I had a sneaking suspicion that Dave really didn't believe it would eventuate but come Monday morning an email arrived with the entry form duly submitted and the team name revealed.
Not one for keeping my emotions to myself, my initial reaction to their team name was to burst out laughing... I challenge anyone to look at the acronym DMMR and not immediately think it was short for dummer (aka dumber!)
Week after week Dave would disappear around dawn on a Sunday and return sometime around lunch, each time having done more and more kms and having another coffee shop to review. They were really getting into the lingo and etiquette of the riding fraternity and taking this very seriously.
Then the turning point came, the bikes they had been faithfully riding for several months now apparently weren't good enough, the "Holdens" of the bike world needed to be upgraded to a fancier european model that was allegedly going to make the ride around the bay possible.
Like young boys in a candy shop they fantasised day after day in the local bike shops, eventually all choosing the right bike for their size and needs, complete with custom bits and pieces which all sound like a complete other language to me... after learning the cost I was expecting to see something gold plated come through the door when it eventually arrived.
At our weekly netball match, the DMMR wives conversation turned to their husbands' new found obsession... how many online purchases had been delivered that week and what the latest riding schedule was. Apparently the online store of choice is something called Wiggle.com... another cause for much sniggering.
There was no questioning their commitment and the regimented dawn routine went on week after week.
The penultimate day arrived and there was plenty of action at the station as they readied themselves, carbo loaded meals were requested and an early night was in order. One small glitsch as they attempted to load the bikes into the team van, but with a bit of perseverance and creativity all was good.
Things couldn't have gone any smoother on the day, they headed off nice and early, the weather was good, they made the ferry from Queenscliff to Sorrento in good time, in fact they were the last ones allowed on before it departed, today was absolutely their day.
They made such good time that they were finished a couple of hours before they (or us) expected too and were left hanging high and dry on the finish line with no-one except themselves to pat each other on the back, definitely not feeling the family love. Unfortunately the big day coincided with a lot of dancing commitments for DMMR's progeny and they finished the race way before any of us could get there to cheer them home. Nevertheless it was a MASSIVE achievement and we were all very proud of them... even more impressive was them all being able to walk after riding 210kms!
Our Champs!
The D in DMMR
Looking mighty relaxed one week out
Minor logistical issues
But we have the technology
Not sure that checking your messages helps in any way!
