Andrew's Karri Cup

Saturday, 27th of February, 2010

Actually, the first photo is my 'support crew' of Enke and Volker, a couple of German lawyers from Berlin who are living in Fremantle for a year. Paul Llewellyn met them when he was a politician looking at renewable energy in Germany.

Their job is to carry our kit to each of the stagings - there were 4 stages. And take photos!

Here they are on the Northcliffe oval with the start/finish gate in the background at the other end of the oval. That is part of Jane block at the far left - some of the biggest trees I have ever seen.

Volker stirring dinner - made, of course, by Susanna.

The next day and the three of us, Tamantha, Toc and myself, just about ready for the start.

Andrew, just after the start, it was slightly staggered, but not really enough, there traffic jams in the single track in the forest - very fit triatheletes go up hills quicker than folk like me but cannot go downhill or ride single track. Because of the dry, there was a lot of dust - the haze in the photo. The guy behind had done the Cape to Cape ride when I had - I recognised the jersy (though not him . . .)

Below is myself coming through the finishing gate of stage 1 which was at the Boorara tree which used to be a lookout tree and so it, of course, ontop of a large hill.

I am smiling because I realise that the longest and hardest stage is now over.

And because I did stage 2 in half the time of stage 1 - it was shorter and had fewer single track. I missed seeing my support at lunch until just before I left, so next photo is at end of stage 3, also the Boorara Tree lookout and another climb, on the way up . . .

At stage 3 checkpoint, - that was a particularly hot stage . . .

Just past the finishing line, and I am very glad to get off the bike and stop moving. Somewhat amused at Volker with the camera, my own personal paparazzi.

The organisers had roped off part of the oval for a washdown area. The local fire brigade guys were only too happy to oblige, bike and body felt better afterwards.

And the results?