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.