A beautiful morning, could not ask for a better day for a ride!

Our team gathered at 5.45. One (Hao) got a bit lost on the way, or something.... Israel forgot to bring his entry bib number.... but all that got sorted and we were all set to go by a bit after 6. 

We kept pretty close until Loftus, when the leading group of 12 or so didn't stop as planned, 2 or 3 more decided to keep up and pulled in then out, and the rest of us took a break, then set off at a quick pace, but without any real goal to catch them.

People were getting flats and taking spills here and there.... a few broken bones, grazes seemed the worst... until Chris and I were heading down the hill from Waterfall, and we heard what seemed like a rifle shot behind us on a fast bend... someone was in trouble, a tyre exploding - have not heard the outcome yet but Deano and Mike were close behind and it seemed like it was not too bad, lucky for the rider.

The Royal NP was at its finest and before long we were onto the coast, a spectacular day, views forever. Rode onwards together and caught up with Evalin at Austinmer, and rode along with her the rest of the way as Dean took off and Chris and Mike fell behind a bit in the morning heat. Soon we were at the finish and wondering where the rest were..... the Beer Tent, where else? A few beers to finish off the ride, just the thing. Then the team were off to the pub for some lunch, I headed north again!

I rode back along the course to catch up with Deb and her team (I had the lunch, after all). All the way back to Wombarra (a shade under 20km), I was starting to feel it by then... and as luck would have it, came across them heading south just one of the biggest hill climbs on the coastal route going north. Awesome!

A quick U-turn and back to North Wollongong, now a little cooler as the sea breeze had picked up.... then lunch, another beer, some Jazz and other music, and a well earned snooze on the train trip home!

A great day out and a great fundraising result for MS Australia - thanks to all my sponsors!

Rowan 

Canyoning was awesome... and much tougher than any ride.... I worked out my day in Waterfall creek exploring burned about the same as 350km cycling.... felt it last night, and this morning... but ionly long enough for breakfast, then it was into the gardening for the day, to add a few more scratches and bruises to yesterday's effort.

 Won't get much riding done this week, off to NZ for a few days.... final warmup on Friday / Saturday, then we're off!

Great cycle with Zeal of Zebras on Thursday morning, then dropped in to our Melb office yesterday... went to say hi to Evalin unfortunately she is in Noosa at a Triathlon!

Tomorrow it's time for some different training - the canyon season is here again, so it's off to the mountains for the weekend to practice hill climbs of a different type.

Just over a week to go, 40km training ride this morning in Sydney's lovely misty drizzle... not so bad.

A longer one tomorrow where I and several others of our team will join Zeal of Zebras from the Opera House to Kurnell and back, to work up an appetite for breakfast..... lok out for us in black and white only!

Nearly time to go looking for a few more donations..... to get to my target!

Only 3 weeks to go... where did the time go? Have been trying to get out and train, the spring weather has got in the way a bit here and there! So has the Rugby World Cup..... go Wallabies!! 60km last Sunday and few extended rides to work, round the long way, all helps.

I've handed over my old bike to Chris, new at work and waiting for his to arrive on a boat from England... hopefully he can join us.

Meanwhile, thanks to everyone for your fabulous donations so far and I'll be in touch with those who have forgotten....

Took some time off cycling to go canoeing last weekend - ouch! Cycling 100km is easier than paddling 25, it turns out.

Watching my team mate Evalin in Melbourne flogging cakes and brownies to raise money makes me feel I should be getting more involved by now... so here goes!

 Within a day of starting, I have two contacts from opposite sides of the world both of whom have a brother with MS. Scary.

Cycling to and from work makes the longer rides a bit easier I guess. 45 km to and from Litte Athletics to see Lucy compete on Saturday, then 60km to and from my sister's place toshare father's day with the family. Why do they have to live on the highhest hill in Sydney, do you suppose?? Anyway, I made it up to the top of Blilgola Plateau.

This weekend, another 40-odd km loop to Athletics, a rest day on Sunday (well, 26km kayaking, that's kind of a rest?).

In 2010, I managed to raise just over $8,000 for people affected by Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

I enjoyed it so much, I'm back again for 2011! This time I'm team captain... uh-oh!

I will fly from  the USA  to join the race - all in the name of a very good cause.

Last year, I read the "MS is the most common disease of the central nervous system and affects more than 20,000 Australians" bit, but it did not sink in until SEVERAL of my kind sponsors mentioned that they had a direct relative with MS - that made me realise it's more common than you might think. Then I was lucky enough to make the top 10 fundriasers function, and to hear first hand from one of the MS Ambassodors what MS is realy like.  Chilling.

MS Australia aims to minimise the impact of multiple sclerosis on all individuals affected by the disease, as well as their families, carers and the community, by offering a wide range of services, equipment and support. MS Australia's goal is to assist everyone affected by MS to live life to their fullest potential and secure the care and support they need, until we ultimately find a cure.

Did you know?

* The average age of diagnosis of MS is just 30 years.

* MS affects three times as many women as men.

How can you help?

Setting the benchmark high, our NDY team aim to raise at least $10,000 this year. I'm aiming for a big chunk of that......

TO DONATE click on the button to the right and help MS Australia support all people affected by multiple sclerosis.