howdy everyone

well well well what another great day. I know I say that alot but honestly, it has been. I could tell we both were a little moany and groany this morning. Not in a bad way but ‘feeln it’ I’ve been here before, I know this feeling….It’s one of those, just pack and get on the bike and in an hour you’ll be smiling again. Probably the first time I was a tad ummm ‘now I got to pack alllll this crap up’ kind of feeling. Yup it was like tht – within an hour or two, we were adventuring and into it and that was exctly how today went.

Someone I rate mentioned to me last night if my blog was what it REALLLLY was like out there – was it all roses’ ????? It’s a good question. I thought about that a lot on the bike today and especially because it was the first morning that was an 8/10 and not a 10. I must say that I’m blogging and videoing a lot because it actually is THAT FUN……so far. The fun hasn’t ended – alllll day every day. Alex asked me if I will blog every day and put a video up after he goes… no is the answer – somedays it’s just a grind and not all roses. Some days it’s hard as nails and many things go wrong and the weather is terrible and i’ve had a hard few days/weeks. I think because Alex and I are great partners in crime, help each other with everything and are both up for it, that’s what’s made this trip so memorable for me. I know as I said yesterday that i’ll miss that sexy man when he is gone…..but – the show must go on……it will be the solo Vanderpants once again and i’ll have to sharpen up my video skills! (And blog writing skills, he proof reads this too!)

Being in the real wild up top of OZ and down WA and Nullabor is where the real shit happens – i’m up for it but I think then you’re going to probably see some harship and i’ll blog about it don’t you worry…..you’re going to get it all whatever it is. I can’t be THAT positive every day can I hahahahaha DEFS NOT 🙂

ok that out of the way……..We had a terrible roadhouse breakky that we commented on ALL MORNING – Alex wasn’t feeling so well so we started a tad slower so his gut can acclimatise (how can you get baked beans SO WRONG?) and we packed up and headed to the rail trail. I think it was the first hill where Alex mumbled his first grumble in the words of his daughter….’My legs are sore’ hahahahahahaha. My reply was ‘cool story Bro’ hahahaha

It was my turn for navigation today and the next few days will be 90% offroad gravel riding yewwwwww that’s MY JAM…..it’s not that hard to navigate though is it when i’ve downloaded a GPX to my phone, pushed it to Garmin and then my Bike Computer and away she goes – it’s nice to have a map tell me where to go which allows us to just look all around and occasionally check the map but enjoy the beauty of it all.

The day started with what felt like the secret garden, then through Vietnam and then off to Japan and we popped out back into Australia for a Coffee and a snack at Timboon (lovely little town on the way down to the GOR. GOR stands for Great Ocean Road FYI). It litereally felt like that with the type of trees and landscape hahaha. The rail trail had beautiful scenery and some technical riding which I enjoyed experiencing with Alex as this was his first time. There were a few ‘get off the bikes and walk’ as it was real slippery due to the heavy rain last night but it subdued in the morning. That always makes an awesome track super slippery. It was manageable and Alex ate it all up. He is only running 38’s which is not that wider than a race bike for those who don’t know so Alex did an amazing job to go single track, over roots on uneven surfaces and through narrow gaps and really bumpy terrain. That was about 40 km’s of offroad awesomeness. After a few hours, we popped up somewhere and crossed a bridge near a main road and as I cycled past a lady pushing a pram, the baby said to me ‘DADDY’……I don’t know how that could be unless since the last time I was here 3 years ago bwahahaha but the baby looked younger than my thought out timeline so PHEWPH 🙂 But I said to the lady ‘unless your partner has red hair I can understand the mixup’ LOL to which her reply was ‘it doesn’t have a dad’ – I looked over at Alex and of course we ran that back on the highlight reel a few times today hahahahaha

So the offroad then turned smack bang into Port Campbell which is the start of the Great Ocean Road and boy that didn’t dissapoint. The look on Alex’s face was priceless. We did some droney droney and away we went because we were excited about riding along ‘that road just up ahead’ it was all road for the next 30k’s

Well that road was not as busy as everyone was telling us (actually everything eceryone has said to us along the way has been wrong’ For example……’oooph the weather up there will be terrible’ said one farmer – IT WAS BEAUTIFUL).

