D'day Part 3: Wind, Hills and Cramp

Not as bad as we thought, the prediction of tumultuous winds of 100kmph had not eventuated. It was still hard going with a strong north westerly providing a headwind in sections making that flat road cycling that little bit harder. I thought of trying to pull some Tour de France style moves, ones that Lance told me personally and broke away real early....

Pfft as if, we tried to alternate on front providing the shelter for a buckled relay bike. tried being the operative word but we soon resorted back to an uncoordinated scatter. Getting out Ling's 007 helmet cam, it will be interesting to see how the film took in the quaint outskirts of such places as Wollert, Donnybrook and of course Woodstock. The boys had to get out the guitar and pose in front of that sign, with Hendrix playing on the dashboard 'boom box', a battery ipod dock secured by gaffer tape and the mad max van in the background. The scenery was indeed quaint with green meadows (paddocks) and british style rock walls lining the surrounding properties.

Little did I know this was the beginning of the end of the smooth sailing as the climb over the Great Dividing Range was about to become a reality on our way to Wandong. At this stage the girls went off yonder in search of sponsorship in what someone may subjectively deem major places. We had begun climbing through some hills with it requiring all those nights through Waverly on route to work, or the Dandenongs ride or really the lack of hill-climbing I do. The first hills were managed well with the single speed a deceptively good climbing gear, guess it was designed to be the all rounder. It wasn't until the mighty hill came that I realised I must get some power up it, with limited run up due to such a high gear the bike hit with minimal climb speed. With my gluteas maximus sitting upon cow hide and sheep skin, the suspension in the forms of springs were being utilised.

Halfway up the hill, I had to keep going, climbing out of the saddle I cranked those pedals. Until... something grabbed my leg, despite the water and nutrient water drunk, the big porridge for brekkie cramp had beset in. But I was determined to climb this hill, struggling to stretch out, it was adrenaline that propelled me up. Upon the hill while waiting for the crew, I bushbashed up the embankment to absorb the view, very nice. It was then a scramble where I didn't end up on my backside remarkably and a cruise down the hill.

Upon getting to the car I knew I would be in trouble if I didn't fuel up. Thanks to Bakers Delight we had an assortment of breads, stuff the gluten intolerance as I feasted upon a whole pull apart. The water combined with slamming down the Dragonfruit Nutrient water and some anxious stretching I was already cracking and it was merely 40km out. How come this didn't come up in the training rides, how could I have let myself down and the most important one how was I going to make it?

Ben took a break from piloting the Van and joined us on the relay bike, something the man hadn't done in years and got into the spirit of things. My legs has eased up and I was back into a rhythm with some steady pedalling until crunching. The sickening sound of metal on metal had turned from a mere whine to a screech...

D'day Part 2: Negating the Urban Sprawl

The realisation had hit as we rode off from the museum, three of us in total, unsure of what was to come. We were to take the side streets and bike path of St Georges Road till the bike track ran out and from then well yeah... Tas was our local knowledge though and in good spirits, with jokes aplenty, we made good pace and got through to St Georges with relative ease.

Feeling very good at smashing the first 20km with ease, we were in the flow, lone figures going against the wave of cyclists going into the city. Thoughts came to my head that this was the symboligy the ride was set on to reverse such a trend in Timor. For me it was easy to do I chose to come to the city in the first place, it was not something I had to do to survive in life and for this I feel so privelidged. In raising money to go towards helping people our age not have to use all their energy just to create the slightest of chances of employment and to help them give oppotunity towards reversing this trend of their peers, it is affective at creating determination to make our event work.

We were getting on at this stage before the bike track ran out, we ended up detouring before asking a friendly italian gentleman for the directions and we were now 20 odd km out, on the outskirts. Stopping for pitstop, we eventually were met by the sweet Calais of Tess, the immitating filming Jeep of Ling and the mad max-like van of Ben. I do not deem that dubbing of mad-max like in anyway. After getting supplies from the battle wagon we had unloaded the relay bike which was delayed earlier. Now there were five of us and after passing under the eastern ring road, we were now starting to come onto those wide country roads.

