June 19th: Nelia to Richmond – 101 km
Day 249
For the first time in 2 weeks we had a virtually wind-free day. It’s 100 km between Nelia and Richmond and we were determined to do it in one day, so Cher can enjoy a peddling free day on her birthday. However, we carried enough water for two days just in case.
We woke up early enough that even at a crawl we could make it in before dusk. Our fingers were numb when we started and it couldn’t have been more than 8 degrees C. A light headwind made it a few degrees cooler but we made up for it by pressing into and not dropping below 15 kph.
By the afternoon the wind stopped completely and the long straight road was no longer a boring stretch of brown grass and shrubs to be endured by a runway to take off from. Our speed increased steadily and before lunch we were a steady 16 kph. We did 70 by noon and after lunch we had a little tail wind and some slight downhills. Our speed increased to a steady 20 kph and didn’t drop until we were within 2 km of town. With our tunes playing and very little traffic we were both ecstatic. I actually shed a few tears of joy. Battling the wind is demoralizing but the opposite is also true. There can be pleasure without pain but it’s not as acute.
Happy lunch break – finally no wind!
Cher’s birthday is tomorrow and we plan to take a rest day to celebrate. Lake View Van Park is a great place to do so. They have grassy sites overlooking the lake but the view out over the trees tops is even better. We cooked a birthday dinner and had steak from the local butcher, a salad, a pot of couscous and a bottle of wine I’ve kept stashed since we left Mount Isa. Our spirits are rejuvenated and with only 400 km left we are looking forward to a change of pace and a change of scenery. We’ve heard rumors that after Hughenden, 115 km away we will have hills and trees along the roadside. I don’t know exactly what Cher wished for for her birthday, it was probably a van, but a break in the wind probably gave us both more than either of could have asked for.