2017 Alice to Darwin - Sharky's poem

From Alice to Darwin did we travel,

8 days, 1500 kilometres, plenty of time to unravel

34 hardy rivers, 16 passionate and amazing road crew,

Along the way $200,000 raised, for those that need a breakthrough 

Some truly special people, are this Smiddy crew,
This poem for you all, as what I'm about to say is true 

Without you makingthe choice to support Smiddy and the Mater,
No way would this event even be a starter

So without further ado, 

This special message for all of you

One rule applied, as a lot of people to get through,

Just two lines per person, some of what I say may even be true! 

Firstly, let's get to Aram Drake, hills he hates,
So Alice to Darwin is a course he surely rates 

Next up, one of the girls, Georgina Dudley,
Each day the lads lining up, for she is awfully cuddly 

Okay Matthew English, you are good with the pen,
Day 3 blog was perfect my friend 

Shaun Gamble with the pointing finger and singing bike,
Do as directed and you he will like 

Tiny Dancer, oh what a delight,
Priscilla attire on Day 7, oh what a sight!  

Now Felicity Cox, it's your turn my love
That achilles of yours, you needed help from above

Reon Holmes, can a more nicer guy be found?
Mate, we are fortunate to have you around

Anthony Johns is your name, not Andrew Johns
Your name game with Lessa, relax mate, it is now bygones 

Dave Lawrence, so calm, collected and ever so pliant
Everyone loves this beautiful gentle giant 

Hannah Lewis-Dalby, wow what a girl!
So tough and determined, for your a Sharky twirl. 

Lorenze Marabini, a determined young man
His first Smiddy adventure into far Northern Territory land! 

Janet McAfee, may have been our oldest lady rider
What a pleasure it was for us all to ride right beside her

Paul Moore, or Yorky, as he is know
Don't mess with his crown, his K.O.M throne
 

This gentleman, I have to say
All would agree, a quiet and humble man is Geoff Ney

This next lady, Jennifer Penfold is not only as tough as a gem
But so polite and pure, surely born in Bethlehem 

Steve Roe, a man of the land, get away from the beef
A first Smiddy adventure, it was time to turn over a new leaf

Another fine young lady is Karen Short
In her day, even now, I reckon a good looking sort! 

This next rider breaking down all the barriers is our man Isht Singh
You'll go down in folklore, your name they will sing! 

Ray Ray Smith, I need a book to describe what you mean to me
Forever in the Smiddy peloton, you have the mantle of Mr Happy As Can Be 

Brooksey old mate, Mr Happy mantle belongs to Ray Ray as you know,
I'm sorry my friend, but well done on having a good go! 

Lesa Beasley, it's good to know you will never get lost
Your voice in the peloton, enough energy to thaw a frost 

Many names has Samuel Cooke, Chalkie or Cookie
One day he'll get some experience, for now just a rookie

Without this next lady at the helm, our beautiful Krista Page
No Alice to Darwin event would ever have taken centre stage 

Christian Killeen, always there by your side
A good man to help organise this epic ride 

As for Pagey's parents Russell and Helen
My apologies for killing you guys, I thought you were felons! 

Wendy Muir, always behind the scenes
Cares so much for the riders, inside she worries and screams

Brooke Rose, how lucky we are to have you as our Smiddy leaders
More people like you in the world, surely needed 

Brooke Falvey, a pearl of a girl
Her allergy to the Northern Territory, made her hurl 

Ian Brandon, I only know you as Monster
A song for you, Hey you the rock steady crew, because I'm a songster 

Tony Smythe, Smythey, another Smiddy adventure complete
Your wooden rowing arse immune from pain, you remain undefeated 

Ron Steel, Steely, thanks for looking after our bikes
I have a feeling, you, everyone here surely likes 

Mark Sturt, I have one thing on my mind
Up the Guts t-shirt, no more waiting, you are ever so kind

Jimmy and Michael Donnelly, our road kill counter extraordinares
Please join us next year, your new profession will make you billionaires 

This next bloke is a trouble make, young Greg Harmer
Holding up the peloton at Bitter Springs, maybe he should become a farmer

Norman Rydge, Stormin Norman, into Katherine and off he came
Up like a flash, no time to lie idle, the Stormin Norman train 

David Gillies, thanks for taking a punt on this Smiddy event
Your friendship and camaraderie surely heaven sent 

Your beautiful wide Stacey joined you on this journey
I'm guessing happy you didn't end up on a hospital guerney  

All the crew were chuffed to have April along
Hopefully in the future, April will join the Smiddy throng

Mick and Cathy McDonald, how lucky we are
People like you to join us, definitely part of a select few 

Andrea Thorley, I wish there was more like you
Masseus, barista, anything asked, you'd do 

Same qualities, does possess, your great friend Yvette Farry
Thanks Yvette, and one day a lucky man will marry 

Michelle Meredith-Herlaar, two Smiddy events now for you
Hermann would be so proud, please know we love you too 

Deborah Eccles you discovered Smiddy because of Michelle, 

I'm hoping you mostly had fun and Smiddy you'll go out and sell 

The next lady, Mia Stemm, gets close to a top score
You capture Smiddy memories to go down in folklore 

As for your good looking hubby in Kevvy Stemm
Lead car driver extraordinaire, we need more of them! 

I've left the rear car boys til last, in Ben and Brad 

Both lads had a cheeky time and now think Smiddy riders are rad 

Wayne Smith, The Force, your Smiddy nickname now to be revealed
We love you mate, and in 2013 Westy was the name unveiled 

Speaking of nickname, a Smiddy event brings out some of the best
2017 A2D, Rob Chatfield because the hurricane, he is not impressed 

A huge thank you supporters of riders and road crew 

Enjoy tonight and please know we love you 

I've left the best for last, 11 years now he has had a blast
For Captain Kevvy, thank god, he does not like to drive fast! 

As for Shark, yes he got the ball rolling

But without his followers, Shark would need plenty of consoling. 

Congratulations to all involved
Thanks to you, Smiling for Smiddy has evolved 

When you return home, hold your head up high 

Be proud of your achievements, from Sharky - bye bye!