DAY ONE
We started at the Boathouse by the Yarra River and went in two groups by bus to start our ride in Timboon. Everything was going well until we reached Colac (because I wasn't with 'Crackers' [Keenan] and didn't have to put up with his rubbish - I've heard it all before) when we stopped for ice to keep the water cold and buy some coffee.
We were about to leave when the driver, David Krsticevic, realised we couldn't start the bus because the key would not turn the ignition on. The fitness fanatics of the group decided they would start the ride from Colac, so they changed clothes in the pub and headed off into a head wind along the Princes Highway for an 80km ride to Port Campbell.
The more sensible ones, including me, waited for the bus to be fixed by an RACV mechanic, which happened as the first group departed. We then headed to Timboon for lunch at the Fat Cow Restaurant (appropriately named given Crackers' profile when he sits on the bike). From there the rest of us changed in the Fat Cow Restaurant's toilet and headed off in two groups to Port Campbell.
The first group did a 16km ride and the second group chose the scenic 40km route via Peterborough, stopping to look at the London Bridge. The second driver (afl.com.au journalist Howard Kotton) had stopped to assist David Bellette, who had a problem with his bike. We had noticed a bike shop in Colac and they made the trip back to fix the problem.
Unfortunately, most of the other riders' change of clothes and refreshments were in the car. We were due to be at the Port Campbell Hotel at 6.15pm for dinner, but this forced a delay in quenching our thirst. Not all was lost and we eventually got to the pub, where we enjoyed our meal and the company of guests including John Holland, Lyndsay Hill and John Craven.
Pamela Whiting and Patsy Montgomery, who rode on the first Footy Greats Ride in 2009, also joined us. After leaving the hotel, we decided we had not had enough to drink for some strange reason, so grabbed a couple of drinks for the 10-minute walk back to our accommodation, where we regaled stories well into the night. It is time that 'Crackers' upgraded his repertoire.
DAY TWO
We were up early and bought breakfast at the Alcove in town, where we had to make a decision if we would travel to Colac the longest and toughest way, via Lavers Hill, or the more sensible way, through Simpson.
We all set off together towards Lavers Hill, with one group, led by Mick Gayfer, choosing the longer route. Four others - David Bellette, Rob Pitt, Stuart McAdam and Tim Bertsch - accompanied Mick on the ride. Nine others, including myself, headed off along the Great Ocean Road. One of our group, Stephen Patterson, from Coolamon (NSW), had never seen the Great Ocean Road, so we decided to detour to the Twelve Apostles viewing area to give him a good look. He wished he had his camera with him.
Mid-morning we headed inland towards Simpson, where we stopped for lunch. There were a few testing hills, but nothing that worried too many of the riders. 'Crackers', carrying excess baggage around his stomach, struggled somewhat but managed to complete the ride - a good effort, lauded by his former teammate and coach. Other notable efforts were from Paul Sullivan, Peter Fox and Stephen Patterson.
Shortly after, we rode into Colac and went to our motel, Baronga Motor Inn, to find most of the other group had arrived. Half an hour after we arrived, a journalist and photographer from the Colac Herald newspaper arrived to do a story. We enjoyed a couple of well-earned relaxing ales before heading down to the Central Hotel in Murray St. The hospitality from Russell and Helen Kenny and the food was sensational.
Between courses I did a radio interview with Tony Leonard and Terry Wallace on 3YB. Terry was aware of St Mary's House of Welcome's work because the Richmond Football Club has supported the charity for some time.
We then adjourned back to 'Club Four' (Keenan's room) where six or seven of us sat around telling more stories (some of which were factual) and discussing our plans for the biggest ride of the week over the Otways the next day. We had a reasonably early night and got some much-needed rest.
DAY THREE
Enjoyed a continental breakfast at the motel before heading off about 9am, with a degree of apprehension facing the climb over the Otways to Apollo Bay. All riders rode to the half-way mark at Forrest. It was a pleasant ride through the forest, sheltering us from the sun and the wind. The ride was up and down, with testing hills and some fun descents. Those on the ride who are not as fit as others chose to sit in the buses and watch the pained expressions on the faces of the riders who tackled the mountains.
