Ive been away, ironically, and as such have missed keeping the retrospective entry's up to date. As such here is a week of cycling as a result of my current week of canoeing. Hope you enjoy.
26.9.2006: Streaky Bay to Wudinna
Stat's: 135.40km, 5hrs 16mins 48secs, 25.6km/hr
Weather: Cool morning, Very Hot, Clear Sky's, Cross Winds changing to Tail.
We had a great rest day yesterday in Streaky Bay. Most of us finished the usual rest day tasks of washing bikes and cloths by early morning. Leaving the rest of the day to potter around the coastal town, along with about 200-300 PROBUS members in town for a gathering.
I find it interesting to watch the way people respond to the day following a rest day. This one being of particular interest as for many, the past eight day stint had been a major mental hurdle to overcome. Many see the trip as covered having made it this far. A rest day can certainly rejuvenate you both physically and mentally. However it can also lead a person to relax too much. Making it very difficult to get going over the next few days. Particularly as we still have around 2000km left to ride before we get to Sydney over the next three weeks.
I have decided not to make any individual rest day too big a goal. As Sydney is still a long way off.
Todays ridding became my most enjoyable of the ride so far. A combination of having had some physical recovery, along with slightly increased rolling hills and a rolling two line formation seemed to suit me. All day I felt strong in the saddle.
A highlight today was definitely the 'Concrete Crapper' at our lunch stop location. Its blunt yet honest name leaving no doubt as to its intended purpose.
We arrive too early in Wudinna and had to spend an hour at the local roadhouse enjoying refreshments. Before heading back into town to the joint community hall/school hall where we are staying tonight. The team were greeted by a group of year nine students, who seemed eager to talk to us until a point at which it was no longer possible for their teacher to issue any more work before the school day ended. They were extremely well mannered though, and a number of them had recently been involved in a 24hr, self built, recumbent cycling relay.
Chris made the mistake of asking the lady at dinner to call "Spunky" as his name on his meal when it was ready. A name I'm sure he will regret by the end of the ride.
Cafe at Wudinna = 9/10. A 1pt loss as isolated and can't get back easily.
Punctures: Me (0), Group (6)
Brain Snaps: Mild (2), Moderate (0), Max (0)
27.9.2006: Wudinna to Kimba
Stats: 105.06km, 4hrs 4mins 20secs, 25.7km/hr
Weather: Hot, Clar Sky's, Fluctuating Winds
I had another day in which the short stage got me. I am not to sure what the trigger is, but consistently these lower distance days are proving to be the most difficult personally.
Rolling climbs occupied most of our cycling time today. Conditions that normally suit me. Today from our second session on, it felt as though I had been injected with lactic acid, directly into the quadriceps.
We rolled into Kimba not long after midday and it took near on an hour before I felt any desire to finish stretching-relaxing-hydrating to get around to eating and having a shower. Kimba advertises as the halfway point across Australia. Some basic measurements suggest this is more marketing strategy than geographic fact. It is though the halfway for us time wise. Very much missing home.
Punctures: Me (0), Group (7)
Brain Snaps: Mild (2), Moderate (0), Max (0)
28.9.2006: Kimba to Port Augusta
Stats: 156.18km, 5hrs 58mins 48secs, 26.1km?hr
Weather: Hot to Very Hot, Dry, Clear Sky's, Minimal Winds with late Tail Wind.
Someone mentioned yesterday that it was halfway in terms of days away. For many in the group this was welcome news. For me it initiated feelings of home sickness for the first time I can recall in my life. I spent most of todays ride feeling run down and depressed about how long it is before I will be home to see Kel again.
We rode out of Kimba early as today involved over 150km to Port Augusta. As has been the case most of our days so far, the freezing night temperatures left a coolness in the air that had us rugged up, knowing full well that by mid morning most of our layers will have been discarded to the floor of the support bus.
The morning was spent in beautiful tree lined roads, with hills that could even be described as 'climbs'. Two of the widest 'over size' trucks I can recall ever seeing were the only distraction through a very enjoyable mornings ride. Sending us packing to the gravel on the side of the road.
Some time following morning tea the trees vanished, as dis the gentle climbs. We found ourselves cycling through the most barren, hot, dry surrounds we had seen so far in the ride. Many of us commenting on the fact that we hd expected such surrounds through the Nullarbor. Not on our way across the Eyer Peninsular.
y knees, that had been behaving themselves also chose this moment to remind me that we have ridden some 2500km. For a good hour it felt like some one was driving a hot knife into my left knee, with each rotation of the pedal. Thankfully following lunch my knee settled down enough to make cycling a pleasant experience again (thank you Voltaren). We also had the incredible views of the Flinders Ranges ahead of us to soften the harsh environment we were cycling through. A strake contrast to Iron Knob, which we rode past, looking like a scene from Lord of the Rings.
