May 5th, 2005 - Mittagong to Sydney
Well that's that. I don't know whether to laugh or cry. After 31 days the Circle of Courage Cycle Tour is over.
A big thank you (read: hugs) to Barry and Val, Col and Gwen, Jonathan, Steven, Kevin, Keith and Quentin - for all you have done. It hardly seems enough...so I'll thank you all again.
Megan, Tyler and Zac...Dad's home!
The trip from Mittagong to the city was quick - for those who live in Sydney and use Parramatta Road, you have my sympathy. What a shocking road.
Another 2 flats today, so you can read all the stats in 1 place. 21 flat tyres, 3 broken spokes, 1 set handlebars, 1 set sti levers, 3 pairs of shoes, 2 sets of cleats...and you could go on.
Details: 3.36 ride time, 109.47 km travelled @ 30.2kph.
Weds 4/5 Yass to Mittagong
At last … today is the day, and yes, they all remembered what I looked like.
Flat before we left Yass … took my personal tally to 4, overall … I forget.
Long, rolling hills, over and over. Bodgey road surface in places, however the concrete freeway surface more than made up for it. Big day tomorrow! Finally we will be there, well almost (105km to go)! 116 sets of lights in the cbd alone, so will make interesting cycling to say the least.
Details – 178km traveled, 6.50 ride time @ 26.05kph
May 3rd, 2005 - Tarcutta to Yass
Tough day out into the hills ... really rolling rises, as compared to some of the 'hills' located at home. Steady pace, grind, grind. The usual 35k plan.
Very excited - family reunited in just the one sleep. After 5 weeks ... I hope the boys remember what I look like! I hope their mother does also! Will be great!
The views about sunrise over the rolling hills - as dry and bare as they - were outstanding! Spectacular!
Details - 5.57 ride time, 146.32 km travelled @ 24.6kph.
May 2nd, 2005 - Narrandera to Tarcutta
Bright and early start ... once again! Very, very cold (2.5 degrees, wind chill factor -5 at least, or thats what it felt like).
Ugly early, headwind, rough dead road surface. As the day progressed (slowly due to the cold) the media program unfolded - 2 TV interviews, 3 radio interviews, all in and around the Wagga cbd. So ... while he spoke and we showed off, others shopped ... and looked about.
If there is a bike shop in the town, chances are we've browsed/bought/previewed them all - Australia wide. Hills are now on the agenda ... and some have a reasonable gradient (apparently) - we'll see, so slowly, slowly on we go.
Drive Tarcutta - Wagga for media committment +tea + meeting ... late night coming. Hills and 150k awaits on the morrow.
Details - 5.30 ride time, 26.5 av. speed, 148.8km travelled.
May 1st, 2005 - Hay to Narrandera
After a very restful and relaxing 2 nights in luxurious comfort ... reality dawned bright and early. 5am start ... big day, 3.30pm meeting. Family travelling down from up north - first to destination wins. One riding, others driving - tad unfair!
Freezing cold .. real icy! Whilst shivering to near death by the roadside somewhere between Hay and Narandera had 30 seconds of national fame ... chatting with Ian 'Macca' MacNamara, much to the mother in laws delight. Mum and boys proud ... Dad felt like a bit of a goose.
Wind assisted once again ... and a very big thankyou to those who completed their homework from several nights ago - the spreadsheet has come in very handy ... not only to record data, but to also settle an argument or two (Thank you Earl).
Tired ... early to bed.
Details - 173.62km travelled, 5.40 ride time, 30.6 avg. speed.
April 29th, 2005 - Balranald to Hay
Plan B - cold, overcast .. and windy as. Breakfast in the motel carpark @ 6am, up later than usual @ 5am, then on on, and on it was - with a stiff tailwind (pleasant change) and speeds in the mid thirties, Hay did not take long to arrive.
A bit saddle sore, tired and looking forward to seeing my boys on wednesday.
Saw the town they call Hay - mixed and mingled, no show however at the scheduled town meeting .. very disappointing! (But earlier to bed). Much anticipated rest day, Saturday, and then onward and upward to Sydney.
Details - 4.22.40 ride time, 30.6 average speed, 134.15 distanced travelled.
April 28th, 2005 - Mildura to Balranald
What a day! Quick pace, chat back in the peleton – even a bit of light humour. 35km program today ie 35k, drink, 35k, breakfast, 35k, drink, 35k, supposedly lunch – but another quick drink break, then into town by 1pm for lunch and … afternoon nap! (NOT!)
