Day 3 of the Chain Reaction Challenge began on a cool autumn morning in McLaren Vale. The air was crisp, and soft, early light accentuated the rich colours of the vines stretching across the valley. It was a calm and almost deceptive start, offering a peaceful opening to a day that would demand both physical strength and steady mental resolve.
Spirits remained high as we worked together across rolling terrain and persistent hills, even as fatigue brought on by the previous two days became unmistakable. By this stage of the challenge, the riding had settled into a steady rhythm. It was less about speed and more about pacing, consistency and collective effort, with riders sharing the load and supporting one another through the undulating countryside.
Descending toward the coast brought a change of scenery as the ocean came back into view. As we rolled into Victor Harbor for our first drinks stop, the town was busy setting up for a carnival, a stark contrast to the honest kilometres still ahead as we turned back inland. As the road narrowed and continued to rise, the bunch broke into smaller groups, each riding hard together at their limit and relying on shared effort and encouragement to move forward.
After regrouping, we began the ascent of Heatherdale Hill. Surrounded by open grazing pastures, the climb was exposed, windswept and unrelenting, with a headwind that seemed constant regardless of direction. Crossing the Myponga River dam offered a moment of reflection. While accessing something as basic as water may mean we have an extra climb, it underscored how fortunate we are when compared with the daily realities faced by children who struggle to meet their most basic needs.
That perspective sits at the heart of Chain Reaction’s purpose. So They Can empowers children in Kenya and Tanzania by improving access to quality education and strengthening communities, while closer to home, BaptistCare HopeStreet provides safe, welcoming spaces and vital support services for vulnerable children.
By lunch, one rider, Michael, captured the feeling of the day simply when he said, “Today was tough.” And yet, the day was far from over. With another 40 kilometres still ahead, we were refuelled by the incredible support crew, providing both nourishment and encouragement. Just before we rolled out, Tim shared that we had reached our fundraising target of $600,000. Having already begun to stretch ourselves on the road, we knew we could stretch beyond this target over the coming days.
With this shared sense of purpose acting as a tailwind, we rolled back into McLaren Vale later that afternoon knowing Day 3 was complete. However, with the longest stage still ahead, the challenge remains very much alive, both on the road and in our efforts to raise even more funds for our charity partners.
Daniel Schweickle, Landream
