The Coorong name brings up images of a wildlife domain filled with areas of outstanding natural beauty. It may in fact be seen as such by those with a "Green" disposition but for us on bikes this was 150 kms of bum burning, mind numbing stretches of arrow straight roads (we assume built by the Romans) that disapperead into a never ending haze on the horizon
I knew i'd set the challenge for Marysia & Kev the night before by suggesting that none of us would make the 150 km distance if we got yesterdays wind although Marysia's steely eyed glint in particular suggested that she would make it even if Kev had to drag her over the line!
Marysia and Kev opted once again for an early 7a.m. start to take advantage of the milder conditions while I opted instead for my customary sleep in time start of 8.30. As far as the Coorong goes at least the 60 kms to Salt Creek had some interest , undulating roads, an occassional emu and brine lakes that had that timeless smell of a urinal at a pub following the 6 o'clock swill (... ahh the memories !)
Salt Creek was a road house and bugger all else other than the welcoming sight of Chris who has turned our cycling adventure into a 5 star experience - where else can you rock up to your very own caravan cafe out in the middle of nowhere !
The 2nd leg though was both physically and mentally tough. Endless km's of straight roads with scrub and only the sounds of passing trucks, caravans and your own grizzling to keep you company. t
Having congratulated ourselves on missing tbe worst of the headwinds to Salt Creek we got struck with the full works at the 125 km mark, the worst possible time ! With knees hurting and bums chafing we fought the last 25 kms into Kingston straight into a powerful headwind ! Doing only 10 kms an hour meant that each km went by with painful slowness !
We finally entered Kjngston collectively on our last legs, Kev and Marysia at 5.30 p.m. after nearly 9 hours on the bike ! I wouldnt have been too far behind except i didn't make it past the shop at the entrance to the caravan park buying a cold drink and an ice cream and then internally debating about whether to eat / drink both or use them to cool down my raw rear end !
Stuffed as we were we had just enough energy left to hit the town for dinner (yummy chicken pieces with gravy - not !) before crashing and hitting the sack not much after 9pm.! Watch out nusing homes here we come !
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