Up early this morning and got the boiling water started early. Forecast for southerly winds today but unfortunately the road doesn’t go directly up the middle- it has lots of twists and turns. I think I upset a couple of riders at morning tea when I made silly singing noises every time the “wind” was discussed. I just became annoyed and bored when the winds were the main topic of conversation for every morning tea. How much can one say about the wind that your fellow rider does not already know. I think my issue is actually my guilt that I am sitting comfortably in the car and not suffering along with the riders. One rider said(out on the road today): “ We are getting about 5 kms of tail winds and then 5 kms of side winds. This is what we signed up for- there shouldn’t be any complaints.” Morning tea at 40 km mark with cold pizza, easter eggs, jam biscuits, dried fruit and fresh fruit. Who could ask for more.
The day started off with scenes of sandy mounds across the landscape and then this suddenly stopped- similar to little anthills. Coober Pedy apparently translates to “White man’s burrow”.
After morning tea the riders flew down the road with a very strong tail wind. Lunch was at the 90 km mark and Collis was way out on his estimated time of arrival for every rider. Some were in by more than half an hour earlier than predicted. The terrain has returned to low scrubby bushes and trees with occasional creek channels or beds. The soil is still very red.
We had a water break at the 120 km mark but no-one stopped because they had excellent winds. Poor old Gareth came along hoping to catch some of them at afternoon tea just to find they had all gone on so he thought he better not stop. Lew asked Collis to pick him up when he passes him down the road so we stayed longer than we usually do (just to encourage him to try and complete the day). When Collis drove past him he appeared happy to keep going. Lew rode the whole distance.
Everyone camping tonight after lots of discussion between Mark and Kirsten re- motel rooms and asking people to share. Not sure if anyone was asked but they both decided to camp.
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