The last week on the saddle took me from Canberra to the finish line in Camden, passing through Goulburn, Wollongong and Sydney Harbour before reaching the familiar streets of my hometown Camden. When I left Canberra I pedalled out with the scientist Richard Callaghan, who cycled with me to Lake George. By the time we said goodbye, the wind had picked up and I was blown northwards by a strong tailwind to reach the Big Marino by sunset…
At the Marino my brother Ian came and met me to escort me with his motorbike down to Wollongong. Cycling along the highway he was able to ride along with his hazard lights, not to mention hand me a snickers bar when the going got tough! On one night in Moss Vale we were blown away by the hospitality received from Jemmy Moss Inn, who not only gave us free meals but even provided free accommodation for the evening above the bar!
The roads were absolutely spectacular, especially the steep descent down Illawarra HWY to Lake Illawarra, as well as the Sea Cliff Bridge before pedalling into the Royal National Park. The Illawarra Mercury covered my expedition after meeting me down by the harbour…
In “The Gong” I stayed with Kimbo and Zal, and over the coming days we caught up a few times before they took a plane to watch the Socceroos reach the World Cup Final in Brazil (okay maybe not, but I can dream can’t I?). The ride into Sydney was a strange day of contrasts, waking up in the mist inside the Royal National Park then battling the urban jungle and intense traffic of inner Sydney.
To celebrate reaching Sydney, I revisited a couple Newtown restaurants that I would frequent during my university days, and caught up with my good friends Chew and Robbie who opened their home for me and Wilson. Weeks ago in Ballarat my tent had frozen, and yet as the days turned into winter the weather remained beautiful – whilst the media announced that it was one of the mildest Autumns on record! With such incredible weather I took the opportunity to get down to the harbour…
And at Sydney University I was welcomed by family and friends, as well as members of the public who came down after hearing about my journey on the radio. Debbie and Martin from AICR were also there to meet Wilson and congratulate our mammoth adventure together! There were also many scientists there who have been funded by AICR over the years, and it was great to hear about their research being done in my home city! After the event there was plenty of leftover food, so with my friends Liana and Andy we sold off the banana bread and tarts to university students for a gold coin charity donation!
My arrival to Sydney University also coincided with the renaming of AICR to ‘Worldwide Cancer Research’, and it was exciting to be involved with the rebranding of such an incredible charity. Down by the harbour with family and charity workers Debbie and Martin we were able to celebrate both my charity expedition and the ongoing work being done by Worldwide Cancer Research.
At Sydney University I was blown away by the video messages from the AICR team, friends and colleagues in England, and people I had met between Leeds and Sydney. It was incredible seeing so many familiar faces, and receiving such a heart warming reception at the finish line!
It took me two days to get back to Camden, taking my time by dropping into my friends Brianne’s home for a lunch, as well as door-knocking near Liverpool to be welcomed into a strangers home for dinner and breakfast with a lovely family. It was the perfect way to enjoy my last night on the road, in all its beautiful spontaneity. On reaching the outskirts of Camden I was linked up with a police escort, and with sirens blazing I was welcomed back into the community to shake hands with the mayor and be reunited with family and friends. It was overwhelming having so people welcome me home, and join me to finish up my 797 day charity expedition!
