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,
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