‘oooph, the off road trail is so hilly and hard’ – ALEX and I SMASHED IT – yup Alex’s legs were a tad tender today and I have no doubt so the sharp climbs and handling the terrain does take it’s toll….

or

‘ooooph I wouldn’t go on the road’ – QUIET AS A MOUSE

anyway – nothing has been true hahahahahaha

So there we were – cruising along THE GREAT OCEAN ROAD and I could see that Alex was gobsmacked hahahaha – so was I tbh. Alex said to me ‘I can’t believe we got here with my own two feet and this bicycle’ That’s right buddy – we fucking did it mate………………..with lolz along the way. We punched fists and just smiled for an hour

We took heaps of drone action and stops along the way – yes it’s illegal to droney drone at the GOR so before you ask no you’re not allowed to hahahahahaha shrugs

The campsite was only just up the road and when I say campsite…..check the vid out hahahah it’s not #camping LOL. So lucky are we. I’ve decided to make two videos today – one for ‘the day’ as I do and one for the GOR because it was amazing.

We are overlooking fields JUST behind the GOR for two nights because we will take a day off tomorrow and go swimming, hiking and droning and just hang and chill…..we are way ahead of schedule that we need to re do our plan and incorporate more fun trails before we hit Melbourne – what a bloody annnnnnnoying thing to do hahahaaha

Enjoy the video peeps – I hope I do it justice what a day it was.

Redman Signing out and i’ll send you a video and probably a short blog tomorrow.

Our Day Today

I was going to do a vid on The GREAT OCEAN ROAD but it wont upload so i’ll try that tomorrow. 👍

day off today – yay

Distance: 93.2 km’s

Avg Spd:18.7

Max Spd – 51kmph

Saddle Time: 5 hours

Elevation: 415mtrs

Total Distance: 807 km’s – getting into the tonne soon yay

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Hi Readers,

Well today was (and im not just saying this for the blogs sake) EXCEPTIONAL. It was a day filled with country roads, side roads, tailwinds, quiet dirt roads, a couple sights along the way, good coffee and just lolz alllllll day. It was what touring was all about. Alex and I were basically on a high all day and 90 clicks felt like NOTHING. First off I want to shout out to Alex who is not only is a powerhouse but today he was in charge of navigation and routing and boy did he do an amazing job. It’s not easy self navigating and creating a non direct route off the highway for 90 KM’s but I had one of the best day touring in a LONG time. He did an amazing job and every road was awesome and we didn’t even know what kind of road was ahead but all in all they were all sublime – great Job mate – this is your first tour and you smashed it. I also want to shout out AGAIN to him because of all the hard work and training he put in to make this happen.

The day started off with me cranking a michael jackson song (do you remember) really loud to wake up Alex and start singing hahahahaha – to which Alex joined in the minute he woke up lolz. It also started off with me putting on wet knicks hahahaha – my other pair were let’s just say ‘unsavoury to wear’ and the wet ones were clean but WET – so on they went mmmmmmmm. The day really started out on an awesome rail trail. For those who don’t know what that is, it’s an old railway line converted into open space and a nice gravel road to cruise on. So that was how our day started, 20 odd clicks of that which was awesome and with a tailwind. It actually reminded me of The Netherlands today. Broody grey clouds riding along a flat ‘canal’ with a river to the side and many different animals to look at along the way – like I was cycling on along a canal – it was awesome – no trucks and busy roads.

