Day 7

Day 7 was Tamworth to Gunnedah. The ride was Inland and mostly flat. We were greeted to huge applause at Westdale Primary School. They were having a football colours day and they were all dressed up in their favourite football team's colours.

By the time we left here a massive head wind had really picked. The head wind was with them for the next 77 kms and it was a tough day, but once again the riders supported each other to get everyone to the finish and did really well. Jason had another two flat tyres - I believe that is four now for him.

Normally the riders travel about 24 to 26 kms per hour, but the winds held them back and they were cut back to about 15 kms per hour. It is really hard going with head winds because they are peddling so hard to make up any ground.

Unfortunately it meant they were late getting into Gunnedah and were unable to get to Gunnedah Primary School. Our wonderful Puppeteers and several of us Support Team went along to do the Show, tell them about the riders and answer their questions. Another couple of funny questions from the kids at yesterday's Schools:

"Do the riders ever fight with each other?"

"How old is the Fairy King and can he fly?"

By 3.00 p.m. the riders had all finally arrived at Gunnedah Showground where they were treated to awesome steak sandwiches, cold drinks and homemade monte carlo biscuits by the wonderful Gunnedah Lions Club.

After this we all made our way back around to The Courthouse Hotel where Rob and his crew made us all very welcome.

Brad started his washing duties, MJ and Eden started massaging, Queen and Ash attended to people who needed dressings, panadol, etc, Thelma & Louise set off to get their supplies for tomorrow and the rest of my fantastic Support Crew carried on with all the behind the scenes jobs that just keep the event ticking along - they are an absolutely amazing Team.

The riders had showers, a rest and some down time before we needed to meet for dinner.

At 6.15 p.m. we all met at the front of the hotel to walk 10 minutes up the road to The Bitter Suite Cafe for dinner with the Gunnedah Mayor.

Unfortunately the Mayor got called to Sydney and had left an apology - not to worry, we still had a lovely night.

We then made our way back to The Courthouse Hotel were lots of socialising was done before heading to bed.