Day Thirteen

Well, here i am in Esperance staying at Pam's place,a friend of my sister (Jackie) from way back in the Kalgoorlie days, when they used to work together some 25 yrs ago. Her husband Mick is in Kal at the moment helping out with the grand kids.Pam's  really going to town on me and looking after me as one of her own.Cooking and fussing over me and helping me recover so i can start peddling up to Norseman then right onto the Nullabor.Let me now state the obvious,good reception will not be possible from now on and the only blogging i will be able to do is answer your comments or questions when i get to certain roadhouses with coin operated Internet machines. Feeling quite nervous about this as it is the unknown weather patterns (wind, rain, cold and heat) that plays on your mind being so isolated. Its funny when i read a comment how i think about it all that day so feel free to write whatever you want to fill my head with thoughts.lol

The night before Esperance camping with 7 foot Kangas.

Pam cooking up a storm and with desert.

Pam's only one still at home, Ted playing throw the stick down on the Esperance beach with me.



Has anybody seen my coach?




 

Day Seven to Day Twelve

Has anyone seen Shane lately,i heard his out practising for his crossing of the nullabor later in the year

cuzzooon

Bound to get a fine here

Mikes sheep and dogs

The man himself ,Big Mike.

Danial from Berlin

Well guys I'm back on the airways totally flogged out of energy. Let me fill you in what happened back in day seven quickly, left Walpole as thought i had a piano on board. Dark, cold and raining plus more hills.Met a guy from Berlin,Danial at a nice Toffee ice cream type place when it really started to rain just before Denmark,he is also cycling around the South West the other way. Another visitor coming up for Joy,lucky girl.

Mr FANTASTIC in disguise as a farmer

Waltzed into Denmark for lunch and just about to go off toward Albany Mr FANTASTIC in disguise as a farmer crept up behind me.Instantly on with the cycling gear and off we went. I could see it in his face that my energy level had dropped. I was trying not to make it too obvious but when you have to get off the bike and push up a slight hill your in trouble. Yernster did a few k,s then back to his vehicle to pass me soon down the track

Going too fast

Wheat Silo Bin Hotel

Margaret in her beautiful rammed earth home

I'm the Wellstead Road house Dog, so come on down Pearl, and i'll show you a good time!

Day eight Albany to Wellstead Road house.Ended up staying at Margaret's  house B&B about 5 k's off the main road on her Carramah Farm.She caters mainly for workers in the area who need accommodation but i was the only one there that night as her husband was in Perth. It was her birthday too and I'm still wondering if she was thinking if i was a special present from her hubby.lol. I don't think so being happily married and having 5 children and skypeing to one of them in  Paris on the night and two farms to look after plus being one of the main go getter's in the community i think she has enough on her plate .Some women back in Perth should take a leaf out of her book.

On the way to Wellstead ,yep you guessed it Mr FANTASTIC and Sharon tracked me down after going past me at Many Peaks because i was asleep at the tennis courts Had my GPS off to shake some peeping toms.Day Nine left Margaret's B&B felling good and with a slight breeze helping me arrived at Jerramungup and continued to a wheat silo bin and set up camp there.Woke up on day Ten and off to Ravensthorpe against a stiff breeze.Met Michael one of the local farmers while resting at his letter box and he started teaching me about wool because he had a couple of sheep in the back of the Ute.If he only realised i was only nodding yes and looking interested because i was ready to throw up from exhaustion.Good bloke thou to stop and have a yarn. 

Got to Ravensthorpe and booked into a room  and had a  counter meal and straight to bed. In the morning awoke to be on the radio at 7.45 with 89.7fm.  and then left at nine toward Esperance but ended up falling 65k,s short and slept in a paddock with a million mosquitoes trying to get into my tent and a seven foot kangaroo circling my tent,thump,thump. Not good when Brian told me that's how they kill other  kangaroos by jumping on them ,so didn't sleep very well that night

Day 11 and i made it to Esperance, will continue tomorrow,keep those comments coming in there keeping me ALIVE.

