Eventually we got going around 11, with the plan of camping at a UFO ‘platform’ gig around 25 miles away. With that in mind we just poddled along with no sense of urgency, whiling away the miles with periodic stops at scattered convenience stores. We arrived at the UFO place at around 1 and we both hated it right at the start. It was basically a junk yard of whacky UFO things and the camp site was exposed with no shelter…and they wanted $20! So we searched on line for the next campsite which was 30 miles up the road towards Salida. So we said ‘let’s go’…..we had a tailwind so it was a two hour gig around worse. Oh dear…..I do wonder when we will ever learn that plans on the Divide are as useless as a chocolate teapot. Not one mile in and out of nowhere the wind spun 180 and bang….for 15 miles an hour to 5 in less than 100 metres! And I got another bloody puncture! And…..it started to pour down with the mountains in front simply disappearing behind angry black thunderclouds. We had seen this movie before! Jake was really struggling with the wind so eventually when we came across a Family Dollar store (like an Aldi) we rode in and crashed for a bit. I fixed my puncture….again…and Jake went off to scout out the tiny hamlet we were in- Moffet.
As he returned I had struck up a conversation with a local who was asking about our (hairbrain) cycle. He turned out to come from Cork 🤣🤣. We had decided we could not ride on as the wind was simply too dangerous. Patrick, the local resident, indicated we might be able to camp in the park, so we went with him to ask the local ‘mayor’ who responded ‘they look much better than the usual lot that sleep in the park!’ Jack and I wandered over to the park where there was a veranda which had…wifi and power 🤣🤣. We had a very leisurely evening in our little bit of Moffett. As it was a pavilion we just put up our inner tents and crashed in a corner of the shelter for the night. And then I got a call from my lovely friends Corrine and Phil as they drove their camper van through Australia. Such a lovely surprise. In all we cleared 40 miles, bringing Salida within 45 miles tomorrow but with a large mountain pass to traverse before we can nestle in the town for a few days. I’ve booked in to a cyclist hostel for 2 nights. Getting soft…Jake is wild camping, but I’m figuring the days are tough enough, I want some minuscule semblance of comfort in the evening 😊.
Sharing the camping spot with full time residents!
Our pavilion in the park campsite for tonight….with wifi and power!!
Black clouds and headwinds on the menu this afternoon 🥲
An old mountain cabin with a magnificent backdrop.
Time to pitch our tents! ⛺️
Life seems slightly more livable at the moment …. Thank you for all your reports, as shocking as they are at times. What a cruel adventure you chose to go on🤣. I hope you will have more enjoyable days from now on!
I’m away from home visiting family, and as I sit beside a warm and toasty fire on a frigid Canberran night, I have to say my friend that you have an unusual idea of ‘soft’. 😂 🙃 xx
Hey legend, well, at least you are now getting some highs to go with the lows, and not just lows. Photos are great. Not sure I could tolerate both shit food and Trump supporters. If I had to choose one, it would be donuts over the crazy conservative right. Good on you for choosing some comfort options. You’re punishing yourself enough. Sending much love from a wet, wild windy Kangaroo Island. We are loving the rain. X
Nothing soft about you Mr Kemp….you are 100% either a stubborn mule or as strong as they come ha ha. Love the photos, as I sit in my lazy boy rocker in sunny Queensland, I am loving watching you live your life undertaking this adventure. Inspiration for me at the moment for sure!
Before, you always travelled alone by bike, no ? Now you are with Jake, so it’s the first time you have a friend with you during a trip, isn’t it ? How do you experience this change ? (I hope you can understand my question because I suppose I don’t write the exact words)
PS And as there is a man from Cork out for a joyride through remote mountain terrain on a 🚴♂️ through ⛈❄🌪☃️, I’m not even going to ask how another man from Cork ends up living in a tiny mountain hamlet in Colorado!
Have a great ride on next leg and enjoy a well deserved rest.
So great to chat face to face dear T.
Soft never, enjoy a few everyday comforts
Love always 🧡
Nothing soft about you Mr Kemp….you are 100% either a stubborn mule or as strong as they come ha ha. Love the photos, as I sit in my lazy boy rocker in sunny Queensland, I am loving watching you live your life undertaking this adventure. Inspiration for me at the moment for sure!
Tony,so glad you came to your senses and resting…you are amazing, love the story telling and trying to imagine a chocolate teapot 🤣🤣 well done , stay safe .. 🤗🤗
Well, I have few words. Bloody insane or bloody brilliant!!!!
So did you sight any UFOs? You are tougher than a rock my friend 🧡
Alright, so I stumbled upon 7game1. It’s got a few interesting things going on, a decent selection of games. Worth a look if you’re bored with the usual suspects.