Betten On Bike: DAY 18 - 25TH APRIL 2013

Day 18 - Mt Isa to Camooweal

Cycling Stats: 189 kms
Cycling Average Speed: 35.7 kms per hour

Up early at 4.40am to pack up and attend Anzac Day Dawn Service at 6.00am in the city.

A moving service which was very well attended in the main park. Then across to the pool where we were greeted by more than 25 cyclists all kitted up and ready to accompany Walter on part of the day's trip to Camooweal. We had been told that some riders would support this ride but the turn-out was amazing and we were thrilled and humbled by the ISA Rats Tri Club & Mt Isa Cycling Club members who had turned up to ride with Walter.

The ISA Rats Tri Club had sent out emails to everyone inviting them to ride with Walter & pay $5 each to our fund-raising campaign for Alzheimer's Australia Dementia Research Foundation for the group ride. Amazing - this wonderful initiative raised $300.

The peloton left at 7.15am and made good time as there was a great tailwind and the road was flat and the surface was good. Some of those cycling were using the ride as a training ride for the Border Ride which is held annually in August and goes from Mt Isa to 15kms past Camooweal to the border of Qld and N T. The fastest time for this ride is around 5.5 hours.

Some rode the first 25 kms and another larger group turned around after 54 kms and the last 6 riders left Walter after the 100 km mark and these were met by family & friends in cars to be transported back to Mt Isa.

30kms before Camoweal we met 2 marathon runners who we had heard about who are running a marathon every day for the entire year of 2013 Janette Murray-Wakelin and Alan Murray (42.2 kms per day) and travelling all around Australia doing this to raise funds for different charities. Their diet is comprised only of fruit and vegetables and water. Lovely people and we wish them well !!!

Walter rode on and enjoyed the tail wind and arrived in Camooweal around 1.30pm.

A good day's riding and we found a good caravan park in the centre of town - a nice afternoon breeze and a beautiful sunset topped off a lovely day.

Thank you Mt Isa - we will long remember your hospitality and generosity. Big thanks to Kylie & Geoff & Heiner & Robbie Katter, Kim (Coggo) & family (for making us feel so at home !!) , & Michelle (yes it is a small world isn't it) Col & Amy (for organising the bottled water & all the great chats we had with you) & all the ISA Rats & Mt Isa Cycling Group who rode with Walter - Fantastic you guys !!!!