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Day Twenty Four : The Final Day

It is time to pack up the skin irritation cream, the antifungal cream, the Paw Paw ointment, the fisiocrem, the band-aids plus everything else that helped me survive (apart from the Mars Bars – they disappeared somehow.)

Time to say goodbye to new friends and time to head back to the real world.

I would have thought I would have slept for 24 hours but I woke up at 5.00am. I went for a walk along the foreshore and thought I would absorb the last 24 days. I bumped into Glenn who managed to find a bakery that was open and got himself a cup of coffee and a ham and cheese croissant. I thought “great idea,” and did the same.

After my breakfast part one, I went back to the room packed my bag and went downstairs for breakfast part two. This is where I said goodbye to new found friends and the people I have spent the last 24 days with.

It was with a touch of sadness when it came to the final day. I am sure we will stay in touch as we have a pretty special bond. The 19 Nullarborians who rode from Perth to Adelaide.

Adelaide was getting pounded by a fierce storm with heavy rain predicted and up to 50km winds and for some strange reason, I decided to guide Steve back to the CBD on our bikes. It makes sense to ride our bikes back home, then drive back to pick up luggage – right?

We were back to riding into gale-force winds and getting blasted with sand as we rode along the esplanade, I really started wonder what was wrong with me, why didn’t a catch a taxi.

Anyway, after 24 days of intense riding the ride home was quite easy as I am much fitter and stronger than I was before.

I drove back to The Stamford and picked up the luggage, dropping Steve’s off on the way. I arrived home sat in my comfy chair turned on the replay of the Port v Fremantle game and reminisced about the trip.

It was incredibly tough and demanding I think that goes without saying, it was also extremely rewarding to have ridden every kilometer and complete what I set out to achieve. That gave me a real sense of accomplishment.

We all had different reasons to do the ride which will remain personal and private but some of the team shared pretty emotional reasons for completing the challenge.

I had my own reasons, which I feel I have satisfied. I have got so much out of the trip it is impossible to put it into words – but I know how it feels internally and how important it was for me. As I sign off I would like to leave you with my final words.

Age is no barrier to doing what you want to achieve.

Don’t ever let anyone tell you that you are not good enough.

Don’t ever let anyone put you down.

You can achieve anything you want to if you really, seriously, put your mind to it.

Always believe in yourself and never ever give up.

Thanks for following my journey, stay safe and take care.

Best wishes
Rick