Sun 19 Sep - Arriving in Evandale!!!! Hooray!

Sun 19 Sep

The big one. The last day of riding. The completion of the almost-ten-week odyssey that has been the Great Aussie Rickshaw Ride. After a frosty night, the day dawned bright and clear. Tom, Cath and Leah headed to the Evandale Market to set up the backdrop and banners. They also took two more rickshaws from Jeff's place to form an impressive display right at the entrance to the market.

Meanwhile, Jeff, Parvin and Farida headed over to Longford to meet up with Anna and her son Sam, the first riders for the day. Anna is a member of a Bicycle Users Group (BUG) in Launceston and Sam is also a strong rider. At just 10 years old, Sam was the youngest rider to actually ride the rickshaw. Upon arriving in the village of Perth, the team was joined by Keith, the local doctor in Evandale. Jeff had recently taught Keith to ride a penny farthing and Keith was feeling up for yet another 'weird bike' experience. Jeff partnered with Keith. Unlike the previous day, there were no mishaps at all and the team reached Evandale right on time.

The ride into Evandale was a thoroughly enjoyable and momentous occasion. With Keith pedalling, the rickshaw was met at the bottom of the hill that leads up into Evandale by a group of orange-shirted folk. These helped push the rickshaw up what would otherwise be a very challenging slope. Jeff, feeling thrilled to be back in his home village, stood up in the back of the rickshaw to greet the crowd as the rickshaw made its way slowly up towards the historic water tower and the group of spectators.

At this point the second rickshaw was unloaded from the trailer. Jeff and Leah's oldest kids Calum and Tilly jumped onto Keith's rickshaw as passengers and Anna rode the other rickshaw with Sam as her passenger. This group were photographed by the Examiner newspaper as they rode further along High St. They were also joined by a group of cyclists and with bells ringing, the procession made its way towards the Evandale Market. Close to the market, Anna and Sam offered their rickshaw to Jeff, who led the way into the market, with Farida and Parvin as his passengers.

The arrival into the market was every bit as exciting as one could have hoped for. The presence of two Bollywood dancers ensured that there was a large crowd around the main entrance. Two representatives from Northern Midlands Council were present, along with Fiona from AusAID. A great cheer erupted as the rickshaws pulled up to complete their incredible journey. A moment of pure euphoria to end 67 days of mostly hard slog. Speeches followed, including Jeff's ten minute effort in which he recalled the highs and lows of the journey and what it has meant for all involved and concluded with a very long thanks list.

And with that, the Great Aussie Rickshaw Ride was officially over. Hard to believe, but (apart from a visit to Evandale Primary School) that really is the end of the road. After packing up, the team headed back to Jeff and Leah's place for a big curry feed, followed by a well deserved rest.

Leah manning the display at the Evandale Market

One of the Bollywood dancers strutting her stuff

The arrival of the rickshaws into the market

The orange-shirt-brigade gathered en masse to celebrate the arrival

Afterwards, all four rickshaws back at Jeff and Leah's place

It is all over apart from the shouting. The "..epic that was bigger then Ben Hur" is now "Been Here, Done That". Great job done by all but especially for Jeff and his family (wife Leah and children Calum, Tilly, Meg and baby Sean) who have lived, breathed and suffered nothing but GARR for the last 9 months! We also need to acknowledge Ross, Bev and Val who have travelled the entire length of the GARR providing the essential support. Our Symbiosis Bangladesh contingent Khalek, Hajrat, Farid and Parvin, especially Khalek and Hajrat for their 2 month involvement, have made a terrific contribution.

After the dust has settled we will send out a report showing some of the amazing statistics. But for the moment we will finish with the cry of the prospective rickshaw passenger in Bangladesh,

"Ricksha, khali?"

(Rickshaw are you empty/free?)

Sat 18 Sep - Deloraine to Longford

The following morning was also a happy scene at Deloraine's Train Park, as the day's riders assembled and donned their orange GARR t-shirts: Nigel and Sarah (Nigel has been the GARR 'cover boy', appearing in the main stock photo that had been used prior to the ride commencing), Tim Armstrong, Marc and Joey (who had driven up from Hobart with their two daughters), Mal Beatie, Ian Partridge and his very impressive cheer squad and Brum and Clinton. The ride team was also joined later on by the Clark family, making it a full complement for the 50km journey to Longford.

The riding went well for most of the day. The No 2 rickshaw was in use due to the handlebar welding on the No 1 rickshaw having failed (see previous post about welding in Mittagong!). Clinton, Inga and later Sarah all discovered that handling a tricycle is very different to a bicycle. Unfortunately, in Sarah's case, running off the road meant also encountering a steep embankment, which she and hubby Nigel hurtled down at considerable speed. Fortunately the bottom was soft and there were no serious injuries. A quick wheel change got the No 2 rickshaw underway again and the team were able to complete the ride into Longford.

Like Deloraine, there was quite a crowd gathered in Longford to cheer for the riders as the rickshaw entered town. The Partridge family had even made special signs that they waved each time the rickshaw passed by. The team conducted rickshaw rides on the village green for quite a few kids.

The large team of riders assembled for the Deloraine-Longford ride

The Durdin family starting out from Deloraine

Brum and Clinton making swift progress

Colin and Kaleb Clark, one of a few father and son combinations throughout the GARR. (See also the exit from Canberra and the family, mother, father and son, who pedalled out of Mittagong)

The cheer squad who appeared a various places along the road

Ian and Mal take a breather in front of an historic building Carrick

Cheering as Nigel and Sarah enter Longford

Fri 17 Sep - Devonport to Deloraine

Fri 17 Sep

The plan this day was for Jeff, Parvin, Farida and Carlyn to meet Ross, Bev and Val off the boat in Devonport. However, Farida had developed an extremely painful toothache, so Leah made an appointment for her to see a dentist in Launceston. Parvin stayed back to support to Farida, who turned out to have quite a nasty infected tooth and gum.

