Ladies and Gentlemen, it's all happening today. Forget the Tour de Dauphine, Evans didn't win anyway, our very own ANZA cyclist, Cooper Gareth is still out there, with well over 1200km's of cycling completed, he is absolutely cranking along with only today left to ride his way into John O Groats (the other End). The weather has come at all angles, enduring a severe storm over the highest mountain climb on the route, but in true ANZA spirit he has pushed through and is now pedaling his way toward his last day of riding. We have once again the esteemed Team Cooper Gareth to share some insights on how the lad is going to get through the final day.
Manager Silk: No doubt by now, that beer is calling. It's like coming back into Singapore after a 300km ride and you know Brewerkz is not that far away. He'll be charging through his final day. It doesn't matter how tired you are on the final day of an epic ride of this nature, the human soul is still able to dig into it's depths and find a newfound drive to get you across the finish line. This will be a tremendous achievement for Gareth and shows he is well out there in front in preparations for PBP 2011. A few team members may need to start to step up their training! The team wishes him all the best on his final day, he has ridden an outstanding ride, there is absolutely no doubt he will make it to John O Groats now. The team, although far away in Singapore, will help celebrate this victorious moment.
Super Domestique Callan (the Flunky with a chip on both shoulders ;-):
Yes well, it seems like, against all the odds, the Boss might just make it.....never one to bear a grudge (well, not for long) I am prepared to mutter a muted "Chapeau" when (if) he crosses the line in JOG. His most recent reports from Scotland have taken on a curiously spiritual (perhaps even romantic) tone though. Perhaps it is the thin air up there in the highlands of Scotland, or the effects of the Scottish Whiskey which he will have been imbibing copiously to protect against the elements - or perhaps he found amour in Gretna Green - but he now appears to be more focused on the scenery and nature of things up there, than he is on the road.
This has always been a problem with Cooper....without a wheel to follow, and a continuous stream of instructions in his ear, his mind tends to wander. Do not be surprised if is reports today tells stories of having stopped to pick a bunch of flowers or heathers, or to paint a quick a quick water-colour of some nostalgic scene (he brought his paint-by-numbers kit along just in case)......the real question now is not whether he will have the legs and strength to make it to JOG - but rather, whether he can stay interested and focused enough to stay on the bike, instead of joining a back-to-nature hippy commune in the highlands....;-)
Ah, more humbling tales from his team mates. But today is in fact D-day, the finale, the other End of the End to End, everyone is on the edge of their seats. Stay tuned for the final update tomorrow.
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