LEFTY GOODMAN

Lefty Goodman could shear 200 sheep a day....every day......day in....day out.
Lefty Goodman was also a cyclist, who would cycle to the sheds every day, dressed in lycra, and then ride home after a tough 8 hours of shearing.....every day.
Lefty and his brother broke the record for cycling from Perth to Sydney, to raise money for charity, ( Lefty didn't shear sheep on those days. He was too busy riding from Perth to Sydney)
But, what makes the story of Lefty Goodman so sexy, is the Cherry Festival Cycle Classic, held in November back in the 80's. Lefty was the local favourite, even though the big hitters from Coota and Canberra were heading over for the race.
Lefty was off scratch, and with the strong westerly winds expected, the good money was on scratch catching the field and a bunch sprint down the main street to kick start the annual Cheery Festival Parade. The whole town lined the street 3 deep to witness the afternoons proceedings. It was a carnival atmosphere, and Lefty's victory was planned to begin a very memorable Cherry Festival Parade.

As predicted, scratch caught the field with 40 kilometers to go, and a large bunch rolled towards town, shelling young bulls at will.

The last significant climb was 5km from the finish, and that is where Lefty launched his attack. At the top of JD's packing shed, Lefty had a 500m gap to the rest of the field, and it looked like the victory was his.

The decent into the finish was fast, and the 600m flat sprint down the main street looked as if it would be a solo journey for Lefty.

I remember as Lefty turned right at the top of the town corner. Cabbage MacDonald, the announcer on the PA went nuts, and then the entire main street erupted with excitement as the local working class hero looked as if he had powered past the pro's from the city and would steal victory.

Lefty looked over his shoulder. No one was there. Lefty put his head down and continued down towards the town hall. Cabbage MacDonald foaming at the mouth. The crowd was going wild. With 400m to go, Lefty relaxed for the first time, sat up on the hoods of his bike and punched the air. The crowd went nuts.

Lefty thought that the crowd was going nuts because he was about to win the biggest race on the Young Cycling Calender. Lefty thought the crowd was going nuts for him.
Lefty was half correct.

As Lefty punched the air with 400m to go, 6 riders rounded the 'top of the town' corner. The crowd was saying to Lefty not to slow down. Cabbage was telling Lefty not to slow down. All Lefty could hear was hear was noise. His noise. And Lefty was going to enjoy the moment. His moment.

100m to go. Lefty punches the air again. The crowd yells for him to look behind him. Lefty doesn't understand the noise. Lefty blows a kiss to the ladies outside the Eastern Hotel.

The 6 chasers are going balls out. Catching with every pedal stroke. Lefty slows down. He thinks the race is in the bag. He forgets to look behind him. This is Lefty's moment. 10m to go. All Lefty can hear is noise. He does his jersey up. He raises both hands as he crosses the line. The crowd is deafening.

Two pedal strokes from the line of Lefty's biggest win in his career. Lefty's biggest sporting occasion in his life. His arms are raised.

The pack converged on Lefty directly on the finish line. Lefty didn't know they were coming. Lefty didn't know his position was under threat. Lefty was swamped on the line and was lucky to finish third. The main street went silent.






4 days later when Lefty sobered up, Cabbage MacDonald interviewed him of 2LF, the local radio station. Lefty was embarrassed and admitted he was caught up in the moment and lost the race infront of his family, friends and the entire town and district. He also told Cabbage that it was also the greatest moment in his life. "For that 598 meters" he said,"I was the king, and everyone who lined the main street, or was listening on the radio was 100% behind me and I loved the fact that they were cheering me on". He also told Cabbage that "most people don't experience that feeling. Young bulls sit on the fence and say 'what if', whilst the old bulls roll the dice and give it a crack".

Cheers Lefty, it was a great day for the old bulls!