Bike-Ride to Australia 19th-April-2012

Bike-Ride to Australia Thursday 19th-April-2012 Wagga Wagga to Jugiong. 78 miles. Not a particularly pleasant ride today. It was raining for most of the morning, which I can’t really complain about. It’s the first real rain I’ve had since I’ve been in Australia. The bigger problem is the spray thrown up by the trucks. It completely blinds me. But I suppose it’s my own fault for cycling on the hard shoulder of the fast Hume Freeway. It’s the most direct route for me, without wiggling all over the country. And yes, bicycles are allowed on the freeway.

Sheep in a field
I had sheep for neighbours last night

I stopped at a McDonald’s for lunch. I was glad to get out of the rain and, at the same time, check my emails. That was a waste of time, I couldn’t get a connection, but at least I got out of the rain. And by the time I came out of McDonald’s, the rain had stopped. And the freeway was starting to dry.

Rest Over

Back on the freeway, I’d been cycling for a few miles when I came upon a new surface, but it wasn’t asphalt! It’s the same cheap option they use on the roads back in the UK. It’s a layer of tar, with a layer of stones sprinkled on top, which is fine if it’s old. But when it’s fresh, there’s a lot of loose stones that haven’t bedded into the tar. And every time a vehicle went past, I’d get pelted in stones. At least in the UK, most people slow down. They don’t here!

Thankfully the new stretch of road only went on for a few miles. Despite the stones, the riding is a bit more varied now. It’s not all flat with long straights, there are plenty of hills, and the scenery is more mixed.

I think I’m having supper in the OK Carroll tonight! Everybody seems to be wearing a Stetson and cowboy boots! Yi ha, ride on, cowboy!

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