A Day In Victoria

Day 61: 19 December 2014, Friday.

Feeling well rested, well as good as I get anyway (I really fancy a couple of days off but I’m going to wait until Christmas for that!) I departed Paringa and continued on my way to New Zealand.

There was little to no wind so it was easy going and the miles ticked by. Soon I was approaching the final place named on my map, Yamba, before I crossed into the neighbouring state called Victoria.

And For Some Reason There Was A Huge Dunlop Thing!

Yamba was just a roadhouse where I stopped and bought a can of soft drink and had a rest. The staff were very nice at the roadhouse and they came out to check out my wheels… But I had to crack on so off I went.

A Well Worn Victoria Sign.

Once in Victoria nothing changed! It was the same road,same scenery which amounted to a few trees and a lot of nothing. I did notice the large amount of signs on the side of the road telling drivers to rest and other instructive announcements. What a nanny state! They had signs about ‘micro-naps’ (what a stupid word) being very dangerous and then there was a sign saying if you are tired take a ‘power-nap’! Stupid signs, I am going to cycle while having a proper sleep!!!!

3800km Ridden From Perth And Still Nothing To See On These Roads…

Not long after achieving three-thousand-eight-hundred kilometres I was riding into the village of Cullulieraine. On the approach there was a sign for a ‘Caravan Park’ just before the village but the next sign advertised the price which was way too much. I decided to visit the general store in Cullulieraine to buy some supplies and enquire about any other options for camping. The young gentleman there (who was very helpful) told me of another ‘Caravan Park’ which was considerably cheaper, ten dollars against the thirty dollars asked for at the other ‘Caravan Park’.

It was only a short jaunt to the other ‘Caravan Park’ where I discovered there was no staff there. There was a sign telling me to just set up my digs and someone would visit later for the payment. I went in search for a shaded spot which was not under a sprinkler, there were a lot of sprinklers dousing the dirt and grass so I was dithering around when a husband and wife who had a caravan parked there asked if I wanted a cup of tea. Of course I said ‘yes’ and soon I was sat under their caravan’s awning having a cup of tea!

They were a lovely couple, salt of the earth type. Bob and Jean were originally from England (Bob said he was from London, one of the best cities ever!!!) so we had a great chat. Then I set up my tent, showered and cooked dinner where I had some visitors.

Bob Said They Were Some Type Of Swamp Hen. This Is While I Was Eating, They Were Not Shy!

Once I had finished my dinner of rice and soup mixed together (oh the wonderful food I thrive on) I placed my plate on the ground and sat back to relax and watched the swamp hens help do the dishes…

Mmmmmm Rice Remains…

I decided I should still wash the dishes though as they were not very thorough.

Dishes done I sat back as the evening cooled and read until sunset when I retired to my tent and that was that.

84.16km 3:54T 21.5A 40.3M Total = 3808

Paringa And Renmark

Day 60: 18 December 2014, Thursday.

I awoke and decided to have a day off. I had a really nice place to camp at the ‘Caravan Park’ in Paringa and the price, for Australia, was reasonable. Also the large town of Renmark was only four kilometres away and there was a library where I could use the free WiFi and also a supermarket which would be super unlike the so called supermarket in Paringa.

I lay about for a while and read a book and then went for the short ride to Renmark. First I visited the library and using my Port Augusta library card accessed the free internet on my computer that I had bought with me. I then finally got a chance to reply to some emails! Australia is not a place for free internet! Also I finally updated my blog so it was fully up-to-date, the first time that has been true for quite some time.

Then it was to the supermarket where I bought a big salad thing that was on special as it was out-of-date. I do need to eat as much fresh fruit and vegetables as I can when I have the chance, it is near impossible to carry the stuff and in this region of Australia there are fruit and vegetable bans in certain areas where you cannot transport fruit and vegetables due to fruit flies. And I thought having the name ‘fly’ in the title of a bug indicated they can fly but I guess they know not to cross these invisible boundaries drawn on a map!

