Distance: 52.49 km
Ridetime: 2:30:05
Average: 20.9 km/h
Max speed: 30.8 km/h
Total distance: 14341 km
When I woke up in the morning it was knowing this could be the last time it happened in a real bed for a while. After breakfast I said goodbye to Greg and Tarnya, who thought cycling down Stuart Highway in the heat of the summer was about the most stupid thing a human being could do. I was looking forward but was anxious at the same it.
It was a long time since I had packed my two bags and my tent in order to put them on the bike. I first went to Alice Springs Library to send the final emails and enjoy the last internet in a while. It could be 10 days before I will find any mobile coverage again.
I also needed to go to the post office, the bank, make i final visit to the bike shop for an extra gear cable, and finally buy food for the trip. In the end I wasn’t ready to leave Alice before 4:30 pm. I didn’t care too much. Starting out with a short day is probably very wise in order to get back in shape properly.
In a way I was sad to leave town. I love Alice Springs, and I think I will be back here to work before I leave Australia. On the other hand I was more than ready for more adventures on the road. As I cycledpast the Heavitree Gap I thought about the first day I arrived in town more than a year ago.
Back on Stuart Highway cycling was great. The new wheel worked just as it should, and my own legs seemed to enjoy to be back in action. I knew from the weather forecast that the next few days might include some storms. Sure enough, as I made my way down the first 50 km of Stuart Highway, a huge rain storm was developing to the west. At first I thought it was great. A little rain would only feel great in 38 degree heat.
When thunder and lighting started to appear I became less enthusiastic. As the sun was setting at the same time, I had to find a place to sleep. I knew there would be a rest area 15 km further down the road, but as it was getting darker by the minute and the thunder storm seemed to be approaching I was not really sure what to do. I hadn’t eaten anything since I started cycling from Alice Springs, but the thunder storm provided the adrenalin to keep going. At some point I saw a water drain running below the highway. I thought I would pitch my tent near by, and if the thunderstorm would get close I could take cover near the drain.
During the next half hour the wind seemed to pick up and the thunderstorm to get closer. I was getting quite nervous, but kept telling myself that even though I might be wet, I should be safe enough where I was. To my delight, after waiting another half hour, the thunderstorm seemed to be dying out.
The adventure is back on!
