THE TRIP BY THE NUMBERS

Total money raised for Bicycles for Humanity

$1,700 and counting

That's enough to send an entire shipment of bicycles, helmets, bits and pieces to an African township, where they will transform community access to school, work and healthcare. Bike mechanic traineeships will be implemented, creating jobs for proud local men and women. As an added bonus, think of the new generations of bicycle enthusiasts we've inspired!

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Every cent goes to Bicycles for Humanity

Total kilometres
4,567

Total hours spent on the bike
268

Toughest climb
Luke Towne Pass, entering into Death Valley. Even though it was cold out, I've never dripped sweat and stamped the pedals like this before.
Ada A country backroad between Porterville and Auberry, very relentless steep inclines, a small crash and a few chasing dogs for good measure.


Best descent
Luke Yosemite Valley. Flying along at 50km p/h through magical forest, long dark tunnels, and into some of the most gobsmackingly good scenery ever.
Ada Yosemite Valley.

Best feeling
Luke Despite being warned it'd be seasonally closed for days, and despite riding 3 days on a one-way uphill road to get there, and despite the rumours that the bush-fire smoke would mean certain road-closure, finding the Grand Canyon North Rim to be open was the best feeling for me.
Ada Summiting Towne Pass, a very challenging days ride but I was finally feeling very fit.

Worst feeling
Luke Hawthorn losing the Grand Final. At least it's nothing trip related.
Ada One day I stopped suddenly going uphill without warning, and Luke was behind me, causing him to crash...I felt very guilty


Best new food
Luke Mustard.
Ada Big Hunks.  (it's a candy bar...)

Best new drink
Luke Coconut water. Delicious, and apparently better hydrating than sports drinks.
Ada Root beer! (carbonated sarsaparilla)

Favourite piece of equipment
Luke Sleeping bags. Sea to Summit Trek III. No matter how cold I was before crawling into bed I knew I'd soon be roasting, a massive comfort.
Ada Sleeping bags

Least favourite piece of equipment

Luke Hiking boots. Big, heavy, somewhat smelly, and the inserts keep riding up out of them.
Ada I hated my cleats- I never clipped in and it was so annoying when going uphill, accidentally stomping on the pedal and clipping in.

Best days rideLuke Lake Mead to Valley of Fire. We expected nothing from this days ride, just outside Vegas, which made it all the more enjoyable. Constantly changing desert scenery without another soul on the road.
Ada Capitol Reef. All downhill, extremely varying Utah terrain, a myriad of colours and textures.

Worst days rideLuke There weren't many bad ones, but the gale force winds from Valley of Fire to Mesquite (ironically a day after my 'best ride') coupled with the necessity of riding on the freeway and a lost driver's licence made this one a shocker.
Ada Exeter to Porterville, it was one of the few unenjoyable days rides, to be likened to riding on the Monash Freeway. Very straight and very boring.

Favourite small town

Luke Ely, Nevada. Couldn't stop laughing upon arrival at just how classic this old mining/gamblin' 1990's timewarp town was, and just had to pencil in a rest day here to enjoy it all.

Ada Ely.

Favourite American thingsOther than the scenery, we loved the people (friendly, hospitable, polite, proud, refreshing), the abundance of sport to watch, the abundance of individuality (both the people and the places), and watching Steve Harvey's Family Feud til the wee hours.

Top 5 Destinations

Luke
1. Yellowstone
2. Yosemite
3. Zion
4. Bryce Canyon
5. Death Valley

Ada
1. Yellowstone
2. Yosemite
3. Zion
4. Las Vegas
5. Bryce Canyon

People to thank...

Angie Conron and Melanie Poole, for cooking and going the extra yard to organize the BBQ fundraiser; Marlene, Rod, Isabella and Betty Martin for their donated food, time, money and support; Paul and Val Hodgson for their donated food, time, money and support; Amy Blazewski and Emma Fulgenzi for their delicious baked goodies; Andy Gild and Matt McCullough at Bicycles for Humanity; KNOG, Paintmypicture.com and The Red Triangle Pool/Snooker Hall Fitzroy for putting up raffle prizes; Mark Kennedy at Saturday Cycles for his time, expertise and friendship, and for having the best personal collection of bikes ever; Christy Jensen for her hospitality, friendship and cycling inspiration; Steve and Heidi Hayden for their hospitality and advice; Mike DeVisser of OHM e-bikes; Kim and Sharon Lennard for a sequence of events we'll never forget; Joseph Viellette for helping us out when we needed it most (and the pizza); Henry and his family, of Squaw Valley; Merril of Grand Junction; Ryan of Moab; all those we couch surfed and warm-showered with: Josh in Carson City, Susan in Carson City, Donna in Pahrump, Lyman in Torrey, Teri-Ann in Moab, Adrienne and Tyler (and the rest of the gang) in Moab; 94.7 The Pulse Radio; all those who donated online, at our fundraiser and at Ocean Grove Fresh Fruit to our cause, you were an inspiration up many a hot hill climb; all the cycle-tourists we met on the road for the comradery and good times (a special shout out to Alex from Austin and Kyle from Houston, who we rode with for days).