Day Seven

Sorry no  blog tonight ,blog has changed format and have written 3 blogs and lost all,too tired now

Day Six

Hi Guys, well I thought I had the whole house to myself in Pemberton last night but a couple arrived later in the day. A nice English couple, Andy and Liz in their sixties and we chatted for a while because that's what nice people do. Their travelling Australia visiting their son in Perth and Andy's sister in Gympie, Julia. Also it happened to be their 36th wedding anniversary and I was happy to be in the same house on that special night with them. Lol. They asked for the blog address so as they can follow me when they return to England and also while they're still in Australia. Good to see there out and about living and not just existing.

We where having a dull time before we met Grant. Well not really

Set the alarm and left before sunrise as I had 130 kms to cover and I'm glad I did because again the hills gave me hell. Troy told me about a whopper just  before Walpole and he was not joking. I needed all the time to get there because my legs were just about to drop off. I arrived about 4.30 zi think. Probably someone else can tell me when, Shane.
Around this area its too cold being a hero yet to sleep in the bush. Plenty of time for me to experience that in the near future.  So I'm here at another great place, Walpole Lodge, which is run by a great couple Julie due later this month) and her husband Steele. FANTASTIC facility, wifi, pool table, complete kitchen, free coffee and manners to go. Unfortunatley though, I'm going to try to get an early start again because I hate trying to cram the day of riding into too few hours. So again I will leave you with a few photos to send you to sleep. God Bless.

Sewerside caretaker

OK, kids at St PAULS "What state am I in? (answer below )

I have a gay Italian mate who has walked this (no names).

Oh look, they have his picture on a sign

Catapillars bunched crossing the road, should have used the caterpillar crossing up further because those logging trucks have big wheels

The Horsham, Vic connection

Answer...........TERRIBLE

Day Five

Well what a lazy day I've had relaxing in Pemberton at the YHA house, run by a great bloke Troy. He also runs the back packers for mainly the fruit pickers who want cheapish accommodation. I have this whole house to myself for 42 bucks,kitchen,queen size bed, polished boards ,leather lounge,wood fire and the list goes on. So if you want to spend a night in Pemby just come on down and meet Troy. I like a guy who tells me he has five kids and praises his wife in the same sentence.Very rare.
Unfortunately my days rest is over though, and I'm back on the bike tomorrow. Hoping to start early so guys set your alarms to watch the arrows move along your computer screen as though your there and enjoy the free ride. lol.
Im really enjoying the comments  put in by everybody and i will have to except its not going to be like this forever because sooner or later something has got to give. Such as the internet will fail me or i will be just be too tired perhaps to post. So while its happening  keep the good work up. Thanks

Troy with hands the size of  dinner plates and a handshake like a vice

I think this a trap, set up by my reserve coach,Linds  to embarrass the head coach Shane

There we go again.

Somebody told me to do this ,what does it mean

Bye for now, Cardinal Kelly.

Day Four

Hi everybody, i woke this morning not feeling too crash hot  after being  excited when i nestled in my sleeping bag last night knowing i had escaped a night in the tent out in the rain and mud due to the FANTASTIC couple who run the Karridale Crossroads General Store , Les and Pya. I wasn't in a hurry to leave until i had a full breakfast which opened at 7 so i could at least spend my money at there shop.I ordered a full breaky  and this is where it starts to get good. When the breaky is ready, Pya calls me into the shop because Les is helping me pump my bike tyres up. Too my surprise an orange juice had been opened and poured into a glass already next to my meal, i grabbed another and after when i went to pay ,the drinks are on the house he said and here is a big bag of fruit and another drink. Call it sort of a sponsor contribution mate he said. Even Pya asked if i worked for BHP because I'm wearing one of there hats  as she has only just left them 10 months ago. She agreed Jackie, that i should be perhaps asking BHP for a small donation for running cost considering I'm wearing there hat.

On that note i must thank my other two sponsors TBE  Osborne Park for giving me a vest at half price after spending about 3000 dollars for the bike and all the excesserys.Thanks Wayne and Sam. Also The Four Wheel Drive Shop in Ascot for there reflector sticker, which they wanted to put on my back a couple of days before i left. Thanks Dave and Mick your generosity is overwhelming.

