PLAYING IN SATAN'S BACKYARD

(POST FROM CARLOS' FACEBOOK PAGE).

"Okay everyone, finally back home and on the mend. For me a kidney stone 1cm large and a abrasion on my backside kept me from finishing this incredible race. Patrick got sidelined by heat exhaustion and really showed what pushing the limit really is. 

One word to describe he whole thing, Epic.

Simply put, I have to go back. Watch the video below to get a glimpse of what I mean."

Playing in Satan's backyard. (click to watch video)

CAIRNS POST - October 11, 2011

Handcyclists' grueling test on the Crocodile Trophy. (Andrew Piva)

Two American paraplegics will attempt to match the legendary feat of Belgium's Marc Herremans by completing the Crocodile Trophy Mountain Bike Race ....read more.

PARTY TIME

The after race gala was great. The food was awesome. We had an enormous table with more than 20 people sitting with us. Everyone here is really great and we all had a great time.

The best part was to see Andrew go up on stage to receive his finisher's crocodile trophy.

FINISH LINE AT GRASSY HILL

The end of the race at Grassy Hill was great! Everyone was there. The place is absolutely amazing. The view from the top of the hill are just spectacular. 360 degrees of ocean, beaches, sky.
All of the riders made up the very steep hill all the way ti the top.
Gerhard was nice enough to recognize Carlos and Patrick's efforts and gave each of them a boomerang for participating of such grueling race.
Carlos is still at the hospital, but Pat  and Andrew were there.

DIFFICULT INTERNET ACCESS.

I just wanted to apologize to everyone for being so slow on the blog updates, but internet in Australia is hard to find!
I will keep updates coming.
Thanks for your patience.

MORE TROUBLE FOR CARLOS!

We headed to Cooktown to check on the others and wait for Andrew to finish the parade at the top of Grassy Hill.

When we got to the  hotel the news where not good.  Patrick is recovering quite quickly, but Carlos not so much.The night before, after dinner, he had to be rushed to the hospital with pain, nausea and vomiting. After some test it was found that he had a kidney stone. What else could go wrong here?

Carlos spent all day at the hospital, but the only way to control the pain was with medication. The doctors wanted him transferred to Cairns, where he could have access to better medical care. So the decision was made that Herman (again) would drive them to Cairns early the next day, after the race was all finished.

LAST STAGE

This is it. We’re finally here. The last stage. 81.5 km from Starcke to Hope Vale, the Official finish, then 46 km of neutralized escorted parade into Cooktown, all the way to Grassy Hill.

Hope Vale is a small Aborigene community that received us with open arms and offered us a barbecue by the community pool! It was the perfect end for the hot day.

Needless to say it was great to see Andrew cross that finish line!   

KITCHEN TRUCK GETS LOST AGAIN!

Once again the kitchen truck was very late getting to the campsite. What a mess!

Thankfully Tammy was prepared and cooked us all some pasta for dinner. We also had to help Warren polish off 3 bottles of a nice wine that could not be brought into our next stage because of the “dry laws” in Hopevalle.  Pasta, wine and lemmingtons for dessert! Not too shabby!

ANDREW KEEPS GOING!

I have to say that Andrew is just amazing! What a great guy! Awesome team player!

Every day he gets back tired, hot, covered in dust. And when we ask him about quitting, his answer is always the same: “I can’t quit. I have to finish for the team. We’re not quitters. Carlos and Pat are out because it was beyond their control. They had no choice. I can’t quit.”

The route between Kalpowar and Starcke was cruel. 82 km of pure dust! Andrew crashed his bike a few times. One of the times he crashed the bladder on his Camelback literally exploded.  The heat is pounding on everyone’s head.

And Andrew keeps going.

This Aussie is f*&#ing awesome!

THE NEW AUSTRALIAN MASCOT: TERMITES!

IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE!