Later I was back at the ‘Caravan Park’ where I had a restful afternoon, listening to music, reading and even watching a movie all on my trusty PC.

My Tent In A Cosy Spot.

Tomorrow I should cross the border to Victoria so this will be my last day in South Australia, one thing I will never forget about this state is the wind!!!

8.86km 0:27T 19.0A 30.3M Total = 3724

Taking It Easy

Day 59: 17 December 2014, Wednesday.

The day was calm, the winds had dissipated. I packed and departed back on the dirt track up the hill to the main road. The road was rather busy compared to what I have become accustomed to but at least there was a generous hard shoulder for me to cycle in.

I had decided to have a short ride day, there was a town called Renmark about forty kilometres away and then it was a hundred and forty kilometres to the next town so I figured to have a short day today and then take two days to get to Mildura. I first rode the twenty hilly kilometres to Berri where I used the public toilet as there was no toilet at the camp last night, then I pushed on to Renmark.

3700km Ten Kilometres Before Renmark.

I arrived at just after midday and went to the information centre. There are two ‘Caravan Parks’ in Renmark and they were both over thirty dollars, way too much for a place to put a tent and have a shower, but a few kilometres away at Paringa there was also a ‘Caravan Park’ which was only twenty dollars, that was doable. I cycled off to Paringa…

Crossing A Groovy Bridge Where I Cycled Down The Centre Where The Railway Used To Be.

‘Paringa Caravan Park’ turned out to be a very good place, the owner was a really nice bloke and he showed me a nice grass area to pitch my tent right beside the camp kitchen. I set up my tent and then carried out some repairs on it as I had managed to catch the zip on the fabric a while ago and wanted to patch it up using the repair kit that was supplied with the tent. Tent done I showered and then ventured across the road to the Paringa supermarket. I must say this place pushes the boundary of what can be called super, it was very basic. I should have bought my supplies in Renmark. Oh well, too late now.

Back at the ‘Caravan Park’ I finally sat down and got to typing as I had fallen behind in my musings as often I had only my tent and I do not like typing in there as I get uncomfortable and end up rushing. So with my daily notes I write down produced this meandering commentary of my day.

46.50km 2:11T 21.1A 60.0M Total = 3715

 

Tailwind!!!!

Day 58: 16 December 2014, Tuesday.

Last evening the wind had picked up as I was reading before going to sleep, it made for a cool evening and a good nights kip but once I awoke to the sound of the wind in the morning it was a dreadful sound to be had. Last night the wind was indicative of a headwind, so it was with apprehension I opened my tent and with shock I realised the wind had turned, it would be a tailwind!!!! I have not had a tailwind for so long, I could hardly believe my luck.

I packed rapidly and set off, I did not want to miss this opportunity to get some miles done with the favourable wind. I first had to slowly gain the top of the cliffs on the opposite side of the river, it was a slow six kilometre an hour crawl for nearly ten minutes then I was off like a bullet from a gun heading east.

Though I Did Pause To Take A Photo Looking Back Across The Murray River To Where I Camped Last Night.

I rode like the wind. I considered resting after thirty-four kilometres as I had reached the next one hundred kilometre block….

3600km Near Maggea

But no I pressed on. I finally stopped at a little shelter which was Maggea, there was nothing else there just a bunch of pictures of what used to exist there. I had ridden forty-eight kilometres. It was only eleven in the morning. I did not stop for long, I was worried the wind might change so I charged off again heading to Loxton.

I did not intend to ride the whole way to Loxton non-stop but I did, I couldn’t resist the push of the wind…

Admittedly I Did Pause To Take A Photo Of This Silly Name Of A Town

So I achieved my destination and it was only an hour past midday. I was stoked. I visited the information centre to enquire about camping, there was a free camping area a few kilometres out of town, so I went shopping for food, topped up my water supply and was off again.

The camping area was down a steep hill to the river on a dirt track which I had to navigate cautiously on my road tyres. The camping area itself had nothing, not even a toilet.

