Cycling Australia Diaries

Spent a few hours injecting fluid puncture protection into tubes, were interviewed by the Broken Hill newspaper. Began cycling after lunch and only cycled 38km to Wirryilka station where we were invited to stay the night in their shearing quarters. Did some more forward planning tonight and discovered that we will need to cycle/walk/crawl 70km every day until the end of September, with 3 rest days in between.

Cycled along very sandy, undefined tracks all morning and found Burke's Cave at lunch time. The cave is also an old Cobb & Co station, has aboriginal artwork and inscriptions from early settlers/explorors. Crossed Scopes Range on undefinded, rocky 4wd tracks and finally reached Little Topar Roadhouse on the Barrier Hwy on sunset. Shared a shelter with a decomposing kangaroo carcass. Meat pies and bottomless cups of coffee for dinner at the roadhouse.

Cycled 95km today on station tracks which took us upto the Mutawintji Wilderness Area. Decided to push on to a nearby station after dark to find shelter for the night. Were greeted by a very friendly family that fed us food and beer all night and provided much needed entertainment.

Woke up to a cooked breakfast and a slight headache. The family we were staying with took us for a flight around their property in their plane and showed us a Burke and Wills site from the air which is normally inaccessible. The last 24 hours would be one of the highlights of the trip so far! Left after lunch having been delayed by a few punctures and cycled 43km to the adjacent station where we also found accommodation in their shearing quarters. The last 15km today was over sand dunes and we spent most of the time pushing the bikes on foot.

Rain was forcast for the afternoon today, however it began in the morning. The tracks were very sandy again today and we had several dry creek crossings. After 30km of sand and corrugations, we were relieved to come out onto a recently graded clay road, however we quickly realised that it was a very loose and wet clay which clogged up the wheels instantly. It took us all afternoon to endure our way through several km of clay to the Silver City Hwy. Got a room at Packsaddle Roadhouse where we enjoyed a hot shower, warm fire and friendly atmosphere.