Day 40 8th August Nullarbor Roadhouse to Nundroo

Nundroo is yet another roadhouse.  Good in that it is again one of the nights we sleep in motel type accommodation, bad in that there is nothing much to do or see.

Todays ride started just as the sun rose above the edge of the treeless plain and we were riding directly into it.  This made visibility difficult for us riders and we hoped that the road train drivers could see us better than we could see each other.  Fortunately the traffic was light at this hour and we survived this difficult period.

The wind was again against us as we left Nullarbor Roadhouse so it felt like it might be another difficult day.  God is good to us though, and as we travelled around the Head of the Bight the road changed direction from NE to SW and the wind moved around behind us making the afternoon some of the best riding thus far.  As we left the tree-less plain the terrain became more undulating with some of the biggest hills for about two weeks.  A welcome change from the relentless flat road of the last few days.

A few km west of Nundroo the trees made way for farming land once again.   Mostly grazing but some marginal cropping land as well.

Tomorrow we head of to Ceduna, the first real town since Norseman more than a week ago.

Day39 7th August Border Village to Nullarbor Roadhouse

The strong tailwinds of the last couple of days had to come to an end sometime.  I guess if the wind blows somewhere it has to return again.  The ride today became increasingly difficult as the wind picked up through out the day. Difficulty compounded by the lack of trees etc to break the wind.  The only compensating factor was the wonderful scenery we enjoyed in a couple of places as we travelled close to the cliff of the Great Australian Bight.

Allan and Robyn on cliffs along the Great Australian Bight

184km was the third longest daily ride so far and was tiring for all.  (still had to muster enough strength to do the extra km's to reach the 1200km mark in six days.  Only two of us in this club now (Gordon and I), the days ride was too much for the other four to bother.  This will be the end of the 200km/day rides).

Staying tonight at the Nullarbor Roadhouse which is at the western edge of the treeless plain.  Very bleak and barren looking indeed.  This is the true Nullarbor area.  Nullarbor meaning "No trees" in Latin.  

Standing below the treeless plain sign,  Nullarbor roadhouse in the distance.

 

Days 37 & 38 5 - 6th August Caiguna to Maudura Pass to Boarder Village

Limited internet again tonight and non last night so hoping this get through.

Two wonderful days of riding along some interesting countryside.  Very favourable tailwinds have allowed us to travel in excess of 36km/hr average over the last 400km.  (We are doing better than our friends David and Margret who are stuck in northern WA with car troubles.  Maybe they should try cycling).  Still hard work but we are all thankful for the tailwind.  It would have been very difficult riding against the wind over such long distances.

Since leaving Esperance 5 days ago we have ridden almost 1,000 km as a group. A few (including myself) have ridden the extra few km to achieve the 1,000 km total in five days.



Crossed into SA this afternoon and now staying at Border Village Roadhouse.   Must have travelled about 4,500 km in WA. (not too sure as internet will not let me load up the GPS data tonight).  Sydney is starting to seem like it is in reach at last.  (Only 3 more States to cross).  Sign post at Eucla (10 km back) said 2,550 km to Sydney.  That would be the shortest and most direct road.  But our leader Jim is taking as the longer route, down through central Vic.  (Good-one Jim).   Can't complain though the ride has been great fun and Jim does a terrific job organising ever thing from accommodation to meals etc etc.  (Well done Jim).

Way past bed time so had better leave it at this.  Hoping for better internet reception tomorrow.

Try and load some pic's tomorrow.

Day 34 - 36 2-4 August Esperance to Norseman to Balladonia to Caiguna

Day 34 2nd August.
Early start today as it was to be the longest ride for the entire trip.  Weather cold to start but the uphill out of Esperance soon warmed everyone up.

As we said good-bye to a number of the group over the last couple of days there are only 19 riders for the next section.  Thus back to two teams.  I am again riding with the faster team.  Called 'Norseman' for the day in honour of the horse called Norseman which found the gold that established the township.  Norseman has since lost much of it's glory since the gold days but is still a tidy town and well looked after.  Norseman is the last town we see until Ceduna, seven days riding away.

Dropped camera in Esperance and it has since given up the ghost.  Photo's may be scarce for a while.


This is a profile of the elevation out of Esperance.

Day 35  3rd August
Another long day of 190km.  Though more flat than yesterday.  Very little wind all day so the riding was pleasant.  A few of us did the extra 10km to get a second 200km for the two days.

Team name 'Space Cadets in honour of Skylab which fell around these parts a few years back.

Balladonia is a roadhouse with some motel style accommodation.  The married couples were given private rooms.  It was all very pleasant.  Meal and breakfast the next day in the roadhouse dinning room.

Day 36  4th August
Only 180km today so it should have been easier but it didn't feel that way to me.  Strong cross winds blew by mid ride which slowly moved around behind us as the afternoon wore on.   This wind did help no doubt but the effort of the last two days is beginning to tell.  Arrived at Caiguna rather tied.  Resisted the temptation to do the extra 20km to get a third consecutive 200km.  (Some others did it though). 

