Life is Like Riding a Bicycle!

It had been 2 years since we arrived back home, euphoric after our safe and successful 3000+ kms cycle through the outback from Adelaide to Darwin.

As soon as we got back, plans were being hatched for the next cycle trip, but everything was suddenly put on hold when we discovered that Del had some vascular problems that needed surgery.

Twelve months and a couple of operations later, Del's fighting fit again - cycling and working out at the gym.

We recently moved to a lovely apartment in a new retirement village south of Auckland - Ryman Healthcare's Possum Bourne Village in Pukekohe. Our bikes and trailers came with us.

At our age, you have to "use it or lose it" so we've decided to take the plunge and do another unescorted ride in Australia this coming winter.

This will be the longest distance we've ever cycled - over 7000 kms - from Cairns on the east coast to Perth on the west coast.

We'll fly to Cairns with our bikes and equipment. We'll ride south to Townsville, head east to Mt Isa and Katherine and across to Broome, then south to Perth.
Doesn't sound far if you say it quickly!!

There'll be long daily rides and many wayside camps to contend with this trip. We've googled all the numerous rest areas and roadhouses along the way. Carrying enough food and water will be a major challenge.

We plan to leave NZ on May 24, the day after my 77th birthday.

We've updated our phones to  new Huaweis! 

I'll be able to take photos and the odd video and blog to my heart's content - though mobile coverage will be limited for much of the trip, so blogs will arrive irregularly and in multiples!

                                 
We've bought a lightweight, down sleeping bag for Del - half the size and weight of his previous one - which will allow more space in my trailer for carrying extra food and water supplies.

We'll check the tent and book the bikes in for a service before we leave.

Look out Australia! Here we come!