Day 2 - Toowoomba to Warwick

Day 2 - Towoomba to Warwick

"SLOWING, SLOWing, SLOwing, SLowing, slowing, slowing, slowing"

HOLE, HOLe, HOle, Hole, hole, hole, hole, hole."

Nope, not a game of golf in a cave. This vocal mexican wave is actually the directions we shout to one another to alert each of our fellow riders when we're cycling single file. There was a lot of that on this comparatively flat terrain (the comparison being yesterday's hellish hills) and it's a welcome vocal call when the only other noises you may've heard in the last hour are the barks of a curious dog on an isolated farm or your own groans as your bum defiantly refuses to settle itself back into the saddle without putting up a fight.

As the sun beamed down, we saw some cool wildlife - spirited wild horses and energetic kangaroos. Hardly one of the seven wonders of the world, but it made a pleasant change from the roadkill we sometimes see (and which some riders threaten to cook up as roadkill casserole - don't even think they're joking. Cycling long distances can lead to wacky ideas.)

Speaking of wacky and spirited, our entire support crew served us up breakkie all clad in onesies. Few things make you smile at 6am but the efforts they go to to keep our spirits up are amazing. The fun is just contagious. Seeing robust-framed butch men and ladies of a certain age in hipster onesies serving you a fry up is memorable to say the least. Yet another example of how Camp Quality goes the extra mile to motivate their fundraisers.

Another member of the support crew - Nick, our mechanic, celebrated his 29th birthday today. We'd all be lost without him and his speedy bike-fixing abilities. Happy birthday Nick - thanks for spending it fixing our bikes!

We did some time trials today which kept things interesting and when we arrived into Warwick we visited Cancer Council's Relay for Life to show some cancer charity solidarity. We were given a very warm welcome and did a lap with the cancer survivors and carers.

In the evening, a Camp Quality family visited us to tell us about how the money we've fundraised will helps a family like theirs. Neil Meicklejohn spoke eloquently about how Camp Quality kept their family positive throughout their daughter CJ's cancer journey - and how that positivity built strength and allowed his family to face it with courage and optimism. CJ - now 11 - has had a three year cancer journey and her hair has just started to grow back after a brain tumour and several operations. You could've heard a pin drop in the room as he told their story. And when he thanked us for what we're doing for families like his, a few sniffels could be heard. Neil himself was quite emotional and full of gratitude, which set a few of us off. Such a powerful reminder of why we're here doing this.

Tonight's joker jersey went to Bella for setting the sat nav  - seemingly irreversibly- to Spanish(!). King of the Mountain jersey went to Brendon in Team CSA who gave us a rendition of his Lionel Ritchie number (Catherine Britt herself said there was no hope for him) which he'd been chirpily singing as he cycled breezily through the hard bits. And most supportive went jointly to Anthony and Sharky in support crew, for missing his best mate's wedding to support and film us. Now there's dedication for you.

Tomorrow starts with a big hill so it's time for forty winks!