The ride was a difficult one to Pemberton,like i said  i had not slept too well and got off to a latish start which puts you on the back foot when your out of condition and only have so many hours to your destination.Met a couple of nice guys Chris and Blair and there pointed me in the right direction as taking the right road to Pemberton because it is a bit confusing as i didn't want to go to Nannup. Chris was telling me how he had walked 900 km across Spain and its all just a mental thing.Still that didn't really help me as he drove off in his vehicle and  i peddled off with my legs full of lactic acid and pulling faces.

The hills around that area are too frequent and too steep for a novice and it nearly killed me.Even so to the point i imagined that someone had put a garden gnome on the side of the road about 200 hundred metres ahead till i saw it move and realised it could be a little lepricorn. It was running away from me excited and flicking his limbs around as though it didn't want to be caught. I excellerated so i could catch it because it could be worth a lot of money alive. Just as i was about to hit it with my bike pump it turned around and said, SURPRISE. It was the Bro,Shane, Living The Dream. He bought me food and drink as only a true long distance cyclist would understand, its all about carbs.We spoke for a while till he settled down and off i went. Now thats why he is my mentor and coach and everything else, to come all that way to see me, hang on he's not checking on me is he that I'm not cheating. lol

This is what i don't want in my sleeping bag cuddling me

Mr Inspiration Man at the right time when i needed it 20 km out of Pemberton.Notice the hat Jack

Anyway its time for some sleep now,I'm stuffed and will be taking a day off tomorrow to recover so don't worry if the SPOT is not working. Hooroo Pastor Kelly

Day Three

Alone and very sad that my cycle buddy Yern has returned to Perth. We parted this morning and couldn't but notice that he wanted to keep riding with me to prop me up if i needed it. If it wasn't  for a meeting he  had to attend I'm sure he would still be with me by my side screaming out FANTASTIC. Well done Yernster.
Yalingup, first port of call,down Caves road into Augusta then back up to Karridale and am now typing away in a deserted Church (Praise the Lord).The fellow in the deli said that I've got an honest face and if i sneak thru the back door i can set up in the room which has only the floor boards left in it. FANTASTIC.
Today was really weird how i came across three road signs in a row that all meant something to me as i started the day off,i have photos to prove it.
For those who are interested how the body is going after 3 days, i think its o.k but. i am tired but thats normal i think.
Beautiful to ride thru past the wineries smelling the fermenting grapes on a crisp morning.Shane K do not attempt this as i think it would take you to long to finish that one and could be very dangerous.
Lost my internet before so ill try to post some pics and get some sleep .Hooroo.

Yern sizing me up just before a big hug goodbye

The K.L base connection

The Thai base connection

The Makay base connection

 Couldn't believe it when i saw all the signs first thing in the morning,they all mean so much too me and i couldn't get them out of my head for the rest of the day.Then i end up in a church,whats going on.

Made sure i slowed down because it was between 7.30 and 9. Must of been a Roo school near.

Young guy from Melbourne i met on the road,he is also going around Australia and he will be staying at my house for a couple of days to the delight of Joy.

At one stage i was wondering where i was going down  Caves Road then relized i must be in the dead centre of the Margaret River area ,and i was.

Strange colour of trees.

This is where i ended up for the night.Only one small room with floor boards left.It was supposed to demolished. The demolition contractor took the deposit and the floor boards then did a runner. there all operate the same in Perth like that too

Hope that satisfies you a bit more Grace if not let me know on the Blog,don't hold back now.

Day Two

Welcome everybody, how's your day been? Hang on, let me tell you about mine first. An average type of day as far as the distance Yern and I travelled and nothing really happened too exciting other than we got to Dunsborough around five and now are staying at a nice place in the centre of town. We have just come back from a big filling meal from the local pub and feel a little drained but remaining focused on the coming days ahead.

Yern's a real trooper. First he said he would only go to Bunbury, then he said Dunsborough, now he's even taking me to Yalingup. He's doing it easier than me at the moment but I'm hoping to improve in the weeks ahead, I hope. Time for some sleep now as I'm fading away and the beds calling me. Bye for now, supporters.

