Day 84 Stanley Rest Area

Distance today 108km at 22km/hr average

TOTALS: Distance 5957km Donations $7840.09. Days remaining 55. Deserts: Sturt Stony, Strzelecki, Tirari, Gibson, Great Victorian. Tracks: Birdsville Development Road, Birdsville Track, Oodnadatta Track, Red Centre Way, Great Central Road, Goldfields Highway, Wiluna North Road, Marble Bar Road.

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 6.15pm on Friday the 23 July 2021

I didn’t do a post last night as I had to draft an email to the WA G2G border department. There may be an issue with our original pass so I needed to send some further information in response to their enquiry. We crossed the WA border a month ago so it’s all a bit odd but COVID has flared up again and their administrative processes were updated on the 20/7/2021. Hopefully that will sort itself out when they get my email. To be continued.

Yesterday was a huge day to Sandfire Roadhouse. We did 142km in tricky heat and arrived in the long shadows before sunset.

I was also a bit distracted by the email in the morning so mentally it was a bit harder than usual. The morning was a headwind but by lunchtime it swung around on our tail. Thank you Mother Nature for the hand!!! 🙏

We got up early hoping to be on the road before the heat turned up. I woke to a heavy foggy and the sun glowed eerily as it rose.

I needed to make some calls and it was later by the time I finally packed up for the day. Before leaving we had a visit from Michelle and Jenny touring on their motor cycles. They’re mental health nurses from Perth and were full of cheekiness and fun. They’re keen to support our cause and got some photos to share with their colleagues and on socials. Thanks ladies!!!!

We were finally underway at 930am and it was already warm o’clock. I made sure I was sun-screened up and we tackled the open floodways for the morning. It was a bit of a slog until the wind turned. This lifted our spirits and speed and made for a way better afternoon. We said goodbye to the Pilbara Shire and hello to the Broome shire early on.

The low lying shrubs meant shady spots were few and far between to time our rest stops. We beelined to the first bit of shade and enjoyed a break from the sun and the breeze on our sweaty bits.

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With 40kms to go I spotted a caravan stopped in a truck bay and had a break to say hi. The busy road means there’s little opportunity to meet folk and enjoy chats to break up the day. I jumped at the chance at joined them in the shade of their caravan. Jill and Trevor were good company. Trevor was cheeky and Jill was more reserved. Together they were interesting to talk with. We spoke about mental health challenges especially for men. They were very encouraging about our challenge and commitment to beyondblue.

I enjoyed the time spent and hit the road in good spirits for the last stint to Sandfire. We broke the last 40km up into 2 x 20km with minty rewards each 5kms. Minties always do the trick on tricky days!!! They’ve become a staple treat in my postal packs. Thanks Mum xxxx

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The shadows were long as we rode into Sandfire. It made the desert colours pop in the afternoon light.

As we pulled in, Noreen and Dave from Mandra came up to say hi. What a darling couple. They spoke about their story; loosing their partners to cancer and coronary heart disease. They’re both from the same small country town and found their way back to each other being childhood sweethearts. Their so excited about the next stage in life. This is the first time they have travelled together as a couple. They’re next stop is Broome to share the stairway to heaven. I wish you both health and happiness as your journey in life and on the road continues.

After I did my have tos and showered it was time for dinner and bed. It was probably the best sleep I’ve had all trip yayayay xxxx

I woke this morning and was invited to share a cuppa with Rosie from Perth. She is travelling on her road trail bike to ride the tracks of Australia. What a positive lady!! She has exchanged the stress of corporate living for motor cross and loves it!! I always enjoy listening to people passionate about what they do. We talked about ninja camps and trails and it was big fun chats to start the day.

The roadhouse let me stay for free so I popped in to say thank you before hitting the road.

The roadhouse has a flock of resident peacocks. It was so cool to see them roosting up in the trees and on the the amenities block.

They’re crazy looking critters and very luxurious compared to the handful of native birds I’ve been hanging out with. That takes nothing away from my feathered desert friends including peewees, finches, pink pigeons and willy wagtails.

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The road was floodways again so flat and sparse for 360 degrees at times.

I was feeling a bit weary from the ride yesterday but tried to work through by breaking the kms up with breaks and noticing what treats I could spot.

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However by 50kms it was evident that the energy was low. So instead of the 145km I had planned, I settled for 108km to Stanley Rest Area. I could get my head and body round the lessor distance and immediately felt the body respond and energise up. It’s funny how the mind works sometimes hey!!! It was needing some kindness. Nice!!!

At one of our breaks a campervan stopped to check in we were okay. I met Pete from Victoria. He’s a keen enduro rider and loves his Surely touring bike. He’s in his 60s and started long distance cycling later in life. He has cycled many routes in Australia and New Zealand and was attempting a ride from Broome to Perth when the heat got too much. He hired a camper and is travelling slowly back to Perth enjoying some overnight spots along the way. He mentioned Barnhill Station as a great spot to stay. It’s a cattle station right on the west coast by the ocean that welcomes travellers.

Pete planted the seed for my next stopover. It’s 117km leaving 105km to Roebuck Roadhouse on Sunday. What a treat to stay by the ocean and get a fix of salt air before tackling the next desert tracks. Love it!!!! Thanks for the inspiration Pete and enjoy safe travels back to Perth.

I arrived at Stanley Rest Area and enjoyed some chats with other campers here. I met Cathy who had just finished reading her book and was out for some socialising over sunset 🤣

We’ve set up camp under one of the shelters. It’s a popular stop over and we’re tucked safe and sound for the night. It’s nice to catch up on my posts and now it’s time for dinner o’clock and a big sleep. I’m a bit excited to be seeing the ocean tomorrow. What a wonderful surprise. It’s nice to be flexible and I’m super excited!!!

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