157 km in 7 hrs 20 min at 20.8 km/ hr.
AHR: 111 bpm.
Distance so far: 1218 km.
'Climbed': 712 ft
Elevation tonight: 132 ft ASL.
Punctures so far: 0
Left at. 7.30 am. ( WA time). In at 5.00 (Central WA time) i.e. 4.15 (WA time)
Today's ride is dedicated to my parents, brothers and sister. Being the youngest boy, I was hardened. You notice that I always had snazzy dress sense!!. Both my parents are dead (RIP) and I think Topsy, the dog, has been reincarnated as Pascal.
After breakfast in our room we moved off at 7.30. We were by no means the first to hit the road. Apparently, there had been a light drizzle of rain during the night and showed it on the road. The sun shone into our eyes and cast long shadows behind us. It was a little warmer than other mornings but we had a new situation....a light but noticeable headwind. It was blowing from the north-east and we were heading north- east. It did make a difference until we reached the 50 km mark. Our average speed over that section was 17.6 km/ hr and it did sap some energy out of our limbs. Last evening we were informed of this feature but were comforted with the forecast that the wind would swing around at mid- morning to a north- west and help us along as we started on a due east section of the stage. For the second section we averaged 22.6 km/ hr thus yielding our day average of 20.8 km/ hr.
Wildlife today was much the same as previous days. I saw no kangaroos, I saw no emus, I saw no camels, ....should've gone to Specsavers, possibly. But it's the same situation with the others. One of them spotted emus, I hear. I had my eyes peeled on the bush on either side but with no avail. Will I have to wait and go to Sydney Zoo to see a kangaroo? Still there are many road signs warning of these animals straying onto the road for the next 150 km.
But, we had a few positives in this department. Near the end of the day, we heard the howl of a dingo out in the bush to our right hand side but no visual.
I heard more bird sounds today and a few galahs flew along in front of us, landing on the right and then on the left till we came level with them. They have such lovely pastel shades.
Also, for the last few days, I noticed large caterpillars ( hairy mollys) trying to move quickly across the road. Today I decided that the merited a photo and I'll enquire later about their names and habits.
This morning we left a Caiguna Roadhouse, at 66 km, we paused for a coffee at Coccklebiddy Roadhouse and tonight we lodge in Madura Pass Roadhouse after 157 km. There were no services or dwellings in between....just bush land. Each roadhouse has its own source of water ( limited) from a bore but it is very very salty and goes through a desalinating process before being used for human consumption. Rainfall is as low as 8 mm per year, unless there are cyclonic downpours. The staff ( 8 to 10) live on site at the back, papers are not available and they get by with the papers that truckers leave behind. Milk is not delivered daily; when it comes it is frozen so the best-by date is irrelevant. Here in Madura Pass, it has a proper restaurant with linen tablecloths etc. Fuel is a bit more expensive at $2.17/ lt for unleaded. Apart from the roadhouse, there is nothing else...no street or residents or other shops.
We have moved into a new time zone. From Perth we were in Western Time, this evening we are in Central Western Time .. Watches 45 mins on; after the next cycling day we move into Central Time (South Australia) and put them on another 45 mins. Confusing? We'll manage.
Vegetation on either side is much as previous days. Possibly more stretches of what looks like savannah grassland. But I reckon that it's not grass. My interest in the long grass is which way is it blowing. Everywhere you look it's straight lines and infinity.
On these long stretches the mind must be kept active and occupied. After checking that all ais sin place in the earlier part, I watch out for interesting/ unusual aspects. Conversation happens in brief interludes as we really need to keep in single file. I'm always ready to whip out my camera for an opportunity. At times, I'd sing a song in my head and I've noticed that if it's of a lively nature the pedals go faster and eventually my mirror tells me that I've left Paul behind. Time to drop down a few gears and hold back.
Last night, Jim asked if we could work out how long a fast rider( eg 30 km/ hr) would take to catch up with a slower rider ( eg 20 km/ hr) if he started 1 km further back. No conclusion last night, but I started working on it as we pedalled along. I had my Eureka moment and then I tried to generalise. I think I have it cracked now and I presented my finding and formula at dinner tonight. Anyone got Maths problems worked out?
Just before we reached the Roadhouse at Madura we dropped down onto a lower levels. We had a panoramic view of the lowland before us. Then a screamer of a hill right down (1 km) to our destination.( cf Elevation tonight )
We took a room tonight again after a draining day and will leave the tents alone till the next Bush Camp. In fact, I enjoy the camping part, but the temptation to upgrade at the end of the day is too much.
After the meeting dealing with tomorrow's ride, we dressed and dined in style. Plates again were polished clean.
Tomorrow we cycle along this low part and have a corresponding climb up onto the high ground just before our day's end at Eucla. Rest Day there then. Yipee.
Still in Western Australia.
A tiring day today possibly explained by the early headwind. But happy.
Thank God for the health and thank God for the energy.
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