Rode the length of the longest straight road in Australia today.  90 miles without a bend. Others took some great photos (too bad about that).  Road mostly flat and the day warm.  I got a bit wind burnt.  Am getting quite a tan on the parts of my face not covered by helmet or sunnies.  'Mulligans' today, (golfing term for "do it again").  Becoming very appropriate.

Slightly shorter day tomorrow only 156km.

Caiguna Roadhouse has washing facilities so able to get washing done.

Two familiar poses where I spend most of my time lately.  Blogging and riding.  (We also do a lot of eating but I didn't want to bore you with food photos).


 

Day 32 31st July Munglinup to Esperance

Second fantastic down wind ride in a row.  Again averaged over 30km/hr again. (the fastest team averaged 35km/hr).

Many of the group are leaving the ride at Esperance so the opportunity was taken to take group photos whilst at morning tea.  All those leaving will be missed.  Some will join again for the last couple of day into Sydney.

 

 B team.  Includes two riders over 75yrs

 Those leaving at Esperance

 International riders (l to r  Bruno, Matea (Italy), Simone, Mike (NZ))

We are now half way though the ride in days and on Friday we pass the half way make in distance.  Time seems to be going so fast.  Still a few days before we leave WA though.

'Juliet' (Robyn's bike) had her first run this afternoon.  A few of us rode with Robyn along the foreshore bike path here at Esperance.  This certainly is a pretty town and the coast line is spectacular.

Allan and Robyn on Esperance Coast

Move over Anna Meares

  Tomorrow is a day off again so will explore a bit more (after the laundramat, bike maintenance, etc.  My bike has been running well with no problems other than three flats.  A few other have had some issues that need repairs (broken spokes, cracked rims etc).  All will need to be in good shape by Friday as the next bike shop is in Port Augusta about 2,000km away. 

Day 30 and 31 29 & 30th July Jerramungup to Ravensthorpe to Munglinup

Jim (ride leader and organiser) celebrated his 70th Birthday yesterday (29th July).  Much fun was had mostly at Jim's expense.  Balloons on helmet, presented with training wheels and many renditions of 'Happy Birthday' (even once in Italian).

  Jim turns 70.

Two great days of riding, especially today as it was the shortest day of the entire ride and good tailwind all day.

Still a few with upset tummies though improving.  So far the bugs have stayed away from me.

These last two days we are staying in sports complexes.  Both are relatively new and extremely well equipped.  Someone in WA has spent a lot of money on facilities in small rural towns.  Would be great if we could get such facilities in NSW rural towns. (Any pollies reading this take note).

Tonight's bedroom (our bed in centre of photo)

The weather has been much more pleasant the last few days and the riding easier due to good tailwinds.  Road is smooth and traffic light which has allowed us to ride two abreast again.

Robyn is sitting here in the sun with me doing puzzles while I type.  The afternoon is just lovely.

Roadies are cooking for us all again tonight so will be another terrific meal.

The following is a link to todays ride (I hope.   Am slowly working out all this computer stuff).   "http://ridewithgps.com/trips/1545947  

Here is the elevation profile for today.  Looks a bit like the Swiss Alps but it wasn't quite that steep.  Scale is a bit deceiving.

 Stewart riding "flat out"

 

 

 

Day 29 28th July Albany to Jerramungup

Rain over night threatened to make todays 180km ride rather unpleasant, however, the sun was shining this morning as we rode out of Albany.  Praise the Lord.   Good winds most of the day and in one short stretch when the wind was directly behind us we sailed along at 40km plus.  Really good fun.

I rode with the "B" team again today.  This team is riding really well now and we beat the top team into lunch and to Jerramungup.  The down side is that we are now the team that leaves last in the morning and have to clean up the venue including the toilets.  Me thinks we will ride slower tomorrow.

A group of Christians from a very small locality called Wellstead provided lunch.  Home made vege soup,  bread rolls and salad,  lasagne, and spaghetti bolognaise and fruit cake.  Wow  what a feed for lunch. "Well fed in Wellstead" is a new B4B motto.   Thanks again to the generous folk at Wellstead.

  Garry ( only a confident cyclist wears pink) pointing out the Wellstead Community Resource Centre where we had lunch.

 Some of the wonderful angels who catered at Wellstead.

Farming country side around here and the crops are looking good.  Some canola well out in flower.  One family in Wellstead has 8,000ha in crop as well as sheep and cattle.  They strip their crop themselves.

Staying tonight in Jerramungup football club (Aussie rules of course).  Met a man who came from   Ki Ki (near Peake(where I spent the first 10 years of my life)).  He knew Bert Howe (old school mate).  It's a small world.

Riding into the sun rise.