Removing the lactic acid after the long days ride

Met Yern's mate Mark who works at the place where we are staying

Yern wondering what he is doing here

As requested Linds,  here's a nice Golden Orb spider  from the South West area. I'll see if I can get a few more shots for your album before I finish.The male is the one to the left 

Day One.

What a big first day. Started off fantastic with a few friends arriving at around five o'clock to see the four of us off at 5.30 and it went like clockwork. Top effort, especially from Brian my neighbour from across the road who is 82, to be there at that time with the big handshake and best wishes. We left with the theme song playing Kid Rock's Born Free in the dark. Lol

John,Grant, Na, Yern,Pearl(straight back to bed after the photo shoot) Me, Pete and Ryan

Joy (straight back to bed after the photo shoot) and me

The day was going ok till disaster struck with a series of punctures and the Grant and Na team had to throw the towel in and catch the train home after about 60 kms and only about 20kms to finish to Mandurah, but to get that far in good time was a great effort.

Yern and I carried on and he nearly killed me setting a rapid pace to get to Brian, my old school mate in Myalup, making the days ride about 150 kms. Too much too early but it had to be done otherwise the two of us would have had to spend the night in my one man tent. And that was not gonna happen!

The Boys working hard on the tubes

Funniest moment of the day, after insisting getting a photo outside the Mandurah Post Office to make the trip route legal Yern forgot to unclip his feet.

Brian, our host in Myalup. Single and eligible, girls

We are now fed and ready for a more relaxed day tomorrow by doing a little less distance.

The Night Before

Well this is it folks, i'm all packed up and it's only 11.15pm the night before the 5.30am start of the epic journey.Four of us are taking off together in the morning ,Yern is sleeping over to ride with me down to Bunbury over two days and in the morning Grant and Na will join us to Mandurah and grab the train back.
Let me express my thanks to these guys now. To drop everything and get involved to experience  a taste of what a long ride feels like makes me feel as though they really appreciate the total distance I'm trying to achieve in the next 5 months.Thanks Guys:)

Also thanks Pat(mom) for cooking the last supper, will miss the wholesome meals while away and eating out of road houses.

Finally let me finish off with an inspirational quote before hitting they bed.....

Pain is temporary. It may last a minute,or even an hour,or even a day,or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place.
If i quit,however,it will last forever.     Lance Armstrong

Getting There

Finished Product

One week to go

Well not long to go now and the journey will be begin.Its been a long time coming and I'm ready as can be mentally but not exactly physically. I have been a tad busy to be riding around the metro area dodging cars so it looks like its going to be O.T.J.,on the job training as i go. Sunday the 15 April is still the day for takeoff and my only riding partner to honour his word will be Yern who i think has been secretly training. He will be escorting me to Bunbury which i will greatly appreciate. Thanks Joe Peci,it all sounded good at the time when you said you where going to ride all the way to Albany .Now i know why your bro burst out into laughter when you said it. lol.

Joy and Pearl finding it difficult one week out

Sadly, my greatest supporter, Jim is no longer with us. He was the one who planted the seed to go around the paddock in the first place by teasing me about how that's the real test. He was so excited eight weeks out rubbing his hands together smiling and saying, not long to go now. People say to me that he will be watching, but just in case, a small bottle of his ashes will be inserted into my seat stem to give me inspiration when i need it. lol. Sort of returning the favour when he took me across the nullarbor 37 yrs ago when we hitch hiked to Melbourne and back. On that note without getting too emotional, this entire ride of 15000 km will be dedicated to the man himself, Jimbo.

After waking up this morning wrapped up in  2 black and 4 white legs in the warmth of my own bed and proceeding to down 4 hot crossed buns and two cups of coffee,its going to be hard to get used to the harsh  elements of the weather day in day out, but I'm up for it. Perhaps i could grab a dingo and throw it in the tent to replace Pearl, any idea's for what i could use to replace Joy? 

Well , I'm off now to try and buy some wet weather gear to protect me as I'm bound to be hit with a mixture of unexpected wet weather conditions, I'm pumped.Hooroo.