Vanderpants Oz Tour

Total Distance – 1,070 km’s yewww we hit the 1k mark

Yesterday we clocked over 1,500 mtrs of climbing (Bascially Norton Summit in Adelaide, 5 Times, Loaded, offroad and after 900km’s of touring) plus 6 hours in the saddle that day – good effort Redlegs.

Total k’s – 1010 KM’s WOOT WOOT – we made the Tonne

Well it’s been a knarly few days. We/ve been out of cell coverage for a few days now and i’ts been kind of nice actually. Just kicking it in nature (with my laptop haha) and winding up and down this awesome Ottway’s Forest. It really is hard work AND AWESOME. We left our GLAMPING site and were greeted with dirt roads and beutiful countryside straight away and then the hills started……..fuck. We had to stock up on about 8 litres of water each (and 1 litre of wine in a collapsable bottle – NECESSARY) and boy did we feel it. Climbing on dirt roads is hard because you lose traction and speed with every bump so ascending is more difficult than the road obviously however we still smashed the day though. The last two days felt like we were riding through the jungle in the movie ‘Predator’ and Arnie sayings were yelled out FREQUENTLY……’if it bleeds, we can kill it’ – ‘Dylonnnnnnnnnn’ – ‘agggghhhhhhh’ (in arnie voice’). Not only that, it felt also a tad like walking dead! For 50-60 km’s it felt like we were riding through abandoned farms, abanded vehicles and overgrown everything. It was eery, beautiful and very interesting. I would urge if anyone is in this area, Go check out the Ottways – it’s a great alternative to see not only the 12 Apostles but the countryside here. Weaving in and out of the towns and still seeing all the sites IT’S AWESOME. I come to my own out here. I’m in my happy place hitting the dirt trails and wondering what’s around the corner and just smiling all day feeling like i’m in a different world multiple times a day. Australia by bicycle is 100% the best way to see things. Especially if you want to see things you’ll never ever see. There’s no way we would’ve seen all these things by car and there’s salways a suprise around the corner…….to talk shit about for the rest of the day hahaha.

Yes the alternative route is way harder but so much more rewarding. Those steep climbs of the last two days were nuts and I could see Alex (who is new to offroad touring or touring in general for that fact) had his game face on and for the first time on this tour and was in ‘his endurance mindset’. It wasn’t all laughs and games especially yesterday with HUGE climbs however, he wasn’t giving up. Yesterday involved a 13km 4-15% climb to Lavers Hill and today had about 17 climbs so says my garmin. A few of them on 4wd tracks only that were closed and were complete sludge. We were pushing, groaning, laughing less and both had game faces on.
I’ve noticed a lot of ‘dad noises’ on this tour. Groaning getting out of the tent, pushing the bike, getting on the bike….need I go on….we’ve created so many new dad noises it’s getting rediculous to the point that they are screamed into the forrest 🙂

At Lavers Hill just past the Apostles, we talked to a young Dutch lady (apologies if you’re reading this but I forgot your name) and she came to Oz, grabbed a bike and some gear and just took off on her own never having done this before – we had a good chat for half an hour and went our different ways. I always admire when people do this on their own – There’s so many unknowns so it takes some courage to get out there – you go girl! We hope you have had such a geat time on the road.

Last nights camp was pretty epic. After a hard day we had grass to pitch our tent on and a beach just down the road (you’ll see in the vid with the beaches). BOY that beach was breathtaking. The power of those rips and the waves coming in were on another level. Of course we had to get in for a swim but those rips were CRAZY. I tried to body surf and failed drastically as Alex laughed at me getting smashed under the water but he can laugh, at least I gave it a crack whilst you were wading in the KIDDIES POOL hahahahaah.

Everytime I bent down to put my tent up later tht night, seawater dripped out my nose hahahaha. It was so fun and good for the joints as well. Sunset was spectacular as we looked at each other and just laughed how awesome this trip has been and AGAIN, it delivered. As we watched the sunset about 6 people gathered around us and all wanted to know everything we were doing so Alex and I had two separate conversations going. It’s always so refreshing to have convos with travellers. You get to a different level when you’re on the road, and quickly. A lot of the wild campsites have like minded adventurers and their stories are always interesting. The wine that night was a little bit of well earned pleasure and every drop was savoured after that ride lol.

We woke up at 6 and packed up and away we went for another day of offroad fun and hills. Well more hills than fun can I say. Relentless today. It was 1,500 meters of climbing and boy were those climbs steep. Not so steep if you’re unloaded but those 4wd tracks were nuts. Alex did so well being his first offroad adventure. I felt like I came into my own today. I felt some power come into my legs and smashed it all day. Not being on the flats all day is where it’s at for me. I felt like I finally got my touring legs today and i’m ready for what else is to come. I had endless power and I was kicking myself because it’s been a while since I felt that way. I’m past the sore ass, cramps, sore knees etc…

So today was a double Tonne – over 1500 meters climbing and we hit over 1,000 km’s travelled today – great milestone….for me – only 19,000 to go (gulp)

This morning it was lovely to see some wild deers bounding across our path. I am not good enough (or too tired at the end of the day after making a video as well) to describe all the things we see. I feel like i’ve only touched on 40% (exactly 40%) of what we’ve experienced and I can’t explain myself well enough so I hope the videos do it justice.

Something I thought about today – Australia is really rough on your gear. When you’re outside most of the time, things scratch, drop, break, pierce so easily. The sun smashes down on your shirt and gear….the dust rubs marks on your bike, things are dirty easily and there’s just so many things to ‘care for’ along the way to make them last it’s nuts – Australia is a harsh mistress sometimes 🙂

After a hard slog today, The campsite tonight is pretty sweet. Huge trees, quiet surroundings, got a campfire going and we cooked pasta with an amazing home made sauce and a glass of red mmmmmmmm good rewards. I’m sitting in this pristine forrest on my laptop which feels weird so I will log off and go enjoy the sounds around me and the warmth of the fire with a mate…..a good mate (wink)……….

Sorry this post is a bit disjointed…..it’s been long days with no service and it’s hard to piece together a few days when you’re buggered hahahaha. Enjoy the video anyway – it’s a combination of the last few days.

If you’ve seen me along the way and are just reading my blog, gimme a shout out via my ‘contact page’ and let me know where you are and what you’re doing.

All in all peeps, Alex and I are ahead of schedule and tomorrow we will finish the Ottways tour and then see what other adventure we can have before we hit Melbourne so stay tuned. Before I left Adelaide one of my main concerns was if Alex would have a great time and would we be on the highway too much and be bored. The opposite has actually happened. We have had an amazing adventure and every day has been 15 aventures in one so that makes me happy that he will have good memories from this because I know I will.We are now sitting in a town called Winchelsea and have half a day to work out what the hell we are going to do now. What other type of adventure do we want? STAY TUNED.

Have a great night/day everyone…whether you’re reading this with your morning coffee or a cup of tea at night 🙂
Redman OUT