Inside and out

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Remembering.

Nothing is cooler than a dink from your old man.

I can remember the first time I was allowed to ride outside of the property boundary.

I had to stay off the road, and there was no footpath, just a bumpy grass covered patch.

I had to turn around a mere 150m from the driveway and come back.

I could still see my Dad faintly in the distance as I made the return leg.

That was my first epic ride.

This made me think of that.

In all my years of riding the only 'supported' ride I undertook was when I was 11 in Cub Scouts. I was telling XBBX about this ride as an indicator of what it was like to grow up with a my little brother so you might as well hear about it.

The ride was from Scout Hall in Epping to Whittlesea via Yarrambat and Arthurs Creek.

It was a classic windy Melbourne day, and the wind howled from the north.

About two thirds of the way in, on a section of Plenty rd that I've since worn a groove into, I popped. Mentally. Right near K & J Thomas if you know the area.

I got off my Hallmark MTB. The Cub Scout leader put my bike into the broom wagon, and I got into the front seat.

As we drove along, sitting in the front seat I watched my little brother, only 8 at the time battle on tirelessly in the wind.

'Stop the car. I'm getting out.'

Whenever I think about quitting, getting off the bike, being too tired with hollow legs I see my pint sized brother continuing in the wind and I keep on pedalling.

I learned that if you remove any option to quit, then you don't think about.

Perhaps this is a good lead in to put feelers out for those wanting to ride to Adelaide with me in January... self supported. 3 x 250km. Headwind all the way. Barrell of laughs!