Posts Tagged ‘Taylor Creek’

Day 429. 130km. Taylor Creek – Ti Tree

Posted: August 16, 2016 in Australia, Cycling
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‘You’re lucky to see it all this green,’ sail Lyall pointing to the dead brown grass along the side of the road. ‘It’s rained a lot here recently.’
It looked pretty dry to us.

My 38000km rest spot

My 38000km rest spot

We were cycling along the endless road without a bend, when a driver, standing next to his stationary truck called out to me: ‘Matthew?’
I stopped.
‘Yes.’
It was Lyall – husband of my uncle’s niece. I was contacted by my uncle’s niece, who I haven’t met (yet) a few days ago, and we were invited to stay with them in Alice Springs. Now Lyall – a truckie – was looking out for me on his drive from Alice Springs to Tennant Creek.

Today the kilometres passed a lot easier. We even had tailwind for some of the way. We find ourselves sleeping with the backpackers working at the local caravan park. Very cool guys – we stayed up into the night talking and got another view of Australia.

Day 428. 78km. Devils Marbles – Taylor Creek

Posted: August 15, 2016 in Australia, Cycling
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I didn’t sleep last night. The tent was shaking and flapping in the gale force winds, and I lay supporting the frame from gusts in all directions. The rest of the day I was like a zombie staggering on – pushing against the strong winds and dreaming of sleep in a warm, wind-free place.

Devils Marbles

Devils Marbles

When I got up, Clement’s tent was gone – he’d dismounted it to prevent the wind from destroying it. Mine was only held in place by my panniers placed at the four corners.

The weather had changed. Stronger winds and colder. A few rests at roadhouses (including an alien roadhouse) was an attempt to regain my will to continue. I was never motivated today, though, as the road was absolutely dead straight and flat into the wind, and I was quite simply tired.

Stuart Highway

Stuart Highway