10 days to go
With New Year’s celebrations behind us, the holiday frenzy is gradually settling, and businesses are beginning to reopen. Over the past few days, we’ve been busy compiling a detailed list of things we still need to buy and tasks to tick off before our departure. There’s still a lot to do, but both excitement and a touch of apprehension are growing as our adventure inches closer.
Yesterday, we drove to Cairns for one of the many medical appointments that, at this point, feel like they’ve been part of my routine for a lifetime. As we passed Bartle Frere, Marc pointed out the towering mountain. A sign on the roadside proudly states that it’s the tallest peak in Queensland, standing at a staggering 1,611 meters. Marc, always quick to make a point, remarked that he’d be riding over twice the height of Bartle Frere in just a few days.
On Day One of the event, the riders will tackle an ascent of 1,954 meters. Day Two, though the shortest riding day at 70 kilometres, brings an even greater challenge—an ascent of 2,454 meters that will take them over the top of the Andes.
As I reflect on this, a thought nags at me: what was I thinking when I signed us up for this?
The idea of the 1,700-kilometer ride was what first attracted me to the event. After all, that’s the distance from Cairns to Brisbane—still within Queensland. But this is different. This will take us across two countries, a real adventure. And then, just as quickly, the reality hits: I’m not the one riding this time.
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