Late on Friday afternoon, the rearward section of the Tour de Rocks containing Armidale's Mayor Simon Murray was just past Blackbird Flat, near the boundary of Armidale Regional Council and Kempsey Shire Council. The annual event raises important funding for cancer research and last year it raised more than a quarter of a million dollars.
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It's amazing how much food you do consume when you are riding a pushbike.
- Cr Simon Murray
"We're continuing in our endeavour to go further east," Cr Murray puffed with each push of the pedals.
"I think I'm nearly a 'tail-end Charlie', from here to the front end would be about five kilometres at least, but at least I can't be overtaken this way."
He said although the road was the same, the bumps did seem harder on a bicycle than in a motor vehicle.
An official commitment saw him return to Armidale on Thursday evening, which meant he missed out on the baked dinner dished up to riders and their families after the first day's ride.
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So, where did he eat?
"They had dinner on at the BMW Display down at the creek lands, so we managed to sneak into line there. They had salads, roast pork, roast lamb, potatoes and gravy. It's amazing how much food you do consume when you are riding a pushbike," he quipped.
Cr Murray then rejoined the tour.
"We've had two casualties so far. One was taken out by a kangaroo, smashed helmet and scraped a little bit, and they took him to the hospital to make sure there was no concussion. And another lady came off her bike crossing a grid and she hasn't returned." Cr Murray said.
While he thought both of the injured riders were taken to Armidale Regional Hospital, he said it did demonstrate how well the ride was supervised; and it was definitely worth the ride.
"They had the kids riding first thing this morning and they rode from The Junction up to Blackbird Flat. So, they have done their stint and now it's just us oldies," he said.