In Devonport, the three Queenslanders arrived after a very bumpy crossing due to a swell whipped up by the same winds that had made the previous day's flight so bumpy. Bev in particular was looking very green around the gils. The wind was icy and still blowing strong as the team gathered at Perry Bros Bakery for breakfast.

After a hearty breakfast, several rickshaw riders assembled in the bakery's carpark: Ian Howard, a councillor with Meander Valley Council, along with his two daughters Zoe and Ruby and Tom and Cath Cloudsdale (Cath is Leah's sister). Safety briefing complete, Ian began the first riding on Tasmania soil. He hadn't got far before we were met by Carly from the Examiner newspaper. She took a great photo of Ian and his girls riding and quickly jotted down notes for a story. It seems her note taking may have been just a tad too quick, because the subsequent story attributed Ross, Bev and Val has having been the only team members to have cycled all the way from Queensland!

The riding on Friday was through stunningly beautiful farmland between Devonport and Deloraine. The landscape at this time of the year is lush, with spring lambs and daffodils around every bend and farm dams full to the brim. The only issue was that the chosen route (through Railton and Kimberley) was rather undulating. The team was joined part way through by additional riders: Dylan and Brady, one of the youngest pairs to ride and Peter and Chris. Unfortunately Carlyn was feeling sick, otherwise she could have had the distinction of being the only person (besides Jeff) to have ridden in more than one state.

The arrival into Deloraine was fantastic. There was a good crowd gathered as the rickshaw wound it's way down the main street to the Train Park. The local mayor Mark Shelton gave a short speech to welcome the team into town, before inviting all and sundry (probably 30 in all) to afternoon tea at the cafe across the road from the park. This was one of the few times that a council (Wodonga's Deputy Mayor did the same) had offered such extravagant hospitality throughout the entire journey and it went a long way to making the team feel welcome in Tasmania.

Ian, with daughters Zoe and Ruby crossing the Mersey River

Cath and Tom on one of the many hills between Devonport and Deloraine

Brady and Dylan in front of a rustic Tasmanian house

Chris and Peter celebrate the end of their stint

The team chatting with Mark Shelton, the local Mayor at the Train Park, Deloraine

Thu 16 Sep - Crossing the Strait

Thu 16 Sep

The team were spread in three places on Thursday, as Morris and David Yates, accompanied by Graeme, headed north in the pantec and people mover.

Ross, Bev and Val stayed in Melbourne, where they prepared for their overnight voyage on the Spirit of Tasmania.

Jeff, Farida and Parvin caught an early flight from Melbourne to Launceston in order to prepare for the activities in Tasmania in coming days. Take off and landing were both very bumpy due to strong westerly winds. Coming into Launceston Jeff was a bit concerned about Farida and Parvin might be finding the turbulence. He needn't have worried though, as Parvin thought it was 'just like being on a bus in Bangladesh!'. The ladies were also very impressed by the quarantine sniffer dog at the airport.

Arriving in Launceston, Jeff, Parvin and Farida made their way to Jeff and Leah's house in Evandale, where they were met by Carlyn, who had previously ridden the rickshaw in Sydney. In the afternoon Carlyn took the ladies to visit Launceston's famous cataract gorge.

Photos from Donvale Christian School 15th September

Great Aussie Rickshaw Ride - 15th September

The last day of GARR on mainland Australia was spent in Melbourne at
the Donvale Christian School. It was the last day of term for the
school but they kindly included us in their programme. We started the
morning with a 20minute presentation to the junior school with several
hundred children and about 150 visiting parents, grandparents and
guardians present. Before lunch we shared in a class of the senior
school as they explored issues related to working across cultures. The
day finished at the school with us presenting to all of the senior
school as the last activity of the term. It could have been
intimidating to be the last hurdle before the end of term and
holidays. However, it wasn't. We had attentive, participatory groups
both in the morning and the afternoon. Rickshaw riding was popular
both during the morning recess and lunch.
This was the 33rd school and brings the number of students addressed
to well over 5000 during the whole of the GARR.
Today was also the day when the part of the support team began the
return to Brisbane with the truck and one of the other vehicles. The
remainder of the team leave for Tasmania tomorrow.

More Photos - 14th September

Photos 14th September

Reuben Jenyns explaining the finer points of rickshaw riding to his
fellow students.

Great Aussie Rickshaw Ride - 14th September

Today the team said goodbye to Khaleque and Hajrat who have worked
tirelessly for Symbiosis and the Great Aussie Rickshaw Ride over these
last 2 months. They were excited to be returning to their homes and
families.
In the afternoon the team took the truck with a rickshaw to Hillcrest
Christian School near Berwick on the South East. We had a combined
class of grade three'ers including Reuben Jenyns.
The kids as usual were fully involved in the presentation trying to
answer the questions. They also enjoyed riding the rickshaw.
Bev of the support team made an interesting observation tonight. She
said, "The Rickshaw ride is like being in a typhoon, being spun around
with high winds. Much of the time you don't know where you are or
where you are going but every now and again you move to the outside or
edge of the typhoon and get a better idea of things such as why you
are doing all this."
Tomorrow is a full day at Donvale Christian school.

more photos - Support team