Took every room available in country motel – no web access, so into town to hopefully get access and these journals to you before we finish next week.
Details – 161.2km traveled @ 27k av. speed in 5.56min.
April 27th, 2005 - Renmark to Mildura
Early start again! Media commitments beginning at 3.30pm in Mildura.
Undulation plus headwind (steady, moderate intensity) had us working!
Stops at 30, 60, 90 and 120 for drinks, morning tea plus lunch. Arrived earlyish - enough time to sit, buy a drink, send envoy to motel with gear to check in, visit cycle store (Buckle) and return to fulfil media commitments.
Rode to mall with students from Henderson College - did the mall thing, met the people - had a good chat, good time.
Bit muddled/broken -day, average way down, start/stop etc.
Details: 6.05 ride time, 23.6 avg speed, 146.5 ride distance
When in Mildura, recommend stay at Rockford Resort - excellent facilities, good clean room.
April 26th, 2005 - Waikerie to Renmark
After averaging 170-180km a day for 3.5 weeks, who'd get out of bed to go 80km?
That's the program however, and the program IS to be adhered to!
Media commitments in Berri saw plan B executed early. Arrived Renmark just after midday - spent remainder of day (until 4pm) looking about a very picturesque town. More media attention, meeting and...sleep.
Details: 81.2 km travelled, 2.59 travel time, 27.0 avg speed
P.S: For homework, some conscientious statistician could let me know - from this journal, total distance, average speed, and hours travelled up until today. That would be great!
April 25th, 2005 (ANZAC Day) - Adelaide to Waikerie
Out through the Barossa Valley, after leaving Sunday night revellers on way home after a very big night. Got some chat, some advice and a lot of looks at the boys in lycra. On we went!
Barossa is a real oasis. It was spectacular also to have lunch at Blanchetown – first crossing of the Murray, cliffs and all.
Spent the afternoon swimming, sightseeing and just relaxing in and around Waikerie. New skate park – stopped for a chat and lesson in trick riding – excellent!
Details: 7.19 ride time, 24.5 avg speed, 178.6km travelled.
April 24th, 2005 - Kadina to Adelaide City
What a change – tailwind for all but 40km. Sat on speeds ranging up to 45km/hr. Steep downhill (5%) of about 1-2km, top speed 73km/hr. 3 stops within the first 10km, then non-stop express to Adelaide – arrived a little after 1pm.
Spent the rest of the day walking about the city looking for cycle shops, postcards and fine eateries.
Chose Taj Tandoor for tea – new cultural experience for my tastebuds, and considering I still have no feeling in my lips….
The Hewitts senior were also present, dining with Scott Draper – bit unusual for one from the country.
Big day on the morrow supposedly, uphill and all, 190km total – so into bed earlier than usual – in a palatial room to share with just me! Quentins spending the night with his wife and children – catching up in the morning.
Details – 4.48 ride time, 30.3 av. Speed, 146.2km travelled.
April 22nd, 2005 - Port Augusta to Kadina
Highlight of the day – long break at Port Broughton, beachside realty $155000, bargain!
Disruption in group led to minor concern, crisis meeting, issue resolved.
Details – 7.10 travel time, 26.3 avg speed, 189.5km travelled.
Blown tire (over pressurised, rubber breakdown, flat) led to long delay, set day back a bit. Another broken spoke – 3rd so far, will speak to velocity re problem, otherwise good. Problem with tyres and wheels…big issue when cycling.
April 21st, 2005 - Cowell to Port Augusta
To say it’s all happening…would be a major understatement. It’s frenetic! Up and at it early as per usual, an hour or so in the dark (hills unsited, however, still very present), cold as cold, I mean, you couldn’t feel your hands to take a drink.
Wonderful countryside, iron knob, iron ore mine. They are just removing a whole hill, not so much coastline, magical.
Sun finally arrived, stopped at Whyalla, caused quite a stir, new sign added to blue bus (Perth – Sydney and web address). Quick bike service, u-pedal cycles (no charge) then on to Port Augusta.
Details – 6.54 ride time, 26.1 avg speed, 181km travelled
Media commitments in town (busy) and bicycle shop to find (broken spoke), all before 5pm. Meeting at 7pm, had to do the ring around, got a few. Devastating problems really – very sobering when you witness it nearly nightly in community after community.
Onward and upward they say – again tomorrow – tired, looking forward to break.