We FLEW along the Rail Trail and smashed out 50 clicks until some waterfall you’ll see in the vid. Along the way today we did some filming, droning, coffee stops, laughs, easy cycling, fast cycling, loudspeaker music playing and headbanging (especially to RATM and Silverchair) and literally saying to each other a thousand times, ‘OMG HOW GOOD IS THIS’. It was THAT GOOD today. So many natural smiles along the way and Alex shaking his head saying ‘is this a dream’ hahahahha – those are the words I wanted to hear because before he started if I had any concern, it was that we can make it fun enough for him and not just hum drum highways and that was so nice to hear that and see the smile on his face. I know that there are already so many memories locked away in his brain (and mine) that will last forever already. The videos say it all right? – and that’s EXACTLY how it’s been the whole way so far. I am forever looking at possible photo opportunities or drone shots and thrilled to share Australia with you guys so you can see all the little things you might miss in a car. This country has sooooo much to offer and by bicycle you really get to see so much and take it all in. It excites me to show you everything I see. OK my blog might not be a video every day like it has been for the whole trip (it might though hahah) BUT I get joy out of letting you see what I see. I want you guys to see Australia with me – the Real Australia – it’s bloody stunning. Where the bloody hell are ya hahaha

I’m getting better at the drone now. Alex timed me and within 65 seconds of stopping the bike, the drone was in the air and 25 seconds of that was the gps locating my home spot. within 30 seconds it’s packed away and we are off. So good – it’s the editing that takes a while lol but it’s also nice to have these memories for myself and watch them back to appreciate what’s actually happened in the day. So much happens in one day so it’s great to have these lil snapshots and vids to go back to.

In short today went like this:

Woke up

Breakky and coffee

Drone then Rail Trail

Offroad Trails

Drone again

More back country roads

Coffee Stop

Waterfalls

Good Times

One Flatty

15 minute snack stop and a few calls back to home

Made it to Cobden

Edited said video below

Walked to Pub

Two Beers and dins

Blog

Pack/plan/make some eggs for tomorrow

Talk more shit

Few phone calls

shower

zzzzzzzz

I’m pumped for tomorrow because……we have planned a 3 day gravel trail route that winds through the Ottways which emcompasses dirt, rail trail, hills, 12 apostles, and NATURE yay – this will be Alex’s first multi day off road trip and i’m excited to do it with him. We have planned it perfectly so lets see how it unfolds. Knowing the last 10 days, probably a 10/10 hahaha but anything can happen hey – i know this however, I think he is going to LOVE it. We are on track for Melbourne so lets go explore some back country right? YEwwwwwwwww

Side Note: Alex said to me today ‘you know i could be deaf and mute and I think you’d still say exactly the same things to me as you do everyday’ bwhahahahaha ok yes I talk a lot – **shrugs** – let’s face it…..I probably would hahahahahaha.

Side Note 2: there’s quite a few followers from China which is amazing right – hello from Australia – welcome to this amazing country and shout out if you have any questions…..

Some partof me feels like this is a great start to my whole adventure. Blessed with great days and getting fitter by the day but it’s slowly getting me ready for up north and down west, plus the Nullabor. I’m not pre-empting anything but I do know it will be a different challenge and I wont lie, it is a little daunting about the challenges that face me – I know I can do it but sometimes those oh shit moments creep in and I know i’ll be in for some tough times and I think this is a perfect start to harden up that mind a little more as I go along and learn so much more along the way to prep me for the challenges ahead

Thanks for reading everyone – it helps us keep pedalling every day. More than you know……..Your comments/messages/voice messages/pictures/videos help me even more – I love them all. Even the ‘hurry up c**t’ messages hahahahaha

Love you all

Redman OUT

PS – By request I was asked to add headbanging music and less airy fairy tinkly finkly music because lets face it……We are headbanging to Slipknot, RATM, Metallica, Limp Biskit etc etc so it’s only fair right – i reckon a few listeners would love this lil Adelaide band so how fitting is this WICKED SONG that we headbang to also.

