Dave Byrnes' Adventures

Adelaide to Darwin by MTB - 2005
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Day: 015
Date: Wednesday, 7 September 2005
Start: Renner Springs
Finish: Dunmarra
Daily Kilometres: 192
Total Kilometres: 2417
Journal: Got up at 4am after a restless night and was on the road by 4:45am.  Another starlit night and I saw a meteor soon after starting.  Made reasonable progress although there was already an opposing wind.  There weren't as many hills although I felt quite high, presumably on the Barkley Tablelands, and I could see a long way to the east and west.  The country gradually became more forested with lots of grassy areas and looked to be reasonable cattle country.  I think this is the land of the big station.  I reached Elliott at 9:15 am and found a roadhouse where I ordered a cooked breakfast and milkshake.  The town was very hot and dry with a large aboriginal population.  It looked well-kept, but a long way from anywhere, and I wouldn't want to live there.  After an hour I sett off northwards in the baking sun and gusty north wind.  I resolved to drink every 10km and break the 100km into four sections with a break between each.  For my first rest break I stopped at a rest area and soaked my top in water to cool down.  Before breakfast, as I mounted the bike after letting a road train go past, something had gone wrong with the gears.  It looks like I have disengaged/broken the smallest cog on the rear wheel so that the top gear is no longer available.  Otherwise it seems OK so I have to decide whether to try and get it fixed in Katherine, or just keep going.  It wasn't much of a problem without the top gear today, so maybe I'll be OK.  Although it was a long hot hard afternoon, it wasn't as bad as I had anticipated.  The countryside is becoming greener and there are more signs of civilization although towns are still a long way apart.  I was very happy to reach Dunmarra at 4pm and checked in, washed out clothes, and had a shower.  I can probably get to Darwin on Saturday if I have three 200+km days from here.  It's going to stay hot but if the winds are favourable and I don't waste too much time in Katherine, I should be able to make it.

ADVENTURE LIST

 

Round Ireland
(2016)

Hume & Hovell Walking Track
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Via Alpina
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Australian Alps Walking Track
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Land's End to John O'Groats
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Round Oz Bike Record Attempt
(2009)

Round Oz Bike Record Attempt
(2008)

Round Oz Bike Record Attempt
(2007)

Australia Tip to Top MTB
(2006)

Adelaide to Darwin MTB
(2005)

Sydney to Melbourne MTB
(2004)

Three Peaks Race
(2004)

Appalachian Trail
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Alpine Track
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