Ray sleeps like the dead, and is up well before the sun. By the time Will got up (still before the sun), he was almost packed and ready to go. I had a difficult sleep with my arm making it hard to get a comfy position, but I forced myself up and got organised. I wasn't able to do my usual jobs of rolling and packing our bedding, I couldn't put any pressure on things with my left arm, it was too painful. Still unable to straighten it, or bend it enough to even do my helmet up.
We had brekkie, got packed and took off, all very excited about our last day crossing The Nullarbor. A short ride, slight head wind, small hills, and at the end, a real town. With just a couple of short snack stops, and one photo opportunity Ray decided we needed. We were riding past a field, with the sun not far from the small hill top, and he reckons if Will and I walk/frolic towards the sun, it'd be a great picture. Huh, we're up for it, so we all scale the fence, and Will and I proceed to walk into the sun, holding hands. Very romantic, in our fluro gear, and Ray took his snaps. Well we hope he did, or he was just taking the piss and having a good chuckle behind us.
Are you sure you took pictures Ray? Sure Jen, chill out.....he he he
The wind dropped right off, and we gained a hard compact verge, closer to Ceduna, where they are trying to widen the road. Yes, they are getting the message, probably via truck driver complaints, but I am a close second to them.
It was actually a fantastic, glorious ride, and we came to the road works, we could see the ocean, and we were all on a high. As we road through the roadworks, after waiting our turn, we got to the other end to see a huge line of vehicles just waiting for us to come through....he he he, nice one after us giving way to them all they way across.
Waiting for our turn, let's hope he doesn't turn that water on full.
Cruising through the roadworks, check out the awesome new verge.
Flying towards Ceduna, we are so happy.
Around the last bend, then rolling down the little hill to the checkpoint, we were all laughing and singing and feeling like champions. An amazing feeling to have ridden that difficult mental trek. The checkpoint was a matter of " You guys got any fruit or stuff in those bags?" " Nah mate, we ate it 10 Kay's back!" "OK, you'll be right then.". A couple of quick pics, then straight into town. Yehaaaaa!
Woo hoo hoo.......yihaaaa!
Not quite the Mexican type boarder control, but a stop and an achievement.
Really not the best picture, but it is what it is.
We stopped at the bakery, for some lunch, a lovely salad sandwich, a cold drink, and a discussion on where to stay. A local elderly lady, butted into our conversation, then Will made the mistake of asking her questions about town and accomodation. Ray was quietly scanning his laptop and I was trying to be polite. So we definitely had to stay at Shelley Beach Caravan Park, it was awarded best Van Park last year, it's only about 1km out of town (3.5kms actually), and she was waiting to have her legs waxed, cause she was going for a big op in Adelaide tomorrow. It was that quick, from nice local, then BAM! Crazy old lady. Gave us a good laugh!
We decided on the Foreshore Caravan Park, 200mtrs away, because it was just there and a couple of other touring cyclists, Ray had met in Albany, were there and we wanted to catch up with them. As it was, one of them caught us at the bakery, and the other we passed at the park entrance. So we booked into a two room cabin, with Ray, and got sorted. It is a really great park, with nice ocean views, close to shops and pub, and one of the best camp kitchens I've seen. The owners are also very nice people.
After doing some shopping at the very well supplied Foodland, and getting some fresh local meat from the butcher, we joined the others at the camp kitchen. Rob is about 60, and has done lots of cycling and travelling, and was great to talk to, giving us lots of good tips on all sorts of aspects of touring. Max is a bit younger, we think early 50's, and is Australian, but has been living in Scandinavia above the arctic circle, for a long time. He is actually quite new to cycle touring, but sounds like he has done many other adventurous things.
Rob and Max only met in Albany, and are enjoying going slow. Loving the sights.
It was such an awesome day, and we are so happy to have completed one of the toughest rides around. We will enjoy Ceduna for a few days, clean and maintain and all that stuff, and say farewell to Ray on Sunday. It was a really special experience sharing a bit of Rays' tour, and it was a huge pleasure meeting him. Rob and Max are heading off tomorrow, and with any luck we'll see them again, as we are heading along the same route, and they are enjoying going slow and sight seeing.
The beautiful Ceduna foreshore.
Now for some slower, sight seeing and warmer weather.
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