Vanderpants Oz Tour

Distance: 51.11 km’s

Avg Spd: 13.6 (I know right!)

Max Spd: 36.4

Calories Burned: 455

Time in Saddle: 3hr:45mins

Elevation Gain: Not Much 2 hunge maybe

Quote: Enjoy the small treasures that a simple life brings – This quote is a beauty – I just had a message from a good cycling mate (Mr King) and he said – this ride is for the people who can’t so enjoy very day. This is so true – I am SOOOoo grateful that I can do this and when I say this – i mean just hop on my bike and ride – i’m very lucky and count my blessings every day. not everyone can do this (just ride) so i want this blog to be some part grateful that I can do what i choose and i’ll try my best ay soaking up every moment and enjoy the fact that I can follow the sun down every day. Thanks mate.

last night after my blog I ended up gas bagging to a couple of couples and they asked if i want to join them for dinner – of course i said yes – we shared stories of our lives and i’m always interest to hear other peoples stories – you really learn so much from them. If you’re reading my blog – thank you for a great night and the conversation – was a real nice night.

I woke up at 7:30 – no galahs woohooo but another yoga pose was required and this one was awesome if i say so myself. HAH. I woke up thinking this and that and be here then there and pack that and ferry comes at this time bla bla bla – i’m still in city mode that’s for sure – that won’t take long to exit no doubt. I packed up my tent and realised i’ll do a timelapse of me packing up soon and blog that – how bpout I just type about it and not do it hahaha. Packed up my tent, gear and lobbed it all on the bike and off I went to the nearest and worst coffee (but it’s still coffee). I had a bite of my three day old brownie and off i went – amazing breakfast hehe. Onto the ferry and in goes the headphones and I sung a whole album before turning right and……into this soul destroying headwind. When i say soul destroying i mean it felt like I was climbing everest for three and half hours. The hamstrings…did not like it (insert a will ferrel quote here for those who know). Half way through I met this guy and he pepped me up a bit. meet Jasper – a dude from Sweden cycling around the world – we exchanged some touring equipment tips with each other and just frikkn smiled cos we knew what we are doing and what we see (that’s how i felt anyway). We shook hands and off we went (i did give him some tips in Adelaide of course….tips like ‘ask for the best bike shop in Adelaide – #crazyhorse) hahaha.

I haven’t used my garmin mapping yet – haven’t needed to – pretty simple so far. Regards to mapping (and other things) – don’t let any fear stop you from doing something you love…..i am totally shit at directions and navigation and somehow I navigated 13 countries in Europe and am about to (hopefully) ride around Australia. I have a paper map, garmin mapping system and an iphone. A garmin only lasts so long before you need to charge it and same as an iphone so when i’m remote it will be interesting BUT what i’m saying is – regardless of fears such as ‘can i do it….can i do anything’ if you want to try…….JUST DO IT. Jasper was like me – super organised pre trip and not one bit of organisation ON the trip – that’s how I like it to be honest….each day will be different and you can adjust accordingly that way – i’m not saying it’s the best way by far – it’s just what will work for me. 

After 3.5 hours of hard slogging it my hamstring was not enjoying it and some doubt entered into my mind – if i have pain now – what’s the Nullabor or NZ going to be like? just like Jasper, i did a few too many hours in the first few days so I think i’ll take it easier these next few days and see how it goes – that headwind…..**shakes head** that SUCKED. Tomorrow is a new day so it could be rest or it could be a short day – let’s see – it’s pretty nice here in Meningie – beautiful Coorong, pelicans, beautiful weather, nicce camping spot. Stopped at the bottlo and also the supermarket and stocked up. A guy selling raffle tickets for supporting anti bullying (for that girl who died from bullying) asked me to buy a ticket – i said I’ll do him a deal – if he looks after my bike i’ll buy one …. the deal was struck – went in and got some goodies and purchased a ticket. I cooked a really nice meal (see pic) which was – oregano, garlic, onion,  Carrot, pasta, tomatoe puree, zuchini – i’m living it large whilst i can and before i go remote hehe. I settled in with some reds and this blog and am really thankful that i’m here and doing it. on that thought peeps – have a great night and until tomoz.

Vanderpants OUT.