Tour Wrap and a Walk Down Memory Lane

I had arranged with Helen that she would accompany back to Queensland on Tuesday morning and that I would spend the Monday exploring Adelaide.

South Australia provides free public transport to Seniors Card holders irrespective of which state they are issued in so at 9.30am on Monday I caught a bus from my hotel into Adelaide.  I got off at the King William Road - Rundle Mall intersection.   This took me back to June 1960 when Margaret and I first arrived in Adelaide. 

This shows the intersection as it was in 1960.  In the background is the Post Office Tower and we were put up in an hotel just the other side of it.  We walked up from the hotel to Rundle Street,  Adelaide’s shopping centre.

Rundle Street in 1960

 

This narrow little street was the epitome of fashion and when Margaret saw that one major store, Charles Birks, was displaying what they called "Gussies" and she knew as "bloomers"in the ladies underwear window she was appalled! 

We spent the morning, up to 11.00am, exploring the shops when suddenly everything just shut down.  That was it for Saturday mornings in Adelaide back in the 1960!

Rundle Mall 2011

I had morning tea and spent the morning walking up and down what is now Rundle Mall.  What a change.  See http://rundlemall.com.au/

I walked from end to end of the Mall and it brought back many memories of Margaret and my 38 years in South Australia.  Rundle Street was where we had to go and officially register Helen as our adopted baby in February 1963 having first picked her up from the Queen Victoria Hospital in Rose park.  Finding somewhere to park was a problem.  We used to come to Adelaide a couple of times a month to go to the pictures and loved the old Regent Theatre ( http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/1587 ) now long gone.  Margaret did most of he shopping for clothes in Adelaide.

After exploring the Adelaide Arcade my  walk took me along Hindley Street where we hunted for somewhere to eat the first Sunday we were in Adelaide.  We found one restaurant open, The Copper Kettle, also long gone but replaced by dozens  of eateries.

Finally I ended up at the Adelaide Central Market which being a Monday the Produce Market was not open the some stores in the surrounding arcades were.   I had a snack a a Chinese Snack Bar before catching my bus back to the hotel to tidy up my bags for the trip home.

I had dinner in the hotel before going to bed early.

Helen and Ann picked me up at 8.30am and Ann left us at Adelaide Airport while we checked in.  There was a minor problem as I had made a mistake with Helen's booking but we finally found it and we were off to Queensland.  We arrived home a about 4.00pm.

Next morning we picked Louis up from his kennel where he had a great time.  he was how ever pleased to see me.

Final Wrap Up

Kilometres ridden  a little under 400 over eight riding days.  This is about 150km less than I had intended but I enjoyed them all which i wouldn't have if I had completed the entire ride.

Tour Day 10 - 23 October 2011 - Final Riding Day

The proposed alternative shorter route today was a direct ride to Murray Bridge and reputed to be only 13Km.  I had the bright idea to ride to Murray Bridge then continue across the old iron bridge and north on the road to Mannum thus meeting the faster riders coming south to the finish.

The first surprise was that the distance to Murray Bridge was actually 23Km.  Having crossed the bridge I only got about 10Km up the road and I met the first fast riders and turned round back to the finish.  Just before the finish the short steep climb up from the bridge gave my legs their final test on tour.

My route for the final day is at:

http://www.bikemap.net/route/1313934?131967808721280#lat=-35.12889&lng=139.25995&zoom=11&type=2

and I rode about 43Km.

A pretty picture of Murray Bridge.

More information on Murray Bridge is at:

http://www.adhills.com.au/tourism/towns/murraybridge/index.htm

I arrived back in Murray Bridge about 1130am and picked up my lunch and after collecting my luggage sat around on the grass and chatting to other riders. At 2.00pm a truck arrived to carry our bikes back to Adelaide and a little later we climbed onto the bus for the last part of our tour.

We were back in Adelaide about 4.00pm.  Helen brought my bike case in and I broke down my bike and packed it.  Helen then took me to my hotel and left me at about 6.00pm,  I was extremely tired and had a sore throat so after a light meal was in a proper bed by 8.00pm.

