Day 19 - Port Augusta to Port Pirie
Trip Start
Aug 16, 2009
1
24
43
Trip End
Sep 18, 2009
Where I stayed
Port Pirie Uniting Church
Port Pirie, South Australia, Australia
Friday, September 4, 2009
Had to ride through peak hour traffic out of Port Augusta - not kidding, it was really busy, and the Princess Highway to Port Pirie had the most traffic of any road on our trip thus far. And we had to ride single file on the road edge inside a rumble strip and cateyes all the way because of the amount of cars, caravans and trucks going both ways - pretty rough pavement and had to concentrate dodging cateyes, potholes and rocks! This made the ride less enjoyable, although the scenery was nice with the Ranges in the backgroud, Spencers Gulf off to our right and wheat fields on either side of the road.
We managed to do the 94kms in 3 hours and 46 minutes, which was pretty slow. Saw our first sign to Sydney just out of Port Augusta - via Broken Hill. This is not the way we are going - off to a town called Burra tomorrow - a 120km ride.
We stopped at a nice parking bay after about 50kms for morning tea - amongst some trees next to a railway line with the Finders Ranges as the backdrop.
We were met by some riders from the Port Pirie Cycling Club about 20kms out, who accompanied us into town. We were also greeted by the famous Wally on his old BMW motorcycle - apparently he always does this for Bike for Bibles rides going through Port Pirie.He really is a character - when we missed a turn on the way to the Church, he tried doing a quick u-turn and dropped the bike in the middle of a four lane road! Mel - see the photo - what do you think - nice bike?
As we got into town early, had a look around the shops, had a coffee etc - nice to relax.
By the way, the repairs to my bike seem to have worked - but because it was so flat, didn't really get a chance to try it out properly.
Last night Trevor 'Butticus' Hamersley (Qld) donated a white jersey to the team to be allocated by our leader 'Lucky' Jim to the rider who keeps to the left best - Frank from SA was the inaugral winner. Those who get to wear the jersey on the day will sign it, and whoever has their name on it the most times by Sydney gets to keep it. This was aimed at encouraging us to keep to the left hand side of the road at all times and saving Jim's voice (we regularly hear from the rear of the peleton -"KEEP LEFT"!!!). Seemed to work today.
Comments
ON YA GUYS
I'm not sure whether I've been censored or censured or whether I'm just being technoped out - but here goes.
What you guys are doing is phenomenal. You have also provided a very interesting insight into life on the road.
I have to say - I feel a bit guilty snuggled here in the jarmies with the heater on and a nice glass of wine thinking of you guys grappling with the blow up mattresses every night.
Keep peddlin - by the time you get there you will have 'worn you ass in'. jwo