Distance: 58.31km’s (total so far 554km’s)

Avg Spd: 14.5

Max Spd: 28

Time in Saddle: 4hrs (total saddle time 36hr:50min)

Elevation Gain: not enough to even put here – FLAT

Quote: Every accomplishment starts with the decision to TRY.
I call this ‘leaning in’. It’s funny – once you do – the mind kicks in and you start working out ways to solve the little problems along the way and i’m not just talking about my trip – i’m talking about life decisions in general.

G’day…..I’m speaking with more of a twang now because that’s what happens when you’re traveling outside your region isn’t it??? 🙂 Kind of like going overseas and you wonder why did you just use that word – i’ve never used that word before haha.

Last night’s sleep was amazing in the bushes near the ocean – not a cloud in the sky and bright moon to keep me company

As I settled in I got a facetime call from Linda (how good is technology) and we had a good cackle. For those that don’t know – Linda loves a laugh, for instance when she is watching the old tv show ‘Prisoner’ she loves old ‘vinegar tits’ and the riff raff that goes on in the cells followed by an ‘oooooooiiiii that’s mean’

Love you Lin and thanks for reading the blogs out to her all the time Karina (her carer in case you mixed up the Karina’s 🙂 – i’d be lost without the care you give Linda whilst i’m gone and i’m grateful how much you do with her.

I packed up the tent and rode along the 2km 4wd dirt track which required pretty good bike handling skills if I say so myself and headed to Mahalia coffee which two people recommended to me. I spent an hour with hugo – People, meet Hugo…He was mistreated by his former owners and was also was run over by a car and lost a rear leg sometime ago. Hugo is totally fine now and Mahalia have taken ownership and he resides (and loves) it there. The owners told me he is not an animal’s animal…he is HOOMAN and does enjoy to sit in the sun when people are sitting outside. I don’t normally like cats all that much But i do love all animals AND when it has to do with a ‘coffee cat’ I’M IN – I stayed for an hour patting him and talking just absolute CRAP to everyone in the shop. I can’t help myself.

Finished my coffee and spent 30 minutes doing Yoga and other stretches Across the road in a park and took off. The wind was bloody horrendous again and used my new found Pedaling technique and it was just bearable. Fun Fact – Of all my riding days after Normanville, I have ridden 31 hours and 35 Minutes of full on headwind in 7 days (Of saddle time) . Every bloody bend and turn i’m hoping to get a break but noooooooo. I’m not complaining – merely stating the stats hahahaha. Ok maybe a little. Looking at the wind charts it seems as though maybe I get a cross wind tomorrow and Friday will be a taily – ok…no more talk of that….

Lunch was bloody brilliant – it might become a staple of mine – a wrap with a full banana, nutella and peanut butter – The 4,567 flies and I loved it.

Music of the day:

Dermot kennedy again

Ill Nino (smashed an album – these guys kickass)

Then listened to ‘My Dad Wrote a Porno’ – #pomegranates #bluejizz
I laughed my guts out on the road i’m sure the sheep found it pretty funny.

The last 10 k’s went on forever and ever and there were no stops along the Whole route today (meh) – the views were beautiful and after reaching Beachport I was pretty stoked as the hammies again were annoying me – I feel like with enough stretching maybe just maybe (and praying for some tailwind) we might get there.

I got to beachport and just looked at this view for 30 minutes and had a huge smile on my face

I found the closest bakery and smashed some food and a coffee of course – not bad actually 6.5/10 and it was a bit late for me to find a spot out of town, cook and blog plus i pretty much kinda needed a shower lol.

Dinner was zuchinni, feta, chilli fritters

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It was then time for the standard practice of………….

Night folks – hoping to make Mt Gambier tomorrow but stay tuned – see how we go

Vanderpants OUT!

Distance: 58 km’s

Avg Spd: 13

Max Spd:26.4

Time in Saddle: 4hr:30mins

Elevation Gain: 200 mtrs

Quote: Act as if what you do makes a difference. IT DOES.

