Rapha 500: The End

Well for our final day from Richmond to Hobart Mother Nature pulled out all stops in an attempt to break us.... It didn't work. The raging headwind saw us ride the first 18k in over 1hr 10mins and caused us to spend the next hour at the Brighton Bakery defrosting and regathering.

Once we crossed the river though it was tailwind all the way - except when Hef took the lead and we ended up in dead end streets, no bike zones and generally just lost! It took a long time to get to the Casino!

We took a detour up and over the Tasman Bridge which was a bit of a white knuckle ride - something I don't need to do again when it's that windy! After the Tasman bridge I couldn't convince Hef to ride up Mt Wellington again and I was most disappointed!

Having now finished the Rapha Festive 500 there was no rest for the wicked and we spent the rest of the afternoon at the Taste of Tassie and celebrating NYE at the Casino, although we didn't make it to midnight.

And on a final note, the next tour ride is already being planned......

Rapha 500: The Final Day

• Stg1
• Upd1
• Day1
• Upd2
• Day2
• Upd3
• Day3
• Upd4
• Upd5
• Day4
• Pre5
• Day5
• Pre6
• Map

It appears that mother nature has cottoned on to our method of rising early to beat the wind for today the wind started howling at 2:30am and this is a little early to get up even for us!

Today is our last day on the road and we have 56k to complete our Rapha 500 journey to Hobart. Before we hit the road, let me give you some tips from the first time tourer:
1. Be prepared to ride slow. Forget the averages of the saturday smash or even the sundy hundy's - if you average 20, you're hammering.
2. Sun sleeves and a helmet with a beak is essential. Forget looking like a pro whilst touring.
3. Pack light. Start by packing what you think you need in your panniers and then put half back in the cupboard - if you have two of anything, you have have too much!

Enjoy your last day of 2012 and we'll see you in Hobart!