D'day Part 1: the briefing

6:30 Words cannot describe the surreal feeling inside me as I wait amongst the rat race on the dark platform. Actually tired... As I await the train to take me into the city donned out in my tights, cycling shirt, timberland casual shoes and brandishing the Great Timorian Bike Ride Shirt, an iron on emblem on a white short cut shirt (such a stylish picture), I survey the sky for that weather that will potentially wreck havoc on our endevour. So far so good, but its early as soon as it hits day break the wind will spring up and the fun will begin.
Approx 7:30 Rocking up at Melbourne Central, I see my mate Olly at QV beforehand to tie something up before I go, he has always worked as a goodluck charm. It is then off to the Mueseum the vast concrete space before the entrance and dramatically fashioned roofing housing the waiting Vic, Tas, Ling, Yue, Tess and Daniel.
Approx 7:38 The meeting last night meant for something in that these people who had successfully come to the right place. Status report mentioned that Ben and Laurie are en route, as with Veronica, Lizzie was running behind and well Tracey... She was lost not in Bayswater this time but at another Mueseum somewhere StKilda. Tracey is very adventurous to say the least.

8:05 So after another breifing, some coordination and direction we were in the huddle ready to do this. Maybe not ready but you know what we mean... Enough time had been spent in waiting it was indeed the time for action.

This trip we were about to embark on was not for our own development, our own experience, our own growth, these were just positives associated with it. For the main purpose and efforts to make a difference, no matter how big nor small. This is what was going to give substance to the highs and drive us through the lows and it was important not to lose focus of this.

How much we raise with the help of you?

With the donations that you have given us for The Great Timor'ian Bike Ride, we are able to raise to a total of:

$ 2,280.40!

The last coffee

This is it... The excitement has finally kicked in, after many weeks of planning and doing our little bits we are actually going to do this. After so many ups and downs we are going to do this. Have I mentioned that we are going to do this? Even the man, in the form of a certain traffic authority who were threatening to shut us down without our individual public liability insurance of $10mill, would not get us down. Seriously what is the world coming to when we are but 4 bikes on the road riding single file and we still need 10mill PB insurance. But then again it could be plausible that John Farnham when on his 'last' tour of Broadford could be crossing the road get hit and effectively losing 10mill of future earnings. Lets face it, both are plausible.
Public Liability or not we were doing this. The previous week was looking optimistic weather but then come the cold snap and boy did it come. We were faced with the prospect of not only hail and storms, but massive north westerly winds up to 100kmph. Could this even be possible to stay on the ride with such a head cross wind (Nicks made up weather term) and such imposing weather. It was going to be the challenge to endure many hours of that weather in itself. Pfft no way it will surely fine up and 100km winds yeah right, if not two words... toughen up. Luckily we had secured a shelter over our heads in conjunction with Rotary and the Girl Guides hall of Seymour and we had many supplies in sponsorship through Nutrient Water, Bakers Delight Mornington and Yue's folks place. After loading the cars, giving the briefing and much in-depth discussion with one of the 'locals' at Gloria Jeans Caulfield, all we had to do was ride (keeping one eye out for the man Wayne Kerr to shut us down and one eye on the road). Or so it seemed...

At least I wasnt stabbed

This is not our day... I thought trying to arrange the team to regroup at my relative's house in Bayswater, after our ride out from Burwood. It had all happened already, had lost the support car, people were sick, weather crappy, aware of the imposition of unexpectedness to my relatives, a limping rider home after severe cramps from the Burwood Hills and finally the incident that saw me spat on. But hey I wasnt stabbed...

Yes spat on. After a few ago we received a severely angry email saying how we were clowns, would do no good whatsoever to Timor and basically threw in a few kicks O'Alphin style, we were physically abused. Granted some of us are clowns, but the other blows stirred some nasty feelings of why do we are trying? Limited interest was shown from a lot of people after so much effort in fact more interest in the words we used in our website, during exams, and now physically training we were being spat on. It was a random attack and possibly because I was riding the old Speedwell (girls bike by the way) but still felt a bit despondent and agitated.

But after recomposing, I came to realise this is all part of it; that you will cop a lot of flak no matter what the scale of how different to the norm it is and this is pretty small scale. Greater people have received worse everyday in their lives and they do not go back into their shells and let things happen, they go out and continue to strive to change things. Some manage that great change, others affected a little and others nothing really tangible at all. But despite results, every little bit from the person who appeared to do nothing helped the one who affected a little change. Likewise, the one who managed great change was able to do that through the little change already managed.

So what we do will hopefully launch something bigger and bigger... With this thought in mind we continue to press on.

Anyway off from my tangent, we set off up mountain highway to nothing but hill. With the road fairly narrow we would feel the wind of the cars as they charge past us, but over to the left we see the ferny undergrowth of the pillars of trees standing sentry and superb views of the surrounding suburbs. After turning enough corners behold we saw the matchsticks of those towering scrapers with the weather ominous where we were but seemingly lighter over the city. This was the stage of cramps and fatigue for all riders, which took its toll in seeing Tas at a stop where he would have to go ahead otherwise succumb to it, but for Vic to stop and walk to give them leniancy. My old girl did well in the hills, they are not impossible to ride at all after I complain at how much I want a carbon fibre bike.