You can only ride mountains at your own pace, so it wasn't long before the field had spread considerably. Nine riders managed to reach the top, an 18km climb that was fairly steep.
The descent, which provides spectacular scenery of the hills and ocean and exhilaration, is fairly dangerous because of the speed you're travelling and the poor state of the road.
The riders came into Apollo Bay over a 45-minute period, with all feeling chuffed with their efforts. After a quick shower, we went down for a late lunch at Café 153 in the main street.
We had dinner at the Apollo Bay Hotel, where we had photos with some of the locals. The publican was good enough to shout us quite a few free drinks. I was fortunate enough to have my entrée and main course paid for by Kotton - a first for him - as punishment for being late for a scheduled appointment earlier in the day.
DAY FOUR
We were up early and horrified to see the strength of the wind, blowing from the north-east. Again the slower riders took off, while the A team of Gayfer, Bertsch and Bellette followed at 8.30. The rest of us took off at 9.30 after 'Crackers' finished his radio commitments.
Our concern about the wind was unwarranted because of the protection we received from the Otways. We made pretty good time through to Lorne, about 45km from Apollo Bay.
After a quick sandwich at the Cumberland Café in the main street, we made some quick repairs to Steve Patterson's bike (replaced tyre) and were further delayed by the poor driving ability (again) of Kotton. Kotton has been a constant source of amusement with his driving and if we had put some of his efforts on Australia's Funniest Home Videos, we would have won the prize.
The weather was becoming hot and steamy, so we made an unscheduled stop at Aireys Inlet to apply some sunscreen. 'Crackers' came up with excuse No.10 (cramps in leg) for not being able to continue for the last 24km. After a stop at Anglesea, where I had a double-scoop icecream, Ron Barassi just had to beat me and consumed a triple-scoop icecream. We continued our journey from Anglesea up the hill and on to Torquay.
'Club Six' (the room of Keenan, Schimmelbusch and Pitt) was opened for some much-needed sustenance before the Happy Hour in the bar at the Torquay Hotel. We later adjourned to the bistro for dinner with several of the locals.
DAY FIVE
We woke up to the sound of pouring rain and thought this was not going to be a great day. Breakfast was booked at the Bowside Café, whose owner, Pam Westerdoor, finished fifth in rowing (quads) at the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow. Sister Roseanne Murphy from St Mary's picked Ron Barassi up to take him back to Melbourne for Neil Mitchell's 60th birthday. He will meet us on the road on the way to our final destination on Sunday at Elwood Park.
At the hotel, we changed into our riding gear with the rain still tumbling down. Fortunately, as we set off in our wet riding gear, the rain stopped. The trip from Torquay to Queenscliff (40km) was uneventful but enjoyable, considering the mountains we had climbed and conquered and the hot, windy conditions we had encountered the day before. We made good time and arrived early enough to catch the midday ferry to Sorrento.
Once in Sorrento, we rode the final 6km to Portsea, where six of our group stayed at the Grange Apartments. Our accommodation arrangements for our final night on the road were a bit different. Four others stayed at Shane McCarthy's house, where we enjoyed a barbecue. I stayed at Rob Pitt's house, which was not far away.
DAY SIX
It was a sunny morning and we convened at the Sorrento Hotel for the final leg of our journey. Crackers had already done an interview with AFL Media and the crew followed us for 20km as we progressed towards Melbourne. The wind conditions were favourable as we made a detour through Martha Cove, noting the substantial development in that area. We continued up Balcombe Hill, where 'Crackers' decided to climb back into the bus. He rejoined the group in Frankston and we rode along the Nepean Highway before turning on to Beach Road at Mordialloc, where the wind was picking up.
At Brighton Baths we picked up Ron Barassi and we rode in as a group to Elwood Park. After having a quick bite to eat in the VIP Room, we were introduced to the big crowd gathered for Wine Rules, which also raises funds for St Mary's. Everyone involved in the ride then shook hands, drank a celebratory toast of champagne and headed for a well-earned rest.
The riders are keen to come back next year after we raised plenty of money for such a worthy cause. I was proud to have ridden the whole way, but I need a long rest now. No more bike riding for a while.
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs
