Australia Bike Tour Day 59: DARWIN!

I didn't die.

I rode a bicycle 2,428.24 mi / 3,907.04 km across Australia from Melbourne to Darwin and I didn't die.

Mission accomplished.

Today finished the longest bicycle journey of my life. Whether or not this journey will retain the title will remain to be seen.

I arrived in Darwin early this morning and made it to the home of my most generous CouchSurfing host, Jayce.

He's even got a cat, Muhammed.

It was a bit tricky riding my bike through the city for the final few miles and there were many opportunities for cars to strike me down in the road (but no more road trains – just terrible city drivers).

Thankfully, I discovered a bike path parallel to the road into town and was able to avoid any such tragedy.

Upon my arrival I promptly commenced with the final shower of the trip to cleanse myself of any remaining Outback dirt (note: said dirt will likely never be fully erased from my body and its crevasses).

With a steamy and dramatic emergence from the bathroom (or toilet as they call it in Australia), I declare my first bicycle tour officially over.

The enthusiastic crew of international guests invite me to play a celebratory game of Settlers before we set to work preparing dinner. After a good feed we head down to the beach (the BEACH) for a luau (complete with fire twirling).

How quickly I've become reintegrated into society.

The next morning I deconstruct my bicycle in the hopes of getting it packed into a box for my eventual flight to the east coast of Australia in a few days' time.

In the process, I discover that I have managed to crack my rim – in many places – and that it will need to be replaced (goodbye 100+ Australian dollars).

But that's not the greatest gift that this bicycle has given me.

The greatest gift of all?

These tan lines.

• START: Struass WWII Airfield, Northern Territory
• END: Darwin, Northern Territory
• DAY'S DISTANCE: 29.91 mi / 48.13 km
• TOTAL DISTANCE: 2,428.24 mi / 3,907.04 km