Enjoy Peeps

Redman REALLY out now………

Distance: 72 kms

Avg Spd: 18.2

Max Spd – 47.2

Saddle Time:4 hours

Elevation:193 mtrs

Total Distance: 713m

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Howdy All – welcome to the Redlegs Tour update (Redlegs until Melbourne and then Vanderpants returns lol)

I have a feeling that my videos won’t be as exciting when I don’t have my wingman with me taking those extra vids and pics – i’ll have to fight hard and learn new tricks to keep you entertained as having an awesome wingman like Alex has really helped my videos so much. His pics and vids and eye for detail has helped me so much. Lets see how it unfolds hey….

As we woke up at 6 with Nick Cave as my alarm clock hahahahaha it was time for breakky and coffee. I got the coffee and Alex was on breakky so teamwork got that done – sorted and packed and away we went into the sunrise for a BEAUTIFUL descent and costal JOYRIDE where Alex and I couldn’t get the smile off our faces. This day is what touring is all about – it’s what locks in that core memory of ‘ahhhh this is why one tours Australia by bicycle, I get it now’ kinda moment. I could see in Alex’s face that he was just HAPPY and that made me happy. Before we started there is always some thought about whether this would work together, how many km’s would we do, do I have enough fun stuff organised for him, will it be too boring etc etc. That all went out the window day 1 hahahaha. Seeing him enjoy it makes me enjoy it way more because it’s great to see him enjoy what I absolutely LOVE to do and he just said ‘I get it now’ was a nice feeling to have and share.

Winding down that first road along the coast and overlooking the oceans sunrise on a quiet road just started the morning off perfect and set the tone for the day. We arrived at a dead end road after a few clicks and thought – stuff it – lets just walk on the beach and see where it goes – it’s going in the general direction so lets just see. So we climbed out bikes over the rocks and started walking on the beach and talking shit as we do – popped the drone out for a last goodbye to Portland (love that place, i’ll be back) and then popped up on a side road that was quiet also and then onto the main road again with TRUUUUUUUUCKS. We were feeling energetic so we pumped on the speed a bit as it was pretty flat and a nice wide shoulder plus PERFECT WEATHER. A tad headwind but nothing to annoy us – then I saw a message pop up from Alex ‘join my spotify group’ – I accepted and knew he was headbanging a bit behind me, as I was, and we listened to – get this – ‘Country Road’ but in a Metal/alternative type style – cracked me up – that made Alex speed up to me and we headbanged and cranked out a nice pace for a while. Alex is good at cranking random songs at random times or singing something sooo random that sticks in your head all bloody day – I think he does it to annoy me just quietly.

So as we are churning and burning along I felt my legs itch a bit and realised it was crickets jumping into my bike and legs – thousands of them – sooooo gross! Crack crack they all went under the tyre and into my legs – GROSS – that didn’t last long though but never seen that before.

After the crickets was a koala running across the road just in front of us as Alex and I held our breathe as it narrowly missed a truck and a car but fled to safety PHEWPH………We past a windfarm too so didn’t miss an opportunity to get Droney out which was wild, AGAIN.

We pushed on 40 clicks or so to a town (one cafe in the toan and that’s it) called Yumbuk – As Alex walked out of the general store he was like ‘it was actually ok in there’ hahahaha and i wasn’t holding my breathe to see if the coffee was good. So far, the coffee outside of the larger Adelaide area has been not so good. But yumbuk delivered a 6.5/10 – I was suprised – it was the 2nd best coffee we had so far – we sat under the shelter/bbq area and enjoyed a self made roll and topped up our fluids, we were smashing the day so far. If it wasn’t for the beach walk I think we would’ve averaged 22kmph today which is great. Thanks Yumbuk

The day just flew today – it was fast k’s and awesome scenery BUT heaps of Trucks. We had a wide shoulder so it was fine. Both our legs were feeling strong. Yes we could push the km’s MUCH more and really get them ticking along but at the moment, this tour is about having an adventure on and off the bike, getting the drone shots, beach swims, walks, sight seeing AND bicycle touring and so far it’s been the best balance of all those things. I remember my New Zealand adventure where for a month it was go go go eat what you can and keep going but it’s refreshing to do a good 4-6 hours of cycling and combine that with FUN – what a bloody adventure so far lol.

