Conditions for cycling were a lot better today with both the weather and the terrain in our favour. The day was controlled by the tour virgins (first time TdK riders) with a sprint theme put in place prior to departing Albury. Any road sign displaying the distance to the next town was effectively the finish line inspiring riders to leap from the saddle and dash for the signs as they came into view. Depending on the visibility ahead this could be a very short sprint or a long and painful affair. Each team accumulated points for sprint victories with the last place team shouting drinks at the bar after the ride. Thankfully team HP won’t be digging into the kitty. All up a good idea from the tour virgins and a fun way to pass the hours in the saddle.

Two other highlights of the day included a 10km fast hit out into the town of Walwa where we broke for lunch and an even faster smash fest into our destination town of Corryong. Prior to lunch yours truly was suffering from no fuel in the tank and I was dropped when the pace topped 50km/h but after lunch and three cans of Coke (go-go juice) managed to hang on to the lead bunch of ten or so riders for a fast dash into town. Now that was a lot of fun! On arrival some interesting looks from the locals as 40 men in lycra ride down the main street.

Once again the TdK support crew did a sterling job ensuring water bottles were always full and everyone fed at all opportunities. As I write many of the riders are being massaged back to health, relieving the aches and pains caused by the cycling position.

Tonight we fuel up again and bunk down for the final day tomorrow…..the climb into Thredbo. The difficulty of this ride has been a point of discussion for most of the week punctuated by equal doses of myth and facts. Tomorrow all will be revealed…..

Ged