Vanderpants Oz Tour

Distance: 31 Dec (54.98kms) 1 Jan (126km’s) – TOTAL – 1608 Km’s

Avg Spd: 31st (18.7) 1st (19.8)

Max Spd – 31st (50.1). 1st (53.9)

Saddle Time: 31 (2:55). 1 (6:23) TOTAL SADDLE TIME (100hrs 14 mins)

Elevation: 31st (93 mtrs). 1st (571mtrs)

Quote: Today – Forget your past, forgive yourself and begin again. The only way to change is to keep trying, failing and keep trying and not worry about mistakes – easier said than done huh. Anything else leads to (insert star wars quote) the dark side. I heard a Macklemore song today and he said artists aren’t good at painting from birth (ok some are hahaha) the greats are great because they paint a lot i.e mistake after mistake – all learning – just like life right.

Song of the Day: Def Macklemore – Neon Cathedral – Great lyrics in this one about how alcohol can take a hold of your life so easily.

Album of the Day: Macklemore – The Heist

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Well – what a couple days it’s been – it went from type 2 to type 1 and back to type 2 then now it’s type 1 again – let me explain in dot points what the memorable events were and then i’ll elaborate

• Woke up in a pool of water at 3:30am – literally swimming
• Had a bloody amazing New years Eve in Launceston and met some great people and hung with them all night
• Rode through two bushfires and had to ride much further than expected
• Found an awesome campsite – cooked a delicious meal – all snuggly now

(TYPE 2) Right there it is….here goes. At 3:30 am i rolled over and was all wet and let me tell you that was not fun at all. My jacket was soaked, sleeping bag, and some of my pannier contents as they were open and lying on the ground. it rained all night and I knew my tent was old but thought it would last until winter – boy was I wrong. I was quite proud of myself though – I took it all in my stride and went into action mode. I picked up everything and brought it to an undercover area with a table. I couldn’t wear my jacket and I was freezing – lucky I had a long sleeve jersey so on (representing Adelaide with it see pics) then went…..right – think Adrian what next. Find out what’s wet and what isn’t and separate (and stay calm). After that was done I made a coffee to think…….The thought process was this – Launceston is next – what camping shops are there…….**drinks coffee** – done some research hoping that my favourite tent I been looking at for the last few years was there and it was and in stock. I took a chance and went ‘this one’s going in the bin’. And that it did. Packed my gear and sorted the wet stuff and rode off (two hours later). After i packed everything up I saw a coffee shop open – honestly….All is well in life when I have a hot coffee in my hand and I am thinking about the journey ahead. Today i thought that I am honestly happy when I am cycling to an unknown destination cruising along, singing, smelling all the smells, taking the scenic route when I can, looking at all the beautiful buildings and animals and then just …..PEDAL. I rode away into the sunrise and thought – how lucky am I.

Speaking of animals – There’s so much dead wildlife here – wallabies, kangas, tassie devils, turkeys (yup turkey’s) and so much more – all over the road – more than the mainland. And I’ve said it before but the sun is so hot here – it was 25 today and it felt like 32.

I purchased a guitarlele as well and really wanted to play it but that was drenched and was sitting in water all night – that was DONE and was def going to warp – that went into the bin also **sad**.

I chose to go east coast first as less hills to start with, im still sick as a dog and it’s nice there anyway sooooo that way I went. It was a cruisy day with not much to write about apart from farmland and some piccies. Rocked up in Launceston – straight into paddy palins camping shop and said – ‘That tent please’ – the guy was super friendly and interested in my trip and we put it together in the store so I knew what to do later and it was super easy. I’m pumped about this Tent – it’s an MSR Hubba Hubba hehehe. it’s lighter and bigger than my old one and the bells and whistles on it really make a difference. They put a lot of thought into this tent. For example, you can put the fly (rain cover) up first if it’s raining and then get under it, and clip the tent into it as to not get as wet. Dual entry, great vents – I feel like im in a hotel – ok well not really ut a kid in a candy shop with this…should be for NINE HUNDRED DOLLARS hahaha. It is my accommodation though for a year.

I’m still pretty ill so I found a park, put the headphones in and fell asleep for an hour under this

I was staying in the backpackers hostel that night and straight away I met Jonathon – we hit it off and said we’ll meet at the beer festival. I went shopping for the next few days food and cooked a nice meal then off I went to the festival.
There’s so many one way streets in launceston – my mind boggled and and I had to keep looking both ways just to make sure – it was confusing to. Me hahaha.

(TYPE 1) I didn’t need directions – I could hear it – live music, comedy shows, BEEEER, food and friends – can it get any better. We found the best seat in the house sitting on top of these concrete slabs and just talked, drank and ogled the night away and I remember the saying that Hunter said ‘This is what travelling is all about’ and yes he was right. Launceston – You kicked ass – thank you

After midnight it was like sheep getting ushered out of a gate and it was all over. Night night – I was tipsy and nodded off straight away.

6am ding ding Adrian – it was time…..I said goodbye to Jonathon (thanks for the chats mate – you got my number – keep in touch with your journey)……and hunter was nowhere to be found hehe.

Off I went to what I thought was my campsite for the night – somewhere in the wild apprx 90km’s away………that’s what I thought – read on…….

(TYPE 2) About 60k’s into my ride I thought what’s that smoke……it was a far way away and my mind was going into action mode….i didn’t hear about it on the news…..no cars are stopping me……I knew I was up wind so thought i’d get closer to really see. As I got closer to the 90km mark the place I wanted to camp was on fire….i rode to the CFS and knocked on their door. I chatted to them about where I was going to make sure I wasn’t being an idiot and they told me that I shouldn’t stay in town as resident are advised to either fight or leave…..EFF THAT – I was outta there……The town was a hive of activity and everyone was doing something – They told me the safest town and I asked if they thought it was ok that i’m on the bike and they said yes……So after 5 and a bit hours of cycling I needed to go ANOTHER hour….I needed to eat as I knew if I didn’t I would bonk – so I smashed lots of food at the CFS and headed off full of energy. There were two fires less than 1km away from, 5 helicopters and lots of emerg services. So in between them I went (it sounds way worse than it was) as there were plenty of cars driving through and no road closures etc but on a bike you really need to be careful. Karina and I had a plan that i’d message her every 30 mins and my spot tracking device would be the ‘ok button’ if I lost reception. I got through totally fine and ended up at a pub and smashed an amazing pint and boy it tasted good…my eyes were red and throat sore and that was amazing and then went hmmmm now where do i sleep hah.

asked around and someone said there’s a masive park down the road for free and with showers……holy shit I said hahaha. I pictured me setting up my new tent nd eating my meal that serves three and that I did. They forgot to mention that the shower needs a $2 coin for hot water which I only noticed after I took everything off hahah. So a cold shower it was….I didn’t care – it’s good for the muscles anyway…I cooked my ‘serves 3 meal’ and now i’m in my tent looking at the fires from a safe distance with a fully belly in my new tent and I have no idea what’s happening tomorrow and that’s awesome – I do know that i’ll be heading down the east coast and have a few spots in mind…….until then

Vanderpants OUT!