May 29th: Newcastle Waters to Renner Springs – 113.8 km
Day 228
Seeing a lake called Lake Woods on the map south of Elliot, we hoped to stay there. But on the way into Elliot, we met a policeman who warned us that it was over 30 km off the main road along a dirt track. We stopped at the local post office / general store in Elliot and bought some desperately needed but outrageously priced food. We paid 10 dollars for a kilo of rolled oats that cost 6.50 in a supermarket. But It was pay or go hungry. Elliot was a sad little town and we decided we would be better off pushing for Renner Springs.
A balanced meal with a good bit of protein really sticks with you. The hospitality of the night before could not have been better timed. Not only did we have a long day but we also had strong headwinds and a series of small hills. The hills by themselves would have been fine but with the headwind we found we had a good amount of work the both the ascent and descent.
I also got my first flat today in over 10,000 miles. A small piece of glass worked its way into my tire and waited there until it wore down enough to push it through the protective layer.
We have been warned that one of the greatest difficulties is the monotony of the landscape, but I have found that either we arrived at the perfect time or I have a great appreciation for grasses, and shrubs. Along the road there are three layers, first a low amber grass, then small bushes with yellow flowers and behind them a variety of eucalyptus trees. Of course this is all bordered by the deep red dirt. I find it quite beautiful. Cher has been pushing hard though and with cramped legs not even I look good to her.
25 km north of Renner Springs, as the sun began to set, we saw 5 cyclists, without panniers and carrying only a small bottle of water each. Where on earth could they be going at this hour? Elliot was at least 90 km away. There’s nothing out there – Cher thought, or there’s nothing out there but yellow-flowered shrubs – I thought. A cyclist stopped to chat and we found that they were following the repeater towers route from Adelaide to Darwin, with a support team carrying their supplies. They were getting in an extra 25 km so they wouldn’t have to do it the next day. A van would pick them up and drive them back to the camp site at Renner Springs.
Cher and I were amazed. What they hell were we doing? Cher suggested that she could be my support team, all I had to do was get her a van. They were doing about 100km per day and they asked us if our average was over that and if our average speed was 28kmph. It’s understandable that our trikes look futuristic, but the engine that powers them is the limiting factor. We are not the fastest vehicles with our shelter, clothes, several days of food and water. On the positive side, we don’t miss a stone nor a bush as we creep past them. Not like those petrol powered vehicles, they must miss all those little stones that we get to see.
Speaking of power we picked up grub for a large breakfast. We find that we are craving heavier food than our normal staples of oatmeal, bread, and pasta. For breakfast we planned on baked beans, fried eggs, and bacon. Maybe Cher will see some flowers tomorrow.
