The following is courtesy of Steve over at MTB Dirt forums – check out MTB Dirt for South East Queensland MTB news.
Thanks Steve
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Jan 3, 2008 2.52 pm
“Latest news isn’t great people I’m afraid.
I’m not sure where Brad is presently … still resting somewhere about 1000 km’s from Broadbeach I think.
Russell was hoping to still clock the k’s over and make the final days ride on Sunday but his intended 300km night effort last evening was unsuccessful.
35 kph headwinds and fatigue are really taking their toll. This morning saw him out there suddenly realising that they had miscalculated the distance and their 4400 km’s had now become more like 4800 km’s … maybe more.
Russell Still Has 800 km To Go
At around 10am this morning Russell rolled into Coonabarabran, clocking over the 4000 km mark with something like 800 km’s still to go.
With the headwinds he is lucky to maintain 10 -15 kph and knows now he will not make the Gold Coast before Sunday.
Physically he is struggling greatly now and today the mental game was starting to be too much also.
New Plan
Russell has come a long way and is still determined to get as much done as he can.
He spoke to the cops in Coonabarabran about the highway and his concern with the trucks that were starting to outright scare the living bearings out of him and they suggested a tourist route that would be quieter for him … also a bit longer we think.
As fas as I know he rested in Coonabarabran for most of the day and I’m guessing, sometime around now he is heading out and starting again.
Heroes In Many Forms
Without doubt, if Russell chose to finish now he can be happy that is already an MTB Dirt hero at the very least.
We Wait
As of this moment I’m not sure what the plan is.
Russell could be on one of 3 routes we think:
- Original
- A secondary route heading towards the Qld border closer to Tweed than Warwick
- Heading for Coffs Harbour.
We wait to see.
I’m hoping Russ heads for Coff’s which will hopefully still see him achieve the 4400 km’s and still get from one coast of Aussie to the other.”
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Thanks Steve.
What an effort by the guys.
This incredible weather in Australia at the moment – from record hot temperatures and howling winds – is a real tough challenge and they’ve done an amazing job to achieve what they have so far.
Don’t forget you can donate to the guy’s charity – Make A Wish.
Cheers
David
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