Hey there loyal followers. last night was BRILLIANT and exactly what I needed. Some decent aussies and down to earth chats about everything from the weather to music, sport, families and of course coffee and more coffee. I fell asleep in what felt like a fluffy cloud but after 4 days of hearing 4 billion flies and mosquitos, i fell asleep still hearing them and kicking my legs from cycling. Still, it was a great sleep. Thanks Terry and Denise you bloody legends – you made my day/night in what has been a tough few days – i forgot to take a pic damnit but at least I got this goodbye at the last moment – if you’re even in Adelaide (in 2021 haha) – please shout out and lets hang out.

I was happy the weather was not blasting hot but the wind did slap me in the ass again. i found a new pedalling technique thought as I was forced to try different things. I thought until my hammies get better lets attempt taking my feet out out of the cleats and lower my seat a little and use the mid of my foot – as i had this thought I literally checked my insta account and saw a message from my bro in law Ned aka Cedrick aka legend aka best bloke ever aka big nose club president (only the awesome like myself and Ned have been lifted to the lofty heights of this club) #sundial anyway – after reading that message it was a done deal – I tried it and also the new technique included letting the wind when it gusted heavy to slow me down and i gear down then when the wind slows a tad – slowly gear up with a gradual increase in speed until it blows again – this seemed to give me about another hour before the pain set in. i’ve been doing deep stretches that a friend of mine sent me (thanks Kim) and also been doing a couple days of deep yoga stretches. I have been able to get really deep in those stretches (deeper than before) and i think this is the way to go – deeeeeep long stretches. I’m not saying anything yet – just saying that this feels right – so a few days of light pedaling and deep long stretches MAYBE the way – I think I have office hamstrings (shortened) so it feels right to spend about 30 minutes a day doing this – stay tuned for an update.

Ok moving on – seeing signs like this makes it real doesn’t it

As the day went on I felt a massive smile come on and it went for a LONG time – i always knew this but I know why I cycle (there’s many reasons like friendship, fitness etc) BUT It just makes me forget everything and I feel so alive – I actually just naturally smile when i’m on the bike – it’s a good feeling we often don’t get enough of right. Like the world is good – it will all be ok no matter what dramas are going on in your life – i’m bloody out here – i’m lucky – i’m thankful THE END.

Albums for the day:

Dermot Kennedy – Without Fear (brilliant up and coming folk singer)

Nick Cave – An No more Shall We Part (don’t judge me – his lyrics are out of this world – he says so much in one sentence it’s like reading a book

Karnivool – All songs – shit these guys kick ass right

So i got a message from Alex my mate and he said do a bloody side by side and recreate it so here it is – how cool is this hehehe PS – Alex….keep being awesome mate and getting out there and kicking ass like you do ok mate.

I made he obligatory 12:30 phone call to my sister Linda and made sure I knew what shows she was watching on TV tonight which were the following (this is the usual by the way) – prisoner followed by two and half men hahaha And a new microwave was puchased recently so she was stoked. I helped book her xmas holidays with her work and carers so that was ticked off also. So moving along – the day was windy AF but with my pedaling technique and some good stretches that morning it was bearable (8/10 pain haha) and I hobbled into Robe and searched out the best coffee possible (this is REALLY important) and I can pick them from the street trust me and boy I did – this was bloody AMAZING – if you want good coffee in Robe go to ‘Drift’

After this amazing coffee and awesome beach views I looked on my map and found a campsite on a 4wd track near the beach so that’s my spot tonight folks – After checking that campsite out (and talking forever to the ranger cos that’s what I do – I just can’t shutup hahaha) I headed back into town and searched a good place for beer and blog time (found that). i was going to cook tonight but I got to chatting way too long to some fisherman about crayfishIng and how it all works and the hours they do and all the ins and outs and my tummy grumbled – too late to cycle back and cook so fish and chip shop it was **shrugs** – I DETHERRRrrve it. The fish is GOOOOoood here and you’d hope so too. Seeya tomorrow for another awesome day peoples – thanks for reading

Vanderpants OUT

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Distance: 55.87 k’s

Avg Spd: 14.1

Max Spd: 20.2

Time in Saddle: 4hr : 02 mins

Elevation Gain: bout nuthin -all flat

Quote: Change your thoughts and you change your results – So true – what you project is often what you attract isn’t it.

