Kosciuszko Challenge 2015  Day Three

Our ride continues in earnest today as we leave the alpine region. It was a day of contrasts and a day off firsts. The contrast of leaving overcast snowy conditions into clear sunny weather. It was the first day we crossed into Victoria and the first time a bunch of Queenslanders tried to attach snow chains to the wheels of their cars.

It was snowing again today when we woke up. The original plan was to ride over the Snowy Mountains in to Victoria, however, safety prevailed and again bikes and riders were bundled into the vehicles and we drove over the mountain to a safer stating point. A wise decision as there was snow on the road, but fortunately, no ice. As we stopped to put the snow chains onto the wheels of the cars and it stated to snow again. Every where was covered in snow, so while the snow chains were wrestled onto the wheels which kneeling in the wet snow, the rest of the riders jumped out of the warm cars and started a snowball fight.

It was disappointing not to be able to ride over the top of Australia, however, Plan B did included some extra kilometres through the countryside. We unloaded bikes and riders in the carpark of one of the Snowy Mountain Hydro Electrical Stations They had a visitors centre with a coffee shop so once again, refuelled with coffee, they set off in their two teams. The initial disappointment was soon replaced with spectacular scenery. Rolling green hills, amazing vistas, bright sunshine and in some places a good tail wind. Another 95 kilometres added to the total and both teams rolled into camp will before dinner time.

I spoke to both team captains, Andrew with Team Twenty-seven and Paul with Team Twenty. Both commented on how hard and stressful the first couple of days were. Big hills, cold and wet, riding in the dark and again, cold. Both were happy with todays ride and are confident it has set the scene for the days to come. Paul also mentioned that Team Twenty is now riding better as a team. It has taken a couple of days just to get to know one another. Yesterdays mountain ride started to see them support one another, team member to team member.

Please continue to leave your words of encouragement on Facebook. If you know the telephone number of one of the riders, give him or her a call and let them know how proud you are of them. Please support our riders by donating to Eagles Wings. It is the reason that they are riding.