The first couple of kilometres today were actually really enjoyable. Riding at sunrise with a completely cloudless sky is not a bad way to spend a morning. Unfortunately the headwind soon took its toll and my mood quickly deteriorated. The first 110 kilometres or so weren’t as bad as the last few days. The perfect weather did manage to lift my spirits a bit, so instead of ‘awful’, the morning was just a bit below average.
Stopping in Mundrabilla, I met a 79-year-old cycling 20,000km around the coast of Australia for the 5th time in the last 9 years. He was going the other way so I didn’t ride with him at all but he really was a true inspiration. Amazing effort Douglas!
After the stop, there was a slight lull in the wind and I took full advantage. It was still in my face but it was only a breeze and for about half an hour I was pushing almost normal speeds – something I think I am now paying for as I’m struggling to stay awake.
Predictably, this didn’t last and the wind got worse and worse for the rest of the day – proving really quite challenging for the final 30 kilometres.
The last couple of kilometres held a short climb and I was able to see the sea for the first time in a few days. Although honestly I wasn’t that bothered. I was just glad to be finishing.
Wildlife watching today held a bit of excitement. I saw a couple of very big eagles – probably the biggest flying birds I’ve seen so it was lucky they weren’t coming after me I guess. And I also saw a porcupine – however whilst it looked undamaged, I suspect its slumber in the middle of the road was a bit more permanent than it would’ve liked.
Distance: 112.8 miles / 181.3 km
Riding Time: 8:45:37
Av. Speed: 12.9 mph / 20.7 kph
Tom Davies RTW 
Nice one Douglas, if this is his 9th time around Auss and he was going in the opposite direction, maybe he has become wise to the prevailing wind direction, something to note Tom when you next do this crazy venture. Glad you got an opportunity to cycle with the Eagles, the book flying with condors springs to mind.
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Tom,
I didn’t see it, so am unsure, but I think that your porcupine might actually have been an ECHIDNA or the spiny ant-eater, one of the most primitive order of mammals, a ‘monotreme’.
They look like a hedgehog or porcupine but are not related. Their backs and sides are covered with spines and coarse hair. When in danger they roll themselves into a ball or can dig itself into sand or earth with a great rapidity.
Though obviously on this occasion not with sufficient rapidity.
N
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Silly old dude can’t think of anything else to do! He should try something more challenging like wrangling rabbits…
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Keep it up, Tom, sooner or later the wind must be kind to you for a change! Here’s hoping!
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The echidna was probably being chased by the Eagles and you were their second option. Congrats on reaching the border. Bye bye from West Aus…it’s all down hill now
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