Well the time has finally arrived and we're off to the Tour de Kids 2007 charity ride. This year three HPers are riding - Ged Collins, Jason Ward and Ross West (me). Jason is riding his first tour, Ged his 2nd and I'm in my fifth.

We boarded the Virgin flight to Hobart, Tasmania with butterflies a plenty in the stomach. It's great to be part of a wonderful charity knowing the difference it makes in the lives of kids and their families.

As the riders assembled in the Wrest Point casino it was a time to renew acquaintances and meet new riders who no doubt will become close friends over the next week. It's also a time when quite whispers are heard, "he's looking fit ...., hasn't he lost some weight ..., he's a really strong rider ...." etc etc. And that's when the doubts start - " have I done enough ..., I don't want to be the worst ..., I hope I don't get dropped on the first hill ....".

The riders' briefing was held which outlined the tour route and established the rules of peleton etiquette, rules which no doubt will be all broken within the first hour of riding tomorrow. For various reasons and "off season" infringements, the following riders were awarded the competition jerseys for tomorrow's first day of riding:

White: Angelo Vernados

Green: Warwick Negus

Polka dot: David Baxby

Yellow: Brett Godfrey