I've done the Oppy a few times and the first time I really had to fight off the sleep demons. The second time wasn't nearly so bad, maybe due to a highly successful caffeine based strategy.

As the clock moved deep into the early hours of the morning, new strategies were required to keep the team running. I had broken out the camp stove and was now taking orders in advance for brews at the next stop which were much appreciated. In Kerang we broke out the Abba CD for an outdoor cringe-fest. Later I was dancing to the Rolling Stones on the side of the highway probably more for my sanity that for the riders or the two cars that passed me while I grooved away.

Most of the little towns were dead at 3am but while I was waiting in Cohuna, I was entertained by the three lads who had obviously been on the sauce most of the night. Two of them were trying to steer a third who was in a shopping trolley down the main street. They managed to only crash and spill their compatriot once on their slow and somewhat circuitous journey down the road.

The only time we lost each other was within the final few hours in Rochester. I couldn't find a convenient place for a stop so I pulled up on the road side by the river and, realising that I had 30 mins or so, rolled the seat back and closed my eyes. What felt like a second later, the phone was ringing. The team had ridden past the van and were wondering where I was. Tiff had been promised a 10 minute power nap and was desperate to hop in the back of the van over a sleep in a ditch.

I quickly caught up with them and Mark declared that he was done for the night. With his head turned a few weeks ago and two 500+ Oppys on his palmarès, he didn't feel the need to ride that last 50km as he had been having stomach issues for the last few hours and hadn't been able to eat anything. Even the Up & Go he had tried only resulted in more up and no go. For the last two hours I would have a little company as we drove around in circles chasing the team to the finish.

Every bike is a gravel bike

13 of the best from a year of limited adventure

Part 3 - Downhill to the Med

Part 2 - Les Grandes Alpes

Part 1

Finally!