Bahnhof Praterstern

It is common at this stage of any extended ride for participants to have mixed feelings. While there is no doubt the feeling of achievement and relief that comes from completing such a task, there is also a feeling that we don't want it to come to an end.

For the past month, twenty people from vastly different backgrounds have shared a common goal - to reach Vienna. While it is true to say that we had more challenges thrown at us than we might have expected, in many ways those challenges only served to bring out the best in everyone. I suspect that in a strange way, it will be those difficulties that everyone will recall most vividly when we all return to our regular lives back in Australia.

Last night we shared our final meal "on the road", in the Restaurant Suddeck in Tulln. This place was situated right on the waterfront, and provided a wonderful backdrop for our last dinner. Normally the riverfront at Tulln would have been crowded with visiting pajama boats, but due to the floods, the pajama boat cruises have obviously been cancelled. That is unfortunate for those who were booked into them, but it actually turned out to be a bonus for us.

While we were sharing our meal, Steve Elliott read an incredible poem he had penned, humorously and accurately describing our team members.

Here is his poem in full:

"Epic Elbe

We met at the Hamburg Marriott,
In August, the last day.
And after Sue had met the crew,
She broke her leg to get away.

We have two Paul's, and one is tall,
The other leads the route.
He was getting pretty good at it,
Until a bollard took him out.
He always finds the coffee shops,
The bakeries and parking spots.
But needs Velcro shoes, when he has booze,
Cos he has a little trouble with knots.

Now Steve and Jo, (the little ones),
They're an asset to every team.
With Steve at the front, and Jo at the back,
Their ducklings all safe in between.

Dessau we had a free day, that's not enough for Mei.
"I'm off to see the Berlin wall, for I was born to roam".
And knowing Mei she's found a way,
To bring a piece back home.

And then there's tiny Heather,
(She's really rather small).
Twice I saw her blown away,
Once by headwind, once by Paul.
She's always up for a joke or a tease,
Or a glass of afternoon wine.
Or a wine with lunch, or a wine when we dine,
Or a wine just about any time.

Neill and Karen, they're a pair,
For they'll each take a turn,
Of who is going to stay upright,
And who will crash and burn.

Put Iain and Lisa side by side,
There's some difference in their height.
Yes Iain could be a lighthouse,
And Lisa be his light.

Now Jill and Don don't seem to tire,
They just keep rolling on.
But Jill is spinning like a fan,
I think she's stuck in one.

Pauline had her own motto,
It kept her near the lead.
Less riders I can crash into,
If there's only one to heed.

And Ken would herd us from the back,
So none were left behind.
Except of course himself at times,
If a tractor he could find.

Joanna's always trying to help,
To fix and make us whole.
"Just one more glass of Bailey's,
Then on to my next goal".

Paul and Cat, know where it's at,
They've travelled all around.
Each took a turn at being ill.
From some virus that they'd found.
They didn't pass it on at all,
They're not that kind of pair.
So the rest of us are thankful,
Some things they didn't share.

Pam snuck in at Dessau,
And then she snuck back out.
She came to do much riding,
But joined the cycling drought.

Now John he loves his concerts,
Be it opera, mass or band.
He got a lot of takers,
For the opera night he planned.

Big Don, he just kept rolling on,
Or that is how he'd seem.
We lost him once, or thought we had,
But he'd just switched his team.
Then came the crash, he didn't flinch,
He's tough is our old Don.
For after he'd been bandaged up,
He just kept riding on.

What can we say of Dennis,
He's always in control.
Unless he sees a schnitzel,
For that he'd sell his soul.
He's always looking after us,
Making sure things turn out right.
He's on the phone, and emails too,
But DON'T Whatsapp him at night.

And as for me, I thank you all,
You made this trip the best.
But we've travelled for a month now,
So I think I'll take a rest."

It was a veritable masterpiece of penmanship, and a lovely way to remember what we shared together.

This morning, of course we had to ride the final leg of the ride to Vienna. A couple of days ago we had been warned that this section was impassable, and that we would have to take a bus transfer instead. That would have been a disappointing way to end the ride, but good fortune smiled on us once again.

Yesterday we had the good news that the first group of riders had managed to complete the damaged section of bike path. We were told that "if we were game, we could also give it a go." But we had to remember that the path was still officially closed.

And of course we gave it a go, We are Ghostriders after all. Did we get through ? Of course we did. Although it was clearly evident just how damaged the trail had been, the recent couple of dry days had allowed the silt to dry out enough for safe cycling. In some sections the mud over the trail would have been at least 30 cm deep, before it was cleared.

Since it was our last day of riding, the decision was made for all our 20 riders to ride in a single group. That was the way we had started out from Hamburg a month ago, so it was fitting that we finished in the same way.

About 10 km from the finish line, we crossed onto the long island that extends up the centre of the Danube. The tall buildings of Vienna grew on the skyline. It finally became obvious that we really were going to reach our goal.

After a final group photo shot on the island, we crossed the bridge and entered the city. The final couple of km to the hotel were actually very simple, as the bike path virtually took us to the hotel's front door.

All that remained was to climb off the bikes for the very last time, and congratulate each other for their achievement. The bikes were stored away in the underground garage, panniers were emptied and we saw our bikes for the final time.

It really has been a blast. What a ride !Read more