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
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