It's July 9 and, after 10 days recovering from COVID, we both realise that it's time to 'get physical' and make a few runs towing the trailers.
Feeling a little energyless as yet, but will make each run a little longer and the trailers a little heavier each time. At least, that's the intention! We'll see how we go!!
I completed our NZ Passenger Declaration forms this morning. Then we climbed Hummock Hill, just behind the motel, to admire the views of Whyalla. This impressive sculpture of a scuba diver is just outside our motel. Below, views from Hummock Hill. Whyalla's unique, circular jetty. The foreshore is quite shallow. The sand beneath makes the sea appear pale blue in comparison to the dark blue of the deeper water. Whyalla has a busy steel mill. Steel and iron ore from the Iron Knob mines is barged out to awaiting ships. During WW2, the area was protected by a large, manned artillery gun. Behind the motel is a tranquil park with an aviary and the biggest tree I've ever seen! I forgot to mention that, on the way back, we detoured into Whyalla's main street and shouted ourselves to a lovely coffee and cheesecake! Old habits die hard!
Our cycle trip is over and my blog posts conclude today. We have successfully crossed the Nullarbor Plains - for the second time - which is exhilarating and very satisfying! It's been quite a challenge but we've survived! After 2 years of COVID isolation, we're so thankful that we had the opportunity to cycle again in amazing Australia, even though we had to change plans at the end. Hope you enjoyed travelling along with us via our blog. Here are a few Statistics: *Began Cycle: 1 August 2022 *Duration: 60 days *Cycle Days: 42 *Rest Days: 18 *Distance Cycled: 2388kms *Average Daily Cycle: 56kms *Days Cycling Over 100kms: 1 *Most kms in One Day: 118kms *Least kms in One Day: 21kms *Punctures: 1 (Del's thorn proofing worked!) *Broken Spokes: 2 (all Del's) *Accidents: 0 *Average kms an hour: 9 - 15 kph *Last Cycle Day: 29 September 2022 Thank you to everyone who posted comments and encouraged us on. We couldn't reply but appreciated every single one! Note to Self...
Well folks, we've been reviewing our plans! What an experience this has been! We've cycled over 2000kms, crossed 2 time zones and have survived some very challenging conditions. We're just not doing the daily mileage that we expected to do - hills, head winds, trailer weight and age being the main factors. This has meant more bush camps (over 25 so far) which in turn has meant carrying more heavy water supplies and food, which most certainly contributed to Del's broken spokes. With the hills of the Flinders Ranges, Broken Hill terrain and crossing the Great Dividing Range (some 1740kms), we realise that, at our age and with Del's bike problems, it is a challenge that would be lengthy, gruelling, potentially dangerous and probably beyond our ability. (We've cycled Coffs Harbour to Coolangatta on a previous trip.) We have decided to continue to Iron Knob then turn south to Whyalla, a major town with an airport. From there, we'll prepare to fly to Adelaide, the...
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