Day 127 The Finish Line.

Day 127 was going to be different than all the other days as it was going to be the last and final day of the trip and enable me to bring closure to my fantastic cycling adventure that i have enjoyed with you guys from the start to the finish. After Yern and Sharon took care of me the night before and the following  morning , Yern and I headed off to the Sorrento beach car park where we where joined by about 14 other riders to ride the last 10kms of the 15000kms to complete the Memorial ride in honour of Jim . On arriving at 1`pm we where greeted by about 25 people and  handshakes, hugs and kisses where going off, and i felt like a super star for a few minutes until it gradually subsided. But wait there's more, like  true good card players they left the best card to the very last and produced the JOKER, all the way from Mildura.Victoria. That's right folks , the greatest blogger the world has seen, Linds, had travelled all the way over to witness the final day and ride alongside his great Uncle. I was truly moved by the effort.

Lindsay and I enjoying a Champers  at Sorrento Beach

The plan was simple enough to ride together but even the simplest plans go haywire and this did. We had riders breaking away from the main group as though it was a race to the finish line (Shane)  and others who  just wanted to see how far they could fall behind.

Some of the guys greeting me and trying to touch me.lol

Doc and Grace trying to work out how to get on their  bikes.

The race is on with Clayton a nose in front and Joel trying to get in my slip stream.

Riding toward home was an effortless exercise as i knew the end was near and  coming over the crest of the last hill i could see more people congregating around the front of my home so they  could clap us as we entered  through the gate.  Around the back of the house we went to the finish line where streamers where strung across two blown up Kangaroos by Joy, and we bunched up for a photo before i could not take it anymore and broke through like a true champion.lol

Home at last.

The effort that Joy went to provide a welcoming home party exceeded all my expectations. Tea, coffee, cup cakes and Pats scones with jam and cream created a nice relaxed atmosphere.

Special  "Aroundthepaddock" cup cakes 

A nice Welcome home banner was also hung above my back door...

Soon after arriving and attacking Joy, I deciced to get my speech out of the way to thank everybody for riding and coming along to celebrate the occasion.

Hello ....do i know you.

After the slightly emotional speech , Joy presented me with a very special gift  on behalf of everybody and a caricature picture.

A commemorative plaque in recognition of my achievement, dedicated to Jim Kelly 

On a final note, it was a fantastic home coming for me, celebrating with family and friends all enjoying ourselves together. It was just a shame that so many people who contributed to make the trip a  success couldn't attend but rest assured you were in my thoughts.

I really don't know how to end this other than to leave you with a couple of happy snaps.

And to my favorite fan club, the kids for their lovely congratulation cards.Fantastic effort with all the writing and pictures.Thankyou.

As  Jim Kelly said, you're not a man until you've been around the paddock....well, i'm now a man.lol