I was able to ride the first day of the 2009 Perth to Sydney Ride on Monday this week. Not being able to do the whole ride, it was a nice compromise to at least be able to meet the riders and head out of the city with them.

To me it felt like I had the consummate experience of a `ride day’ for a big ride. It started at 5:30AM when the alarm went off. I could hear rain outside, it was dark and cold. Here we go !

I really appreciated the opportunity to talk to the riders and the support crew as we rode out from Ascot and headed up Great Eastern Highway.

On route to the morning tea stop at 55km at El Caballo I made the day a complete BFB experience by getting a nail in my tyre, having a dud spare tube and seeing some fresh road kill.

You don’t tend to smell the fresh roadkill, only the stale stuff. In fact you often don’t even see the stale roadkill, there is just the aroma of death left.

One thing for sure, it is much harder and a whole heap less fun riding 55km by yourself home compared to being in a bunch of Bike for Biblers.

All the best guys, hope you have a great ride across the country.