DAY 97 - BLINMAN SA

BLINMAN SA

DAY 97

WILPENA - BLINMAN

69.77 km

Total Time: 09.00 – 15.30 (6h 30m)

Time on Bike: 5h 11m 54s

Max. Speed: 49.8 km/h

Av. Speed: 13.4 km/h


Blinman claims to be the highest town in South Australia and it sure bloody feels like it.

There aren’t too many easy miles in this part of the world and it is not something I’ll miss when I turn around and head for Adelaide.

The ongoing drama of the Flinderscape is the obvious payoff, but you’d best believe it is well earned.

Today’s ride was an extended gravel bash if the uphill pinch wasn’t enough to keep me interested.

The first 4 km and final 8 km were my bitumen grace for the day, but to be completely fair, the majority of unsealed carriage was not half as bad as it may have been.

The odd rocky patch was the exception although corrugations were generally well represented.

It is planned that the entire Wilpena – Blinman run is to be sealed within 12 months and works are well advanced for 15 km past Wilpena.

The truck convoy over this section was not much for my cause however, showering me with a rich mix of gravel and dust with every pass.

And these were the ones that slowed down.

This section of highway also includes some of the steepest pinches in the Flinders Ranges, as it happens.

I just decided to stop for photo time more often.

It really was the best thing to do and apart from which, I did get some nice shots.

The road crew was generally quite helpful throughout, keeping the truckies alerted to my whereabouts.

I just needed to stay out of their way.

5 hours for just shy of 70 kilometres is tough change for the day but I always get to where I’m going.

I’ve pitched in what passes for the town camping area and $5 for the experience is probably just as tough change.

Not to complain for so few hours out of my existence and a new adventure on the Blinman to Parachilna road awaits tomorrow.

I have at least scored some computer time this evening by the Blinman Hotel’s dining room log fire if this is any consolation for inadequacies in other areas.

At about 5ºC outside tonight, I believe it probably is.