Day 5 of the 2011 Half Smiddy
Half Smiddy Day Five 164km's
Scotty May once again put together an amazing route today, but I can tell you here and now that his name was mud a few times today. We started out in no rain but very wet roads, did a lot of climbing straight out of Crows Nest for the first hour, got to the top of the range and the road that leads down to the historic town of Esk. It was here we let the group go at their own pace as the descent was wet and treacherous and much safer not descending in a large group. Thankfully all got down safe and regrouped at the bottom and rode the remaining five kilometres into our morning tea stop at Esk. A quick 15 minute stop saw us on our way again and for the next 15km more rolling hills ensured we were kept honest. The last 10km run into Coominya, where we had a toilet stop, and then into Lowood for lunch, was the only flat terrain we would encounter for the rest of the day. We enjoyed lunch in Lowood - some locals got excited revving their hotted up cars down the main street, and then there was Ollie, who read out his very funny and informative day four journal to the appreciative Smiddy crew.
Lunch was cut short by 10 minutes as we were trying to get to the finish at Adam Smiddy park by the estimated three o'clock, as we knew a lot of love ones would be waiting for us. Straight out of lunch we all expected to take the flat road into Fernvale and just out of Lowood the lead car turned right and we went up, and up and just when we thought we couldn't go up any longer, it went up again! The gradient was so steep that the lunch we just had was attempting to come back up. I put a call out on the two way radio to the road crew to make a second lunch as the majority of the riders had just lost theirs! We regrouped at the bottom, which turned out to be an amazing descent, but once again, due to the wet conditions, the roads were unsafe for fast descending. It was at this regroup I had a chat to the riders and told them how proud I was of them and that I appreciated their commitment to finish this last tough and testing day. I also apologised for any problems that may have occurred over the past four days. All were in agreement that a good time was had by all and I was not to worry.
Then it happened! Four kilometres after that conversation we had to do a terrible section of corrugated and incredibly wet and slippery dirt, it was now raining and in one foul swoop our bikes were a mess, our bodies were covered from head to toe in muddy grime, and to top it all off our lead vehicle lead the peleton the wrong way, over the very busy Fernvale highway, directly up another dirt road that said no through road, and my words of just 20 minutes prior where put to their severest test. It was quickly ascertained by the lead vehicle that the road that said 'No Through Road', indeed meant that it was a road that you could not go through! An about turn took place, we were lead back and turned right onto the highway and just 500 metres later we got off that busy road onto our correct route along Pine Mountain Road, and the joy of all this is that we were back on tar roads. Sure it was still raining, the roads were full of pot holes and bumps and dips but the major plus was it was not dirt! The name Scotty May came up in a few engaging conversations after this. Personally I was loving it but could understand the concerns of safety and the jarring impact on expensive equipment. It was along this stretch that Rowan and Billy rejoined the group, both riders needed time in the follow vehicle due to Achilles injuries. They had sensed the morale in the group had just taken a beating and their presence, at least for me, was a most welcome and appreciative return. These guys risked injuring themselves further but thought of others first. It meant so much to me and I know other riders in the group felt the same.
We all rolled into Ipswich for our afternoon tea stop, very wet and cold and what a welcome sight it was for us to see the friendly faces of our beautiful and caring road crew. It was here that a young fella Nick Read joined us for the remaining 40km's into Brisbane. Nick is just 14 years of age and was inspired to join us as he lost his Father Michael Read to Melanoma just six months ago. Nick was introduced to the group, who warmly welcomed him, and when Ollie told us Nick's story the young courageous fella broke into tears. Our hearts went out to him and the reality of why we are out here doing what we are doing was there in front of us. No matter how much we suffer out here, at the end of the day we get to go home, snuggle up to our love ones and celebrate how good life is just purely by living. For Nick his life was irreversibly changed the day he lost his Dad. My resolve to continue to fight for what we are doing trebled. I thought I needed no reminders, then along comes Nick to remind us all we need to keep stepping up to the plate and delivering. We need to reach out and inspire others through our actions, we need to keep this amazing bubble of Smiddy positiveness growing until the whole of Australia knows the Adam Smiddy story. For it is through Adam's life story it all began, and it will be through his story that lives are saved and hope given to thousands suffering from these terrible cancers. Now isn't that something that you would be proud to be part of? Your actions will one day save lives? Pretty cool hey!
That last 40km's into the finish at Adam Smiddy park were pretty special; Adam likes to test our resolve with regards to the course and the weather, he always makes it interesting. I like to think my old mate is with us on all our journeys. Coming into Brisbane Adam rewarded our feats of endurance and patience and fortitude, we had passed his test, the rain cleared, the sun even poked it's timid head from behind the clouds and life was great! We rolled into Smiddy Park 30 minutes behind schedule to a rousing reception from family and friends. It was so good to be home! The Smiddy huddle was formed and all the special people that helped make this possible were thanked with great enthusiasm and appreciation. Councillor Peter Matic, who officially opened Smiddy Park two years ago, was present and delivered a warm welcoming speech. The road crew were thanked through gifts purchased on behalf of the riders. Family and friends and donors were thanked with three cheers for without them there would be no Smiddy events. The local Lions community group once again fed the crowd with a BBQ and drinks and we are ever so thankful for the continuing support.
Slowly but surely the last goodbyes were said, the heartfelt hugs were embraced and will be missed, and my extended Smiddy family slowly disappeared back to the own families.
I already miss them, but they are never far from me, each one of them leave an imprint on my heart that can never be removed. My hearts swells with the pressure of knowing so many good people over these past five years since my mate passed away. How good is life? I will tell you why life, for me at least is so good, in just six words. YOU CARE ENOUGH TO DO SOMETHING!
Take care my friends and I will see you on the road again soon.
Sharky.
