Day 3 of the Chain Reaction 2021 Brisbane Challenge ride started with conditions similar to what we’ve experienced this week. Clear blue skies and a light westerly. We said good-bye to the golden beaches and bright lights of Surfers Paradise, heading to the “resort” location, The Kooralbyn Valley.
In between, though, there were a few hills that we needed to navigate. So, with time of the essence, inspirational Ride Director, Tim Chad, set off in the LSH Auto sponsored Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE53. With the Orange Pure Storage sponsored leader’s jersey being proudly by Peter “POK” O’Keefe (5-year rider with donations exceeding $300,000), we wound through the streets of the Gold Coast out through Nerang to the first “challenge” of the day – Lower Beechmont.
One of the best climbs on the Gold Coast, Lower Beechmont is a great road surface and steady incline providing magnificent views back over the Hinze Dam through to the whole of the Gold Coast. It was “free-play” and was the first chance of the day for riders to stretch their legs with Steve Minotto making another hasty dash to claim the KOM, despite a minor interruption of some needed roadworks, which would turn into a bit of a theme for the day.
After regrouping at the top, with a quick group photo from the BASE-jumping launch site at Lower Beechmont, we continued across the crest of the hill into the very fast (over 75 km/h) descent, led expertly again by our highly skilled coaches, Pete and Lorian, taking us into Canungra.
Heading out through the daunting mountains from Canungra we turned left onto Biddaddaba Road to experience our first country roads of the trip. This took us out to the beautiful rural town of Beaudesert for a quick lunch and then back on the road for the long way round trip to Kooralbyn.
Shortly after restarting from lunch, inspirational Ride Director Tim Chad called “free-play”, and it was on. Only a short effort but ending with a nasty little pinch that tested even the strongest riders.
This then left us with 30km to get us into Kooralbyn, with everybody certainly happy to see the resort and get their massage. It was another massive day with 145km covered and nearly 2,000m of climbing. All the riders now await the Queen stage tomorrow, with the toughest climb of this year’s ride taking us up Queen Mary Falls.
We continue to edge towards our revised fund-raising target of $750,000. We have exceeded $650,000 and our next target is the sum that our NSW friends raised - $690,000. After all, there has to be a state of origin somewhere in Chain Reaction. Please continue to give to the amazing causes we support by donating to your rider to help us achieve our goals.
Today’s blog is brought to you by Bell Potter and Team TFA/OKG ride captains, P-Diddy (5-time rider) and JC (8-time rider).
Signing off day 3 – Paul and JC.
On the evening of Day 2, the following Competition Jerseys were awarded.
- Orange ‘Leader's Jersey', sponsored by Pure Storage, went to Luke Churchin the Hutchinson/AEIOU Team.
- White ‘New Riders Jersey', sponsored by Sunkids, went to Kate Byrom of the Hutchinson/AEIOU Team.
- Black ‘Spirit of Chain Reaction Jersey, sponsored by LSH Auto went Jon Erbacher of the Hutchinson/AEIOU Team.
- Pink 'Inspiration jersey', sponsored by MGA Insurance Brokers, went to Jamie Charman of the Bell Potter Team.
