The rumour was running rife among the boys that today was going to be easy!

It was still early - we were yet to set out - but everyone was talking it (themselves) up. "Oh yeh easy, its just under 130 kilometres" , "pretty smooth ride bud" and "flat roads all the way through into Grafton".

Last thing I heard before we set out was "Piece of cake mate...piece of cake"...

Well life wasn’t meant to be easy now was it!

It was damn hot – one of the riders fancy European sports watches recorded 29 degrees early on in the day.

We knew soon after we left that it was going to be a right scorcher.

Undulations (cycle talk = small hills) well there were a few of them. Nothing mental – but enough to take the wind out of your sails…and then some.

At about 10 we stopped at a small town called Whiporie for some rest and a quick sugar, water and carb re-load.

From then on in, it was melt the shirt off your back heat for the last 40 k’s into Grafton.
 
The peleton started to split up and if it wasn't for the ‘media’ that was expected at the finish, the boys would have slowed right down.

A few cattle trucks, some country yahoo’s and a wallaby or two later and we were done for the day.We were glad to see the sign of the comfort inn…

Ross

All riders were today reminded not to take it personally when:

- Nanna’s chase the peleton down because they need to get to bingo

- Country folk don’t understand why men need to wear lycra bike tights

Tomorrow: Grafton- Coffs Harbour – Belingen - Dorrigo