• Port Wakefield to Adelaide 100 km
• Perth to Adelaide via the South West Coast 2,800 km
• Melbourne to MacKay 2,400 km

Sunday in the city of churches. I like Adelaide, it’s relaxed and accessible. I have been here a few times for business and pleasure.

Today’s run from Port Wakefield started out well in fine conditions, with a well-marked verge on a good surface the going was easy with no wind or major hills to test the legs. I rocketed past Dublin making good time, but everything changed about ten kilometers out of Two Wells when the verge suddenly disappeared while the heavens opened up. Riding became more difficult, the road trains and some cars proving a challenge.

At times it was downright dangerous, but I concentrated on staying alive. No stopping for happy snaps of the sculptures I saw along the roadside; a giant rat, a flying saucer, and a cockroach amongst others.

Getting into any big city by bicycle leaves you with few options unless you know the local alternatives. I followed the big path that was parallel to the highway. It then fed me onto the service lane of the highway itself. I was ok with that until around 15 km from the city center when the bike path gave out completely. I was left on the highway with no alternative but to mix it with the busy Sunday lunchtime crowd. I got abused by a carload of youths who swerved uncomfortably close to me using their car as a weapon. I don’t think they are mature enough to realize how thin the margin of error between messing about and killing somebody is!

Most drivers are as courteous as I like to think I am, the closer I get to the city center the better things become. Out came the sun and before I really knew it I was cruising past the Adelaide Oval straight up into town.

I booked a room at the reasonably priced hotel on the edge of the city where I have stayed previously. After a warm shower, some dry clothes, and a cup of tea it’s time for a quick wander about.

Adelaide’s a turning point for me. Having ridden from Adelaide to Melbourne a couple of times previously, taking different routes, I really don’t want to cover the same ground again, so I have decided to box up Mr Surly and get a cheap flight home. I will spend some time with the wonderful family of Therese, Daisy, Gus, and Grace who I miss. I’ll then make a surprise birthday visit to my ailing mother, visit friends, and attend my upcoming school reunion. I’m also looking forward to eating some proper food too.

I will then head off back up north again to where I left off in Mackay: Where it’s warm! Then I’ll ride the 1000 km from Mackay to Cooktown and beyond!