Day 20 - Fraser Range Station to - BC 50kms east of start of 90 Mile Straight
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Last night Sammy and Helen invited me over for dinner. They are heading west with another couple. Sammy used to work on a farm with sheep. It was a really pleasant evening. It always surprises me how nice someone can be to someone they have never met.
This morning I was able to be riding nice and early at 6.30am. It is a little overcast, but with a slight tailwind I was making very good time and got to the Balladonia roadhouse (approx 90kms) at 10.30am.
Balladonia is a well stocked roadhouse. It even has a small museum, which has on display a part of the USA Skylab space station, which crashed nearby in the late '70s.
After getting a second breakfast and having a look around, I was back on the bike by about 11.30am.
Part of the highway is actually used as a runway for aircraft for the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS). As in these remote areas if you have a medical emergency, instead of calling for an ambulance you'd contact the RFDS for assistance.
About 30kms after leaving the roadhouse I arrived at the 90 Mile Straight. This is the longest piece of straight road in Australia. It goes for about 145kms without a bend!
One nice thing about cycling this straight bit of road is that I'm getting a really nice tailwind pushing me along. During this part of the ride I noticed some grey clouds roll over and drop some rain. Each shower only lasted a few minutes. The temperature today has been very pleasant. With the help of the wind I was able to do quite a few kms.
At about 3.30pm I decided it was time to find somewhere to camp. About 20 minutes later I arrived at this rest area. At the back of a lot these rest areas are bush camp areas. So I found myself a nice spot away from the road and pitched my tent.
Today's certainly starting to feel like I'm getting into the outback. Each day I'm starting to feel more and more remote. And absolutely enjoying it.
Leaving Fraser Range Station there was some interesting items plugged into the tree! |
This morning I was able to be riding nice and early at 6.30am. It is a little overcast, but with a slight tailwind I was making very good time and got to the Balladonia roadhouse (approx 90kms) at 10.30am.
Balladonia is a well stocked roadhouse. It even has a small museum, which has on display a part of the USA Skylab space station, which crashed nearby in the late '70s.
A piece of Skylab which crashed near the Balladonia roadhouse |
After getting a second breakfast and having a look around, I was back on the bike by about 11.30am.
Part of the highway is actually used as a runway for aircraft for the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS). As in these remote areas if you have a medical emergency, instead of calling for an ambulance you'd contact the RFDS for assistance.
Runway ahead for the RFDS |
The highway is also a landing stripe for aircraft |
About 30kms after leaving the roadhouse I arrived at the 90 Mile Straight. This is the longest piece of straight road in Australia. It goes for about 145kms without a bend!
The start of the 90 Mile Straight |
One nice thing about cycling this straight bit of road is that I'm getting a really nice tailwind pushing me along. During this part of the ride I noticed some grey clouds roll over and drop some rain. Each shower only lasted a few minutes. The temperature today has been very pleasant. With the help of the wind I was able to do quite a few kms.
At about 3.30pm I decided it was time to find somewhere to camp. About 20 minutes later I arrived at this rest area. At the back of a lot these rest areas are bush camp areas. So I found myself a nice spot away from the road and pitched my tent.
My bush camp for the night |
Today's certainly starting to feel like I'm getting into the outback. Each day I'm starting to feel more and more remote. And absolutely enjoying it.