Distance so far: 605 km. (Same as Mizen to Malin Head.)
'Climbed': 937 ft.
Elevation tonight: 1136 ft ASL.
AHR: 105 bpm.
Punctures so far: 0
Out at 7.45 am. In at 12.30 pm.
Today's cycle was for Oisin, our grandson, who enjoyed his recent spell in Tipperary and helped tending the garden and looked after Pascal, the dog.
In bush- camp, I had hoped that the trees would muffle the sound of the trucks, those damned trucks. The silence about only exaggerated their growl as the tore up the road sounding like a 747 taking off. We could have been camped beside the perimeter fence of Dublin Airport. However, I got some sleep and rose refreshed at 6 am. I am amazed how fresh I am each day considering the small amount of sleep that I'm getting. Not planning on this as being normal.
It was a relatively mild 9 deg as we set out after breakfast around the still smouldering fire- pit. Today was to be a short day of just 100 km or so. By 9 it was warm and sunny and called for more sunscreen. As we rode into Kalgoorlie just after noon the mercury read 28 deg......just like a few weeks ago at home.
The road was gentler than other days as far as Coolgardie. Paul rode stronger today as evidenced by the average of 25 km/ hr. At times others fell in with us for periods and we all powered along as a unit.
Not a field in sight today, just bush to all sides. The pipeline came and went and now we must say goodbye. It was a long distance relationship.......605 km of it. In times of the gold rush (1893) it took miners 40 days to lug their gear out to here from Perth...and no roads.
The first gold was found in Coolgardie ( at 57 km) and the town now has the look and feel of past glory...hotels with balconies, wide streets to facilitate camel-trains to turn and an imposing town -hall. Even Ned Kelly adorns the roof of a local garage.
Immediately after Coolgardie, the mining started and the landscape took on a new shape...hills and mounds on both sides. Mining at present is for various ores that are exported to China. With the landscape changing, the gradient of the road changed also. It was more like home. Still we motored on often moving well over 30 km/ hr with ease.
My cockpit has changed a bit. I now have 2 devices recording my details. The Garmin ( operating off GMS) is demanding on battery power ( can be a problem out here) but the Crivit ( calculating from a sensor on the wheel) is less demanding that way. It's a matter of belt and braces.
I mentioned previously that I had finally seen a 3 unit road train. Today we were passed by a 4 unit one and by a 5 unit train. The driver had announced his approach well in advance; hardly needed to as the tailwind carried the noise to us in time. Oisin, these were trucks that you'd fancy. That tailwind has blown up each day around morning tea time and is most welcome.
Around noon we arrived in Kalgoorlie a thriving mining centre. Gold was discovered here in 1893 ( June 19) by an Irishman, Paddy Hannan. The Main Street is Hannan St and one road in our caravan park is Paddy Hannan Drive. The hotels up along Hannan St bear all the marks of former glory with their balconies out over the sidewalks. Tomorrow, Rest Day, I intend going out to Super Pit to view the work there. I also located a spot that will allow me to upload these posts.
I needed to get a 3G phone to facilitate coverage across the Nullabor. ( Last night, I had no coverage at bush camp). I went to a right clever boyo and he fixed me up.
Tomorrow is a Rest Day and so the post may be short.
Thank God for the health and thank God for the energy.
Note: On Saturday we cycle down to Norseman ( our longest day at 180+ km), swing left and take on the expanse of the Nullabor. I'll continue to write up each day, but may not be able to upload for another 11 or 12 days. Be patient.
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