But It Was A Great View, This Is Where I Camped!

I settled in with the wind still raging, eventually I had to cook my dinner in the howling wind and wash my dishes in the river. I had had enough of the wind so I then retreated into my tent and watched a movie on my computer…

This day was the easiest one hundred kilometre days I have had. Here’s hoping tomorrow will be another good day.

102.00km 4:05T 24.9A 42.2M Total = 3668

 

Off To The River

Day 57: 15 December 2014, Monday.

It was an early start, Leon had work to attend so I departed his abode at a quarter to eight. I went first down to Angaston, the town near where Leon lived, and went to get my usual fruit breakfast. It was rather cold as I sat in a park area consuming my peach so I did not dally but instead returned to the ever present road and into the hills leading out of the Barossa valley.

It was a rather big hill to summit but I was felling good and energized (I blame it on the beer, revitalized my soul).

Looking Back Towards Angaston Which Is Over These Hills

Even though the hills were rather steep I made good time and soon I came across a very nice sign…

Long Steep Descent Next 5km, Brilliant!!!!

Over the crest of the hill the world opened up in front of me as the flat looking land I would soon transverse spread out in all it’s glory.

And I Had 5km Of Down Hill!!!!

It was absolutely fabulous rolling down the twisty road for five kilometres, I cannot remember having such a long downhill section, I got to over sixty kilometres an hour, brilliant!!!

Then the road flattened out and I reached Sedan, a small town, where I had a rest for a bit.

From Sedan it was only thirty kilometres to my days destination, Swan Reach. The kilometres flew by as there was little wind to slow me down.

Nearly At Swan Reach….

Finally I arrived. Swan Reach is situated on the opposite side of the Murray river, one of the major Australian rivers, and to visit from where I was you must take the free ferry. Just before the ferry on the banks of the Murray is a free camping area with a toilet. I pulled in there to check it out, it looked good, so I decided that I would stay there the night.

Not A Bad View From The Camping Area…

But, I needed supplies so I went to the ferry and crossed the Murray. While aboard the ferry I got to talking to a bloke with his family in a car towing a trailer full of motor-cross bikes. It was a short ferry ride so a short talk but as we were about to disembark the ferry he said he was going out on the Murray in his boat later and asked if I wanted to go along. ‘Yes’ was naturally my answer so he said he would pick me up from the free camping area in a few hours.

I went into Swan Reach, bought some food from the simple shop there, not much of a selection to be honest but good staff, then returned to the ferry and recrossed the Murray.

Soon I had my camp set up and I sat down by the river in my chair and read my book. Then I saw speed boat approaching and it was Roy, the guy from the ferry. I boarded his vessel and off down the Murray river we sped towing along one of his sons on a wakeboard.

Looks Like Fun Eh!

It was great to be on the water, it is a stunning part of the river, not that I have seen much of the Murray. After some time with Roy and his sons it was time to depart from the boat and return to my camp. I was so happy to have had the opportunity to get on the river, some days this whole cycling thing is the best thing in the world!

The rest of the day comprised of the usual chores of feeding and eventually sleeping. I did not have to wash as there was no shower!

62.92km 3:09T 19.9A 61.9M Total = 3566

Idle In Nuri

Day 56: 14 December 2014, Sunday.

Today I was blessed with a bit of a hangover! It was a good feeling, well not good really but I have missed having beers with good people.

For the days activities Leon and I went to Elizabeth Shopping Centre where Leon had to carry out the shopping for Christmas chore, I meanwhile wandered around mainly people watching, the shopping centre was busy with the varied lifeforms we class as Australians, a truly bizarre mixture which I will not get into at the moment.

For the rest of the day I fitted my new tyres I had bought and had delivered to Leon, as well as give my bikes transmission a clean.

Otherwise a relaxing day to recharge my batteries….

Another Lost Apple

Day 55: 13 December 2014, Saturday.

