DAY 103 - CLARE SA

CLARE SA

DAY 103

JAMESTOWN - CLARE

83.59 km

Total Time: 09.00 – 15.30 (6h 30m)

Time on Bike: 4h 39m 43s

Max. Speed: 46 km/h

Av. Speed: 17.9 km/h


I rode today.

A 50/50 decision was tipped by better weather – it just wasn’t quite cold or windy or wet as it was supposed to be.

My tent was actually dry when I packed it up.

The ride itself was in 2 main sections.

34 kilometres to Spalding was a flyer – 1 hour 45 minutes was a good return but 2:45 for 39 km from Spalding to Clare was just not quite as handsome.

Rolling into Clare around 2 pm, forecasts of 10ºC were probably generous.

It’s kind of hard to tell when you hop off the bike warm and everyone is dressed like an Eskimo.

Half an hour later, I was with the locals…..

With Adelaide now only 2 days onward, the finish line is drawing closer.

In saying this, there are still 1000 km or so to cover to reach Melbourne if I decide to go all the way.

I don’t see why not, although the weather is going to play a part.

The winter season has sunk in for real and it is not going to become somehow warmer and less windy between here and there.

Still, I cannot possibly use the weather as an excuse for not meeting my goal.

Clare is only a long day from Adelaide by bike – considering about 70% this is downhill, I could make it with a good effort tomorrow.

Instead I will opt for an overnight camp in Gawler tomorrow and into Adelaide on Friday.

This will be a nice opportunity to use my groovy new Adelaide bike maps (thanks gratuitously to Jeff in Port Lincoln) and stick it up that Main North Road once and for all.

I will enjoy every minute of weaving and dodging my way into town with all that inside knowledge along the back streets.

No seriously, it should be fun.

I’m also looking forward to catching up with friends Geoff and Hellina in the Black Forest area, as well as some new folk who I’ve met along the way.

And from Adelaide (weather allowing), it will take as long as it takes to make way to Melbourne.

3 weeks is a fair guess, though it could be quicker.