I just realised my emails/contact me page wasn’t working property so I apologise to anyone who messaged me and I haven’t replied – we are back up and running now so keep them rolling in as I answer every one of them. Sometimes I feel like all I/we are doing is pushing some pedals around and seeing some shit BUT I’ve had so many emails and messages from many people over the world Friends, family, followers. With so many positive stories it makes me keep going so THANK YOU FOR ALL THE LOVELY SHOUT OUTS and people sharing their story of ‘I have now dusted off my bike’ or ‘i had a tear reading this or that and it motivated me to…..’ or ‘I booked a holiday to such and such because of your blog’ or ‘OMG Adrian and Alex – are you guys top athletes/models’?

Ok that last one was a stretch but really – THANKYOU THANKYOU – it helps keep my blog going because sometimes – i just feel as though i’m dribbling shit 🙂 I am but hey, if you like reading it that’s awesome.

So we rocked up in Port Fairy, found some accommodation quickly via the use of 100 different apps 🙂 and just put our shit down and headed strraight for the beach to ice those legs. Nothing is as refreshing as finishing the day smashing the legs on an amazing adventure and finishing it in the beach (and stealing a random boogie board to fail hugely) hahaha – was a nice dip with some drone footage and headed back to the accomm for some din dins.

Spent dinner in the pub REALLLLlllllY roughing it. Having a cuttla and planning the next 5 ish days looseley just so we know where water and food is, loose camping spots and also planning total distance to melb so we can have a plan a/b/c and be loose with an overall distance each day. That works fine and we planned it like clockwork (stay tuned to see if it goes like that hahah)

Side note for the day – how many people love to have a microwave as a letterbox in Straya hahahaha

PS – thanks everyone for your suggestions, they came rolling in – i’ve taken them all on board and will be adding them into my blog….Tan, JB, quite a few emails from the followers and Wally cheers everyone – PS – no bakery stop in Port Fairy I don’t think so can’t comment on that lolz. I must say though that the port Fairy coffee roasters (in my vid) was a 8.5/10. We rocked up into town and I could smell the beans from about 100 meters away and yelled at Alex ‘THERE’ – we were 1 minute late and they were closing but they let us order yewwwww and we happily sat under the shade of the closest tree and enjoyed that beautiful beautiful liquid gold.

I hope tomorrow will bring more awesome times – stay tuned peeps – let’s see – enjoy the video – keep the ideas coming

Redman OUT

Distance: 72 kms

Avg Spd: 17.3

Max Spd – 38.8

Saddle Time: 4:03

Elevation: 510 mtrs

Total Distance: 635

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Hi Blog Fam

Today was an awesome day in regards to not being at work hahahaha BUT it was a ‘get it done’ kinda day with some great moments. We woke up before sunrise to Alex having ANOTHER flatty. So far i’ve had no mechanicals and Alex, HEAPS bwahahaha well not heaps but the most adjustments etc. It boiled down to a faulty tube…quickly fixed that and I prepped coffee and breakky whilst he unpacked the panniers and we fixed it together to trouble shoot. I was thinking worn rim tape but nah, just a fauly tube which we patched and away we went again. We filled our bottles with what the caran park lady said was clean rain water but it tasted like softly chlorinated water mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm that yukky flat chlorine flavour mmmmmmmm – drank that all day which didn’t go down well but it went down and kept us hydrated without being sick hahaha

Before taking off Alex suggested I take some drone footage of the lake and at first I cbf but when I saw it I was like HELL YEAH – it was well worth it.