The day finished with a solid 15km into head winds, just to drain the last remaining ounces of energy from my sapped body. Tonight I look forward to some sound sleep, lots of it. Full of dreams of home and Kel.
Punctures: Me (0), Group (7)
Brain Snaps: Mild (2), Moderate (0), Max (0)
29.9.2006: Port Augusta to Port Pirie
Stats: 95.41km, 4hrs 55mins 4sec, 19.4km/hr
Weather Warm, Clear Skys, Strong Head Winds
The consistency of it is astounding. It has been without exception on this ride that if we have a shorter day, a chance for the legs to recover. The winds turn against us. Draining both physically and mentally, head winds smashed us all day. Turning a cruisey 90km day into an epic day of ridding.
Les had done enough research to know that the prevailing winds here this time of year are Northerlies and Southerlies. As we turned South for a day from Port Augusta to Port Pirie we could only hope that Nrtherlies would come up trumps. We were dealt a hand full of stocking filler cards.
The morning was spent at average speeds around 17km/hr. If it was not for the views of the Flinders Rangers on the left and the Spencer Gulf on the right. I would seriously question what I was doing today.
A pair of Chec speaking Chec's joined us for morning tea. Their bikes (and cycling trailers) overflowing with gear reminding us how 'easy' we have it with our support vehicles. The views of the Remarkables National Park, as a part of the Flinders Rangers, being particularly impressive.
Shortly after morning tea we were joined by half a dozen local cyclists to guide us into town. Fresh legs taking the brunt of the head wind lifting spirits and average speeds. Though some of their group cycling practices did have eyes bulging at various points.
Piries hospitality excelled itself in every aspect. Mayoral visits, local cyclist support, brilliant meal and a local community interest and encouragement. The warmth of this industrial port countering the difficulties of our day.
Punctures: Me (0), Group (7)
Brain Snaps: Mild (2), Moderate (0), Max (0)
30.9.2006: Port Pirie to Burra
Stats: 123.05km, 5hrs 17mins 21secs, 23.2km/hr
Weather: Warm, Clear Sky's, Cross-Tail-Head Winds
Today is the last day we will ride as a group before we are joined by the Adelaide to Sydney group. Whilst it will certainly change the group dynamics of the ride, I think it will be to the benefit of our sanity. As ridding and living together in physically and mentally demanding circumstances is, in my perspective, beginning to stretch friendships.
We exited Port Pirie again in the company of the grey army cycling club of town. Their local knowledge hiding us through back streets for the early kilometres. We progressed to a very attractive town, Crystalbrook, at which point we began our days climbing into the Flinders Ranges. Ranges we had been watching for the past few days.
Fatigue and confusion as to the structure and priorities of riding as a group on one climb saw me flip it bigger than Ihave experienced for some time. A solid hit out up a 5-10km climb soon disposed of the tension.
A cruisey 18km descent bought us into Burra to finish the day. A very attractive town with international influence through the Burra Charter.
Punctures: Me (0), Group (8)
Brain Snaps: Mild (2), Moderate (1), Max (0)
30.9.2011
Back home after a week with the TAFE course building skills in Canoeing and guiding at Cliftonville on the Hawkesburry River having taken me away from all things technological. I must say whilst I greatly enjoyed the experience of participating in the course, I find spending time away from the family is getting harder and harder all the time.
This was only reinforce when I walked in the door to be created by a walking 11 month old. When I had left some days earlier Evie was certainly walking behind a walker, but now she was stringing 10 plus steps together. This small developmental step making her seem months older than when I had left.
Training, outside of the 6-7 hours spent in canoes each day, was none existent. With spare time minimal as I concentrated on the development of Canoeing skills and knowledge to ensure the time away from home was made worth it with maximal learning fans over the week.
Unfortunately Wednesday morning also lead to mishap in lifting and laterally moving a canoe.A definite popping sensation hit my right ribs and the next few days were spent paddling in significant discomfort. A trip to Ollie the physio wonder identifying damage to the rib cartilage, an injury that is best described as annoying in its inconsistent application of discomfort and slow time frame for full recovery.
It seems running will be off the cards for a while. Though surprisingly gentle swimming has been prescribed as suitable exercise in the circumstances. Seems it's time to work on the weakness.
So a song for Evie:
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