Days 26, 27, and 28 (November 28-30)
Since leaving Norseman (what seems like years ago) we have been counting down the kilometers, days, Snickers bars, liters of water and whatever other unit of measurement cyclists use to measure time spent “in the saddle” till we get to Ceduna. We have done it! Today (November 30th) is a much appreciated rest day! I will catch you up on the last two days of pedaling and the goings-on of our recovery day in the sea-side town of Ceduna.
Morning fog between Yalata and Penong on Eyre Highway.
On the morning of the 28th, we awoke in our very nice roadside camp (a truck pull off with a picnic table) to a fog covering the landscape. This mist stayed around for the first few hours of the ride, then burned off around eight in the morning. We rode 120 km to the small town of Penong, where we ate fish and chips with beer…glorious beer!
We stayed at a paid campsite in a nice caravan park on the edge of Penong. Penong is known for South Australia’s largest windmill. I may be wrong about this, but I believe that windmills are the sole source of water retrieval for the citizens of Penong.
Campsite at Penong caravan park.
South Australia’s largest windmill, Penong, South Australia.
The morning of the 29th, before leaving Penong, Scott popped into the local general store to purchase some much-needed chapstick. Typical male: Scott failed to bring any chapstick (or lotion) and his sunburned lips and arms need some moisturizing and he was tired of loaning from me!
The end of our remote cycling tour: Penong. Increasing frequency of towns, stores, water!!
From Penong, we did a brief 75 km ride into Ceduna. Here we have checked into a small motor inn and have spent last night and all of today recuperating and catching up on blog work. Australia is known for its terrible internet and we can support this finding. There was absolutely no wifi for the entire crossing of the Nullarbor. The wifi in the motor inn is slow and a very limited connection. It has taken Scott most of the day (and much French) to upload the blogs, pictures and GPS tracks. I have helped (some), but generally spent the day googling the route ahead, talking to family and eating (always eating!).
The long jetty at Ceduna into the Southern Ocean.
Tomorrow we leave Ceduna. We will continue averaging around 100 km a day as we head into Adelaide (750 km from here). We should be in Adelaide in a week; Scott reminds me to expect the unexpected as far as weather, road conditions and who knows what (“It could take us ten days”). I say seven days to Adelaide! Mark my words, folks!!
Posted by Mattie
Indian to Pacific 
Hey Push Bikers!
More questions from curious seventh grade students: Dayton asks, “Have you had any problems with your bike?” Hailey wants to know, “Has your trip been difficult at any time while biking?”
Thank you for your informative and thorough responses! 🙂
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Dayton, we have not had any major bike issues (knock on wood) aside from the minor brake adjustments, eliminating squeeking panniers and other minor things.
Hailey, yes, the bike trip has been difficult. The toughest part for me was biking from Hyden to Norseman along a 150 mile dirt road with no towns or support. It was very hot and early on in the trip so I was very worried that those conditions may continue for the entire two month journey (they have not!). There are difficulties every day, from the headwind, to heavy traffic, to the constant aroma of putrid kangaroo carcasses. The difficulties are what make acccomplishing something like this worthwhile. Without the challenges what would be the acheivement?
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