Simply cycling around
Pretty quick cycling today as I’ve got no wind to bother me and I’ve started early this morning to avoid the heat. During a long lunch time I got involved with an Aboriginal woman who wanted me to buy alcohol for her (with her money). Another guy came for the same purpose until I found the solution to eclipse myself and hit the road again. I arrived early in Karlu Karlu camping area which is a nice one from what I’ve read online.
Today is another travel through not much. I’ve stopped for lunchtime in the only roadhouse along the way in Barrow Creek. The last few days, people told me about a famous bad story around this area. Years ago, a guy murdered a man and kidnapped his wife. Fortunately the woman escaped and this guy is now in prison. The police never found the man’s body. Good story, isn’t it? I’ve heard that story maybe three times during the last two days. Australians want (even enjoy maybe) to scare backpackers I guess. Anyway, Around 4:30pm, when the sun became smoother, I continued cycling for another 41km to reach the next rest area on Taylor creek.
Today is a short day. It was getting pretty hot so I’ve stopped for lunch for 4 hours. Even after that when I was cycling again this late afternoon, the temperature went up to 32 degrees! It does not feel that hot because I’ve got the wind but I was a bit surprised. When I had my break in Ti Tree, I met a woman, Amy, working for the ABC local channel. She is on her way to Darwin and looks for stories along the way. I’ve done a short interview with her for Alice Springs local radio haha. That’s strange. ‘Never done something like this before. Anyway, let’s start the day from the beginning :-)
Wow! Well… I don’t know… I’m not sure… At least this is different again from what I’ve seen previously but the road from Alice to Darwin is not amazing as Port Augusta to Alice. I know from the English cyclist who told me that the road would be different after Tenant Creek which is 500km from Alice. For now, there is very long strech with zero bend and mainly the same landscape. This morning I had a very good tail wind and done more than 60km in 2h30. That’s pretty quick! This afternoon I was a bit slower as the wind came from the side. But I’m on holiday so it doesn’t matter ;-)
Everyone followed his own path yesterday and I’ve spent the night on my own. This morning I’ve been to the library to upload as much picture as I could but it did not work very well. Anyway, I thought about leaving today or tomorrow but I could not wait anymore. So I’ve done a short trip from 4pm to 5:30pm, just enough to reach the first rest area out of Alice. I’m back on track!
Another day off spending in Alice Springs. Last night, we slept along the Todd River again but on another spot closer to the city centre. This morning we packed up our stuff as usual. Then Antti and I waited next to the McDonald’s during the guys were picking up their camper van. I’ve forgot some names on the way but the two english school friends (both around David in red) are relocating a camper van as they found a job already and would not have the time to cycle there. The idea was to have breakfast in that huge box with 3 double bed but nothing worked out as we expected. The electricity did not work so they couldn’t boil water for their porridge. Finally, we came back to the basic way: we ate on the footpath right front of the van haha :-) Their could use their stove which was much easy. After 20 months spent on the road, it’s hard to change a lifestyle :-)
Last night was finally good as we camped along the Todd River. They all pitch their tent onto the river bed but I heard it’s not the best idea. It can rain 100km away and this river will flood suddenly. Anyway, it might happens sometimes only and we are on the dry season now but I did not want to risk anything so I’ve slept on the river bank. Antti is travelling with a Hammock and used to have a tent as well. I like the idea very much!