After Kalpowar we headed to Starcke. Our last campsite before the final day. We formed a convoy with Warren and Tina. On the way we were joined by another crew. We left early so we could get a good spot at the campsite. We knew it was going to be “bush camping”, but we were not prepared for what we found.  When we saw the “campsite” we literally felt like crying! It was just a huge open space with nothing around! Not a shady spot, not a spec of grass. All we could see was burned tree trunks sticking out of the ground.No water whatsoever! The race organizers had to get a water truck to bring water for drinking and washing .

First of all, we had to leave Kalpowar early, before the riders. All crew trucks needed to way ahead and out of the road before the riders could start.  All that because of the dust!  Even though the riders would be taking a different route, for the first few miles the road would be the same, and any movement on the road causes a lot of dust. The wall of dust is so thick anybody loses their vision after just a few feet. Completely whiteout! It’s incredible!

For the riders is even worst, because some of their route goes through Bull Dust. It’s a fine powdery dust that just floats up like a wall! The only rider that has a clear view is the first one. Everyone else rides in the dark.

Suzy and I filled up our camp showers so we could wash up later on. Warren used a tarp to make a “ladies room” around the trees (there were no bushes around). Just one more day to go!

UPDATE ON CARLOS AND PAT.

We have updates on the Carlos and Patrick.
They both were checked out by the doctor at the hospital in Cooktown and BOTH had open wounds that were getting the first signs of infection. They both had clean dressing applied and got started on antibiotic medication. They were also dehydrated, so some IV fluid was given as well.
Now the plan for them is to rest and try to recover from the heat and monitor the infection.

HERMAN GETS LOST.

When Herman left to Cooktown with the rest of the group, the plan was for him to drop them off, make sure everything was ok, and drive back and meet us at Kalpowar, our next campsite. He’s such a good friend for Andrew, that he just wanted to be here and support him.

On his way back from Cooktown he took a wrong turn, better yet, did not make a turn at all and ended up way there in the middle of nowhere! Now, this is the Outback! You can drive for hours and not find anything or anyone! We are the only ones here! Once in awhile you run into another race truck, probably lost also, or, if you’re lucky, a ranger. Then you have to literally throw yourself in front of his car to make him stop so you can ask for help! Or, if you see a farmhouse, you go there and ask for directions! That’s exactly what Herman did, and finally made it back at Kalpowar around 4:30 p.m., just in time for dinner!

DUST AND CROCODILES.

After Laura our destination was  Kalpowar. The road there was bad. Lots of dust everywhere. This whole trip has been plagged by dust, but these last stages are  the worst ever!

Andrew has been just amazing! Even though he’s utterly disapointed  and saddened that his teammates are not here, he’s pulling it off like a champ. Not that we expected anything less from him. With the support from  some of the other racers he’s been keeping a good pace and making great time every day.

Kalpowar is a great campsite! We even have our own faucet under a tree!  Add a hose and we have our own shower right there! Some of the European racers liked our “shower” so much that decided to borrow it! Eye candy for the girls!

At night we went with Warren, Tammy and Steve out looking for crocodiles by the river! There under a log we saw them! The red eyes, peeking from the water edge! Yikes!

AMAZING PEOPLE.

I have to say that one of the best things about this trip has been the people we are getting to meet! And lately we found this awesome group of family and friends that are just amazing! Tammy is here supporting her husband, Steve, at his first attempt at the Crocodile Trophy. With her is their friend Warren, a firefighter and BMX coach. They are all from a small town called Atherton. They are a great group of people that has been acummulating friends since day 1.

Also with them is Andrew, a reporter for the Cairns Post, that has been working on the race. After he was literally flooded out of his tent in Koombooloomba, Tammy took him under her wings and got him a place to sleep and a Barbie blanket to sleep under. He’s been around ever since. I think he likes it here!

CASHEWS, MANGOES AND WALLABIES!

One of the things that we are enjoying the most about this adventure is the nature. The landscapes are incredible! The skies so blue during the day and crowded with stars at night! All the different trees and animals.

