Today was the day that legends were to be made, I woke feeling quite confident that I would probably not be part of any of them. Fortunately after a cure consisting of five coffees, bacon, eggs, hash browns and a bread roll I felt renewed and ready for anything.
The events weren't due to start until 1pm so we had the morning to have a bit of a look around. The first stop was Robbo's Harley Davidson in Fyshwick via a slightly scenic route that took up past some quite strange wharehouses selling things you don't see much of in Newcastle. Robbos was well stocked and had a few things on sale so the shoppers among us had fun, for me it was a good look through the bikes, including their entry in the 48 buildoff and another double shot of caffeine.
The next stop was Parliament House. Getting inside was lots of fun, sensitive metal detectors don't mix will with badges, vests, belt buckles. Fortunately I got through OK, one of us however had quite a few failed trips through and at one point I suggested he may have a secret body piercing that was setting it off. The security guards looked horrified until they realised I was joking. We spent about an hour looking for Julia, she wasn't home, and then after lunch at Dickson we returned to the Carotel for the main event, the Chapter Challenge.
This was my first Chapter Challenge, I didn't really know what to expect and I wasn't sure if I would remain a spectator or have a crack at some of the events. I watched a few heats of the slow race and it became immediately apparent that while the competition was fierce, it was perfectly fine to be bad at it so I jumped on my Road King® and lined up. I later saw a photo taken at a point I was winning my heat, well at least I would have been if it was a race to get there first! Sadly I put a foot down about 80% of the way to the finishing line and that was my first DNF, laughing all the way! Fortunately another of our Chapterwon that event! One of our talented female riders doubled up with a victory in the Women's Slow ride and yet another coming third. As as our nominated wildcard event a massive points haul!
The next event was the mens barrel race, I had had no intention of going in that one, frankly the thought of pushing a beer keg along grass with my front tyre was quite daunting. However, in for a penny... I had a crack and I believe I might have passed my 80% personal best on the course but sadly pushed the barrel outside my lane for another DNF. Once again the victor in the slow ride picked up the slack and cruised home to a victory in that event making our Chapter 3 from 3 events.
The ladies barrel roll was won by another Chapter, I had the feeling that our female motorcyclists were thinking they should give another Chapter a turn at winning (NOT!) but it was won by a very experienced rider who is a member of Sydney and Liverpool Chapter, the points went to Sydney.
With the riding skill events over we were way out in front, now it was time to provide others with an opportunity to play to their strengths in the tyre toss. I had stepped away from the arena briefly after the barrel roll, I put my Harley to bed for the night and needed to get something from the fridge. I returned to see men lined up throwing a rear tyre as far as they could, it seemed that the last four years in the gym might actually count for something so I had a crack and was immediately out in front, where I remained until the third last contestant bested my effort by a tiny margin. Oh well, I wasn't to be named the Tosser of the Challenge today, but in the women's event one of our ladies , despite her diminutive form bested many stonger contestants in the women's event.
We entered two teams in the Ski Race, for the team I was in another DNF, and we didn't have the weight behind us to make our mark in the Tug-o-War despite our best efforts. The Directors Challenge was next and it soon became clear that our fearless leader's buildup to this event was not suited to doing puzzles, eating a large amounts of marshmallows, running with eggs, skulling fizzy drinks, wrapping himself up in toilet paper and running dizzy.
After the final event it was time to prepare for the presentation, confirmation of our victory and an appropriate level of celebration. Good fun was had by all and by the time the evening was over my vioce was croaky and my cheeks were hurting from laughing!
Here's the thing, looking from the outside the whole day might seem a little bit silly. The truth is it was pure fun and despite some elements of "silliness" nobody gave a rats and everyone participated in one form or another. Everyone was there to enjoy the competition in a spirit of friendliness. There were no protests (except when a gentleman from one Chapter donned a wig and stuffed a bra under his shirt and tried to enter a women's event). Judges decisions were final, no disputes tolerated or even made.
Don't get me wrong, the competition was serious, people were in it to win, but if they were beaten that was that! Very cool. The evening function didn't need to warm up, the party started on the way in the door. I really look forward to the next one and hoepfully I'll finish something other than the tyre toss (which I'll bloody win!).
