Vanderpants Oz Tour

Well hello there everyone – it feels like i’ve gone through 12 days in three – so many things i’ve seen and certain mental battles to go through so early on in the piece. I rested another day in Meningie as my hamstrings needed a rest. I jut mucked around a bit and spoke to some locals – had a beer – and also spoke to a couple (68 years old) cycling around the world and have been doing so for the past 4 years (WTH). I was feeling a bit down and this was exactly what I needed – we exchanged all types of advice about Australia, touring parts and road habits on the bike and what to expect. I’m Australian and these two lovely Germans were giving me advice – i love it haha. They had WAY more gear than I had and i was super suprised at their efforts an gave them lots of kudos. Meet Dakmahn and Diets

I pondered around camp a it and chilled by the water – not much to report home on other than this dude i met again

Day 7

I knew the next few days were going to be townless so i stocked up on water and supplies. I visited the bakery one more time as it’s soooo good. I ate a pastie and it was the best pastie i’ve ever eaten so i walked in and thanked the baker as good feedback is seldom done these days isn’t it. he stopped what he was doing and came out and we had a chat about his life and and how he came to be a baker and i spoke of my dad (who also was) and talked a bit about my trip etc – oh yeah – when i said thanks for the amazing pasty he said and i quote ‘That’s cos you’re in Astraya mayte’ hahaha BRILLIANT.

So of i went with a smile on my face. Now these hammies let me tell you – i’ve never had this pain cycling before – maybe i’m getting old **remembers about the german cyclsits and hardens up** – i have been up and down every kilometer as they are almost show stopping hurty hurty. It’s hard because I know i have no towns for three days and i’m trying to stay positive and don’t let my smiles on instagram fool you hah. This blog is about the real shit – those pics are a fleeting second – yes they are real but it’s fleeting let me tell you. I didn’t think I would be struggling so much being pretty fit and what I think is young and it feels worse than just breaking them in kind of pain – i’ve had that many times over the years so it’s hard to keep the mind positive About the rest of this trip BUT – let me tell you one thing – unless my hamstrings fall off my body and snap – I am not gonna stop cranking those pedals. i can only do about 50 k’s a day in this wind and that’s ok – this is what it’s all about isn’t it. Onwards and upwards and being grateful for giving it a crack and appreciative of where I am and how lucky I am right. RIGHT. Ok that’s out the way i just needed to air that out. This trip has a lot of ‘type 2’ fun in it and that’s ok

Half way I met scott – another bloody legend cycling pretty much the whole world (what is it with these world cyclists putting me to shame BUT also giving me confidence and motivation). This dude is a nutter – carrying 50 hard drives (ok i exaggerate a little but a lot), a drone, a laptop, two cameras, tripod and the list goes on and on and much much more – kudos to you – nice meeting you

It was hot, windy and i was done – i pulled up near what I thought was a closed down hotel – i just needed shade – turns out this dude comes out and says ‘gday’ – i Saw his sa ambulance volly jacket and thought this dudes ok. We got toa talking and he said a sentence that i really needed……..yes you camp here – i’m cooking a soup do you want some AND i have beer – HOLY MOTHER OF GOD i was happy. Turns out this legend was an ex chef in adelaide so I had one of the best soups ever – spent the night talking about life and he had some scary stories let me tell you – it was brilliant – THANK YOU GRAHAM u bloody amazing human – you were exactly what i needed at that exact moment – i pitched my tent and fell asleep drunk and full (and sore AF)

Distance: 43.08

I knew it was going to be 38 degrees today and i am stocked on water, food and of course sunscreen hehe (the moonlight burns me so i’m ready for you Australian Sun)

Hammies were tight as but knew I needed to push on early and do a small amount of k’s. I headed off about 7am and it was a bit cold so that was good. i cycled about 35km’s listening to music and singing like an idiot (i’m sure the cows appreciate it – probaby about the only ones who do) and I then came across the site of where my mother in law’s sister (Janette) tragically died whilst riding her Harley Davidson. She hit an emu in 2008 (i hope i got that right). i remember exactly where i was at that time and will never forget that day. I took a few piccies and sent them to the appropriate people and took some time to reflect. i was actually thinking about this all day and it made me feel so lucky to be here and whatever you’re doing – just be present and appreciative of EVERYTHING. You get one shot at this life people – ONE! And i try hard at remembering that – RIP Janette – much respect to your quirky personality and your hard work ethic and all the nice things you’ve done for everyone. Lots of love to her fam too btw.

I found a campsite not far from this site (funnily enough) and when i say campsite I mean a gravel pit hahahah. Lucky enough i brought along two lighweight chairs – one thats a stool for cooking and another that my mattress slides into that i sit on the ground and can recline (easy for blogging and chilling) thank god i brought it as I nearly didn’t).It’s so hot and my hamstrings were screaming at me so i called it a day. If i can get the shade in the right spot i might try cooking a calzone tonight – if not – it’s pasta and hot water hahaha

PS – the flies are KAH-RAZEE here

See you tomorrow for another adventure filled day peeps

Vanderpants OUT

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