next 50km with some very accommodating logging trucks….although one truckie stopped to pass on some rather animated advice to our champion lead drivers Evo and James. Of course, all constructive feedback for our safety – thanks mate!

Pretty much from then on, it was single file through the hills, some of which proved to be a little testing for some sore legs. The pack split into 2 with Pup and Brad leading the charge for the front markers (Doing Team Ella Bache proud – great work Brad), with Josh, Denver, Rick and Alex looked after the second pack. With expectations of morning tea around the 50km mark, we were all a little surprised to still be riding at 70km….now with empty water bottles and little food remaining. However, we were rewarded for persistence at 72km when we found the Canadian Kitchen Catering girls and filled up on Orange & Poppy Seed muffins, margarita pizza and plenty of Powerade.

A mere 30km more brought us into the gorgeous town of Merimbula. But not before a very testing 14% (ie really steep), 2km climb about 10km out split the pack once more. While a few of us battled our way up King of the Mountain line honours went to Garren, with Gary Bertwistle a close second.

We filled up on pasta for lunch before heading up to our Comfort Inn for chores, stretching and some recovery time. A big thanks to the KOM boys who every afternoon tweak the bikes in preparation for tomorrow’s big day.

Today also proved costly for Gary ‘Unit’ Holland. Our star yellow Camp Quality jersey wearer, Amy, bet Gary fifty bucks he couldn’t stay at the back of the pack for the whole day. Sure enough, he was back in the front few after only 23km!

Evo and Lemo had to take a little detour via Permbula District Hospital, for suspect chest infections (or a bad case of Man Cold). The doctor and nurses on duty were fantastic and both boys were treated with some tender loving health care.

Our evening meal of Paella and Pasta was provided by Merrimbula Comfort Inn. We then sat back and enjoyed two days of photos from Max and Amy’s slide show. The category winners for today were:

Yellow Camp Quality (attitude) – Marty Pearce
Pink National Breast Cancer Foundation (support) – Geoff Coombes
Blue Pratt Foundation/Prostate Cancer (guts) – Evo
KOM Morph Polka Dot Jersey – Robyn Canner

Everyone’s trying to get to bed early as we have another big day tomorrow – close to 200km. Renae has got half the team out chatting up the town tonight for some much needed funds to help fight cancer. So if you see the team out there, empty your pockets and please given generously – especially to Team Ella Bache!!