Tour Day Nine - 22 October 2011 - Another Short Ride - meeting Helen

After my shorter ride on the the evening briefing made note of the number of riders taking the short cut.  Most of us had let the ride marshals know and nobody had got lost.  For the last two days the organisers decided to provide approved shorter routes .  While these would miss the morning tea stops rides would be monitored by a roving marshal  in a 4WD.  I had so enjoyed the shorter distance and decided that I would do the shorter ride again today.  The only problem was that Helen intended to meet up  with me at morning tea.  My mobile phone was flat and my computer's battery had nearly run out as well.  Power points are in short supply on a bike ride.  Fortunately I was able to send Helen an e-mail which she responded to immediately and we agreed to meet at the small village of Callington.

I took it easy packing up my gear and tent before having a light breakfast and was on my way by 8.30am.. Helen would be at Callington about 10.30am giving me two hours to ride 30 hilly miles.  Even the original route to Mount Barker has been changed to avoid the heavy weekend traffic on main Adelaide Road.  We all took the quieter Callington--Strathalbyn Road as far as Woodchester  where the faster/fitter riders took the Wellington Road to Wistow and on to Mount Barker.  The slower/more sensible riders took the right fork on to Callington.  Whereas on the day before I didn't meet any other riders taking the short cut today there were quite a few enjoying another perfect ride in the Adelaide Hills.

I neared Callington at about 10.15am and Helen was there to greet me.  She had been greeting the other riders with a wave and some others who stopped to look at the remnants of an old amusement park closed about 20 years ago as being too dangerous.

Helen takes photos of everything including me and an albun of this day is at:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.246903978692172.55773.100001177142734&type=1

Helen scouted out Callington for a tea stop and found the one pump service station which also sold refreshments.  Several other cyclists were also there and soon the great savoury snacks baked at bakery in another local town.  These soon disappeared and as Helen pointed there would be several residents missing out on a lunch time snack today.

After tea I pushed on to our camp site at the Monarto Zoo education centre.  My day's ride was about 40Km and as I was fresh after setting up camp I took the shuttle bus from the camp to the visitor centre and visited the chimpanzees.

In the evening we dined in our Marquee and some riders dressed up in black-African style.  We were inundated by zebras.  One lady stole the show by blackening her face, wearing a clerical collar and a short white ballet skirt over her back tights - she was Bishop Tutu.

After diner we were told about next year's tour through the Copper Triangle and the Riverland of SA.  Body willing I shall be there.  Incidentally  the oldest rider was 76, about 15 months older than me.  I hope he is there next year.

 My final camp site

The Monarto Zionist Lutheran Church,.

Literally in the middle if nowhere but it's members served us up a great dinner.

Tour Day Eight - 21 October 2011 - Rain, rain go away!

As said in the previous blog it was raining quite heavily overnight but that didn't stop us having another great meal provided by the the football club in our rain proof marquee.

Unfortunately it was still raining when we woke up meaning we had to pack our wet tents.

The ride was scheduled for 60Km and included a ride to Meadows  and then a back track back to Strathalbyn. It was 30Km to the morning tea stop at Ashbourne and I set out early.  I was riding well and enjoying the ride especially when we took the Creek Road through Cox Scrub (see http://www.australianplantssa.asn.au/australian-plants/places-to-visit/43-cox-scrub.html )  I was in my home town riding area when I lived in Adelaide in the 1990s.  At Ashbourne we stooped at the local hall which was one we had used for a meals stop at an event which I had helped organise.

Unfortunately after tea I began to shiver in the cold wet weather and made another decision to take a short cut to Strathalbyn.  The advised route took us over two steep hills which in my old fitness would not have been a problem but I decided to go directly to Strathalbyn.  This included one serious climb and a 14Km ride against two hard climbs and a 39Kmride.

During the next hour I had the best ride since my accident in 2001.   The climb was about 7Km but easily manageable in my lower gears.  The scenery was great but I did not stop in the rain for fear of getting cold again.  The next 7Km was a swoop down into Strathalbyn and the camp site.  Here I arrived at the same time as the leading, faster riders who had done the full course.  Weren't they surprised!