Ok wellllllll here we go. First of all I want to explain last night a little more as i don’t think I gave it justice. it was 38 as i arrived into campsite last night and OMG it was a stinker. There were no more towns for another 4 hours of cycling and I didn’t have that in my hammy tank so this little section off the main highway was it. There was no shade for ages (only little shrubs). As I stopped, the flies and ants were everywhere and the heat was intense and there was no way i was setting up my tent and sitting in it so all I could do was put a tarp over a shrub and crawl under it and do nothing for three hours – i swear i heard a lot of rattling around in that bush but i didn’t care haha. I waited for the sun to create some shade and i moved all my gear to it and setup camp – it was fine in the shade. I ended up cooking my calzone and I wouldn’t say it was a failure but i’d give it a 5.5 out of 10 but with the mozzies, flies and ants plus my sore hammies and exhaustion i’d give it an 8 :-). Base too thin was the problem and hurried the seal hehehe

Slept under the stars with no fly on the tent and it was nice not to have flies around me as I have been dreaming about them. Woke up at 5:30am and packed up my gear and without breakky (because i wanted to get out of that HELL HOLE of a place haha) and started pedaling. That wind – I know I harp on it but in all my years of cycling and touring these three days have been the hardest for sure. Lucky i planned my food and water (plus the hotel along the way) as I likened it to the nullabor. If you have a tailwind sure no problems. But i was speaking to a few people before this stretch saying there has been many rescues here from cyclists as it’s very unnasuming but nothing in between, no shade, no water – anyway – that aside – I cycled along until about 40 km’s when i looked into the air and thought there are no birds. I know why….Because they aren’t as bloody stupid as me. I saw ONE bird ….trying to fly against the wind – was not going anywhere and decided to head back (smarter than me) 🙂

My hamstrings were screaming at me to stop at 40 and that last 15km’s felt like 100. I had to stop every 1km and rest a bit. I was looking at my speedo and it said 43.1 then i thought surely another 2km’s has past………43.5 hahahahaha. God that was hard.

I finally made it to Kingston and had the compulsory photo

Fact of the day: Apparently the lobster was for sale and a WA company wanted to purchase it but a local philanthropist who owns a lot of salt creek farm purchased it as well as funded the hospital re roofing – there you go – fact (or gossip) o the day for ya.

PS – don’t sing with your mouth wide open like an opera singer whilst cycling because two bugs will fly down the back of your throat, hit yr gag reflex and make you vomit 🙂 hahaha true story.

So I found the nearest bakery and smashed some food and a delicious coffee and was just so happy to be there and was on the phone to karina (i needed a voice of reason to help me keep going thanks gherns xoxo) when a lady come up to me and said – ‘excuse me are you that long distance cyclist that i been hearing about along the coorong – you looked like you were suffering out there – would you like a hot shower, some food and a place to stay instead of that caravan park’ – i was beaten today and once again – the kindness of humans – along comes this stranger and offers me GLORY hahaha. I was like HELLLL YESSSSS!! Anyway it turns out we know someone in common in Adelaide (this world is a small place) I had to stock up at the supermarket first so I said i’ll be over in a minute. I quickly stopped at IGA and this old man in a gopher rocks up and i said ill look after it whilst he goes in. and then we’ll swap…..Anyway we both did our shopping and i said ‘did you find what you needed’ to which the reply was ‘yeah mayte but never what i wanted’ He asked where I was going and I said tomorrow is Robe and he says ‘HAH good fargin luck’ I said ‘ i know right – i’m hoping for a wind change’ He goes…..’I been hoping that for fargin years mayte hah fat chance’ as he rides off cackling to himself at 4 km’s an hour (faster than I can cycle against the wind these days lol). Anyway …..

So here I am – waiting for my dinner to be cooked, beer in hand, showered (first one in three days) – and chatting away about everything under the sun. Denise and Terry – you bloody legends – you made my day and gave me a reason to debunk the myth that aussies are not as tourist friendly as europeans – amazing end to one of the hardest couple days.

Vanderpants OUT

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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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