We managed to arrive at the cuckoo restraurant however not further and enjoyed the sense of achievement and relief, well for me anyway, there was no blood shed. After some amusing antics we flew down the hill which is such a thoroughly enjoyable feeling and once completely down the realisation of the hope of no one dying was also a pleasant feeling. We were only faced with another hero who wound down his window and blew an airhorn in our face on our way to Bayswater station. Bring on the country hospitality...

Country roads take me home

Wangaratta... or as Melbournians often refer to it as the Wang. This weekend saw a group meet up in our intended destination on the July 3rd in order to approach businesses seek support and so forth. After arriving back in Wangaratta after an epic to get from uni home via red light jumping on my bike in order to make Wang shops early, was met to an empty cartridge at home. Also greeted to some very discerning emails... Reading over them adjudging from myself and comments on our team we were very embarrassed and disheartened to learned that our words had been taken out of context by several East Timorian aid workers and claimed we were offensive and of no help to the East Timorese themsleves. When you receive such things in the manner it may be little but such words and words of others are hard to swallow. However next day a crew braved the horrors of the early Saturday morn to come up to Wang and approach businesses. After a slow start, we went around and pitched our event to 20 to 30 businesses, so we hope to get responses from those within a few weeks. With our Stephen Spiel, Ling Ang, enjoying the what could be described as 'quaint' smallish town character or quirkiness in some regards. After a walk up in the Warbys it was time for our meeting with the WLBC (the royal Wangaratta Lawn Bowls Club). What we hoped to do was to organise a social bowls for one day, our meeting went well and further board meetings to be had. If you thinks it would a great day having a couple of drinks and going for a roll in the name of raising funds for charity, give me a shout out and we shall see what we will tee up. My day ended up with the sun setting rolling down some balls before being thoroughly entertained by the blokes (older blokes) in the club rooms including the Leprechaun in Jack Dillon working his magic! Enthusiasm is restored...

All systems transmitting after exam blockage

Alas... finally come out from my pig sty in Mehico to report the latest news from the horse pig's mouth itself. If thats not confusing, then I feel for you. Three Sundays ago (from when this post was written) we embarked upon our first training run which saw us take in the salty air and sights of the bay (namely the three consecutive mansion blocks which I have plans to bulldoze and develop into a castle). The twos Saturdays saw a good turnout take to the city tagging, while the crew embarked on the capital city trail which ended up being 35+km by the time we scrambled to buy Victor a helmet and after I had finished going to the Docklands James Squire instead of the city one. I thoroughly reccommend hoping on the bike and taking the train into the city with the Capital City Trail taking in all the sights of melburne, the southbank pandemonium, dockland scerenity, industrial land charm (what else was I supposed to say), bohemianness of Brunswick/Collingwood, the aromas of the elephant enclosure of the zoo, the wackiness of farmlife out at Collingwood farm followed by the tranquility and steps of the yarra river(you'll have to ride it yourself). In lighter news we have apporached multiple sponsors, while with limited success we are hopeful that the beaming light will be shone down and provided with. Logistics are being wrestled with by our people on the scene, going gangbusters with massive reports to lodge to the authorities. N.Porter signing out

Gratitude for Bogong & co

Hurray for Bogong... not the moths but for Bogong Equipment, on little Bourke st. Alas we have broken through, the first significant business donation to the amount of $200 from the adventure equipment seller. We thank you very much for that amount that will provide over 6 months of training for a Timorese youth in business and life skills. I also must give shoutout to Paul ($50) for first one to use our online giving page and that was dating back some time. That is a fantastic amount and is greatly appreciated. Just follow get involved on www.timorian.com or better still the link is here http://www.onlinegiving.com.au/pages/timorian.aspx. From there it will take a few minutes to set up an account. Remember that you can receive tax deductions, and we will work hard to ensure you will receive it in time for this tax year. If that's too confusing please email or ring me, it is irrelevant the amount whether one dollar or two, that is equivelant to one day of support over the two years of our project

Tagging target: Melbourne University Oaktree

The Oaktree team at Melbourne Uni have helped us tag more bikes around Melbourne.

Still no news from Megan Gale.. but

Typical Melbourneian weather, designed to induce colds and flu anytime of the year in countless variations. First year exposed to it but have got off lightly so far. Riding from C-town to Oaktree Headquarters in Camberwell, was always going to be a struggle with it. However got there, thats what counts. Our Timorian crew got acquanted with our film star, Ling, who will be taking various footage from meetings, training runs, prep work and of course the ride itself. Shall make some for some hillarity in shooting of the crew and the clown of a leader, but more importantly and seriously will generate the awareness that our neighbour Timor needs. Also shoutout to some corporate sponsors, my grandma is elite sponsor right now, who we could get on board to expose them to media and filming for their input.