Today the big surprise at Laura was the cashew and mango trees! Some full of ripe fruits! For Suzy and I it was great to taste the fruits from our childhood and it was funny to see Allen, Andrew and  Herman to try them!

Also, the attraction of the day was a little wallaby that got himself stuck inside a chicken coop without a way out. We could not get a picture though!

BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE. CARLOS AND PATRICK PULL OUT OF THE RACE.

Sad day for Team Can Be Venture.

After yesterday’s brutal stage, Patrick did not recover well enough to keep going. He’s still dehydrated, in pain and has a fever.

Things got even worse when Carlos called a meeting in the morning to tell the crew that he’d found that a rock got lodged between his buttocks and his seat, causing a cut/bruise. This kind of injury is very serious on someone that spends the whole time sitting down. The pressure and the enviromental conditions right now would increase dramatically the risk for infection.  Carlos has suffered in the past with the same kind of problem.  It was devastanting news. He had the pull out of the race.  His health is his first and foremost priority.  An infection at this point could mean months in a hospital bed. The recovery a long and slow process.

Disapointing and frustrating as it is, it was the right call. Team Can Be Venture will go on with Andrew. The crew will fully support him until the end of the race.

We left Mount Mulgrave going towards Laura. Laura has a clinic that could give Carlos and Pat better medical support.

When we got to Laura, a nurse examined both and strongly suggested they were removed to Cooktown as soon as possible, where the medical support is better. She’s specially worried with Carlos and the possibility of an infection.

So the team decided to break up. Herman drove Carlos, Patrick, Sarah and Spencer to Cooktown, where they can get checked out at a hospital by a doctor and wait for the rest of the team at the race finish line. Allen, Joana and Suzy stayed to support Andrew for the rest of the race.

PATRICK FEELS THE HEAT!

Stage 6 was a scorcher! 189 km under blistering heat really got many of the riders dehydrated and suffering from heat exhaustion. The  48 degrees Celscius heat and road conditions were absolutely brutal.  The sun and the dust were relentless! Even for the crews that were making their way to the next stop it was difficult to deal with the heat, for the riders it was overwhelming.

TCBV crew tried at all costs to keep our riders hydrated and cool, but the day’s conditions finally got to Patrick. He  hadn’t been feeling 100% and the heat took a toll on him. After 10 hours of riding under the sun he felt really sick and nauseated. With the help of the race support ATVs medical  personel  was activated and Patrick was rushed to the camp and kept under observation, while Carlos and Andrew finished the stage.

The Crocodile Trophy longest  stage was also plagged with disaster. 3 race trucks got lost on their way to the depots (water stops) and ended up getting to their destinations late or not at all, causing many riders to keep going without the fluids and nutrition they needed.  That caused the  riders to really feel the heat and many ended up not finishing the stage. The “kitchen” truck was lost for hours in the desert and there was no dinner ready for the riders until 8 pm. The campsite had no infrastructure whatsoever.  The only water available for washing was from a creek  ¼ mile down hill where Allen, Joana and Suzy filled buckets with  water so the “boys” could wash up when they got there.

The day was long for everyone, but all the racers took a beating. Patrick will be monitored overnight and we’ll regroup in the morning.

KANGAROOS!

Since day one all we all have been trying to see kangaroos! But, kangaroos are very difficult to spot! They are always hiding in the bushes! We were calling them “mythical creatures from Australia”. Today we found out why we couldn’t see them!“They are all hanging out in Mareeba! At a golf course, no less! Just sitting there, hanging out  on the grass, being cute! 

ANGIE AND ROD

We met Angie and Rod in Irvinebank! They are this awesome couple that are traveling around Australia in a camper! Angie is from Zimbabwe and Rod in from South Africa! Their camper is awesome and they were just camping around here when the race arrived! They helped us with our truck and followed us out of Irvinebank until they saw we were all safe!

Angie and Rod! Thanks for all the help! 

FLAT TIRE IN MAREEBA.

We started the day with both trucks following the team, but ater the worst part of the course was finished, truck # 2 took a different route to Mareeba, to get more supplies before heading to Mount Mulligan to set up camp.

