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All funds raised during my ride across Australia went to either the Australian or New Zealand Heart Foundation depending on the donor’s wish.
It was a thrill to be named Best Individual Fund-raiser for 2011 by the Queensland Branch of the Australian Heart Foundation.
Special thanks to EVERYONE who supported my ride.
It was a thrill to be named Best Individual Fund-raiser for 2011 by the Queensland Branch of the Australian Heart Foundation.
Special thanks to EVERYONE who supported my ride.
Day 8 - April 7th, 2011
Balladonia (WA) to Caiguna (WA)
184.2 kms
Balladonia (WA) to Caiguna (WA)
184.2 kms
DAILY PREVIEW:-
Doesn't the line on the map look straight - and well it should - as we proceed along the Eyre Highway today, I will go along Australia's longest stretch of straight road. Despite using metric measurement for the past 30 years this area is still referred to as "The 90 Mile Straight." In metric terms that translates into 146.6 kilometres without a bend. And what a bonus - slightly downhill all the way!! All I need is a tail wind and today's "century" ride should go well!
When I get to Caiguna, I should find another "Roadhouse" - as well as the "normal" roadhouse facilities (foods, snacks, fuel, motel, camping area) there is an airstrip!
The tourist guide says a visit to Caiguna Blowhole will provide an interesting short road side stop. On the Nullarbor, blowholes are formed by chemical and physical weathering processes that erode the limestone bedrock common in this part of Australia. The name blow hole refers to the fact that these natural features breathe air in and out as high and low pressure weather systems pass across the Nullarbor. The periodic reversal of air flows is a result of pressure equalisation between the underground caverns and the above ground air pressure.
Doesn't the line on the map look straight - and well it should - as we proceed along the Eyre Highway today, I will go along Australia's longest stretch of straight road. Despite using metric measurement for the past 30 years this area is still referred to as "The 90 Mile Straight." In metric terms that translates into 146.6 kilometres without a bend. And what a bonus - slightly downhill all the way!! All I need is a tail wind and today's "century" ride should go well!
When I get to Caiguna, I should find another "Roadhouse" - as well as the "normal" roadhouse facilities (foods, snacks, fuel, motel, camping area) there is an airstrip!
The tourist guide says a visit to Caiguna Blowhole will provide an interesting short road side stop. On the Nullarbor, blowholes are formed by chemical and physical weathering processes that erode the limestone bedrock common in this part of Australia. The name blow hole refers to the fact that these natural features breathe air in and out as high and low pressure weather systems pass across the Nullarbor. The periodic reversal of air flows is a result of pressure equalisation between the underground caverns and the above ground air pressure.
Balladonia to Caiguna
Distance travelled:- 184.17
Highest speed:- 49.8
Average speed:- 22.8
Hours on the bike - 8 hrs, 4 mins, 13 secs
After the good feelings of yesterday - and the look of my elevation chart above - today almost killed me!!!!! It started off badly – my plan said 160 kms, but immediately out the gate of the caravan park the sign said 182 kms to Caiguna!! 22kms further is rather significant – to me anyway!! A pleasant fact though was that Deborah had decided to bike the first 50 kms of their day, so for a period of time we rode together which was terrific. At one stage we rode over a stretch of road that was signposted as an emergency landing strip for the Royal Flying Doctor services (thank goodness no-one wanted to land) – and then round a slight bend, or maybe 2 slight bends - the 90 mile straight stretch of road began. The windless morning gradually became a stronger and stronger northerly, directly across my line of travel. By early afternoon, during the gusts, I almost felt the bike being blown out from under me – far worse than when a road train passes!
It was pretty much flat all the way, the slight inclines and declines made no significant impact on my speed, it was just pedal, pedal, pedal with this gut-busting cross wind.
With 30 kms to go, I was ready to call it quits for the day, but Pat suggested breaking it into 10 km bursts to see how I went. I’ve never known such long 10 km stretches, my legs were gone and thank goodness for so many gears on my bike. I needed them all!!
If you can “limp” in on a bike – that’s what I did. I guess my stats for the day say it all – a pretty low average speed and compared to other days – not much of a high speed – but I had made it!!
