Sunday 6 September 2009 – Nanango to Eidsvold

Sunday 6 September 2009 – Nanango to Eidsvold

Day 2 – Ascent 1600m

Smiddy Journal – Sunday 6^th Sep 2009 – Nanango to Eidsvold.

Waking up to the longest Smiddy day and farewelling Mark Gaedtke and the generous folk in Nanango was tough, but spirits were high as riders knew their prize at day’s end would be the world’s greatest milkshake served up at Eisvold HQ. Rolling out of Nanango with a cool chill and an eerie fog the team was buoyed by the prospect of tacking the tough rolling terrain over 242 kilometres from Nanango to Eidsvold.

After a debrief of day one the Deputy Dogs made a conscious effort to shepherd the peloton with renewed vigor to keep it together. This resulted in a cracking pace as 50 hardy souls pined for a milkshake over an Eidsvold sunset. As the early km’s clicked over the team was joined by Gympie locals Andy McLaughlin and Matt Hunter as day riders.

Despite a 30 minute delay in getting away from Nanango the team rolled in to lunch at Ban Ban Springs back on schedule and raring for some crusty egg sandwiches beautifully prepared by the slick Westpac Road Crew which we enjoyed in the shade of the DAIKIN cooling tent. Rolling out after lunch and the crusty egg sandwiches lived up to expectations as the trumpets sounded over the next few hours.

Schindler’s road kill list continued to grow as we moved into the heart of the kill zone – the day’s count would end up at 24. At lunch Sharky addressed the troops about the day’s major climb ahead – commencing a mere 15 kilometres down the road. In true Sharky style the team was still cycling more than an hour later and 30 kilometres down without a hill in sight. As we hit the major climb the peloton was split through annihilation and asphyxiation as the gradient got steeper and the peloton was put into purgatory.

The camaraderie and support of the Smiddy peloton is renowned and Australian cycling legend Phil Anderson has quickly fit the bill. As Mackay champ John Butz battled the climb he felt a hand on his back and could tell immediately by the spread of his fingers he was a Tour de France rider. As Butzy’s pace rose from 10 km/hr to pushing 40 he crested with a thanks to Phil who quipped “no worries but I think I’ll stick to pushing the ladies because they’re lighter”. True to his word Butzy was the last man Skippy Phil pushed that day. Special mention on the climb must go to the courageous Carla Martella from Perth who entered the base of the climb declaring she wouldn’t walk. And walk she did not.

After the climb it was pretty much plain sailing and the road was there for the taking. The kilometers rolled over and the teamwork lifted another notch. The team rolled into Eidsvold well before sunset knowing there was a milkshake waiting. 242kms and the Smiddy chant went out. Hugs, high fives and XXXX Gold supplied by the road crew gals signaled the end of the longest day in the saddle.

The team was greeted by the warm hospitality of Janet and Andrew Schulz of Eidsviold HQ with their staff putting on a wonderful feed. With the crew winding down Skippy shared some great stories from his days riding the French Alps and his penchant for sporting pony tails.

After dinner the majority voted with their wallet. Eidsvold still holds the title for the World’s Greatest Milkshake!

Schindler's List - by Andy Schindler

Proudly sponsored by Ivan Schindler, Rosewood Vet (Sorry Dad...ain't savin' any of these animals!)

The list started early with 1 unknown...which was seen around the neck of Sharman Parr (cyclist on the Smiddy Challenge)

Followed by Rob Besant... who took a tumble on the ride and skinned his knee...

The list followed on with: