188km in 12.5 hours!

Date: 18-04-2010
Day 71: Border Village, SA/ WA
Distance cycled: 188km

It was a big day for us! This is the part we both most looked forward to. This is the part that stretches more than 185km, longer than any distance we have attempted to ride in a day. This is the part where many have made reference to and said “You are not crossing the Nullarbor on your push-bikes, are you? OMG!” Yes, this is THE part. This is THE NULLARBOR!

We got ourselves a backpacker’s room in the hope to get a good night’s rest for the big day ahead. We were glad we did! It was freezing at night and in the morning. The alarm was set to ring at 3:30am. Our ambitious plan to hit the road before dawn was deemed unfeasible as it was not only cold but foggy. With the consensus that it would be dangerous to ride in such circumstances (dark and misty), we revelled in several more hours of shut-eyes and warmth until sunrise.

At daybreak, we set off into the Nullarbor with visibility of only about 100m. We were extra-cautious and pulled over (or codeword: PO) whenever we heard an incoming vehicle. Progress was good despite the frequent POs. Within an hour, the heat of the sun soaked up the vapour in the air.

Before noon, we unearthed the first sign of (serious) wear of Lukas’s bike. It did not sound encouraging. We examined the possible causes and were able to stop the squeaky then rattling noises… at least for a moment. We both persisted and still felt confident that we would make it to the Border Village not long after dark. Sue was so determined that she was even willing to miss the view of the Bunda cliffs (one of the highlights along the Nullarbor) so as not to lose any precious daylight we have left. Thankfully, Lukas dismissed Sue’s crazy suggestion and led a 400m detour to have a sight of the picturesque cliffs. ;=) It was breathtaking!

We also witnessed one of the most beautiful sunset as we rode closer to WA. Although the tailwind that we expected from the forecast did not transpire, we reached the Border Village by 8pm (or 7:15pm local time). 188km in 12.5 hours! We did not hesitate to chow down the umpteenth burgers we have had in the last few weeks. Being a few steps away from WA, we fell asleep with a big smile on our face.

Destinations: [NSW] North Sydney - Heathcote - Coledale - Wollongong - Robertson - Moss Vale - Goulburn - Queanbeyan - Yass - Gundagai - Wagga Wagga - Narrandera - Darlington Point - Hay - Maude - Balranald - Euston - [VIC] Mildura - [SA] Renmark - Barmera - Morgan - Burra - Orroroo - Port Augusta - Kimba - Wudinna - Streaky Bay - Ceduna - Nundroo - Yalata - Nullarbor - Border Village