FATHERING a newborn baby, being a best man at a wedding and competing in one of Australia’s most iconic cycling races will cap an unforgettable week for Tim Reddick.
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The first-time Melbourne to Warrnambool cyclist welcomed a baby daughter – Ruby – with wife Amy on Tuesday.
Reddick, a Warrnambool-based cyclist, will realise a long-held dream when he takes off in the 277 kilometre event.
After Reddick crosses the line, however, he will jump in the car and drive back to the Yarra Valley to be a best man at a close friend’s wedding.
The flooring tradesman said he and his partner knew the birth of his daughter would arrive close to the race. He said he’d experienced a “couple of sleepless nights” but was feeling primed for strong output in the 102-year-old classic.
“We’ve known for the last nine months that she was coming, and we’ve known the race was coming too,” Reddick said.
“We knew it would be cutting it pretty fine. Amy went into labour on Monday night, and had (Ruby) late Monday or early Tuesday.
“I had a couple of sleepless nights which didn’t help with race prep but it’s good that we’re home and comfortable. I didn’t want to leave without knowing we weren’t comfortable.
“It was good to be there from start to finish with the labour, too.”
Reddick revealed he was vying to finish the race within the allocated time.
He said he would vie to compete with training partners, including the Warrnambool-based Peter Grieg.
We knew it would be cutting it pretty fine. Amy went into labour on Monday night, and had (Ruby) late Monday or early Tuesday.
- Tim Reddick
He said he was pleased with his lead-in form, which has included five victories in various races across the state.
“Any Warrnambool cyclist who is half-serious thinks about competing,” Reddick said. “I never thought I’d done the right amount of work. I always wanted to make sure I’d done the training and kilometres.”
