Peter Bobbin and Ray Griffin have passed the half-way point in the BT Future2 Wheel Classic, and the physical demands of the undertaking are beginning to take a toll. The 1250km ride was always going to be a tough physical challenge, but now Griffin and Bobbin are facing significant mental challenges as well.
This morning the Wheel Classic rolled out of Orange on its way to Cowra, a distance for the day of 103km. At the end of the day’s riding, they’ll have 750km behind them, and 500km to go.
But out of the blue, an old and believed long-dormant knee injury has flared up, hampering Griffin’s progress. And the lack of opportunity to do proper training for the event is beginning to catch up with Bobbin.
Griffin says his knee injury is particularly galling, because otherwise he’s in good shape and has prepared well for the ride. But “if your body isn’t right, it does affect your head”, he says.
“I have been a bit down this morning [Sunday], I must admit, because I know how painful it is going to be; I also know it won’t go away,” Griffin says.
“To overcome this, I just have to put it out of my mind. It really is difficult. I know what I have got in front of me with the pain, but I have also set myself goals in my racing…and this has set them back.
“Of all the places for this to show up. It’s disappointing because I feel fine – I’m as keen as mustard to get on the bike.
“I wasn’t this fit when I raced in the 1980s. I’m jumping out of my
skin with fitness. I had no fear of getting the distance done.”
Griffin says the Wheel Classic is he hardest thing he’s ever done on a bike.
“I’ve done four-day tours, and they are tough; but this is by far the biggest challenge I have had on a bike,” he says.
Griffin has made adjustments to his bike set-up in a bid to overcome the discomfort and give himself the best possible chance of completing the distance. And he’ll adapt his riding style, spending more time riding on the little chain ring, for example, so while he’ll be doing more pedalling, there will be less load, and therefore less strain, on his knee.
Bobbin’s lack of preparation has manifested itself in an achilles tendon problem which, while manageable on the flats, may become an issue as the ride moves into more hilly country closer to the coast.
But he has been supported since the ride began by his mate, Roger Simionato, who has provided moral support, and physical support by taking his turn as lead rider, acting as a windbreak for the riders behind.
“It’s been good for Peter to have Roger along, because Peter and I would have been divorced before we got to Cobar!” Griffin says. “I’d have rolled into Cobar asking if anyone knew a good lawyer.
“I don’t think Roger has ever raced, but he knows a fair bit about it.”
The Wheel Classic is designed to raise awareness of the Future2 Foundation, and has set a fundraising target of $100,000. At the half-way mark, it has raised about $50,000, but needs a steady flow of donations and sponsorships over the next few days to reach its target. The aim is to raise the money from the financial planning community, rather than from the public
“We’re at the half-way mark; we can almost see the finish line,” Griffin says.
“And if people are still contributing, it does make you even more duty-bound to keep going. I really do want to get the $100,000.”
The Future2 Wheel Classic is sponsored by BT Insurance, Matrix Planning Solutions and Telstra. Major donations to the event have been made by Colonial First State, and Praemium.
Additional sponsorships and donations are welcome. Individuals or companies can CLICK HERE to provide financial support to the the Wheel Classic.
