This leg we are down to 3.5 riders. Two riders pulled out just before we left home (in February) which left us with 5 riders then 2 days before the leg started Jane sent a text saying she was no longer able to commit to do this leg and was flying home to Perth. Annie has decided to partially participate and that is our .5 rider. So on this leg we have Juergen from Victoria, Jill from NSW, Gareth from NSW and Annie from Leeds.
Annie want to go with us as far as Kaijinni NP and then take off (in a hire car) to Perth, explore some of the SW corner, maybe back up to Broome for a couple of days then maybe meet us in Perth to see us off on our final leg. Annie rode this leg in 2013 but we didn’t do Karijinni back then so she wants to see that bit. She has hired a hi-top campervan and today will ride to morning tea, ride back, pick up the van then meet us at the bush camp tonight. Keen!
So a very cosy group started off this morning at 0630 hrs (we probably should have cancelled this leg but decided against it so as to be fair to all riders). We thought 5 riders would be OK and by the time Jane cancelled it was far too late to do that to the other riders. It should be a leisurely pleasant trip through some beautiful countryside. The two new riders seem really nice and accomplished riders.
The whole of Australia has a public holiday today for the Queen’s Birthday EXCEPT Western Australia. Last week they had WA Day so it might be too many public holidays in a row. Traffic was good on the road to Roebuck Roadhouse where we had our morning tea.The temperature is predicted to be 32 degrees which will make it closer to 37 degrees on the bike, so lots of refreshment stops. We will be stopping at 35, 55, 90 and 120 km marks. The total distance is 155 kms. Just after turning off at Roebuck and heading towards Port Hedland I spot lots of wallabies out on the road. The wind became favourable at this time as well but as usual this depends on the direction of the road but it is coming from the East.
Gareth was greeted at the rest area with applause from some nomads that we keep running into. Then suddenly their dogs flew out, running straight into his bike. he came off the bike with a nice roll but he still ended up with a graze and a cut- both which needed attention. The dogs were then restrained for the rest of our stay. a little of too little, too late.
Juergen suffered from some cramping but pushed on and finished the day’s ride. He was drinking plenty and taking his magnesium but apparently this can be a common occurrence for him. Jill could not believe just how flat the terrain is and that she has to drop down in gears just to be able to stretch her legs and relieve the bottom off the seat.
All riders and support crew were weary at the end of the day. Annie got in around 4.30 pm and was very excited with her new home. I cooked roast chicken and veggies followed by a berry, cake & chocolate concoction with cream.
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