Cycling the Stuart E2E

Rest Day in Coober Pedy

Peter slept straight through til midday.
Then went out to find a massage to sooth his aching limbs.
It was apparently quite a frightening experience – a huge woman with very calloused hands.
It was his second massage ever – and probably his last, he said, ‘She beat me up!’

To keep everything moving he rode his bike around the sights of Coober Pedy,
looked in the jewellery shops, art galleries and did the shopping strip.
(Probably not as you imagine!)

The traffic on the highway has been light to date, yesterday Peter only passed two huge road trains.
Most of the travellers are ‘grey nomads’ in their campers and caravans.
They’re not in a hurry and are very respectful on the road and also very helpful.

On hearing of Peter’s problem with the tubes, the motel owner arranged for her
husband to pick up his parcel at Marla (three days ride away)
And bring it down to Peter for any emergency.

Unfortunately he also picked up the next box of supplies, which Peter doesn’t have room to carry.
Not to worry, another group of travellers will return it to Marla tomorrow.

Today was Peter’s first chance to read all the messages of support placed on the website.
He was very appreciative of all your encouragement. Thanks everyone.

After getting off to such a great start on the ride,
Peter plans to cut back the distance he rides for the next few days to approx 80 kms a day.
It’s still very remote country, with a Bush Camp coming up,
so there is no point in risking injury, dehydration and exhaustion.
Fiona

Coober Pedy 140kms

Another personal best!!! – 140 kms

After a very long 140kms Peter arrived at Coober Pedy. (The Opal Capital of the World)

‘I’m absolutely stuffed’ was his comment.

After arriving in town and picking up his second box of supplies, he headed off to John’s Gourmet Pizza Shop.
His order was for ‘The Coat of Arms’! Yes, that means a pizza featuring emu and kangaroo meat.
It certainly wouldn’t have been my choice, knowing what other delicious options there are on the menu.
He said it was a once in a lifetime opportunity.

He is staying at the Opal Motel, but said he plans to spend most of tomorrow walking around, so his whole body doesn’t seize up.
There are a few interesting Opal Museums and other places of interest in the town, so there should be plenty for him to do on his rest day tomorrow.

Bush Camp (20 kms south of Glendambo) to Bush Camp (140 kms south of Coober Pedy)

A Great Day!! – NO Wind!!

A quick report via satellite phone.

A very excited Peter rang at 6pm. He had had a great day. It was his longest ride ever – 135kms, and there was no wind!

He got up early and rode the 20kms into Glendambo for a shower, and a hearty breakfast. He also bought ‘Takeaways’ for tea.
Obviously the cooking has lost its appeal already! On the menu tonight was a ham and salad roll, and a tin of baked beans.

He was very happy with today’s effort, and hopefully tomorrow he can ride the 140kms into Coober Pedy.
The big incentive is John’s Gourmet Pizza Shop. The pizzas are exceptional! It would disappoint him to be 20kms out at Bush Camp.

On the road he met Mike Harrison, a cyclist riding in the opposite direction from Darwin to Adelaide.
He was complaining about the terrible head winds too.
So someone’s luck has to change soon!

His other company for the day was a couple he met on the road at the 100km mark.
They shared fruit cake and a cup of tea with him, and it was much appreciated.
Fiona

Day 4 – 113kms
Woomera to Glendambo

‘A Tough Day at the Office’

Late this afternoon I got a very quick and rather scratchy report via satellite phone.

With roaring head winds of 35 – 40 kms per hour ‘straight in my face’ the going was tough.
In fact it was so exhausting, that Peter resorted to riding for 10kms and then walking for 5kms, riding for 10km , walking for 5kms etc….

Despite his best efforts he could only manage 85 kms for the day. He said it felt like he had ridden about 200!
This left him 22kms south of Glendambo with an unscheduled Bush Camp night.

With no gourmet meal planned, dinner was leftover muesli and dried fruit!!

As he rang, the rain was approaching, so it will be a wild old night in the tent.

His plan is to get up early and ride into Glendambo for a hearty breakfast.

Fiona

Rest Day in Woomera

After the initial two days on the bike, 85kms and 87kms the rest day in Woomera is appreciated.
Lots of stretching and walking are assisting the overworked muscle groups.

There is not a lot to do in Woomera!
The highlights so far being: a hamburger and salad for dinner, and the availability of fresh fruit.

Mind you the menu for the Bush Camp night was quite gourmet!
Beef Curry and a Winter Fruit Salad (Rehydrated dried fruits)

There was a roaring head wind this morning, so Peter is hoping for improvement as in the next three days
he has 365 kms to ride before reaching the ‘Opal Capital of the World’,
Coober Pedy

He’ll be on the road again at first light in the morning (approx 7.30am)
And he was happy to hear that another parcel of bike tubes is on its way to him.

Fiona

Day 2 – 92kms

Bush Camp 1 to Woomera

Disaster Strikes!

The worst thing about waking up at a Bush Camp site is the lack of water! No morning shower!

When the bike was overhauled for this trip by the mechanics, they did not replace the tubes (used last in the 2100 km ride in 2005)
Consequently when Peter pumped up the tyres prior to setting off on day 2, both tubes totally disintegrated!

Luckily, he was carrying two new ones, so the day started slowly with an on the spot repair – the changing of the tubes.

The wind was fierce, and he was riding into a strong side head wind.
The first stint was 40kms, then 20km, then slowly into Woomera.

To say he’s in PAIN is an understatement, and he’s looking forward to a soak in the bath at the Elmo Motel.

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The Long Ride begins – a day early!

12.10pm A surprise call from Peter on the track.

‘I’m on a hill and I’ve got mobile reception’

On Saturday morning, supposedly his rest day, Peter was up early chatting to the motel owner.
After discussing how favorable the tail winds were, he decided to set off on his ride, a day early.

After flying in from Kyoto to Adelaide on Friday, attending an emergency dentist appointment, and then catching the bus to Port Augusta
Then big adventure was about to begin

By lunch time he had covered 65kms, and was eating chocolate biscuits with some fellow travelers.
The destination tonight is Bush Camp One!
The dehydrated meal and bed on the ground will be quite a contrast to the 5 star luxury of the previous week.
What a reality check!

I guess getting out there and getting started was better than thinking about it for another day!
Good luck and safe riding from us all.
Fiona