Monday 2 November 2009

Sydney to The Gong - cycle for MS


Capped at 10,000 participants riding either the 90km from St Peters or the 58km from Engadine, the 28th Sydney to the Gong MS fundraiser occurred yesterday under idyllic spring skies. After a controlled training program over the previous 6 weeks, my son-in-law, Darren, participated for the first time and surprised himself: just over two hours and with still energy in the legs. He is already factoring in the changes for next year.


His "support team" arrived too late to cheer him into Stuart Park at Wollongong's North Beach, having been held up by a 60kph restriction and heavy traffic most of the way. Next year we will leave Sydney at 7am, have breakfast at the finish line and ensure that we are in advance of the melee.

The middle photograph shows our return trip, over the Hargreaves Bridge with the escarpment of the Royal National Park stretching northwards toward Sydney. The bottom photo goes to prove that many of the participants were family groupings out for a fun activity and to raise money for a worthy cause.

Tomorrow: photos of the support team.

13 comments:

Martina said...

The last photo is simply great in its perspective, colouring and mood: that is what I would feel like after 58km.

brattcat said...

All three of these are terrific. Well done, son-in-law. Gorgeous road to drive on, I would imagine traffic jams with such a vista wouldn't be as hard to take, and that last image...smashing!

Luis Gomez said...

Great images! Love the third one.

Jim said...

Great record of the event, Julie.
Sydney - City and Suburbs

Julian Davis said...

Amazing photos Julie ! I like the second one more . Great blue .

Ineke said...

way to go Darren!

Nishant said...

Great images! Love the third one.
Work From Home

Joan Elizabeth said...

The third on looks like the end of an exhausting ride ... bikes are becoming increasingly popular aren't they.

Lois said...

Good for him! What a wonderful day for the whole family. The pictures are beautiful!

PJ said...

So, you were in Wollongong? I had to look it up. The other day Joan Elizabeth said she went to the Everglades and I was quite miffed thinking she was in South Florida and hadn't called me until I looked it up and saw you have an Oz version. Kudos to your son-in-law.

PJ said...

And I came back to tell you how much I like the last photo. It's really great.

AB said...

The first shot is a really great photo of an athlete. If that is your son-in-law, I hope he is suitably impressed.

BlossomFlowerGirl said...

Your son-in-law looks very fit and athletic, I can remember the last time I was able to touch my toes! Is that him in the second photo too? The overturned bikes tell a story - as if they've been let fall over with tiredness.
Melbourne Daily Photo