I set my tent up and after a hot shower dressed in long pants and pulled on a jumper and was soon warm enough to explore Strathalbyn, my favourite Adelaide Hills Town see ( http://www.southaustralianhistory.com.au/strathalbyn.htm  and  http://www.adhills.com.au/tourism/towns/strathalbyn/index.htm ) it is worth two links!

A  great thing happened later when my good friends Brenda and  Lionel visited the camp site.  My first Hills Ride back in 1991 was lead by Lionel with Brenda and about six other riders.  We rode back from Strathalbyn to Meadows up the big hill and I was suffering.  Lionel, like all good leaders, dropped back to check on me and  I told him that I was OK as I still had one lower gear to go.  Lionel rode behind me and replied " No you ain't!"  but I made it anyway.  Brenda and Lionel are both a couple of years older and me and still involved in cycling.

We had another good football club meal and were entertained by the Town Band and I went to bed happy.

Tour Day Seven - 20 October 2011 - A Great Ride

Today we did a sixty kilometre loop around the Fleurieu Peninsula and it was great.  I got up early and after breakfast set out at 7.30am.  Most riders had the same idea and steady stream of us headed out of Goolwa.  There was hardly any wind and although the first thirty kilometres to morning tea at Mount Compass was all uphill it really wasn't difficult.  The scenery was lovely as SA has had good rain and the hills were green not their normal burnt colour.

Morning tea at Mount Compass was supplemented by a local selling real coffee and he did a roaring trade which was fair as he had let us use his property for the tea stop.

After tea we had a downhill run back to Goolwa but there was one steep hill which forced many riders to walk, including me.  However nothing could detract from the terrific ride.

I got back to Goolwa about 12.30pm where we had lunch made by the local football club.  it was a magnificent hamburger and salad.  It is now raining quite heavily and I am typing this in the marquee where we have our meals.

 

  

Mount Compass from the tea stop

 

The tea stop

Tour Day Six - 19 October 2011 - Rest Day In Goolwa

As it says it was a rest day.  I tried to contact my old friend Kevin but he wasn't home so I explored Goolwa instead.  It is quite an interesting old town which used to build Paddle Steamers. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goolwa,_South_Australia

I had King George Whiting for lunch which must be the best white fish availble in Australia.

In the afternoon I caught up with my blog.

After dinner we had a talent contest which was terrible but great fun.

Tour Day 6 - 18 October 2011 - A boat ride with a short bike ride at the end.

We packed up camp early on Tuesday morning as all our gear was being taken to Goolwa for our next camp site.  There were several ride groups for the day. The fast (also mad) were riding 130Km to Goolwa and set off early.   Another group took a bus with their bikes on a trailer behind to meet up with the mad ones and ride 50Km to Goolwa.  The rest of us were split into two groups. The first left on a bus to catch the boat a 7.00am with their bicycles going of on a truck to Hindmarsh Island to meet them after the cruise.  The rest, including me, had to hang around until 11.00am for our bus and we had to leave our bikes behind.

We arrived at the  departure point for the cruise to find that the boat had not arrived and the bus left us there.  There were sixty of us with no bikes or other transport in the middle of nowhere.  After about 20 minutes the two boats arrived and we commenced our cruise of the Coorong (see http://www.thecoorong.com/ ) During the cruise we were3 given a great lunch and the Captain gave us a running comm entry on the topography and wild life.  We took a forty five minute walk to the Southern Ocean and the boat took us to the Murray Mouth and the barrages (see http://www.murrayriver.com.au/river-towns/barrages/ ).

At the end of the cruise we were left on Hindmarsh Island but our bikes hadn't arrived yet and we had to wait a few minutes for them.  The it was a short thirteen kilometre ride over the imfamous Hindmarsh Bridge to our camp site in Goolwa. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindmarsh_Island_Royal_Commission

We had good dinner and settled in for a three night stay.

 Where are our bikes?

 The boats arrive

 Exploring

Tour Day 5 - 17 October 2001 Common Sense Prevails

During the night I had to take another of Maurine’s tablets but when I woke and had my two slices of toast for breakfast decided that I could make the 80km ride which was a loop to the local Aboriginal settlement.    I set out early and was among the first on the road.

