Now we're back in New Zealand and I'm well on the way to recovery!
We decided to sell our bikes and trailers in Geraldton, before we went home in early September.
They had been amazing work horses over several cycle trips in Australia and we had already planned to sell them.
But that didn't signal the end of our cycling!
Our first move on arrival back in Pukekohe was to buy two e-bikes!
Plans are afoot to explore the North and South Island in the not too distant future.
Meanwhile here are a few statistics of our Cairns to nearly Perth Cycle trip!
*Duration - 100 days (27 May to 4 September 2018)
*Cycling Days - 78
*Distance Cycled - 6074km
*Average Daily Cycle - 78km
*Days Cycling over 100km - 16
*Most Kms in One Day - 139km
*Least Kms in One Day - 32km
*Punctures - 16
*Bush Camps/Tenting - 31
*Rest Days/Non Cycling - 22
*Accidents - 2
*Rainy Days - 3
*Average Kms per Hour - 14/15kmph
*Last Cycling Day/Day of Major Accident - 28 August 2018 - 490 north of Perth
*Money Raised for Neurological Foundation of new Zealand - $2,639.30
**Our sincere thanks to everyone who donated to the Foundation.**
Thursday, November 1, 2018
Thursday, August 30, 2018
Recovering in Geraldton! Friday 31st August
Del's been a great nurse, showering me, changing dressings and issuing medications. Didn't realise how restricted one is with one arm out of use!
Feeling a little more comfortable and planning to fly back to NZ some time next week.
Feeling a little more comfortable and planning to fly back to NZ some time next week.
Meanwhile, thank you so much to everyone who has been following us on our journey, for your support, for your lovely comments and wishes for a speedy recovery.
Special thanks and appreciation to the donors to our GiveALittle Page. The page will stay open until the end of October.
Special thanks and appreciation to the donors to our GiveALittle Page. The page will stay open until the end of October.
What a journey this has been!
We've had exhilarating times, exhausting times and frustrating times, but Australia still remains to us a vast, wild and amazingly wonderful country, and Australians, considerate, helpful and generous.
We've had exhilarating times, exhausting times and frustrating times, but Australia still remains to us a vast, wild and amazingly wonderful country, and Australians, considerate, helpful and generous.
As soon as we can, we'll break down the statistics of the ride as a summary.
It's been fun sharing our journey with you and we've made so many Facebook friends in the process.
Thank you, everyone.
Thank you, everyone.
Tuesday, August 28, 2018
Plans Change! Bush Camp to Somewhere 40kms North of Northampton
The day began so positively. On the road by 6.45am — and a tail wind. Rain clouds developed and we were caught in a couple of showers.
Had intended a bush camp at 70kms, but tramping through the wet bush and putting up the tent on wet, red soil didn't appeal. We agreed to battle on to Northampton, 103kms away.
We entered the wheat belt. Hectares of green wheat stretched to the horizon in every direction.
Hill climbs were rewarded with welcome downhill runs.
On the last downhill, I hit a pothole.
The handlebars were thrown off course and the heavy trailer began to go into an uncontrollable wobble. I was thrown onto the road at speed and face planted on the bitumen.
The handlebars were thrown off course and the heavy trailer began to go into an uncontrollable wobble. I was thrown onto the road at speed and face planted on the bitumen.
Del came to my aid immediately, as did a couple of passing women, who phoned for an ambulance from Geraldton Hospital.
Everyone was so wonderful - the ambulance medics, the nurses, doctors and specialists. I have stitches in elbow, brow and lip, fractured shoulder and multiple grazes. Not a pretty sight - but things could have been much worse.
Looks like our Cairns to Perth Cycle ends here, I'm afraid, folks.
We'll spend several days getting organised. My bike and trailer are in Binnu. Del's are in Northampton. We'll have to organise getting them to Geraldton. We've arrived here with nothing but the clothes we stand in - cycle knicks and shirts. Should be back in NZ in a week hopefully.
We'll spend several days getting organised. My bike and trailer are in Binnu. Del's are in Northampton. We'll have to organise getting them to Geraldton. We've arrived here with nothing but the clothes we stand in - cycle knicks and shirts. Should be back in NZ in a week hopefully.
Monday, August 27, 2018
6,000kms! Billabong Roadhouse to Bush Camp - 77kms
Left at daybreak after a fruit salad and yoghurt breakfast bought at the roadhouse.