About an hour after arriving, the wind completely turned to a southerly and whipped up a beauty of a dust storm, the sky turned black and there was rain – in the desert!!!!! It lasted all of 5 minutes!! Locals (all 5 of them) were delighted – I couldn’t have cared less, I am sorry to say.
Oh, have I said anything about the flies yet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Well since the Fraser Ranges they have been awful!!!! I decided today that if I was able to bike at 25 kph, I was not annoyed by them – at that speed, I must be beating their average speed!! Anything below that – and – yuk – they sit on you and I would spend more time with my hand off the handlebars “swishing” than on.
At Fraser Range, I thought she called them March flies – I wondered why they were still around in April – but then they said, no – Marsh flies – I’m still confused – there are certainly no “marshes” around here! Just bloody big flies that bite!!!!
Too tired to play golf tonight – leave that to the morning – as well as the visit to the famed Caiguna Blowhole.
It had been a long, extremely tiring day – so into the Roadhouse for a big bowl of “truckies” pumpkin and bacon soup – definitely the best thing about Caiguna!!
Can't believe the quote at the bottom of this page - I certainly didn't feel like that today - but I am sure I will have better days!!!!
Distance travelled:- 184.17
Highest speed:- 49.8
Average speed:- 22.8
Hours on the bike - 8 hrs, 4 mins, 13 secs
After the good feelings of yesterday - and the look of my elevation chart above - today almost killed me!!!!! It started off badly – my plan said 160 kms, but immediately out the gate of the caravan park the sign said 182 kms to Caiguna!! 22kms further is rather significant – to me anyway!! A pleasant fact though was that Deborah had decided to bike the first 50 kms of their day, so for a period of time we rode together which was terrific. At one stage we rode over a stretch of road that was signposted as an emergency landing strip for the Royal Flying Doctor services (thank goodness no-one wanted to land) – and then round a slight bend, or maybe 2 slight bends - the 90 mile straight stretch of road began. The windless morning gradually became a stronger and stronger northerly, directly across my line of travel. By early afternoon, during the gusts, I almost felt the bike being blown out from under me – far worse than when a road train passes!
It was pretty much flat all the way, the slight inclines and declines made no significant impact on my speed, it was just pedal, pedal, pedal with this gut-busting cross wind.
With 30 kms to go, I was ready to call it quits for the day, but Pat suggested breaking it into 10 km bursts to see how I went. I’ve never known such long 10 km stretches, my legs were gone and thank goodness for so many gears on my bike. I needed them all!!
If you can “limp” in on a bike – that’s what I did. I guess my stats for the day say it all – a pretty low average speed and compared to other days – not much of a high speed – but I had made it!!
About an hour after arriving, the wind completely turned to a southerly and whipped up a beauty of a dust storm, the sky turned black and there was rain – in the desert!!!!! It lasted all of 5 minutes!! Locals (all 5 of them) were delighted – I couldn’t have cared less, I am sorry to say.
Oh, have I said anything about the flies yet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Well since the Fraser Ranges they have been awful!!!! I decided today that if I was able to bike at 25 kph, I was not annoyed by them – at that speed, I must be beating their average speed!! Anything below that – and – yuk – they sit on you and I would spend more time with my hand off the handlebars “swishing” than on.
At Fraser Range, I thought she called them March flies – I wondered why they were still around in April – but then they said, no – Marsh flies – I’m still confused – there are certainly no “marshes” around here! Just bloody big flies that bite!!!!
Too tired to play golf tonight – leave that to the morning – as well as the visit to the famed Caiguna Blowhole.
It had been a long, extremely tiring day – so into the Roadhouse for a big bowl of “truckies” pumpkin and bacon soup – definitely the best thing about Caiguna!!
Can't believe the quote at the bottom of this page - I certainly didn't feel like that today - but I am sure I will have better days!!!!
 Deborah and I biking along the Eyre Highway. |
 About to start the 90 mile straight!! |
 Jucy about to start the 90 mile straight!! |
 End of the 90 mile straight - phew - thank goodness!! |
Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride.
John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy