Sunday, June 30, 2013

Day 6 Peawah to Point Samson 130kms

We were the first up in the camp today. The other campers were probably cursing us. It was really windy overnight but nothing seems to have blown away. I heard something sounding overmuch like a cow near the truck before I got out this morning and thought it must have been Mark moaning about the noise. Apparently it wasn't Mark but an actual cow in the rest area.
Ben was off like a bee in a bottle this morning, he said it was because he was cold. He left early (before Joan) and took off down the road at a hundred miles an hour. He was in Roeburne by 10 am.
The wind is mostly behind them today and occasionally across them but better than the last 2 days. Typical as I had decided I wouldn't ride on days following a bush camp. Thought it also a good chance to give the behind a rest.
We checked out the Whim Creek hotel to make sure it was closed. Yes the place is closed down but the caged birds are still there so there must be a caretaker of some sort. The copper mine that owned it has also gone bust. Wonder how much they want for it?
Heaps of water in the Sherlock River where we had morning tea. Georg, Peter and Ben didn't stop for morning tea and we didn't catch Peter and Ben until the end of the day. Georg was waiting for us at Roeburne Roadhouse at lunchtime but the other 2 had ridden on. After morning tea they had the best tail wind ever and Annie's top speed was 40 something kms/ hr and she wasn't even peddling. Once they turned off towards Pt Samson they had a bit of work to do but that was only (I can say that when I'm not riding) 20 kms.
Everyone was in by 2 pm even with some side trips but Joan was missing. She didn't turn up until much later but we weren't all that concerned as she is often heading off on her own either on foot or on bike. Lovely camp ground and we (or most of us) opted for the snapper, chip and salad special for $15 provided by the caravan park. They over catered and we ended up with 2 extra servings so this was really excellent value. The manager is a really nice guy and he has offered the mini bus to the riders for their use tomorrow for free. How nice is that!
No hermit crabs sighted tonight. Sorry Gayle it was you that they were attracted to last time. It's a bit strange doing this trip again so soon after the last one. I feel we have just continued around and there has been no break in between, everything is just so familiar.




Day 5 South Hedland to Peawah River Rest Area 85 kms

We got to sleep in this morning. I did anyway as I was the 2nd last out of bed with Woody being the last. I had a great nights sleep but this was not enjoyed by all of the riders. Apparently the trains blew their horns every 15 mins as they passed through the town. I heard one train, the one that woke me up at 6 am, when I got up to the toilet, observed Joan sitting on her own eating her breakfast, looked at Ben's tent and noticed no movement there and then climbed back into bed for another hour nap. Beautiful!!!
Annie and Mark were both up and about to pull their tents down by the time I climbed out of the back of the truck. Annie and I were going to McDonalds for breakfast and most of the others will be joining us even if they just have coffee, no rush today.
I felt quite guilty leaving Collis to the packing up but I did commit to riding again today and Annie was hanging out for her morning treat. Peter was leaving Maccas just as we arrived and Theo and Chris were just behind us with Ben not far behind them. As we left Georg was just arriving.
Annie and I left together and lucky we did as I may have ended up god only knows where if Annie hadn't listened to the briefing and was able to lead us out of town.
The wind was dreadful, from the side and really strong, I didn't think I would be able to meet my performance target today if that wind kept up, it was practically blowing me across the road. I told Annie a number of times to go ahead but I think she was worried for my safety as her and Ben nursed me all the way to my daily target. If they had left me I would have given up a lot earlier than the 31.5 kms that I managed.
Everything was aching from my knees, elbows, shoulders, wrists and of course the twat. I was very pleased to see the van. Collis was running late for morning tea so he opted out of jumping on the bike.
The terrain today has been flat with low shrubs that are half dead and very boring up till morning tea. Morning tea was at the Yule river at a rest area. Lovely spot and perfect for camping but not far enough down the road for tomorrow. The road turned slightly after this but so did the wind and was still across them for the next 35 kms. Some rocky outcrops starting but not much.
The traffic out of Sth Hedland was horrendous and really dangerous even if it was a Saturday morning. These mines work 7 days a week. After we passed the turnoff to New
man the road trains just disappeared completely but the road surface didn't really change. Hard work cycling today.
No water in the Peawah where we have chosen to camp (surprise, surprise). We moved in and took over the rest area causing the other campers to relocate(what a shame).
Dinner went well tonight. We even had other campers coming over to see what we were cooking. They were impressed by the amount in the pot. It was just a sausage casserole with heaps of vegies, potatoes and a little bit of rice. Dessert was an apple and golden syrup gluten free pudding with custard. Enjoyed by everyone.
We were mostly all in bed by 9 Pm. Annie and Chris helped with the preparation of dinner. Ben was the fire meister. Mark organised the spot light by climbing a tree and Theo washed the dishes with Peter and Woody drying. Annie did the quiz with Joan as the main subject. What a team.








