Average 17.9 kph
Head winds again, at 17 kph at first but dropped off by mid day.
Grumpy. Lee had to be careful what she said this morning, I was worried about my hurting bits and it made me edgy, not the best riding partner. There's nothing seriously wrong with me but a doctor would make me rest my achillies and I don't want to take the time. I've been here before, the same thing with my knees prior to the Japan trip and after months (and $$$) the doctor said 'hey, nothing is getting you any better, just go ride your bike and see what happens'. Well what happened was a very enjoyable Tour d' Hokkaido! So, I'm riding my bike. And I got over grumpy once I found that I was going OK.
We made Southern Cross by about 1 PM. Got ourselves another onsite van with a fridge to facilitate icing mutinous bits.
We said goodbye to the wheat belt today, next crops we will see will be in South Australia close to 2000kms from now. From here on it's open forest to savanna, which usually will help cut the wind.
Sadly, we seem to have also run out of paved shoulders on the highway. At least twice today we had to get off onto the gravel to let two semi's meet beside us, a frightening experience, believe me. One time the gravel was very rutted and loose, causing us a tense few moments trying to keep the beasts under control.
I was asked today about mental toughness, and what we do to prepare and cope. I think that although I'd like to sound tough and bask in the glory of that, the truth is that we love it. We don't get up each morning wondering how we'll get through the day, we are looking forward to the day's ride. Bring it on! My worrisome bits do modify that outlook a little but that's our outlook at the moment. After another 3000 kms? Maybe then (or sooner) we'll be drawing on mental toughness.
Meanwhile, it's time to shift the ice to the next troubled body part.
