Bevan, Bon Rouleur
31 July 2005 | Southern Cross, Australia
Today we sleep "in" to 7:45 or so, which is pretty late for us since we go to bed soon after sunset (around 6:30)). Unfortunately, it's Sunday, so our day off is pretty boring. We bike into town, which again is a one-street affair. Nearly everything is closed. I try calling home but Dad's not home.
Some random thoughts:
⇒ This trip isn't so much a trip as it is a change in lifestyle for a year. A trip doesn't have to be sustainable; you go to Vegas for a weekend, and you don't even have to wash your clothes there. Out here, I do need to do laundry. I also need to stay healthy emotionally; this means talking to people, getting involved, not staying on the bike or in the tent all the time. It isn't something I'll be able to muscle through; a year is a long time.
⇒ One thing I'm worried about is my eczema. At least I think it's eczema. So far, I've taken very few showers because they dry out my skin severely. Also, if I take a break while riding, I can get uncontrollably itchy. I hope this clears up soon; it is very annoying and even quite painful at times. It really sucks.
⇒ Whenever we tell someone we're going to Sydney, they always ask, "you're crossing the Nullarbor?" and inform us about the monotony of this southern region. It spans many, many miles (probably over 1000) on the south coast of Australia, and nobody lives there save gas-station attendants at hundred-mile intervals. One "bloke" asked to see my thumb. I showed him, and he replied, "good, you'll need it," while making a hitching motion. I hope it doesn't come to that. I don't think I'll let it. But if it's dangerous for either of us, we'll have to. Supposedly the truckers are friendly and would help us out. We'll see how things go.
⇒ Part of my year-long plan is to limit my risk as much as possible. This means always wearing a helmet, always moving off the road when a road train is approaching, and all the small things that are themselves relatively inconsequential but in the long run save a hassle. For example, I've been biking with a long-sleeve shirt, with a collar that can unfold and velcro to my hemlet straps, completely covering my neck from the sun. Also, I've started flossing every day; I'd hate to get a tooth infection in the middle of Chile or something.
⇒ On fitness: my legs are expanding rapidly. I think we'll be able to do longer days soon. We'll have to; my itinerary was a bit ambitious, having us doing near-100-mile days consecutively between rest days (every fifth day). So far, the furthest we've done is a little more than 65 miles (from Merredin to Southern Cross.)
← back to table of contents
|
|
|
