100.1 kms

If Day 1 was hot, Day 2 was an absolute scorcher. The high humidity, strong headwinds, and hilly roads prompted Andrew to get on the bike early and get a few miles out of the way before the heat of the day set in, with the idea that he’d have an early finish. Max stayed at the hotel with me for the morning so I could pester him into eating a few mouthfuls of breakfast, and we caught up with the bike on Highway 15. It’s a busy road with no shade, and Andrew already looked hot and tired when we drove up behind him at around 10.30am. Still, we made the exchange and Max happily jumped in the box for the second day of his big ride.

We planned to reconvene for lunch an hour or so later, but a few more minutes in the car and Isla announced in the only way she knows how that she’d had enough and wanted to push on to the hotel. I obeyed her wishes and headed on to Kingston, relieved that Grandma and Grandpa were there to take care of Max and Andrew. Thankfully I’d given them Max’s lunchtime supply of his Translarna – making sure he takes his medication three times a day is crucial.

My vision for the afternoon was to settle into the hotel, organize something for dinner, then head to the outlet mall that was just two minutes walk from our hotel for a spot of shopping. Unfortunately Max’s Big Ride had other plans for me. An emergency call came in from Andrew at about 3:30pm asking me to come and collect Max. He’d had enough and Andrew wanted to spare him unnecessary hours in the heat, so I jumped in the car and went to his rescue. We also offered to pick up Andrew and the bike, but unsurprisingly, he would have none of it.

We were all worried about Andrew. The weather really was being uncooperative and although he'd never admit it, he was struggling. There was never a question in my mind about whether he'd make it - it was more what condition he'd be in when it was all over. Andrew is such a sturdy husband. Where I'm pessimistic and doubtful, he's all sunshine and positivity. I am the first one to see problems (usually before they arise), and he only sees the upside of any situation. Physically he's a force. He's the type of guy who'll break a zipper before accepting that it's stuck, and when it comes to something like Max's Big Ride, he'll just get the job done - and enjoy it to boot. But today I saw his legs buckle as he stepped out of the van. Andrew's legs never buckle! It was a shock and a big realisation for me that it really was tough going out there.

After hours more battling the heat and the wind, at 6pm a puffed out Andrew pedaled into the hotel parking lot with Grandma and Grandpa following close behind in the van – they’d decided to escort him in for moral support and if it was ever needed, today was the day. He’d been on the road for 10 hours and had ridden just over 100kms - so much for an early finish!

After dinner we were all ready for bed - everyone except Max that is. He insisted that I take him to the hotel pool for a swim before bed. I am constantly watching Max for signs of slowing down, but at this point I really can’t see any. When the rest of us are ready for a cool drink and a lie down, Max is running in circles making noises like a siren and jumping all over his sister while I’m trying to put her to sleep. He might drive us a little crazy, but I’ll take his boundless energy over the alternative any day.