April 20th, 2005 - Port Lincoln to Cowell
Physically and mentally very tough day! Late night, post meeting, early rise (4.15am) and then a stiff headwind, constant and unrelenting … even after we got here. Team whittled to 4 by days end … 4 very tired campers!
Days stops somewhat disorganised – late breakfast, early morning tea, late lunch … on and on it went, with team chases in between to catch any breakaway or limit gains – read tiring!
Beautiful coastline … somewhat spoiled by the headwind and unrelenting rolling hills, but nonetheless, organise a van and get over to take in some real beauty!
Peaceful afternoon – early to bed, as you guessed it will all happen again tomorrow!
Details – 6.36 ride time, 25.1 avg. speed, 164.91km travelled.
April 19th, 2005 - Elliston to Port Lincoln
What a day of contrasts - cool, overcast coastline departure at 5am, midmorning - midday, through bushfire devastated mid Eyre Peninsula, early afternoon - arrival at the big green dragon (the affectionate name given by locals to the grain load located smack in the middle of the port they call Lincoln). Once again back on the coast.
Do you believe in miracles? A short story - you decide.
The aftermath of the fall earlier on our ride left 2 cycles just a tad worse for wear...as you read earlier in one of my journals, one was relatively easy to replace and repair that which was broken. Wheel truing however, is a skill I do not possess.
On arrival in Port Lincoln, I mean, as soon as we arrived, smack in the middle of town, media snapping photos, media asking questions - basic bedlam, a gentleman sought me out, has 2 wheels in hand, and asks if there is anything he can do to assist...well, as a matter of fact, yes, can you...to cut a long story short, 1.5 hours later we pick up, at no cost, one very true front wheel. True story!
I'd like somebody to give me the odds of that happening - in a community of 14,000 people. What'd you decide!
Details - 6.32 ride time, 26.2kph avg, 171.5km travelled
When in Port Lincoln, next time you're cycling this way, rely on Challinger Bicycle repairs - in case you need a repair!
April 18th, 2005 - Streaky Bay to Elliston
Greetings. Another shortish day, comparitively speaking, to what we've experienced.
The countryside here on the Eyre Peninsula is very picturesque, rolling hills, albeit very dry, and rocky, rugged coastline. The towns are quaint, sleepy villages - great holiday destinations.
Coming from Perth, the further east we go, the more I realise a van with 4WD would be a good item to put on our Santa's list, and return with family in tow.
Again, the town meeting was poorly attended, however, there is still a desperate need in this town of Elliston to get some programs in place for young people. People care and would love to turn the behaviours of some around.
Details: - 127km travelled, 26.9kph average speed, 4.22hr travel time.
April 17th, 2005 - Ceduna to Streaky Bay
What a day … sleep in, tailwind (mostly), stoppages galore to take in some lovely scenery, standing ovation into Streaky Bay (culmination of youth week activities) and a good turnout at the town meeting (a giveaway bmx cycle certainly incentive enough for the kids to get their parents involved!)
The Streaky Bay Hotel/Motel is a grand building in more ways than one – its huge, takes up the whole block, its got a great view out over the bay and is full of character throughout.
If you think the dessert is a hot place, think again. I will always remember it as an icebox. 5am start – big day ahead, 0 degrees and a wind chill factor 0f -5 or so. 96km to first break … and then there was 4. JD thigh/pain, K wind. The race was then on, for what I don’t exactly know. Undulation and wind until a miscalculated lunch stop at 174km. Miscalculated in as much as we were told it would be here and then it was there and really we just wanted it now!
Another very enlightening community meeting – which was both interesting and informative – good for professional development and self learning. Easy cycle into town, late afternoon tea in Penong, the motor transport into Ceduna for a late Chinese tea and even later into bed @ 11pm.
Details – 8.44 ride time, 26.0 avg. speed, 226.7km travelled.
April 16th, 2005 - Penong to Ceduna
So called rest day – up early to cycle from Penong into Ceduna for breakfast with the townsfolk – youth week festivities. Mingled and mixed for an hour or two, then headed back to motel for rest.
Tightened bottom bracket, fitted handlebars, sti levers, bar tape to Steves bike – hopefully he’ll be a little more comfortable on his own steed again. Looked at Jonathans buckle – and decided a second opinion was required – best leave that type of thing to an expert, of which I am not!
Rested and relaxed, took in the scenery around Ceduna – and very picturesque it is, almost Byron Bayish … if you use your imagination.
Disturbed by a visit to an Aboriginal halfway house – it’s a whole other world, about which I can’t do much … and that is unsatisfactory.
Details – 2.24 ride time, 30.6 avg. speed, 73.45km traveled.
First puncture of the trip, repaired on the fly, used big blue buses draft to get back to the peleton @ 55-60kph – bit of a hoot!
April 15th, 2005 - Nullabor Roadhouse to Penong
If you think the dessert is a hot place, think again. I will always remember it as an icebox. 5am start – big day ahead, 0 degrees and a wind chill factor 0f -5 or so. 96km to first break … and then there was 4. JD thigh/pain, K wind. The race was then on, for what I don’t exactly know. Undulation and wind until a miscalculated lunch stop at 174km. Miscalculated in as much as we were told it would be here and then it was there and really we just wanted it now!
Another very enlightening community meeting – which was both interesting and informative – good for professional development and self learning. Easy cycle into town, late afternoon tea in Penong, the motor transport into Ceduna for a late Chinese tea and even later into bed @ 11pm.
Details – 8.44 ride time, 26.0 avg. speed, 226.7km travelled.
April 14th, 2005 - Eucla to Nullabor Roadhouse
Ferocious headwind, unrelenting all day! Made the going very tough – mentally. The Nullabor continued to display no trees, but its redeeming feature … and a highlight of the trip so far was the Nullabor Cliffs – just awesome! Its hard to believe such a barren, desolate landscape can just drop off like that into such a vast ocean so spectacularly.
Time pressures to get to the roadhouse added to the anxiety – at 4pm, after some considerable negotiation , we visited the closed aboriginal community of Yalata. Words cannot fully convey the experience, but glad to have been and seen. Tired and sore!
Details – 7.39 ride time, 25.9 avg. speed, 199.16km traveled.
Excellent meal at the Nullabor roadhouse – a real birthday party again for Keith – glad we bought him along, they really looked after him (us)
April 13th, 2005 - Madura to Eucla
After a restful stop at Madura (read no meeting, early to bed, good sleep) … it was on to Eucla – with some fear and trepidation after the events of the past 24hrs. History will state … nothing to fear! Overcast skies, blustery tailwinds and Keith’s 25minute head start saw the chase start early … after the mandatory 15 minute warm up (read cycle slow enough until directed to do otherwise), and then it was on. In complete darkness with speeds of up to 43km/hr, 5 cyclists battled hard to reduce the deficit … and ultimately prevailed. 2 stops later we were in Eucla.
Did the tourist thing – old telegraph station, Great Australian Bite, rested. Great place Eucla – golf course and all. May just have to come back and play a round or two.
Pressure day tomorrow – 196km … need to be in by 3pm, so early to bed, earlier to rise … and pedal like mad.
Details – 6.13 ride time, 183km, 29.5 avg.speed.
April 12th, 2005 - Caiguna to Madura
Long, long, hot day! Probably mentally the toughest day thus far. Grinding big gears, low speed, into unrelenting hot winds. Keith sat out the last 30km, and in 40+ degree temperatures – good decision. Sharp descent into Madura (60km/hr+) roadhouse/motel – first with pool, greatly appreciated, however cold! Big day again tomorrow so early to bed is the order of the day! Kangaroos everywhere today – literally hundreds, and scores more as road kill beside the roads. The nullabor isn’t really treeless, but they are few and far between as we found out at break times.
Once again a roadhouse/motel keenly seeking people who want to work. This Madura Pass is quite a picture, well worth a look.
Details – 6.33 ride time, 157km, 24 avg. speed.
April 11th, 2005 - Balladonia to Caiguna
Late start – breakfast included in room tariff, so got to get value! Good sleep, great rooms – plenty of work if you want employment here – tad boring/monotonous maybe! Stops muddled, in chase pack twice (hard work). Cycled the longest section of straight road in Australia today (90 miles or 146.6km) … all uphill or at least that is how it felt.
Stopped at the Caiguna blowhole – cold air coming out of the ground, all the way from the coast (35km). Slow going!
Details – 7.06 ride time, 182.43km, 25.6 avg. speed.
April 10th, 2005 - Norseman to Balladonia
Up at 4.15am, late leave at 5.45am trip from Norseman to Balladonia. Now that I am in Balladonia its like a … a large BP service centre with a motel and museum attached to it – 200km in either direction from anything – and its just that. No town, few people, desperate for workers/laborers/hospitality skilled people.