I left the ‘Caravan Park’ in near Clare at nine in the morning, an early start for me. I was heading to Nuriootpa where I could stay with a friend of a friend so I wanted to get there at a reasonable time.

Heading south I was on the lookout for the cycle path that I was told about yesterday and after a few kilometres I spotted it to my left. At the next junction I turned left and started down the Riesling Cycle Path which would take me to Auburn twenty-two kilometres distant.

A Lovely Shaded Cycle Lane

The cycle lane was magnificent, it was constructed where the old railway lines ran so there were not and major elevation changes and generally it felt like I was going downhill. I was racing along and really enjoying not just the ride but the views too. The lane ran through the vineyard region of Clare Valley and was stunning.

Wine Growing In Clare Valley.

It seemed like no time at all before I was in Auburn which was a great start to the day and as I was traversing the Riesling Cycle Path I found a brochure for cycling here and it showed the cycle path continued onto Riverton, another twenty-five kilometres of cycle paths! Great.

Panoramic Dude.

I went to the supermarket in Auburn and got the usual apple and peach and then headed off onto the Rattler Cycle Path, named after the rattling trains that would usually trundle over the rails that the cycle path were constructed over. This lane was not as spectacular as the Riesling trail but it was okay still, and it beat going on the roads, no traffic was non-existent, I only saw one other cycle on the path all day!

As I was travelling the Ratter path there were some road crossings which I had to slow down for as there may be traffic but also as there was usually a biggish lump to get over. On one road crossing I could see down both ways of the road so I knew there was no traffic present, as well as the path looking lumpless so I did not reduce my speed much and I crossed the road. As I was about to get back onto the cycle lane a rabbit ran out in front of me, I had to swerve to avoid hitting it and possibly falling off and so hit a pothole. Out leapt my apple from my handlebar bag! The apple quickly ran away down the road. Another lost apple, two in as much days!

Once in Riverton I attempted to go to the supermarket to buy another apple, it was closed! They closed at midday on Saturdays, I arrived ten minutes too late. I sat there bemoaning my situation while eating some muesli bars and watched as three people arrived to the supermarket to find it closed within the fifteen minutes I was sat there. I reckon they need to stay open longer, they are losing business.

The next town passed Riverton was Tarlee so it was back on the road for the twenty odd kilometres. The road was nice to me and I managed to arrive to Tarlee in less than forty minutes. Then it was a grind. The road from Tarlee to Kapunda was uphill and the sun was beating down on me. After the quick ride to Tarlee it was a slow crawl up over the hills to get into the next valleys. After eight kilometres the road started downhill and again I could really push on.

In Kapunda my first duty was to get a cold drink and some fruit. Those needs satisfied I meandered down to the information centre which was beside the library. As I am a member of the Port Augusta public library I could log onto the internet and via my credit-less phone I could access my emails. This was good as I had to contact Leon, the friend of a friend in Nuriootpa, to let him know I was on my way. On checking my email I found he had sent an email a few days ago which contained his phone number. Now that I had the information I required to find Leon I cycled out of the town of Kapunda passing a miner statue adorned in a Santa outfit.

Mining Santa

It was then a short hop over the hills to Greenock and the final leg of the day to Nuriootpa itself…

Which Upon Arrival I Achieved 3500km.

I cycled into the town itself and located a pay phone. I called Leon and he drove to where I was and he had the magnificent idea of retiring to a local pub!

Leon was a tremendously fantastic character, we had a few beers and then purchased a box of more beer and then went to his home. I will not dwell too much on the evening, we had some food and drunk some beers, I washed the filth off my skin and washed my decrepit clothes. As he had the internet I also downloaded the final round of the MotoGP racing, and as Leon likes the racing too I finally got to watch the final round raced ages ago and discover who would be the Moto3 World Champion as well as watch the other races, all on a huge TV!

96.72km 5:04T 19.0A 49.1M Total = 3503

Into The Wine Region

Day 54: 12 December 2014, Friday.

