Simply cycling around – Page 48 – Simply cycling around

Promise Gap rest area > Central Mount Stuart rest area (68km, 3h25)

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 :-)

Tropic of Capricorn rest area > Promise Gap rest area (116km, 5h20)

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 ;-)

Alice Springs > Tropic of Capricorn rest area (31km, 1h30)

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!

Alice Springs, ready to ride again

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 :-)

Alice Springs, wandering around with 5 other touring cyclists I met yesterday

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!

Alice Springs, New hub received!

Hey, just came back yesterday to Alice Springs and my hub has arrived! I’m gonna make a new wheel very soon and will be on the road in few days which is great! Finally I did not wait at all because I was doing something else. Lucky!

Watarrka > Alice Springs (by bus)

Third and last day of this very nice Emu Run Tour. As usual, we moved at 6am from the campsite and drove directly to Watarrka (Kings Canyon). We did the 3 hours ring walk which is again, different from Uluru and Taka Tjuta. There is about 500 steps to start then we stay onto the top almost all the time. That way we enjoy the view of the landscape several times. Finally we drove back to Alice Springs where I will spend another night in the backpacker and get my stuff back.