Over night the wind direction had changed. It was still very strong and against me once again.   I pedalled on for about 10Km and realised that I had no energy which wasn't surprising as I had only eaten two slices of toast and a handful of scroggin inthe last thirty six hours.  This is not enough for a hard cycle ride.

I turned back to camp which as I had started near the front meant that the majority of the riders saw me amble back ( if you can amble on a bicycle).  I soon got tired of telling everybody that I was OK and managed to hide on a bicycle path.

Back at camp I changed and talked to other riders who were not riding that day.  Actually I enjoyed their company but after a while I walked into Menigie to get something to eat.  My ordered lunch was 45Km down the road.  I soon found a bakery and ordered a Kitchener Bun the iconic SA bicycle food.  Accompanied by a coffee this made my lunch for the day.  I haven't had a Kitchener Bun since leaving South Australia in 1958. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kitchener_bun for it's description.

I had enjoyed walking along Meningie's main street and foreshore of Lake Albert (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Albert_%28South_Australia%29). I realy enjoyed my enforced rest.

That evening I was able to eat a good filling meal and am looking forward to s short ride to morrow.

Some other riders taking an unscheduled day off

 Birds on Lake Albert

My Kitchener Bun

 Lake Albert foreshore

Meningie Main Street

Tour Day 4 - 16 October 2011 A Tough Day

I woke early and packed up my camping gear before 7.00am when breakfast was available.  By 8.00am I was on the road.  The wind was still very strong from the South West but our first 34km was east and was comparatively fast and we arrived at morning tea in about and hour and three quarters.  I had my two ladies brom the day before to lead the way.

At the tea stop I didn't feel too great but forced my self to eat some fruit cake and grabbed a handful of "scroggin" (nuts, sultanas and fruit jelly sweets) to keep me going.  We crossed the Murray River on the  Wellington Punt and then headed due south into the strong wind for the next 45Km. I has lost my ladies and rode on my own being overtaken by a stream of much faster riders.  I struggled the first section of 24Km to lunch where I was unable to eat the nice ham salad roll waiting for me but collected some more scroggin.

After lunch I just faded and had worries about finishing.  After a while after stopping regularly,  drinking and forcing scroggin down I bucked up and rode slowly to Meningie which I reached at 3.30pm


After putting up my tent and having a shower I talked to other riders who had also found it a tough day

I covered about 82Km which is the longest ride I have done since 2001 and felt quite good at the finish in-spite of over  50Km into a relentless strong wind.

At dinner I was unable to eat the meal as I had developed severe gastric problems. I was given the necessary tablets and went to bed early with out having my normal ration of wine.  I also did not feel like updating this blog.

 

Morning Tea

On the ferry

 Crossing the Murray

 The wind at the lunch stop

Views of Lake Albert

Tour Day 3 Continued

The first riding day of the tour was meant to be an easy 50Km ride from Murray Bridge to Langhorne Creek. It turned out to be a very hard afternoon’s ride.  The wind was blowing hard from the south west.  The first 24km were south with a dangerous cross wind which made riding difficult.  The next 24Km were due west into the wind which by now was blowing a gale.  I was reduced to about 8KPH bur speeded up to about 12KPH when i was overtaken by two young women who provided me with a a wind break to close to our destination.

I would have expected to complete the ride in about two and a half hours but took four.  I was not on my own as the topic of discussion that night was the wind and whay tomorrow would bring.

We had a substantial meal provided by the local football club in their club rooms and after sending my previous blog for this day went to bed early.

Tour Day 3 - 15 October 2011

Just a few pictures:

 Loading the bikes

 It got there OK

 We were given a good lunch

and sent on our way.

The the hard work started.  We headed South West into a really strong South Westerly wind but made it OK.

The tent is up, I have have a couple of drinks and a big dinner so off to bed.

Tour Day 2 - 14 October 2011

Helen picked me up a 930am and drove me to have visit with her and Ann in their old house in the Adelaide hills town of Charleston.  After a boisterous welcome from her dog we toured the property before unpacking the bike where we found that the big chain ring had been badly bent.

