DAY 9 - WOLLONGONG to SYDNEY

Our final day and the weather appeared to have finally caught up with us! It rained through the night and none of us could really complain seeing as the last 8 days had been almost perfect! Who would have thought on the day we left Melbourne and they had the worst storms in decades that we could miss that all together and even benefit from the tail wind on our longest day. I would like to think it was Karma helping the Tour de Cure

Our traditional final dinner in Wollongong was celebrated with family and friends, sharing stories about the incredible journey we had had these past 9 days. The Max and Amy slide show had mouths agape and tears streaming from riders and loved ones. The friendships formed over the 1137km already ridden will live on long after the final pedal is turned in to Fox Studio's. We had some amazing stories shared with us on this trip from those close to us and those we touched. To quote Drew McAlister’s song (which we sang loud and with a tear in our eye on our final night) "it's the thought of you that drives me on" " no matter where the road may lead".............Not a truer word spoken!

As usual our fantastic caterers "Canadian Kitchens" (canadian_kitchens@bigpond.com) severed up a treat for our final push in to Sydney. With only 112km to ride today the girls spoilt us with Bacon and Eggs on muffins on top of our usual 3 course breakfast buffet. It is going to be strange waking up to no CK smiles and coffee being handed to you hot and ready to strengthen our tired bodies.

I was honoured to again wear the Yellow Jersey on the final day in to Sydney. Pulling on the yellow jersey was like pulling on a superman outfit. Ready to leap tall buildings (Stanwell tops) at a single bound.........I am sure Andrew in the Pink Jersey, Sam in the Blue jersey and Tom in Polka Dot Jersey felt exactly the same way.

A final briefing and a quick thank you to Mary at the Comfort Inn Fairways who not only hosted all 38 riders/crew but our families and our final dinner. With 8 days of safe riding behind us my focus was on getting all 36 riders and crew to Sydney in one piece. I must apologise to those who I barked at on this tour, my comments were only made out off concern for everyone's safety.
















A big thanks to Sky Dive the Beach who kindly donated two midweek jumps over Wollongong to help the Tour de Cure fund raising. www.skydivethebeach.com.au
I did the jump a couple of months ago and can highly recommend the thrill!
















Wollongong to Sydney certainly rates as one of the prettiest rides we did. The suspension bridge south of Stanwell Tops is a must see for visitors to Sydney. Not quite the Great Ocean Road but still a stunning view of the coast line. I will post a couple of pictures which Anthony from pearsephotography.com.au took when they come in. Seeing Ant perched on the top railing of the suspension bridge as we snaked towards him was a sight. The winds where strong and his balance looked precarious at best.


Final King of the Mountain Points were eagerly fought out on road to the Stanwell Tops. A 1.4km climb at approx 15% grade was the final category points for the 08 King of the Mountain! Mike Bolt showed that his 8 days of sand bagging in the bunch had left him in good shape for this final attempt. Loey (Cough cough how sick am I REALLY) showed that 65kg's climbs much better than the Units 84kgs. Now I was not there for the finish but I was told that Alex Malone (AKA WonderBOY) looked comfortable as he held off a late charging Mike Bolt and ever present Garren Cronin. His fellow KOM Shop mechanic RICKSTER (also 60kg's if a kilo more) came in 4th to Loeys commendable 5th (or 3rd if you don't count the 2 semi professional riders). Nice work Alex........KOM champion for 2008

A delicious final lunch atop Stanwell Cliffs with soaring hang gliders and a meat buffet fit for a king got the TDC crew ready for the final ride in to Sydney. Steven Lo joined us and with the GPS telling us we had 22km to Bundeena for the Ferry we gave ourselves 75mins to ride the 22km and enjoy the scenery. The road in to the national park was one of the best................ until we passed a sign at the bottom of our climb telling us there was 23km to Bundeena. A quick check of the clock and it was 12.17 and we had to be at Bundeena for the 1pm ferry............YIKES! The bunch had split on the decent in to the national Park and the gap only increased as those feeling strong after 8 days and 1175km climbed easily whilst others found the going tough. I had to share this photo with you. To me it typifies the Tour de Cure Spirit, values and commitment fight to find a cure for Cancer!

This picture was taken on day 6 but exact same image could be seen by SAM and Robyn in the support car as the TDC family pulled together to help those struggling to reach the top of the climb and make up time to the lead bunch as we all sprinted to make the Bundeena ferry in time. I am pleased to say that we made it with just minutes to spare. Nice work Josh, Alex, Denzel and Garrick!

Thanks to Bass and Flinders Ferries who kindly donated out Ferry trip to Cronulla.

A quick coffee in Cronulla and some eager fundraising by PUP who may have found a golden source and we were almost home.



A drop in to Sydney City Lexus to say thanks for their continued support of the Tour de Cure and the Camp Quality Yellow Jersey and we were ready to finish this amazing journey. Mark Ferguson pulled out the big guns and organised a news crew to film our welcome home..................The streets were lined with family and friends, banners and blow horns, tears and hugs as rode in to Fox Studio's. It was great to be home!



Stay tuned for the final Awards BLOG...........Will be posted tomorrow!


Cougar............Signing out for 08!