Minimal wind but a continuous series of hills had us working hard with our heavy, water filled trailers in tow.
Minimal wind but a continuous series of hills had us working hard with our heavy, water filled trailers in tow.
Roadside shrubs are beginning to flower adding more colour to the way sides.
Spotted another convoy of caterpillars crossing the road, nose to tail. Two seconds after photographing them, the convoy was decimated by a passing caravan. Those not squashed were blown high into the air by the vehicle's draft.
Spotted another convoy of caterpillars crossing the road, nose to tail. Two seconds after photographing them, the convoy was decimated by a passing caravan. Those not squashed were blown high into the air by the vehicle's draft.
Flies are getting more numerous and progressively more of a nuisance the further south we travel.
Thick, bushy landscape now. No sign of animals.
Decided to begin looking for a suitable camp spot at 70kms.
Murphy's Law - That was when all the thick bush disappeared leaving low lying scrub. 7kms later, with no success, decided to take pot luck and tramped into the scrub anyway. Found a straggly bush for cover and, after Del had removed grass clumps and rubbish, we set up camp.
It's 5.15pm and time to prepare our meal before the sun goes down.
And the flies have disappeared at last!
Completed 6,000kms today! Yay!
Saturday, August 25, 2018
A Short Ride! Overlander Roadhouse to Billabong Roadhouse - 48kms
Slept in until 5.00am this morning. With a short ride planned for today, we leisurely packed and loaded the trailers.
Watched a beautiful, red sunrise as the moon slowly slipped out of view. Enjoyed our complimentary Continental breakfast in the roadhouse, then off at 7.00am.
The road, a long, straight, roller coaster, unfurled in front of us as we reached the top of each hill. The hills soon sapped our energy and we were glad that we had chosen a shorter ride today.
Saw more goats - one healthy one in the bush - and dozens crammed together in the two storied trailers of a road train.
Carpets of wildflowers eventually petered out except for the occasional patch. Piles of rocks and enormous boulders littered the bush.
Flies quickly became a nuisance. A smearing of "Bushman“ on arms and legs helps to deter them and we're cycling in our fly nets daily now.
Reached the roadhouse by 11.30am. Took a donga, then grabbed some lunch. Will load up with bottled water from the roadhouse in preparation for a couple of consecutive bush camps coming up.
We'll be carrying 18L of water berween us. Hope we lose the hills soon!
Friday, August 24, 2018
Wildflowers! Wooramel Roadhouse to Overlander Roadhouse - 76kms
Left the roadhouse at 6.30am as day broke. Light crosswind allowed us to make good speed on a flat, straight road.
Barren, tree less landscape continued until we reached a range of low lying hills.
Then the road became a roller coaster of humps and dips as we made our way through.
Passed over the 26th Parallel. On the other side of the range, pink/salmon coloured soil replaced the red and ground covers and shrubs became more evident. We spotted emus and a herd of goats amongst the undergrowth.
Also saw a brilliantly blue lake as we came out of the hills. Signs of recent flooding of road floodways.
Then - wildflowers! Yesterday nowhere to be seen! Today everywhere! Hectares of bare, pink land were blanketed in yellow flowers with occasional patches of pink and white. A wonderful sight!
Arrived at the roadhouse in time for lunch - a rare treat for us - then settled into our cabin for a relaxing afternoon.
Getting There! Bush Camp to Wooramel Roadhouse - 50kms
Had the quietest night in our little tent, with minimal road noise.
Yesterday, because of the straggly growth, we had to push 100m into the bush to get decent cover - a bit like tramping through the jungle. Del cleared the way - lots of dead, broken shrubs and tree trunks - and marked it with arrows in the sand. Pushed our way out at 6.30am and just about to go when we discovered that Del's trailer tyre had developed an instant flattie. Puncture fixed, we headed off.
Started with a light crosswind that quickly developed. No cycle speed records today!
Very soon the landscape became barren with a few low lying shrubs and grasses struggling in the red soil.
As we entered the Wooramel region, little greenery was visible in a red 'desert'. It was like a large, dry, red dustbowl.
Saw a herd of goats and, later, a small group of sheep (the first we've seen), some with tails. Don't know how anything survives in this environment.
Eventually reached the Wooramel Roadhouse, and relieved to get off the bike seats.
Took a room, did our washing and prepared for the next few days.
Not far to go now! Around 800 kms to Perth!!!!
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