Dave Byrnes' Adventures

Round Oz Bike Record Attempt - 2008
Overview     Planning     Schedule     Map     Diary     Pictures     Messages     Conclusion
Day: 030
Date:

15 June 2008

Start

Wooramel Roadhouse

Finish

Northampton

Daily Distance:

306km

Daily Speed: n.a.
Relative to Schedule:

-551km

Daily Podcasts: n.a.
GPS Track Here
Journal:

I dragged myself out of bed at 1:00am after five hours sleep and was riding by about 1:45am.  There was a bright moon and the sky was clear, although it was the coolest it had been for a long time and I wore an extra thermal top.  The road was reasonably flat and I made good time, stopping briefly at the Overlander Roadhouse at 5:30am.  They were just getting ready to open in preparation for the arrival of the Greyhound bus at 6:00am.  I chatted with the guy opening up while I ate a snack I had brought with me and then headed off before the bus arrived.  I arrived at the Billabong Roadhouse (124km) at 8:00am and ordered the big brekky.  As the sun rose, so did the cross/following wind which made life quite pleasant although the road had rolling hills/sand dunes as it passed through a sandy heath-like area with scrubby vegetation and red soil.  I made good time and was thinking about an earlier finish time when suddenly the sky clouded over and a strong south-westerly change arrived.  In the space of about 30 minutes the wind switched to a strong head/crosswind, it got colder and driving rain began.  The last 80km was much slower because of the wind but also because the road climbed up onto the Kalbarri plateau and the scenery changed to a rural mix of wheat and cattle.  The fields were very green and the hills large and rounded.  With the rain and wind it was very bleak as the road climbed higher and higher, seemingly interminably.
 
I finally reached Northampton at 5:30pm and checked into the town hotel/motel where I later had a buffet dinner.  I didn’t feel too bad considering the tough last 80km, but know I am going to be very tired when I get up very early tomorrow.  I wore two pairs of cycling knicks all day and my chafing problems have lessened.

ADVENTURE LIST

 

Round Ireland
(2016)

Hume & Hovell Walking Track
(2013)

Via Alpina
(2012)

Australian Alps Walking Track
(2011)

Land's End to John O'Groats
(2010)

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
(1986)

Alpine Track
(1983)

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