Distance today 53.21km at 17.1km/hr average
Total distance 4005km. Donations $6562.09. Deserts 4/10. Days remaining 81
Note to new readers: I am travelling with my bike who’s name is Banjo. I often refer to ‘we’ meaning Banjo and I. ‘We’ have an amazing support team of family, friends, sponsors and folk we meet each day. But it’s still up to ‘us’ to face the challenge and tackle each day one peddle at a time.
It’s 712pm on Monday the 28 June 2021
My goodness hasn’t COVID reared it’s head Australia wide. It’s all changed so much from this morning. I found out the news from people travelling on the road early on in the ride today. All the roadhouses along the Great Central Road are now closed except for petrol. That means the campgrounds and the stores are no longer open for travellers to use. My plan was to stay at the roadhouse and stock up for the next 3 days to Laverton. As I said to the lady at the roadhouse when I arrived at 11.30am, “I’m in a real pickle.” I explained my situation to her and she let me buy some noodles and biscuits to get through the next days. I asked her if I could camp somewhere outside the roadhouse and she said to stay in the campgrounds for their usual fee. How fortunate am I and so very grateful for her understanding. It was an honour to then spend the afternoon charging the electronics, repacking the boy and cleaning me and the gear to be all ready and set for the next 3 days/2 nights and the last leg to Laverton.
It’s bizarre to be the only person in the campgrounds. What a reality check how quickly the world can look when COVID cases show up. The aboriginal communities protect its people through strict lockdowns avoiding any contact with outside people when the communities are deemed at risk. I respect it but things sure looked tricky for a while there today. I’m very thankful I didn’t have to explore plan B as the options were limited.
But for now I’m sitting in the meal room with MasterChef on as background noise and I’m one very happy camper!!!! Thank you to the folk at Tjukayirla Roadhouse from my family and I and The10desertchallenge community, with all our hearts. Bless you!!!!
We were non the wiser when we woke this morning and packed up over a stunning sunrise.
It was a beautiful day and even though the road was a bit rough and the side wind was strong, we were happy to be riding the 50km to Tjukayirla.
It was finally ‘camel o’clock.’ Make that 3 camels; a mummy, daddy and not so little baby, walking towards us on the roadside 🤣 yay!!!!
Daddy was the biggest with darker patches on his head, hump and rump. He stayed on the road and kept a keen eye out on us while mummy and baby walked off safely. What as awesome protector he was, well done keeping your family safe. I managed to get some precious footage and photos and loved every moment of our meeting. Although they’re not native, camels are a huge part of our colonial history enabling explorers to trek our desert country. They looked very much at home and part of the landscape. It’s a great sight and particularly by bicycle which brings me up close and personal to nature’s best.
It was a day of ups, downs and ups again and the reality of the day is still hitting home. I was also able to buy a phone card to call the family as there’s only Optus service here. It was beautiful to catch up and hear about their last days. I love sharing our day to days with all my love my darlings!!!!
I’m really satisfied with how I’m accepting, adjusting and adapting to all the unplanned events that continue on the Great Central Road. Although it’s the worlds longest shortcut, it’s by no means a shortcut in experience. I’m loving the challenge of the environment and understanding more about the communities. Everyday continues to be a steep learning curve for this AAA energiser bunny!!! I’m quite chuffed and proud of myself for leaning into this next level of commitment and it feels great to feel this so deeply.
So we’re all ready to take on the next 3 days/2 nights into Laverton. Personal safety continues to be our foremost priority, as always, so we can keep sharing this remarkable adventure.
Time for dinner watching the last of MasterChef 🤣 Talk soon xx
The 10 desert challenge 