It looked like a packing problem as, apart from some scuff marks, the case was not damaged but I needed to fix the chain ring.  It was not possible but Helen knew of a Bike Shop in the next little town.  The shop is the base for a mountain bike tour business and had exactly the correct replacement which the owner fitted on the spot and tuned the other gears as well.  Apart from the cost of a new chan ring the owner would only accept $10.00 for at least a $50.00 job.

After a good lunch cooked by Ann Helen drove me back to Adelaide to drop the bike and my camping gear off at Bicycle SA where I registered and picked up my ride pack.
 
Helen dropped me back at the Hotel I had and early dinner and am now off to bed.

The Bent Chain Ring

Tour Day One - 13 October 2011

Today was spent getting to Adelaide from Tewantin in Queensland and started when I repacked my luggage.

The bicycle partially disassembled and in its case. The saddle and stem are in the blanket and the front wheel is waiting to be packed.

Everything is in the case.  The white thing is the top of my home made anti-crush  support i.e two flat pieces of wood screwed to a piece of dowel.

My luggage. The bike case is normal airline size.  The red duffel bag contains my tent, sleeping bag, mattress, crash helmet and cycling shoes. The black duffel bag contains my clothing and personal gear while the blue pannier bag contains my net-book computer and medications.

I was picked up at home by the shuttle bus at 8.00am and arrived at Brisbane Airport at 10.30am well in time for the 12.00noon flight departure. I had some difficulties coping with the four pieces of luggage. The trolleys were across the road and I could not leave my luggage unattended in the pick up area to get one.  I was rescued by a young lady who got one for me.  I wheeled my trolley all of 40 metres to the priority check in counter but couldn't work out how to get my $4.00 deposit back for the trolley - perhaps you cant!

I spent the next hour in the Virgin Lounge having a coffee and a snack - it was too early for a beer but some people were indulging.

The flight to Adelaide took two and a half hours which meant that I could have a leisurely lunch with a glass of wine.  We put down about 3.30pm local time and Helen was there to meet me.  After collecting my luggage which was made much easier with two pairs of hands and a free trolley Helen drove me to my hotel just south of Adelaide.  After I settled in we had a drink and a chat before Helen drove home.

I had an early dinner and also went to bed early.

Tomorrow I visit Helen  and Ann for lunch before taking my bicycle to the Bicycle SA offices where I will reassemble it and leave it overnight with my luggage for transport to Murray Bridge and the start of the ride on Saturday morning.

Only Two More Days

In two days time I set off on my holiday.  My bicycle is in its case and I have my camping gear packed in one duffel and my clothes in another.  My little notepad computer has been test packed in one of my panniers and will be part of my carry on luggage.  At this moment I am typing this on the notepad using my Teltstra 3G Mobile Broadband USB stick. 

The last couple of weeks have passed very quickly but I did manage to fit in a 60km bike ride last Wednesday and have also made a couple of MOW delivery rounds.

I leave home about 8.15am Thursday morning on the bus to Brisbane Airport and I should arrive about  10.30am in good time for my 12.00 noon flight.  With my bicycle and gear I will be well over the 23kg luggage limit for normal economy which is charged at $15/kg. I assumed that I could be 20kg over weight making it a $300 excess charge each way.  As it is I am 15kg overweight and $200 excess would be charged.  My carrier, Virgin Australia,  has a Premium Economy class which has a set fare for Brisbane to Adelaide of about $500 but has a 69kg baggage allowance.  Normal economy is about $290 so I break even going Premium economy and get provided free meals and drinks, priority check in and use of their Courtesy Lounge.  I haven't traveled in such luxury since I retired. 

I am staying in an hotel just outside Adelaide on Thursday an Friday nights which will allow Helen and I to catch up with each other and I can also reassemble my bike.

On Saturday morning we travel by bus to Murray Bridge to and start riding about mid day.

Details of the ride are given at http://www.bikesa.asn.au/RideGuides_Tours_AnnualTour_RouteMap


During the ride I hope to be able to blog each day depending on internet connection