Short updates just now as there is no wifi and everything is by mobile phone. Thankfully, coverage for mobiles is reasonable on Australian highways even if we are 100km from anywhere. 

Leaving Balladonia Roadhouse we cycled to the start of the 90 mile straight road, took the usual photographs then headed on. We had a northerly crosswind and although everyone said the road was flat I think we can officially label it as ‘flattish’. Google maps please take note – it is not ‘level’! It didn’t help that we were carrying 24 litres of water (an extra 53 lbs  of weight) as we expected to bush camp by the side of the road that night.  I think the combined weight of the trailer with water, food and camping gear was about 100 lbs.  Realistically, we should have a truck to tow that! 

It was 181km of nothingness between Balladonia and Caiguna with dusk around 1630hrs. It was never going to be a one day journey  – the wind, the weight and the continual small incline meant steady but gradual progress. 

It was a hot 35c day with a very warm wind that dried me to a prune. Susan and I had two different strategies to fight heatstroke. Myself (Captain Sensible) covered up with leggings, long sleeve top, hat and fingerless gloves whilst Susan (Suzie Malaga) sunbathed on the back of the bike with shorts and a t shirt (yes she did also have sun factor 5o). Neither strategy was particularly successful as we melted all day. I did have to give in and strip standing on the road and put shorts on. 

Eventually after a 100km we pushed the bike off the road behind a few bushes and set up the tent. The bush tucker trial that night was a re hydrated bag of savoury rice with corned beef mixed in. We’re not sure how tasty it was because in the dark I overdid the chilli powder. Vindaloo corned beef rice was a first! Susan is always complimentary towards my camp cooking though it’s dark in the tent and I suspect she is just shovelling it into a pocket. 

We had a great sunset that night and later we enjoyed a wonderful starry sky. 

The following day we set off along the very straight slightly uppy downy road. I have come to the conclusion there actually are no flat roads in the world!  Today, however, that was the least of our problems – we had a 30mph headwind  and another 35c temperature.  As there were no trees or any kind of protection on the road, the wind hammered us all day.

It was unrelenting and although the road was ‘flattish’ we felt like we were tackling hills. It stayed like this for 81km all the way to our destination at the Caiguna Roadhouse.

So 181km Balladonia to Caiguna was completed and yes we did drink all that water plus an additional 2 litres donated by a passing motorist who was returning from a cycle race in Perth. Cyclists of the world unite! 

Tonight we’re pretty tired again but a shower and food has helped. Tomorrow the forecast says it’s a tailwind. I’ll believe it when I feel it. However, I’m so excited I don’t think I’ll sleep tonight. It’s like Christmas tomorrow. ‘Please Santa give me a westerly wind. I’ll be really good’. 

1133km to date. 

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