Friday, June 28, 2013

Day 4 Pardoo to South Hedland 150 kms

I promised I would ride this leg, maybe not every day but most days. Well the time arrived this morning. I headed out around 7 am on my own and didn't see anyone for the first half hour. Joan was a half hour ahead of me and I don't expect to catch her at any stage. Then along came Theo and Chris. Some brief conversation about the wind and the awful road surface before they took off and left me behind.
Another half hour before Ben surprised me from behind (as I didn't hear him). Another brief chat before he decided to track down the first two. I was having a little trouble with stomach cramps which are usually caused by tension and won't go away until I relax. I was trying to relax but I was nervous because I hadn't been on the bike for sooooo long.
I decided to try and walk it off when Annie and Peter turned up, so I jumped back on the bike to ride with Annie for awhile, Peter took off as I was just too slow. Annie lasted for about 10 kms when Georg turned up and she jumped on the back of his wheel. I still had the cramps so I did hop off and walked for a km or so before giving up and getting back on the bike. There were only Woody and Mark behind me now and I knew Collis would be along pretty soon.
I rode 28 kms with mainly a gusty wind and mostly across me or into my face. The road surface was shit, really rough and we seemed to be climbing most of the morning. Collis got on the bike (with his thongs and long johns on) and rode the next 22 kms to morning tea.
We did pretty well for two old farts who have spent most of the last 3 months in the car each day.
The wind changed slightly before lunch but still not the best day we've had with the wind.
The terrain was flat and boring until just after morning tea when we started to see some rocky outcrops and flat top mountains/hills. Lots of mining traffic, cattle road trains and all the grey nomads that have been waiting for the roads to re open.
Lots of water sitting around and the rivers are flowing beautifully, especially the De Grey River. Port Hedland are expecting more rain over the weekend. Last week they had a years quota of rain in 2 days.
Collis and I have gone to the South Hedland Bowls club for dinner and just had a really unusual meal that tasted great. It was presented in an upside down bowl on a plate and made up of rice, prawns, chicken and vegetables. Then we had Chips with bacon, onion and melted cheese with gravy. Pretty nice. Everyone else seemed to be cooking in tonight.
Bush camp tomorrow night so I'm cooking then.







Thursday, June 27, 2013

Day 3 Sandfire Flat to Pardoo 140 kms

Everyone had a cosy sound sleep last night. We all must have got at least 8 hours. It was a lovely cold night perfect for snuggling down in the sleeping bag or under the doona.
Joan has left at 6.15 this morning which is 15 minutes earlier than yesterday. Hope she's not waiting too long for morning tea. The terrain is very flat today although the riders are noticing slight occasional inclines over old sand dunes with a gentle decline following (in other words undulating). From the car it looks like flat low shrubs as far as the eye can see. Lots of wattle and flowering shrubs. The soil is very red still even though we are getting closer to the coast.
It is exciting getting closer to the ocean. We can see huge sand dunes on the horizon off to our right (and it's not the Sandy Desert). I just found out the Great Sandy Desert is the 2nd largest desert in Australia, next to the Great Victorian Desert. Chris had me convinced last night that the Vic Desert was in Victoria so that is what we told Joan but Collis enlightened me that this was wrong so I googled it. The Great Victorian Desert is in WA and across to SA.
Arrived at Pardoo by 2.30 pm and still waiting on Mark to get in. We have nice grass to sleep on tonight and a large area all to ourselves. Everyone has enjoyed the ride today with the weather perfect and the wind usually across them and on occasions behind them. The group is starting to settle in and getting used to the smaller group ( less people to socialize with and therefore having to get to know each other even more intimately than before). Most of the riders went into the roadhouse for dinner, I'm not sure why no-one took me up on the offer of leftover chilli con carne and fresh salad. It may not have helped with Collis stating the chilli looked like a colostomy bag at lunchtime. Ben cooked for himself and helped us finish off the salad. I haven't heard how the meal was at the roadhouse but I do know it was expensive for what is was. The roadhouse is looking more rundown than the last time we were here.
Early to bed again as we have been driven indoors by the midgies again.


Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Day 2 Goldwire Rest Area to Sandfire Flat 168 kms

Currently sitting at the morning tea spot and it is belting down with rain. The riders except for Mark are out in the rain. The rain must hurt them as it is coming down really hard. I hope they have managed to find some trees for protection.
The camp area last night was very comfortable except for the mosquitoes during the night. I rose early and went for a 2 km walk and then did half of my workout plan. I've had this plan to exercise most mornings but I haven't managed more than 3 mornings over the last 3 months. This stage, my aim to to increase my fitness levels and Peter S and Annie have agreed to join me. I plan to ride most days from Day 4 onwards with Collis jumping on the bike at morning tea or lunch depending on how far I ride. Now that it is in writing then I will have to stick with it.
The rain hasn't eased off yet and Mark is still sitting here at 11 am. Lunch is planned for 50 Kms further down the road at midday. We will have to leave very soon.
Mark ended up in the car as we couldn't send him out in that rain, it would have been cruel and we had to get out of there or we could have been really stuck- the water was rising quickly across the road out of the rest area. We met up with all the others at 12.15 in a parking bay. No-one was able to avoid the downpour but no-one was complaining. It amazes me how the riders just accept the rain but are not so forgiving with the wind or the road surfaces. The rain had stopped by the lunch stop and they were on the road again. Lots of water lying around so I'm sure there will be mosquitoes again tonight. The flies have come out in force since the rain stopped- little annoying flies that stick to you.
Everyone was in camp by 4 pm and quite a few disappointed faces due to the conditions at Sandfire Flat Roadhouse. There is no grass although under the trees is quite nice and appears secluded. Ben and Joan have taken this option. Annie has taken a motel room and Georg and Woody are sharing a donger. The rest of us are braving the dirt and the non powered site area. Those riders that thought we had it hard in a few other facilities are in for a surprise. We have just been informed that the kitchen takes the last order at 6.30 pm and closes at 7 pm. The laundry is out of order. There are alot of peacocks and geese wandering the grounds and I hope they don't plan on perching in the trees above the campers during the night. It's 4.30 at the moment and lots of caravans are coming in with one unwisely parking right next to our table with the food boxes on it. Big mistake when the morning comes.

Day 1 Broome to Goldwire Rest Area 155 kms

Woken by the alarm this morning after a pretty restless nights sleep. We've had a lovely rest period in Broome but it is once again time to move on.

We met most of the riders down at the town beach last night for Stairway to the Moon- it was a super moon. This ride we have Theo, Annie, Georg, Peter S, Chris, Ben, Joan, Woody and Mark. A small group but we should have some fun along the way.
Left Broome around 7.30 this morning with Mark getting himself a lift to Roebuck roadhouse. Morning tea was gluten free rock cakes (homemade) and almond slice (also homemade) and Carolyn, Theo's wife made us some biscuits which will be kept for tomorrow's morning tea.
We have rode through the Roebuck Plain today and have been lucky with the wind. Usually it's a head wind on this road but there is a big low further down the coast and apparently this will cause north easterly winds. I think I'm becoming an expert with these wind patterns. Lots of cloud cover today which is keeping the temperatures down but the humidity is high.
There is huge amounts of water across the plains and some on the roads. This is the result of the large rainfall Broome had s few weeks ago. It is raining heavily down the coast and hopefully we may miss it.

Lunch was at the 90 km mark on the side of the road and we are ahead of time. It's not even midday yet and most have finished lunch.
Joan has been becoming hypnotised by the red earth so Mark has told her to look at the wild flowers to keep her awake. Some lovely ones out today.
All into camp by mid afternoon and a really nice camp site with toilets, tables and fire places. Ben has taken on the position of fire meister for this leg and he had arrived an hour before anyone else, picked us a table and had started collecting firewood. Lucky he had as it started to rain just before we arrived and he was able to keep the collected wood dry. The rain continued for about an hour but not too heavy. We were able to keep the riders baggage dry but not them- free shower. Quickly got out the clothesline so they could dry off.
I was very pleased that I had been able to pre-cook the chilli con carne (both vegetarian and meat) and golden syrup dumplings. This meant that we just had to heat it up and cook the rice. Easy! Mark shared a bottle of red and Collis shared a bottle of white. All very civilised for a bush camp.
Chris, Theo and Annie did the dishes tonight and this was very much appreciated. Ben, Annie and I had a game of 500 and it was promising to start with until Ben ended up winning once AGAIN. Collis and I went for a walk and when we came back nearly everyone was in bed, it was 8.30.
Rain periods during the night but not for too long.