We did have several hit-outs.  Kevin, Craig and myself tested ourselves up the climbs to Stanwell tops in the National Park and then we waited for the rest of the team at the Otford pie shop.  The smell from the coffee machine was just too much for the boys and the next thing I knew Kev and Craig were into apple pie and ice cream with a cappucino to wash it down with.  The rest of the crew arrived shortly thereafter and also proceeded to "Carbo Load".

Here we all are at the finish.  Despite calls for a group finish, the lure of the finish line was just too much for young Tom who went at it like he was finishing at Heffron Park.  Craig Klement went at him and kept him honest.  Craig looks quite amused as he crosses the finish line.  We never did find out who won. (Click on images for larger view)

Well the Woolongong ride that finished at Sutherland over, we all posed for a last shot in Waratah Park before heading back to Sydney.  The boys, Tom & Tomas were keen to ride with us but we assured them that 80kms was a good enough ride when you are thirteen years old.  Don't think it was a super easy ride either.  We basically had the "Mad Mile to ourselves and got in a pace line postion with Tony Caruana on the front (Yes believe it or not !) and Tony took it up to 52 kph with the boys hanging in there beautifully in their restricted gears.  Tony, Craig, Kevin and myself had another fantastic hit out from Sandringham Street right along Botany Bay and all the way to the Supa Centre at Moore Park. I can tell you, "I can anyone who may have thought this a "too easy" ride that they are dead wrong.  I have 130km on the clock and my legs are telling me today that they have had a workout !

Oh Well, That's it till next year when hopefully we will be off to the Gong again.  ----  John