As riders make their way into the breakfast room and order the prerequisite coffee to kick start their day there is a sense of excitement. The day three route is slightly shorter than the previous day with a 120kmjourney out to the picturesque town of Daylesford and back to Ballarat planned. Many riders are sporting their ‘So They Can’ support bands that Emily (So They Can Partnership Manager) handed out at last night’s dinner following her moving talk. It was a beautiful presentation giving all riders an insight to the amazing work ’So They Can’ do, day in day out in Kenya and Tanzania. It wouldn’t be long into the day’s stage before we were looking at the support bands for strength and fortitude.
A cool start to the morning in Ballarat saw us all looking to spin the legs to warm up. The town quickly gave way to the open, rolling hills as we headed north. The open landscape is stunning, but it exposed the peloton to the wind that buffeted the riders making the mornings riding some of the toughest we have faced so far. Our challenging morning is all put into perspective when we remember the children of Baringo County, Kenya, who face a two hour walk to school each day. A tough morning on the bike? Maybe but not that tough.
After the drinks stop, we head off into more favourable conditions protected by the forest canopy. Undulating roads see us ticking off the kilometres much more comfortably and moral in the group lifts. It’s a welcome relief to some tired legs. Before long we roll into Daylesford for our second brief stop of the day. Time is taken for a group photo by the lake before we push on to complete a scenic loop in the countryside that borders the town. It truly is a beautiful part of our country.
Just before lunch we are humbled and reminded of our forefathers sacrifice as we ride though The Avenue of Honor outside of Kingston. Nearly 300 trees line the avenue. Each one planted in honour of a local who sacrificed and paid the ultimate price in WW1.
Lunch sees the group refuelled in Creswick before the last push back into Ballarat. It isn’t an easy run home with the wind our constant companion right up to the moment we roll into the hotel. It’s time for some recovery and sleep before a long 200km stage tomorrow.
Distance – 130km
Time – 5hr
Elevation – 1,500m
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