Friday, August 23.

F

Day 27.        Gawler     to     Wellington.

Distance:  123 km in 5 hrs 35 min at 21.4 km/ hr.

Distance so far:  2780 km.

Climbed:  2689 ft.

Elevation tonight: 71 ft ASL.

AHR:  125 bpm.

Punctures so far:   0

Out at 7.30.            In at 2.30.

Cyclist 7 (of 15). Pat (Melbourne) Recently retired from the health profession. Earlier this year she rode across the top from Cairns to Darwin. Now she’s doing the bottom.

Cyclist 8 (of 15). Lorraine (Melbourne) doing this trip on a mountain bike. Celebrated her birthday in bush camp.

I found today tough with rain and wind. It’s the first day I felt like lying down after my shower. But, I enjoyed finishing the challenge.

Heavy rain overnight in Gawler but it was clear as we loaded the bags before breakfast. However, by the time we were ready to leave at 7.30, a steady drizzle was down and I decided to don the rain gear just in case. It was a good decision as things just kept getting worse as we climbed out of the city. The rain continued almost until morning tea at Palmer (48 km). By that stage I was well soaked inside (perspiration from the long climbs) and so it was imperative that I leave the rain gear on. It rained later on again also, so it was on then for the day. The only day so far that has happened. 

Plentiful flow of water on streams as we climbed into the Adelaide Hills. In some areas, water was trapped in hollows, some man made but others, obviously were just part of the terrain. On the News a few moments ago, it stated that around Adelaide, this is the wettest winter in 8 years and the coldest since 1997. Just my luck.

As we started out of Gawler we touched the near limits of the Barossa Valley, another wine stronghold and vines draped down the slopes. This may be the last wine area we meet, but it doesn't have to be the end of the wine.

In so many areas today, and also on the Rest Day in Clare, when you go onto the B roads and off the highways, the land and slopes look virgin, much as the original explores must have seen it. Slopes with scattered gum trees about that must be much older than the European settlement. This country is so young; scarcely anything is over 200 years old.  

Into the Adelaide Hills meant some serious climbing. It came in three or four steps till we were at 1550 ft ASL on Mount Crawford. Here, for the first time there was pine forestry plantations. As it was raining at this time, I didn't get a shot. The head was down and ploughing on.

Actually, today was a day for just concentrating on the cycling, not on scenery. Head down and pedal away to put the kms behind and to get to destination quickly and out of the wet gear.

Plenty of posters around in all areas for the upcoming General Election in September. The same faces have appeared since we left Port Augusta. It must all be one constituency.

After Tungkilla, rain eased off. In some places the road was actually dry. Also, even better still, the ground began to fall away and we lost all we climbed in one fell swoop. But it was nice. The landscape became very stony with rock outcrops on fields. Much like East Galway, I thought, except there were no stone walls. 

It seemed to be giant sandstone boulders along the road. This continued right into Palmer where we had morning tea. Palmer prides itself as Home of the Bear Rock.

After the morning tea, we changed direction, heading south and had to contend with more of the wind. I was skirting over the southern shoulder of the Adelaide Hills and the wind was proving to be a bit of a nuisance; a lot of a nuisance. All grazing country around on our left hand side as I progressed to Murray Bridge for lunch.

In Murray Bridge as I cycled into the town park for lunch I was buzzed by magpies again. Down in a swoop, snap on the helmet and off up again. This had happened earlier also this morning as I climbed up near Mount Crawford.

In Murray Bridge (88 km), we were on the banks of the Murray and passed under the Princess Highway (motorway). The rest of today’s route was to follow the Murray downstream to Wellington. We weren't actually on the bank of the river but it generally in view on my left hand side.

Just outside Murray Bridge, there were large stretches of land devoted to market gardening....cabbage and lettuce were in view. Some dairying also on both sides pf the road. nerds there, including bo-na-leath-hadhairce. Tomorrow, we cross the Murray by ferry. The next time I meet it will be on my solo trip up to Sydney when I cycle from Yarrawonga to Albury.

Just 10 km from destination, at Jervois, I turned right and onto the teeth of a vicious headwind. That was the toughest 10 km that I have done for a while. It took great effort to move at 14 km/ hr. It was a major factor in me feeling so jaded when I came in.

This stretch was mostly dairy. Plenty of herds were on my left, each with its own milking area. United Dairy Products had a big facility on this stretch and I’m sure all the staff there were very busy, as happens in such places.

Just short of Wellington, I came across an image that mirrored my own. I felt that my tanks were empty too.

Paul, Woody and I had already booked into Cabin 8 and hot showers were the first item on the agenda. In time, we all recovered and attended the briefing for tomorrow’s route to Salt Creek. Then, I rustled up a fine dinner of chicken breasts, potatoes and beans.

A good night’s sleep and I’ll be game ball for tomorrow.

Thank God for the health and thank God for for the energy.