I was awake and away from Gladstone on another day on my bicycle. Initially, in Gladstone I went to the supermarket and bought an apple and a peach and sat down outside while I devoured the peach with the intention of consuming the apple later on.

From Gladstone the road led me up a hill for some time before after twelve kilometres I reached Georgetown. As I approached the town I saw another fully laden bicycle coming from the other way. Naturally we both stopped. He was from Germany and had done extensive riding around Australia with this journey taking him across to Perth. He had deliberately chosen to travel west to benefit from the winds, a smart man! We talked for about half an hour, he was almost done for the day, his destination being Gladstone (so he was pleased to hear it was pretty much downhill from Georgetown and a tailwind, yes I had another day of headwinds) and as he had ridden from Clare, where I was heading for this day, he let me in on some of the route, like the ‘Caravan Park’ is three kilometres out of town and there is a cycle lane from Clare to Auburn.

While talking to the German I also noticed my apple was missing, I had left it in Gladstone. Gutted!

I had to press on, unlike the German I had only started my day!

I pushed on and had a rest at a parking area just before Gulnare.

About 2km From Gulnare In Fact!

Gulnare was not on the road and as I did not require anything there was no reason to down the kilometre to the town and I continued down the Main North Road as it is called on my map.

The next town was Yacka which was also the final town before Clare a further forty kilometres away so I stopped and had a rest and a can of soft drink. To enter Yacka I had to cross a bridge over a river…

Not A Very Wet River At This Time Of Year But Very Green.

The final slog was tough, the wind picked up and I ended up crawling over some of the hills battling not only wind but due to the slow speed flies as well. I took a brief stop after twenty kilometres and then it was the final stretch to Clare.

Just Before Clare I Started To see the Vineyards The Region Is Known For.

As I dragged myself into the outskirts of Clare I also arrived to thirty-four hundred kilometres!

The Road Into Clare At 3400km

Once in the town of Clare itself I went to the supermarket and then using the knowledge I gained earlier from the German guy I rode out of town to the ‘Caravan Park’. I must say I was happy to have been given this information as there were no signs indicating the ‘Caravan Park’ was south of the town.

Once at the ‘Caravan Park’ I discovered the reception closed at six in the evening, it was ten past as I arrived. There was a phone number to call but I do not have a working phone so that was of no use. I saw some people not far away at a barbecue area so I popped over and asked if they had a phone I could use, they did and they were happy for me to call the staff and sort out a place to pitch my tent. The lady who came to the reception was very nice and only charged me twenty dollars instead of the twenty-seven that was originally quoted to me when I had called. That was good as the ‘Caravan Park’ was no better that last night at Gladstone, the extra money was for being in Clare I guess.

After checking in I went to thank the couple who had loaned me there phone and had a chat to them, they were (like most people in Australia) very excellent people. When I said farewell to go and sort out my tent the bloke even gave me a couple of cans of beer! Gotta love that sort of thing! So I drank a beer, pitched my tent, drank the other beer, had a shower and finally cooked my dinner.

And that was the day done!

82.86km 5:18T 15.6A 49.8M Total = 3407

Towns

Day 53: 11 December 2014, Thursday.

I awoke and joined Peter for breakfast that he had prepared and with a full belly I departed Peter and Wilmington heading south.

Today marked a change in the riding, instead of covering large distances between towns in this area there were frequent towns which I could stop at and buy some food to snack on. The first of these towns was called Melrose, twenty-two kilometres down the road.

Where There was A Lovely Park For Me to Rest In.

I had a rest and then went into the town centre where there was a bicycle shop. I popped in and checked it out, it had a reasonable supply of parts of good quality and as a bonus also free WiFi which I used to check my emails… which there were a lot of!

Next I rode through Murraytown and then towards Wirrabara. Not far before Wirrabara I saw this sign…

What Is The New Speed Limit!!!

