Greetings from the Never Ending Circus, the Planet Funnywood, The Blinkin Dinkum Barnum Baileys, The Many Ned Kellys

THE DAY
The route she is described in maps on the main page, so I wont describe the detail. Suffice to say Benalla to Beechworth via Glenrowan.

Glenrowan, for foreigners and Australians younger than 6 months old, is where Ned Kelly was bailed up. Armour and All. Shot in the knee and then sent to Beechworth for patching up, imprisonment, sentencing and rather a severe form of physiotherapy (which failed)

Phil McDonald, in sympathy with the iconic Ned, arranged for all 100 of us to don Ned Kelly masks. Go to the website [if youre not already there]) to observe the macabre effect of 100 cyclists riding with Ned Kelly Masks. The townsfolk took it very well. Cheered us on. Diverted trucks, buses and cars that we couldnt see coming down the road. Emitting sonar sqeaks [or was that my deraileur] to guide us, we made our way to the picnic spot for a great brunch.

Back on the road, the Bandits helped form a coherent peleton behind the Porsche Boxter. And we cruised along at about 32 klicks. About 30 folk in all. With about 6 taking turns to rotate at the front. Onya you 6 !!

The Rail Trail from Everton to Beechworth was very very very impressively impressive. With enough impress to impress an Empress...In short : Impressive. A smooth paved path right through the bush along an old railway line....Have a look at the pictures. Today we have a picture EXTRAvaganza...so go there and give me some hits !!!

APB
Pete has probably had the worst day in his riding career today. He really has tried hard. To hold himself back. One would see a fellow break from the pack. One would see PBs head slump down. He couldnt bear look in case he accidentally hit the thigh throttle. He was more toey than a Roman Sandle. Even More Toey than Ned Kelly at Glenrowan as well. Every now and then he would loose concentration and start pulling away from the pack. And then he would remember. Oh gosh. Gotta ride with me mates. Must slow down. Mustnt push on the pedals. Must breathe thru only one nostril. He was was in *AGONY* folks. The model of decorum and tranquility...The mighty have truly fallen low.....Like Hercules, APB has come back to Planet Earth from Olympus, to live with the mortals.

ALISTAIR
Alistair is still alive folks. News to you perhaps, but out here it is very obvious. Al Pres has overcome his initial coyness and his belows and guffaws can be heard far and near. North and South. El Presidente and APB very modestly invited all the 100 Challenge riders, the entire staff of the local university, and a few people lying in the gutter outside the Beechworth Pub, to come and watch the Bayside Bandidos video. [Ricardo and Trevsy relax : it was the directors cut]

....Unfortunately Als knee is giving him the throb. It took 60 kays to get it tuned up today. Tomorrow we will reverse the seat so it is pointing the other way. And then teach Al to ride backwards. With a mirror on his helmet (so he can navigate)...Hopefully this totally radical new riding style will change those massive forces always present in the Presidents head i mean leg and allow him to recover.

CLIVE
Clive did some riding today. He also completed an economic analysis on Beechworth. Things may be slighly pearshaped round about 2nd quarter 2003 according to Clive. Unless they can invent another Ned Kelly. Clive and Phil dived under the table with embarrassment when APB and El P launched into their no holds barred Bandit Promotion and Video viewing.... Tut tut tut....People may I refresh your memories on the Bandido Vision and Values Statement :
"Modesty Does Not Become Us"

..or the Bandido Charter
"Dance Like No Ones Watching" etc

PHIL
The Phil is becoming present. Rising to the Challenge. There were clanking sounds of armour coming from the shower&toilet today .....?!?!?
....As Phil girded himself for battle. In the Peloton Phil was there. Really extraordinary actually. To be fair, honest and truthful, it was Phil and the Peleton...... OK OK...it was Phil and a bunch of hangers on. AKA Phil & The Rest.

STEWEY
alas poor Stewey. We thought we knew him well. I am genuinely feeling soooo sorrrry for this poor fellow. At 21, a mere slip of a lad. Here is the son of APB, a chap who earns his living by teaching folks in California to surf and wave ski. What does he have to do? When life is as sweet as a Jaffa? He has to come over to Aus and hang with his Dad and his old fa rt mates. And then. By some form of oriental torture. Has to drive a Porsche Boxter at a glacial 38 kmph. At the beck and call of the ol fellas. Keep your eye on the road Stuart. Too fast Stuart. Leave her alone Stuart, we need help over here. Tell those girls to get lost, theyre messing up the paintwork. Clean the car Stuart, there are a couple of dead beetles on the fender. Then his dad forgets to organise accomodation and they have to share a bed together. In a room with another two smelly and rather coarse gents.......

Is this hell or is this hell?? Poor guy has now got a headache trying to get the cruise control to work under 40 kmph. He holds the world record for stalling a Porsche in one day...... Excuse me I cant type anymore. I cant see thru the tears.

WAZ
Your author is starting to really get worried. Has the bike ride started? Why am I so far from home without my car? Will I wake up to find the ride is all finished ? Legs did I pedal today? "No Boss... Just another day reading the papers and taking the dogs for a slow stroll" ...Are there aches? Is there pain? No a scerick from those legs of titanium....Someone tell me Im not dreaming...

QUOTABLE QUOTES
Quotable quote prize today goes to Stuey after trying to get the Porsche into position for a photo shoot...
"That must be the world record for the number of times one person has stalled a Porsche in one day"
(I lost count after 20...)

.Chaio Bellos and Bellas
{Many thanks for all your messages and praise!!
There are so many - i just dont have time to reply...unless we stop drinking late into the night...)
pps : Thanks for the sponsorship bro Stu

ps : to see the latest news and pics go to
http://au.oocities.com/bbchallenge2001/index.html

or go to the Bandits Mega Site
http://www.baysidebandidos.com

Click on the images below…

Image Thumbnails - click on the image to enlarge