Lunch on the road 😊
After two lovely days at the Lava Flow hostel it was time to get some Ks under the belt. Jake and I met up with Michael at the USPS office and so us three amigos hit the road. It was slightly cooler than of late but we were starting late so knew we’d hit the midday sun. We had in mind a dry camp ground about 120k away in the Navajo Reserve. We made good progress but it was lumpy as all hell, so that slowed us down somewhat. Today was a ‘head down, bum up’ kinda day where we needed to make progress on the trail and road sections. This was very much my kinda riding day and after the two days in Grants I was feeling ok. The other two were not in such a ‘comfort zone’ but we rode our own ride and regrouped at the top of the climbs, of which there were plenty! At noon we elected to take a meal break under a tree just off the trail. It was simply great to just crash out, eat our pitta bread and honey and snacks and just ‘be’. We had cleared 30 miles. Our only water stop was a further 22miles at an Indian Reservation Community centre. We slogged over each climb in to a building headwind until we got to White Horse and the community centre. A much needed break and water fill up opportunity. Jake was starting to really struggle but we had 20+miles to a dry campsite – an unofficial site opened up by some kind store owner. Those final miles were very challenging for Jake but at 6:30 we rolled in to this unofficial campsite which is a general store in the absolute middle of nowhere which allows us bikers to camp out back. It store had water and a great selection of snacks! We pitched tent and set about cooking up our respective teas to refuel. There’s no showers or toilets or power so we had to be self sufficient. We had cleared over 75 miles and 3,400 ft of climbing -my biggest day so far. It was sad to hear that Stevo, one of the Aussie riders from a few days ago had had to abandon due to infected saddle sore. It’s so easy to get on the trail as often there’s no shower to properly clean oneself. We all start to smell pretty bad after a while!! By 9:30 all three of us are tucked up in our tents after a very long day in the saddle!
Big Wave
Our host Denis at the Trading Centre where we were allowed to camp behind the centre amidst rail carts and machinery and petrol pumps!
Jake hitting 6000 miles
Crushing the Ks today
The long road.
The one and only servo on today’s route.
Route 66
Good to see your smile TK xxx Love the photos xx
Sorry Karen this is Jill who is assisting Tony upload his posts while overseas. I forget to add one video and photo so if you want to take another peak have a look! Cheers..
Love these pics! I’m glad you’ve found friends along the way xx
Sorry Charlie this is Jill who is assisting Tony upload his posts while overseas. I forget to add one video and photo so if you want to take another peak have a look! Cheers..
Food and water, what a treat!
Loving hearing about your adventure!
Wow, you are still slogging it out on the most challenging section. I don’t think ‘abandoning’ is in your vocabulary Tony. Glad you are recovering and feeling stronger each day. The roads there remind me a bit of the roads here, but I drive over them, not cycle! Your travels have been incredible and I can only imagine the memories, both good and bad, being created. No regrets my dear friend. Love you and am incredibly proud and in awe of you. Thank you for sharing your journey.
Great that you are feeling better and getting the miles in now.
Love the photos. Xx
Great ! Happy to read you enjoy. The photos are so nice !
So good to see that bright smile of yours dear Tony.
You are the strongest, craziest, kindest human I know and am incredibly privileged to call you my friend, my brother.
Look forward to the next chapter 🙏✨️💛😊
All sounds great Tony, so glad you have company.
Love from your aunt and uncle XXX
Wow!!! What a read after the last few, great to see a smiling face!!!
You have picked up some riding buddies and by the look, a dog each as well, hope they can all keep up with you🤣😜
Take care our dear friend, you never cease to amaze!!!
We are heading into Batemans Bay NSW…
Sun is shining and a glorious day with unbelievable coastline xx
Just catching up on the posts Tony.
Wow, what an adventure.
So pleased to hear the terrain is becoming enjoyable to ride at last. I don’t know where you get the inner strength to do this. Amazing.
Enjoying the photos, videos and blog. Had no idea how tough this would all be. Lovely to hear the joy in your voice on the last video clip.