I think I could start each post with it being a hot day today as that seems to be how it is. Everyone got cracking this morning out on the road as soon as breakfast was eaten.
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| Red in the morning, cyclist's warning |
It wouldn't be a bike ride without a hill out of town. Up we went, not a bad hill which was followed by rolling hills. Going up and down gives one a break from pedaling and the chance for a rest from sitting in the saddle. The support was great today with additional refreshment and water stops. A few riders for a lift about 20 miles and other stopped short of the final destination, including yours truly.
The countryside was different today with brown hills and NO SHADE on the road for miles and miles. As the temperature climbed up and over 100F/38C it became pretty tedious mile after mile with no relief along the way. Only one shop about 35 miles or 55Km - and we arrived before it opened.
In a number of ways I am reminded of riding the Mawson - three dry hills, rocky outcrops, lack of shade and cover for a quick pee by the road, and the occasional freight train. No Black and Gold fruit cake to be seen sadly. Felt OK at 50m/80K but flagging towards 60m/100K so called it a day before I got too tired. We have another 100K/60m in the heat again tomorrow.
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| Air conditioned van or bike in the heat? |
Jolly good time had by those in the van, laughing and joking with each other about the day and how we fared. Thanks indeed to P and L for a job well done with all the comings and goings and keeping the food and water up to us. At the hotel we unload all the luggage, check in, put our bikes in our rooms and off to Dairy Queen next door for ice cream on arrival before a reviving shower and a beer soon to follow.
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