Day 4

Threadbo Village & Return

Our final day was supposed to be a "light" one. It was supposed to be a light "tick tack" up to Threadbo villiage for coffee and return. Some of the boys didn't even ride at all, electing to have a rest day with the Joseph Sunde Memorial on the following day Monday 26 Jan 2004. We elected Jacko as the ride Captain and even though his voice wore thin with constant calls of "Settle", "Easy at the front", and that tour favourite, "Wait for Bucko", new member Richard Westmoreland as well as others, couldn't help themselves and upped the tempo again and again. Little Tom Patton (13 old) was feeling very frisky and hit off the front and ended up sticky 6 minutes into us to Threadbo. Was funny watching him disappear up the mountain, occasionally looking back to see where we where. Watch out U15's this year !

Given that they had torn my legs off going up the mountain and I realised that after these four days I didn't have a snow balls chance in Hell of even finishing the Joseph Sunde memorial on Monday, I decided to show them what my "smidge under" 90 kilos could do down hill. Hope I hurt some as much as they hurt me up it. I could see little Pete McDonald's legs spinning like a blur as he came round me for a turn. Anyway that was the way it went on the way home. Constant attacks. Actually in the top photo I think it is Brendon and I off in the distance.

Typical Easts rider, Scotty Callum blasts off the front of the peleton and then cheats be drafting the car. Joe Sorby in his now famous "tuck" position chases him down. We did have a sprint shortly after this photo at the Ranger Station which was taken out by Robbie Cater.

Here is the Sorbs tuck in closeup. Notice body down nicely, elbows in, knees in. Looking good. Now if we can only get him to shut his mouth we reckon we can get about another 5kph out of him.

Well, it was great for a while but there were a few big climbs after the significant downhill runs and I for one was not there for the final downhill run. Here are the first riders into Jindabyne after the Threadbo coffee ride. Higgo, Pete McDonald and Brendan Ingram. From here it was the big cleanup, backup and hit the road back to Sydney.

Sad to leave yet another fantastic tour. Some of us have a little lunch in Cooma. It's all on again however at Easter, except for Higgo who will be over in Europe. we wish him well. As for the rest of you, be there !