An Open Letter From Wayne McIvor

Hi Everyone

It’s been only a short time since the Sydney – Surfers but I’m still feeing it is good to be home, safe & sound and feeling normal again.

A couple of pilates sessions, a massage, a visit to the osteopath and I’m as good as new. Others perhaps not feeling quite so lucky, Conor Kiernan the plucky Irishman, I know bitterly disappointed at his early exit but will no doubt be back.

Tom’s Extreme Measures For The Limelight

Tom Forbes always enjoys the lime light, though the measures taken this year were a little extreme, a new scar to add to Facebook.

Guys you were both sorely missed in the bunch, your team mate Michael Herbert struggled valiantly through a tough week, I doubt even a high speed crash was going to dent his good looks.

I’d like to say a special thank you to all the guys I rode with in Pack Two, for the good times and for putting-up with me.

In a bunch newly created and stacked with individuals who’s penchant for self expression through the bike makes for an interesting time. In my case I don’t know if I was under prepared for a tough week or a short wick that saw me get a little scratchy on occassion, probably a bit of both.

Good intention is not enough and try as I might, I always falter along the way. My sincere apology’s if I offended anyone during the week with a knee-jerk response. My exhibition in front of the Uki Pub, of which I was reminded of at the finale dinner. I’m so glad it wasn’t on tape.

Congratulations to everyone of the YOTS tour riders, in whatever bunch you rode in and a big thank you for just being there, it’s what makes it so special.

Dave Edward and your extraordinary pack who take such great care of their special charges from Youth of the Streets. Chris Maxworthy is still loving it and graciously manages a tough task the whole week .

The Fraser Mackay-Sim group, not sure who the captain is but it’s got your name all over it Fraser.  Reggie Young’s troupe, apart from having the biggest truck they seem to have the biggest laughs as well.

Greg Briggs must have arrived under-done this year or else pack 5 were pushing him hard, he looked mighty relieved when he found the mid-week massage. Mike Pearson’s bunch aren’t shy about having fun, in fact Mike isn’t shy about much at all, they always look sharp in the fashion stakes.

Hard To Beat Pack 3 For Sartorial Splendor

But it’s hard to beat Pack 3 for sartorial splendor.

The Pro Team car, the matching kit, all very precision and leaving at just the right time to beat the traffic. Hard to beat and even harder to catch on the road.

Pete, I think I’ll have to move down a group, I don’t have the legs of Greg Ball and the pace is telling now that I’m a Cat 6 rider. Next year, please consider riding pack 2, with your bunch of course.

Maybe Two Pac Instead??

My new rule “no-one under fifty in the bunch” isn’t compatible with pack two and all the young turks wanting to light-up the road.  And Two Pac does seem more fitting for you guys when you consider all the polish.

The comings & goings from pack one always make for an interesting week. But I must say, I thought Group One was a little off their game this year.

Lukey, tell me you caught Pete Griffith’s bunch at least once, God knows we tried to, but the early start was always going to cramp my coffee so time was always against us, not a good thing when you’ve got all day.

Lukey, good to see you back in the saddle, though possibly not everyone thought so. I’m afraid some still don’t know how to take you and more than one replacement I sent up came back a little chastened.

Perhaps Start With 25 In The Pack Next Year!

Thank God for the Macarthur Park boys, you might not have made it home without them. It has been mooted, next year you start with twenty five riders that way you’ll be guaranteed to finish with at least a bakers dozen.

And my offer of Toast masters is still open, best we work on that speech for next year.

To Ken & Barbie, sorry for pinching your bed in Grafton, after such a tough day in the saddle the legs just couldn’t make it up the stairs, next year I’ll be sure and put one of the young bucks on the first floor.

The Super Support Crew

And that super team who are everywhere from early morning to late each night, the Support Crew. Thanks for your selfless effort to make the YOTS tour run smoothly. As a rider just having a great time I’ve always appreciated the work behind the scenes.

This year I spent a day behind the wheel as a support vehicle driver, I had no idea how much is going on all at once and the riders blissfully & beautifully unaware. This year was up there with my first YOTS tour, I had a wonderful time & a great ride.

Terrific To See New Faces

We can’t all be as enduring as Ken Robbo, Kevin Stuart or me mate Duncan and turn up every year so it was terrific to see so many new faces adding fresh support and new legs. The week has its own magic yet I expect for everyone each is different in its own way, each equally good as the previous tour.

The riding, so much a part of it but it’s always the least important thing in the end.

YOTS Charity Is Fundamental

The YOTS charity is fundamental but for me personally it is more about how I handle the week, whether it is the pace of the group, the backing-up day after day or how I handle the self imposed demands, not of the ride challenge but the personal pressure of trying to shepherd twenty blokes safely home.

Apart from the obvious physical challenge, most people can’t imagine a bike ride as something all that special, for me the YOTS week removed from the world as it is, in a kind of bubble, is an experience well worth the having.

Cheers to all and see you next year.

Wayne McIvor