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I left Woodford station at 8.45am (later than expected due to the usual Flimpyhead breaks) with my bike fully laden with supplies as my plan was self-sufficiency- 6.5 litres of fluid, heaps of food and a pair of running shoes to boot. I spoke briefly to an Irish guy who had just returned form the Premature Ejaculation option as I was setting off. Then it was down to Bedford Creek and up along the lonely Anderson's Fire Trail. Occasionally I could see the footprints made by the runners ahead of me.

My progress was slower than I had anticipated and I was quite surprised to come across Ross just before the water drop at the end of Anderson's. He explained he had missed the Bedford Creek turnoff and had run down to Murphy's Glen, only to have to return back up to the hill to the intersection and then down the correct trail.

I left Ross at the Kings Tableland Road (20km) and headed north to the haunted hospital (featured on Channel 10's "Scream Test") and then out the Walls where I took in the incredible views westward. The day was cloudless, still and warm. I was hoping to find the other runners resting at the Kedumba gate which I reached at about 11.15am but it was deserted so I rode on, planning to switch from bike to run once I had caught the others. As I began the Kedumba Pass descent I caught Bill who looked tired and had decided to follow the Water Board road to Leura Forest and finsh at Katoomba.

I zoomed down the pass. Before I knew it, I was at the bottom. Not only had I not seen Kevin and Lawrence but I had missed the Solitary trackhead. I was forced to make a decision about how I would spend my day. Running over Solitary would mean finding the trackhead and then probably running alone all day. I decided against this. Since I was alreday at Kedumba Creek and had plenty of food and water I decided to ride the little-uesd trail around the back of Solitary and Narrowneck to Blackheath.

I forded the creek and climbed briefly before plunging down to Cedar Creek (50km). It was on the steep climb out of this valley that my slow pace dropped even further. A screw from one of my cleats had fallen out so I had to remove the cleat and as a result my left foot was precariously perched on it's tiny pedal for the duration of the ride. Fortunately a cool breeze had sprung up by now and taken the edge off the stifling heat. Riding on this trail I had the impression that it was seldom used and many kangaroos and goannas scattered before me as I approached.

I reached Medlow Gap (60km) at about 3pm. From here I followed the signs along a walking trail to Packsaddlers and then a steep and unexpected climb which I did not even attempt to ride - I was in such great shape a passing motorist even stopped to ask if i was OK. I cruised down to Megalong Creek (where the 6ft track crosses the road) and then on the climb out a dog started chasing me and I was forced into an uphill sprint. Eventually I came to the 7km climb out of the valley to Blackheath. This must be the best graded climb in the world and, despite my weary legs, I was able to ride the entire hill albeit slowly.

Blackheath station was a welcome sight. I reached here at 7pm with a total distance of 91.7km covered in 10hrs15min (many people can run faster than that). I was down to my last drops of water but had tonnes of food left. I caught the bus back to my car at Woodford, where Kevin's and Lawrence's cars remained awaiting their return.