Done

Finally got one call back from accommodation. I'm done. 

I'll give it a night and see how things feel tomorrow. 

Dinner. Shower. Bed. Followed by a somewhat rough night's sleep. Aching legs. 

There's thousands of kilometres still to ride... I know what's ahead and today I'm just not feeling it. 😕  I'm in no mood to cycle. My body is aching 😩 I don't think I'm up for it. 

Decision made. 

My ride is done. 

Plan B, back to Perth for a week's break. Enjoy my time. 

Return home. 

urgh 😞

2nd breakfast done and dusted. Time to get back on the road. It's such a steep pinch to climb as soon as I set off... 5% climb directly out of the driveway. 

The next kilometre was a hard slog. I don't know if I'm pushing too hard, but a slight ping of cramp just grabbed my left quad muscle...not nice. 

A few moments rest seemed to settle it down. Back at it. I'm trying to ride sedately to keep the cramps from hitting again, but I need the effort to crest this rise. 

I'm also noticing that my stomach is not feeling too flash either 🙃 

At about 5km I have to stop for a longer break. A sudden cramp and a queezy stomach. Something I've eaten is not settling. 

There's a hell of a lot of climbs still to conquer in order to make it to Mundaring, the next significant township. Total elevation gain is around 200m so far. This is going to be slow and hard going. 

😢

Is there anywhere I can stop for the day? 

Google says..."not much". 

I'm in my lowest gear and even flat terrain is tough work. 

Thoughts are hitting ... if I can't complete day 1, what's the rest of the ride going to deal out. 🤔 

Hours later I've suffered through to the first cafe and desperately need to stop. 

This is not fun today 😕 

More research into finding somewhere to stay is not being fruitful...it's the weekend and everywhere is booked out or too expensive. 

Nothing for it but to soldier on. 

600m of elevation,  and yet more to do. Urgh! 

Mundaring,  30, 20, 10km to go....there's a couple of places to stay. I call them... straight to the answering service. I leave a message and wait. 

Today's 65km has taken me just on 10 hours to complete. I'll admit there were tears 😢 on a couple of occasions. It's been probably the hardest ride I've suffered through. I'm not happy. 

900m climbing in a fully loaded velomobile up some pretty steep slopes has sapped a whole lot of enthusiasm out of this endeavour. 

Reconsidering 🤔

It's still early in the morning and it's nice being on the PSP (Principal Shared Path) cycleway network. Even with it running beside a major highway with its cacophony of noise. 

Then the rise to Crystal Brook 🤔 😮

On my 2023 IndiPac I climbed the pinch colloquially called Crystal-meth hill 😜

This time I think I'll try the alternative, Welshpool East Rd. Lets see what it's like...

Gradients in a velomobile...I hate them! .... 'nuf said 🥵

With some lung busting efforts, 

*why is it so humid in here, and 

*why are my legs hurting already, and 

*are we there yet!

Did I say I hate gradients 😩🥵

I need a break 😫 

Service station refuelling... yes please. There'll be plenty more of this in the days ahead. 

So far, so good....then came the Hills

I think I was last out of the blocks, a bit of faffing to get comfortable....there's a long way to go. 

*credit MH

The first climbs out of Fremantle are character building, especially when you're heading directly into the rising sun...it's not a pleasant experience. It's very difficult to see the road ahead and side street traffic, traffic lights, and try to keep my eyes on the mirrors watching for vehicles behind me, as they too are driving into the rising sun. 

I think I missed a red light once or twice on the downhills due to the sun in my face 😮😳....thank God it's a weekend and the road is quiet. 

I'm not keen on being in this situation 

*credit MH

I'm fully aware that I'm difficult to see in such situations, but my one saving grace is that I'm in such an unusual vehicle, it catches the attention of drivers and the general public. Pretty much all drivers revert to their L-Plate training, slowing behind me and overtake reasonably safely....although some occasionally have a bit of difficulty in judging the distance on the kerbside and the speed I travel at, so cut you off because they want to turn left! 😳

*credit MH

Many years of motorcycle riding has hopefully got my "spidey senses" pretty well tuned. 

Always ride defensively in a velomobile because hardly anyone in Australia has seen one, let alone come across one out on the roads. They've all had experience riding a "road bike" and become VERY complacent around them...but a Velomobile is definitely something that opens their eyes. 👀 🤞

These hills are demoralising so early in the day, but for every climb, there's a descent. So I just take my time and enjoy the views...and watch for traffic, because I'm travelling extra slow and they're approaching at the speed limit. 

I've had a couple of small navigation issues, missed a turn here and there, only by a few metres....fortunately 😆

The best part is getting out of the traffic lanes and onto the shared pathways...much quieter, less stress not having to watch for traffic behind. 

The occasional "dot watcher" is out cheering me on. Much appreciated! as I'm "tail end Charlie"

Day 1, Rotovelo Across Australia, attempt #3

Well, here I am, now what...

I must be keen....I'm first to arrive....actually, because my accommodation was 10km from the start line, I've allowed plenty of time to make it here should the unthinkable occur, and I get a puncture on the way in 🙃 Thankfully there was no such occurrence 😎

The Jaffa and myself at the South Mole Lighthouse start point. 

I think I'm looking a bit worried about what's about to happen once we're off. But in the meantime, the other riders are gathering and there's always a good crowd to see us off.  Plenty of encouraging comments and wishes of good luck for the journey ahead. 

Maybe that's how the rest of the world sees us.....upside down 🙃

Even in the crowd I'm unable to hide 🤔

Meet, Greet and a wheel dip

Thursday night brings around the annual IndiPac Meet and Greet dinner. A really good attendance with a couple of cleansing ales, catching up with old and new riders, sharing tales of rides past and what to expect "out there"  

Bathers Beach House in Fremantle being the place to be. "Daisy the Bar guy" looking after us all. Dinner was of the usual high standard. 

On a side note,  today brought quite a bit of rain to the West, it's been very dry here. A couple of thunderstorms rolling through during the day being a welcome change. 

The night finishing up by 9.30pm. 

Another ritual for those attempting to ride across Australia, is to dip the rear wheel of the bike into the Indian Ocean, signalling the beginning of a Trans-Continental ride. 

Tomorrow brings the start...tonight's entertainment is trying to pack all the necessary stuff for a couple of days bike touring. I'm out of practice 😪 

So much "stuff"...  I think I've gone overboard 🤔.  Surely it'll fit? 

Hmm, it's a very tight squeeze but I  think it'll work. 

I think I've got it. 👍🏻