On the far south coast in the very farthest south east corner of far new south wales and in the grounds of Merv's mansion high on the highest hill of Bega a small group of powerfully legged men and one even more powerfull woman gathered to pump tyres and watch the dawn push back the dark of a November night.
The warm air in their faces and the dauntingly jagged outline of the distant
mountains in the early morning light reminded them of the challenge ahead.
The feel of coolmax chamois between their legs combined with the silky smooth feel of freshly shaved legs aided the excitment of journeys imminent start.
They are the the " Tools on Tour". A loose group of individuals
connected by bikes and the thrill of the chase.
Once a year the Tools ride from sea to summit and back to sea again. A road bike trip of
about 699 klms over 6 days. They climb the highest mountains of the craggy australian alps and indulge in many many downhill screamfests.
The route the tools take is Bega -Candelo -Wyndham -Cathcart -Bombala -Nimmitabel- Ando -
Cooma -the four mile -7 gates -Adaminiby and the big trout- Cabramurra and the Lupins- khancoban and the green valley- Geehi -Tom Groggin-Dead Horse Gap ( which as the picture proves is a misnomer)- Thredbo-Jindabyne -Berridale-Cooma-Nimmitabel-
Brown mountain- the bemboka pie shop -Bega-Tathra and the ocean.
Anyway, enough of the way we went and on to who went. The "Tools" are;
A sportstore model
A land repair scientist
A sea captain
A potentially struck off professional
A Tarmac engineer
A gorgonzola making machine engineer
A gardener
A former exotic dancer, drinks host and quiz contestant
A spy with a day time cover job as a bike riding machine
A trained pet with a licence to enter national parks
A sportstore model
A land repair scientist
A sea captain
A potentially struck off professional
A Tarmac engineer
A gorgonzola making machine engineer
A gardener
A former exotic dancer, drinks host and quiz contestant
A spy with a day time cover job as a bike riding machine
A trained pet with a licence to enter national parks
and as alaways
someone who had to stay home and go to work....
Day one involved 92.04 klms in 4 to 5 hours for the group with a two tough climbs and some headwinds and a lyrebird near miss.
Coffee at the famous Wyndham general store was the perfect morning tea.
did i mention the support ute....
Bombala put on a platypus show in the Bombala river just below the quaint country pub where the beer is cold and steaks all weigh at least a kilo
we went to bed tired but happy at maneroo lodge
Good job Mark but your maths leaves a little to be desired, I work out Mon, Tues, Wed, Thur, Fri, Sat & Sun as 7 days of riding, you of course might have a different formula
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