I thought this sign was rather amusing, the speed limit has changed but they do not let you know what it is! Can the police pull you over and say you were speeding as the limit is (choose a number) and you could get a ticket! Okay I know this wouldn’t happen in reality but it gave me a chance to have a giggle.

I stopped at Wirrabara and had a cold drink and then rode through Stone Hut and then on towards Laura.

Before Laura I Reached 3300km.

I noticed a cycle lane on the right side of the road so when I found an access way to it (it was fenced off from the road) I started down the cycle lane and away from any traffic (to be fair there was not a lot of traffic anyway but it is always good to have a lane to yourself.)

It Is All Mine!!!

Soon I was approaching Laura on the cycle lane. Entering Laura can be achieved in two ways, the way I was going I would be entering from the rear but I prefer a more frontal approach so I rode to the main road and entered Laura via the main entrance. Laura seems like a nice place, I was tempted to stay the night but I really needed to get some kilometres covered as I had essentially lost a day yesterday with the pitifully slow day of riding.

A Statue In Laura

So I plugged on for the final eleven kilometres to Gladstone. I went first to the supermarket and bought some food for dinner and then retraced my steps to the ‘Caravan Park’ where I checked in (twenty dollars) and set up my accommodation.

The ‘Gladstone Caravan Park’ has very good facilities so I showered and then went to the camp kitchen and using their pots. Pans and dinnerware cooked my dinner and then sat with my computer and composed some of my blog posts. Finally I decided as I was the only person there I could sit in the kitchen area and watch a movie, so I did and then it was my bed time so I went to my tent and that was the end of the day!

83.00km 5:12T 15.9A 34.4M Total = 3324

Pride.

Day 52: 10 December 2014, Wednesday.

I departed the ‘Caravan Park’ in Port Augusta and rode the single kilometre into the town centre where I went to the public library to use their free Wi-Fi connection. I went inside and discovered I had to become a member to obtain access to the ‘net so I am now a card carrying member of the Port Augusta Library! On the plus side I can now access the internet from any of the public libraries in South Australia.

Then it was back on the road south. I had planned that today I would ride to Port Pirie but this quickly dissolved into an impossibility. The road was narrow and heavily populated with lorries which in the heavy headwind (damn headwind again!!!) I was getting pushed off the road by the air that was jostled around by their passing and into the gravel of the soft shoulder. This road was not a good one to be on at all.

The Horrible Weather And Road At 3200km.

I consulted my map and saw that twenty-four kilometres from Port Augusta there was a road heading off east from the main road, I decided to take this road to escape the traffic. It was a crawling pace as I rode along into the wind and then I got a flat tyre, the rear cheap tyre failed again. It had picked up a small sharp stone! Once repaired I continued on and after almost three hours on the road I made it to the junction and turned off the main road and headed inland towards Wilmington…

…And There Were Hills In The Way.

The wind howled and I crawled towards the hills, I needed to rest but as there was no where to rest the bike I just walked along with the bike. I find this rests my legs as different muscles are used and I can recover somewhat.

Then a ute pulled over beside me and a bloke asked if I wanted to chuck my bike in the back of the ute and get a lift over the hills. Due to pride I had to say no. We got to talking and I discovered he was a vintage bike fan and had quite a collection. He asked if I wanted to camp on his land in Wilmington, which was about twenty kilometres away and I said ‘yes!’ He departed and I continued my crawl up to the hills.

The Pass Over The Hills

It was a long slow ride (and walk) up to the top of the pass, Peter, the guy in the ute, said there was a monument and when I saw it I was flooded with relief, it was all downhill to Wilmington from here!

Going Down….

It was a quick end to a very slow day. I first visited the general store and then went to Peters abode and settled in for the night. Peter was a great host, he cooked me some dinner and showed me his collection of motorbikes, aeroplane engines and other assorted bits and pieces, a very cool collection indeed.

Eventually the evening faded into the night and I retired to my tent and the land of the sleepers.

47.44km 4:57T 9.5A 47.5M Total = 3241