There was a fall today in the peleton, skin lost, no breakages – except equipment. Spent night repairing, while team previewed footage shot so far.
Great stories – round the world in a discovery by landrover (from Glen Innes of all places), two other cyclists going around Australia on mountain bikes (10000km plus so far).
Details – 7.03 ride time, 192km, 27.1 avg. speed.
April 9th, 2005 - Esperance
At last! A day off … off the bike that is, not necessarily off work.
Opportunity often knocks just once, and I have been very fortunate to make this trip.
Esperance is a beautiful seaside port, vastly different to what I see on the North Coast. Great pines, beautiful (but cold) beaches, wind farms and favorable winds for hang gliding and parasailing.
Met heaps of interesting people with great stories – like grandfather arriving in Australia in 1929 from Slovakia, wife and twins (under 2) in tow, a tent and axe and a thousand acre allotment near Norseman to begin over, and its all still in the family.
Saddle sores bad – blest to get a quick bike fit from Graham Dempster, hopefully will travel better – home late after 400km round trip to get there and back for Church. Great pot luck lunch. Bed 11pm.
April 8th, 2005 - 8.00pm
After little sleep - on the road again - 4.15am rise for a 5am start, which was really 5.30am. The pace was on from the start, unsure whether or not people were feeling fresh or it was Friday and tommorrow is a day off, so sooner on, sooner off.
The road surface was a lot smoother than previously encountered which added to the high speed (av 29.2 for the 165k in 5hrs 48mins)
I spent the day in chase packs, with a different rider each time. Used up a lot of energy in the process so will sleep well this evening.
The country side here in the west is rugged - cattle would find it difficult to get a feed, let alone a drink. Thankfully it is very rich in minerals - gold in particular, of which I found none!
One needs to be careful what one writes in their journal - emails are coming through, and we are very grateful, thank-you! So I'll keep short and enjoy my day off.
Somewhat saddle sore - but legs and heart are still good, might have to run. Past a guy on the road early attempting a world record from Sydney to Perth, running 106k a day, stopping for only 3 minutes at a time for drinks and other necessities - we're a bit more lenient than that!
April 7th, 2005 - 9.00pm
Day 3 – officially dear diary day.
Some people I know, who shall remain nameless, think I’m out having a great holiday…and I am, but…
Here is day 3 in a nutshell.
4.15am rise, shower, dress, kit up and depart by 5am.
60 kilometres done, 45 minutes break for breakfast at 8.30am. On the bike again, 70 kilometres break for lunch around 1pm.
After lunch (read: 100 kilometres plus) things usually slow pace-wise, which often leads to some up tempo creative thinking (read: use support vehicle to motor pace last 40 kilometres). The Guinness Book of World Records would not recognise our cross continent jaunt because of such an escapade…but it saves time.
Into Coolgardie at 4.45pm to waiting media throng. Quick motel check-in, into cars up to Kalgoorlie (45 kilometres north) for more media commitments.
About turn, back to motel for shower, shave, freshen up for town meeting (back in Kalgoorlie) at 7.30pm. Consumed highly nutritious meal en route (pizza and fizzy drink).
Meeting over by 9pm. Job done.
Returned to motel to grab vital stats before giving journal entry to the media coordinator to uplink tomorrow night, so you can read today’s journal tomorrow.
Guess what…we’ll do it again tomorrow.
Ride time = 7 hours 9 minutes
At speed = 23.6km/h
Distance = 188 kilometres
April 6th, 2005 - 7.45pm
After nearly 7 hours yesterday, bring on day 2 – 9 hrs 7 mins, 213km into a blustery headwind. Laurie, 2 days in, I’ll agree, you were right – headwinds it appears to be.
Fatigue was a factor throughout the day, significantly more rest stops than yesterday, more down time and a late arrival into Southern Cross.
Between the 6 riders – 30 litres of water consumed by mid afternoon, and more taken onboard as the sun began to go down.
Plenty of undulations, and a very, very rough road surface.
Spoke to several locals, borrowed a shifter to repair loose headset…and guess what? We’ll do it all again tomorrow!
April 5th, 2005
The first real day out ... all 156k. The undulating hills and consistent headwind made the going tough - average speed 23kph.
The countryside here in the west has its own distinctive beauty .. even though its incredibly dry.
Stopped for lunch at Northam - by the Avon river, was tempted for a swim, but that was it.
212k tomorrow - early start - 5am, so best wind up
Taking a break at the Avon River
