Vanderpants Oz Tour

96 km’s
1037 Mtrs Climbed
Saddle Time 6hrs 17

Good evening everyone. Well Day 2 did not dissapoint. Got away about 6:30 after breakky and a coffee and I was pumped to see what the trail has to offer today. Since leaving Birdwood there were a few 9-13% climbs to get the heart started so early. I Started with all my warm clothes on knowing they would all come off later. A homebrew about an hourish into the ride on the side of the road was the order of the day. I pulled out my cooker and brewed an isntant (times are tough when i’m brewing an instant let me tell yah haha) It’s a rare thing but hey – caffeine and warmth mmmmm – packed that away and….

After about 2 hours it seemed to be more rolling hills and luscious green grass, red/yellow dirt roads and wildlife. I could not keep the smile off my face. There’s not much in this life that makes me smile as much as working hard on the bike, looking around me, feeling the wind and taking it all in. Like GENUINE smile from ear to ear for no reason other than ‘WOW – I am realllllly LOVING this’. I’m out here on an adventure, i’m super lucky to have this opportunity AND It really makes me super happy like a kid again. Especially when the downhills are long and the scenery is good. I’ve earned that downhill and I will take it all in hahaha.

The scenery was amazing ALL the way to Tanunda where I knew where the bakery was already (it’s nice travelling your own state hehehe) I smashed a few things…had a kip under a tree then took off again. Today was a mix bag of rolling hills, green farm land, red slippery dirt, fire trails, actual farmland (had to open and close a few gates), two towns, lots of beautiful vinyards, The Barossa trail, fire trails and some (in the wet) apparant unrideable terrain (see pics)…looks nasty if wet – what a great mixed bag.

today although over 6 hours in the saddle, it went pretty quick. I can tell it’s going to get hot on the way up – start days early is the plan me thinks. When I was leaving Tanunda an old lady stopped right in the middle of the road as I was cycling, wound down her window and said ‘Vehhrrrr are zeeee Germans’ no hello – no excuse me can you help me – I had to stop my brain from saying my first thought……’ummmmm they kinda dissapeared and haven’t seen them around much since ummm 1945 but hey…good luck with that one’ hahahaha. But i went with the more polite version of ‘excuse me?’

she actaully wanted the german club so i google mapped it and took about 30 minutes to explain my directions – I couldn’t really say ‘FOLLOW ME!” could I? hahaha – and she was off….no thank you….no goodbye hahaha – I had a good chuckle.


So onwards I went to Kapunda….a few pinchy climbs and some nasty dirt roads but still well rideable – just bumpy from being rained on then dried.

After 6 hours, a breakky, 2 lunches, a coffee, some banana chips and plenty of lovely scenery I made it to Kapunda and boy was it nice popping out of the ‘wild’ and into the town. Today was much more rideable then yesterday – still difficult in sections but nothing you can’t walk up and continue onwards. I was happy i got my water just right today. I plan my days knowing where it will be and not take tooooo much otherwise you really feel the weight. When i get further up to the top, I know i need to plan that well too. Until tomorrow folks – not sure what it will bring – haven’t planned anything – lets see where we go.

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Vanderpants OUT!!!