What a fantastic camp this year with over 40 participants enjoying the 3 days over the Australia Day Long Weekend.  The first bunch, "Team Hubbard" left 30 mins earlier than the "Dream Team".  Here are the Hubbards lining up for their first ride.

Our resident Commissaire overseeing the start, looked down to ensure all was in order.

The Dream Team assembled for the first and hardest day Dead Horse Gap with some of us going over the other side and then taking on the torturous 18 kilometre climb.

The Dream team power up the mountain

We see one of the "Hubbards" up ahead.  His elite outline and "knees out" riding style even at a distance makes identification of the rider undeniable.

GOING

GOING

GONE

Maybe if I rest.

Maybe if I wait.

Maybe if I hold on to the side of the truck doing 40kph !!  That will put a smile on my face

Meanwhile the first of the Hubbards have arrived at the top.

Whilst Ritchie Jenkins, Daniel Costa and Matty Fortuna leave the Rockstar behind and battle to the summit

Finally with the Dream team at the top of Dead Horse gap we all posed for the group photo when all of a sudden Daniel starts laughing and pointing to the right

It's Rocky making the final ascent with help from Daughter Rebecca.

With Ritchie riding cross country to get to the photo we thought everyone was up.

We even had a pit stop and waited for a while after the first big climb

With Everyone finally together, including the Rockstar, we did the group photograph at the top of the EASY side of Dead Horse Gap.

The descent 18kilometres down the Khancoben side of Dead Horse was not without incident when Chao double flatted.  Calvin Smith Helped him out.

Then itwas time for 18 kilometres of pain.  Above Pat Naughton and I enjoy the early stages

A littlebit further up and Paddy was showing noticeable signs of pain

The Sag Wagon looked really inviting however Rollo cruises past

Dave "Jacko" Jackson is just so fit at the moment he ground away at the climb in a 23 cog. 

Jules Galli did it pretty effortlessly as well.

I started motoring but knew that I might be suffering some form of heat distress when I saw both Elvis and the Pope waiving me on.

Roger Jowett likewise looked like he was doing it a bit tough

Scotty Rice just ticked away at it finding a nice tempo

Sam Gilbert like all of us was a little hot but did theclimb no problems

Garren was all smiles on the killer climb

Finally after 5 years trying, I finally conquered Dead Horse Gap.  I was 5 years older but 20 kilos lighter.

Scotty Rice is all smiles as he too conquers the beast

Roger made it but it took about 5 mins after he crested for the pained expression to turn into a smile.

Three "Happy chapies" at the top of the climb.  Fromleft Pat Naughton, Chris Woolridge and Alan Hainsworth.     (See below for all Day 1 Dead Horse Gap photos)