KIMBA TO PORT AUGUSTA – DAY 18

Today, 3rd September, has been a top day for the team. The riders had a tailwind from the beginning to the end of the ride and the 158km passed in record time. We left Kimba at 7am and were here in Port Augusta before 2pm. We had stops for morning tea and lunch plus the usual in-between breaks for drinks, rest of tired body parts and replenishment of sugary sweets to increase energy. There was an expected amount of traffic for most of the ride but when we were joined by the highway from Whyalla and Port Lincoln, the number of trucks and cars increased dramatically. In spite of the increased traffic, we arrived in town safely and in very good spirits.

And then it was off to the bike shop for some of the riders! There has not been a bike shop for the last 2500km and some if the trusty steeds were in need of some specialised TLC. Some riders purchased some items as spares for the remaining km’s of the ride. I had mentioned Dorothee from almost the other side of the Nullarbor. She got to Port Augusta before us – but she did not have a rest day and a diversion from the straightest line as we did. It is to her credit that she has made her journey so quickly, especially bearing in mind the weight of her bike plus the weight of all the gear she is carrying on it – her tent, sleeping gear, water, food, kitchen sink, etc!

We are sleeping tonight at the Anglican church hall in Port Augusta West. The church folk are providing some of the food and we are supplementing with pizzas. Normally we would have had showers before dinner, but tonight we will be showering after dinner. Then it will be time for a brief team meeting and bed so as to be able to do it all again tomorrow! It will be an easier run tomorrow – just 90km, taking us to Port Pirie. It will be a busy road unfortunately. We then head more in an easterly direction, through the hills to Burra and on to Renmark via a couple of other centres.