On our way to Mareeba we got a flat! Damn! We were already having problems with truck # 1 since day 1. Now this? We still haven’t been able to the first truck fixed!

It took us 30 minutes to find the jack under all the stuff we have in the back of the truck. Thankfully a  father/daughter duo stopped by and helped us get in touch with the truck rental store., so they can bring us a new truck to replace the first one, and a new tire for this one.  It’s Saturday, and tire shops are not open after 12 noon! Thank you Bob and Kathleen for helping us!

We got to the camp just in time to start setting up camp before the riders got there.  

And the tire goes flat...

Kathleen and Bob

PICTURES FROM DAY 5.

WE'LL F*CK THE MONKEY WHEN WE GET

Day 5.

Andrew was awesome today!

When race official suggested they should take a shortcut for today’s course, because they thought it would be impossible for them to do it at all due to the difficulty of the terrain, inclines, etc..  Andrew’s answers was: “we’ll f**k the monkey when we get the monkey!”. We just love his non chalant personality and his Aussie accent!

Seeing him working with the team is amazing! How can someone be such a team player! It’s great to watch them working the course together! Every time Carlos or Patrick needed some help getting out of a sand pile or a hole, or even crossing a river Andrew was there to give them the support they needed. The pictures will speak for themselves.

Andrew! Today you get the “Team Player Award of the Year”!

NOTE FROM JOANA

This has been one of  the most amazing experiences of my life.
I always wanted to visit Australia, but never in my wildest dreams I thought I  would be having an adventure like this one!
The places I have seen so far are truly amazing, and the people are just wonderful.
These memories will always be treasured. This team absolutely blows my mind with their strength, courage and focus. I feel truly honored to be standing in their shadow!
Thanks guys, for letting me do this!

SHORTCUTS?! SERIOUSLY?!

Well, last night, Gerhard, the race organizer, during the end of the day gathering, was giving everyone a overview for Day 5 course. He kept saying how difficult it woul be, even suggesting that our team took a different route. Because the course today was so difficult, trucks were not allowed to follow anybody. The terrain is really difficult to navigate. Even 4WD would have difficulty to make the course. The officials use ATVs to move along the route.  Of course, that did not go well with our “boys”! Carlos was like: “no, we came here to do the course, we’re gonna do the course as much as we can! When we think we can't do it we'll make the call.”. The officials tried to change our minds, but there was no way that Team Can Be Venture is going to take any shortcuts!

So off we went! To the course from hell, impossible to navigate etc… The 2 trucks were allowed to follow the bikers, at our own risk.

It was hard! The terrain was very rough, the inclines very steep! Andrew was amazing pushing Patrick and Carlos when they needed help to get "unstuck", mostly due the spinning in place because the ground was so dry and sandy. 

But, we all know the end of the story!

We made through the course! 

Everyone was  truly amazed that not only they were able to make it, but the that the trucks made it through! Allen and Herman were really great! All our boys rock! I will never forget everyone's expressions and comments when they rolled onto the campsite! That alone was worht this trip.

PICTURES FROM DAY 4

Carlos 

Team  Can Be Venture 

Andrew and Carlos

Patrick

Andrew

Dinner time!

GREAT NIGHT IN IRVINEBANK!

Day 4 - The campsite here is great! Hot showers, functioning bathrooms, room to dry all our wet gear from 2 days from hell in Koombooloomba!

Today was time trial day. After we got rained out of the original route, the race officials decided to use a 28 km loop around Irvinebank to do some time trials. Andrew, Carlos and Patrick expected to finish in 9 hours, but ended up doing it in 6 hours! Great timing guys!

While Suzy, Sarah, Spencer and Allen went with the riders, me and Herman went to Atherton to get some supplies, a part for Pat’s bike and use the internet. Internet connection here is very unreliable, that’s why my blogging has been so spotty!

PICTURED FROM DAY 3.

Starting the day!