Seriously We need your support to make this event a true success. Send your contact's details this way we shall not harass them... much anyway. A few other ideas were whizzed of the factory production line and also our official website is up and running, will be added to more so, but is up and running. Sunday if you still manage to have full senses and your night was not of epic proportions get on over to the arts centre at 12 with your bikes or runners for tagging things, we will divide and some shall cruise off to the bay while others help create awareness. Any maddog schemes chaser style speak up and we shall consider. Still no news from Megan Gale, bit paranoid I have a hacker deleting my messages from her in my inbox. Will look into it.

Keep on Keeping on y'all. N Porter signing out

Did you get tagged?

The Timorian team have been busy tagging bikes around Melbourne. If you have fortunately been tagged, let us know where and when on our facebook site. We didn't mean to deface your bikes in any way, just wanted to let you guys know about our bike ride. Hope you feel special!

What you up to Ports?

Sunday 7:30pm: "What you up to Ports?" cageily says my room-mate being the smart arse he is. Just going to the local gay bar as make my way through the living room, donning full cycling attire that I realise does look a bit suss and will expose me to whatever Melbournian wea ther is present. Was Mothers Day so official run got cancelled, therefore this was the training.

The cold did bite, as I tried in vain to catch up on the bus law lecture on my ipod. But this was the oppotunity I needed for myself to contemplate the old deep and meaningful stuff after something you want to change so much, is going totally against you, I'm not talking of the I wonder how many years Richmond will take to win their next flag it is deep stuff. But cruising through amongst the night traffic was somewhat soothing minus cold I felt in other body parts than my face.

Will be interesting to see how camping out goes in the heart of winter, at least it does'nt snow. Therefore two words... Toughen up. Pulled up well from this routine 24km ride from C-town to Bayswater after back concerns past week. Looking forward to week of shenanigans from Hannah with her tagging concept, will stay tuned to see how that goes, as we really must strive for significant commercial sponsors, have faith something will present itself..

A message from Nick

Bondia/G’day everybody, welcome to the daily/weekly/monthly/whenever I have my writing cap on blog of Nick Porter as the world keeps revolving day by day by day until finally that day of July the 2^nd is realized, when myself and the crew embark on the Great Timorian Bike ride. The ride is a two day long adventure of sheer pain and display of will power, departing from Melbourne over the treacherous great divide where we will brave the frights of the night without the luxury of staying in the Seymour Hilton or receiving soothing calves massages from Megan Gale (can someone get in touch with her), before pressing on and ending the epic at my home of Wangaratta it will amass to around 250km, however with legalities it is likely to increase. It is a journey against cold, inexperience, resources, pain and time, but a journey that I hope can better my life as a result but more importantly better the life of a Timorese youth who would not do something like this for a challenge but to get by.

The objective of the ride is to affect this change in their lives, for hope in the future and opportunity. Through broadcasting our pledge, I hope we will be able to captivate the Australian and world community and of course Megan Gale in order to create awareness of the Timorese situation and furthermore change. So get on board as we cycle it from city and country where we can expect the unexpected.

Website

Hello or Bondia!

Do visit our website and have a view!

At: http://www.timorian.com

Moreover do join this group and show your support for this colossal and mad adventure!

At Facebook!

Show us your shiny and greatness support!

Hi and Welcome!!

Hi Everyone!!

Welcome to our blog: The Great 'Timor'ian Bike Ride... The epic journey we formulated in order to improve the tumultuous circumstances of youth in East Timor. Too many Timorese youth are flocking to an overcrowded Dili with nothing to their names and no future. Encompassing return to regional areas and the lack of infrastructure within the country, we decided to create and ride Chinese bicycles (the classic single gear bikes) from Melbourne to Wangaratta (240km). With our mission of the ride to establish youths with future hope and sustainability in their lives we aim to create public awareness through education and filming of our journey and crucial financial support, so that East Timor can further develop its independence on more than just determination.

Join this group and show your support for this colossal and mad adventure!

We need your help to raise money to support projects in East Timor.
Want to sponsor us? Or feed and hydrate us along the journey? Shoot an email to timorian@gmail.com for general enquires or contact our head honcho, Nick Porter, on 0433 883 464 or ports_2222@hotmail.com Show your support by joining our facebook site. or by following us on Twitter.