Starting to have cyclo visions. Now and again I spot solo cyclists ahead or coming towards me.....but they all mirages. Am clearly going gaga. Clocked 2,000 miles and have yet to see a single self-support rider. That tells a tale !
Feel I have broken the back of the crossOz ride though still a long way to go. Going for Sydney. Gave Brisbane the chop......too far.
Arrived here in Renmark, a lovely town on the edge of the mighty Murray River, at lunchtime meaning to just have a flat white but opted to linger awhile. Tomorrow will made a bid for Mildura in New South Wales (only 146 kms) but winds may change. Weather is warming up.
From the Eyre Penninsular took ferry to Wallaroo to cut out the foul industrial Port Augusta and save 150 kms! Opted to give the vino country of Barossa Valley a miss. It was too far south for my route (backroads) and went to Auburn, the gateway to the Clare Valley and very Irish. Got a real soaking but the panniers did their job although I have no booties and jettisoned my 'social' shoes some time ago to save weight so the hotel room hair dryer got a blasting. En route went into Balaklava for a coffee, a quiet farming town. Cafe owner got all excited and asked if she could phone the local reporter of the Plains Principal !! I told her a lot of people do this ride. "But none of them stop in our small town," she retorted. No reporter available. That night beside a roaring fire sampled a coule of the best local Reislings.
From Auburn fought 30 kms of damp foggy hills to Eudunda and then a great 60 kms down to Morgan on the Murray with a fantastic tail wind. Finished at Barmera shagged out after 196 kms. have ahacking cough. Tan the local cafe boss says I should take lots of garlic and spring onions.
Hi John, I suspect that the aparitions you have been having on the highway may have something to do with the local tipple. If not then just put it down to being in the sun too long!!!! If you start talking to the sheep we will get worried (would like me to send you Andy's telephone number??) Hang in there. Cheers T.
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