At last! It's all systems GO!

 

For 3 years we've been dreaming of making a return visit to Outback Australia by bike.

Each time the itinerary was carefully plotted and we booked the flights - and each time either New Zealand or Australia went in to lockdown. 

Thinking that another cycle in Australia was never going to happen, I impulsively sold one of the cargo trailers on Trade Me. 

I immediately regretted it.                                                                                                              Were our cycling adventures really over? Heck, NO! 

I was soon investing in a new trailer!   

On 4 major cycles before COVID, we'd virtually circumnavigated Australia and cycled up the middle, from Adelaide to Darwin through the Red Centre.

On our next trip, we would cycle, towing our trailers, West to East across the continent from Perth to the Nullarbor Plain, then on to Port Augusta, Broken Hill, through the Great Dividing Range to Coffs Harbour and up the coast to Coolangatta. 

We estimate that the trip would take 90 to 100 days. The prospect was exciting and gave us a goal to aim for!

Travel restrictions were still in place, but at least we could keep fit in preparation.                  We walked at least 5 Kilometres a day and did a couple of reasonable cycle rides a week - but always with the reward of a coffee and muffin at each destination.

In March 2022, travel opened up again with Australia.                                                               

Both 81 going on 82 by now, there is no time to hesitate! Time is more precious than ever!

Originally we had hoped to start the cycle in late March 2022 but, as Omicron was rampant in Australia and beginning to appear in New Zealand, we decided to delay our start date to late July when, hopefully, the outbreak had settled down.

We booked our flight to Perth for July 26 and booked a motel unit, not far from the airport, where we would assemble the bikes and trailers and stock up on necessities.

We've meticulously revisited our itinerary, particularly noting possible camp outs in the event of slow progress through the hilly areas - The Darling Scarp, Flinders Ranges and the Great Dividing Range.  

Del's put together a first aid kit - tourniquet, bandages, penicillin, antihistamine etc.- even a scalpel blade! Hope we won't be needing any of it! 

It's May 2022. Time to unpack and assemble my new cargo trailer and put our electric bikes into "mothballs". 

Time to get used to handling our sturdy, hybrid bikes again, too. We'll need to attach the trailers and get used to towing them soon.

We now have no excuse but to think positively and prepare for our cycle across Australia.

Can't believe that this is actually going to happen at long last! Woo-Hoo!! 🚴‍♂️🚴‍♀️