So we took off watching the sunrise again which was great. It wasn’t the ‘Long Way Around’ kinda day BUT it was a lovely day nonetheless. There was MANY logging trucks and just highway but we cycled through some lovely country side again and of course had laughs all day.

We also found out we can have a spotify listening session so we are listening and controlling each others music or podcast. This was so cool when we felt a bit flat we could be listening to the same song at the same time together which definitely aided in us bouncing up and down when Limp Biskit came on ‘My Generation’ – screaming and bouncing on our pedals. I’m sure the drivers from both sides were shaking there heads hahahaha.

The day was headwinds AGAIN hahaha but it wasn’t as bad as the other days and a but more elevation but not enough to be tired or sore. Enough to work all the muscles which helped me that’s for sure, the flats just kill me – That’s why I love trail running. Much better when I use all my musles and have different terrain etc etc – give me a constant flat and especially with headwinds and I feel like a 44 year old lol. Give me rolling hills or hills and flat no matter how hard the hill is and I’m good for days. Both Alex and I felt strong today and I could tell because we were keeping our pace up the hill, at the top of the hill and after the hill – it was a good feeling.Today was too many logging trucks for my liking but it’s great to see that Alex has great road awareness for oncoming traffic and also traffic from the rear. One really has to be aware with eyes and ears when on these types of roads. For instance when coming up to a crest and a truck is coming from behind you kind of have to slow down, get right over and let that truck hit the crest before you because you don’t know what’s coming up ahead. Same for corners too. Always aware all day takes a toll sometimes but you have to do it. It’s nice to see that Alex has the same riding style as I do and is safe on the road. So today was a lot of pine forrests and other types of forrests and farmlands but the smells today were amazing. Anyone who knows me knows I LOVE TO SMELL THINGS bwahahahahaha – anything. I love smells – especially of the outdoors – there were plenty of them today – those country smells of wet forrests, fresh pine, animals, fresh grass etc etc. The one annoying thing today was flying through a zillion bugs for a few hours. So many swarms today – i swallowed a few too. They stick to your arms, legs, eyelashes, inside my ear too i found out after having a shower haha

Lunch was had in the middle of the forrest, bills were paid and phone calls were made also hahah. Coffee was poured and the rest time was about 30 minutes before we smashed the last 30km’s into Portland. Not many things along the way were outstanding BUT everything was at the same time. We powered on talking shit the WHOLE WAY like we do and smashed it to Portland with lots of energy and no pain. That’s a huge win in my books. I keep thinking that heading east to Melb plus up the east coast is hardening me up for the north and west of Oz. I won’t lie and say that it is a bit of a big thing to think about when I am sooo remote and doing harder days but I think I will harden up by then – I’m not thinking that far ahead just yet – just a few days at a time and that suits me fine.

As we rolled into Portland Alex said we should enter the town a different way and boy was he right. Quiet roads, lovely coastal views and an awesome descend into town. You know, I always feel like a BMX bandit rolling into town. Proud that we got there with our own horsepower. Excited to see what things I will see, what people will I meet, what bakeries will I smash and where can I swim or use my drone. I’m always excited to hit a town. Standing on my pedals happy that i did it and the newness of of it all. I have no idea what’s going to happen and I love that.

Starting now I want to also talk about coffee……which town has delivered good or bad and which is the best. So far…..BAH – LERG EVERYWHERE hahahahahahaha. Nothing has made me say ‘wow that was great’. Apart from Adelaide, Portland had just OK coffee. Stay tuned for my future updates

PS – I HATE TUCKED IN SHEETS for when we stay in accommodation – for everyone listening out there – please don’t tuck the sheets in so tight that I can’t breathe (Jean this goes to you also hahahahahahahahahah) – I don’t like my feet smashed flat so that I wake up with blue feet and feeling like I am in a straight jacket 🙂 🙂

I hope you all have a great night and until tomorrow’s new adventure this is Redman – SIGNING OFF

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