Now that I've managed to break free of my long and unexpected break in Adelaide, I'm back on the road and heading north (before I had been heading mostly west). With my new bearings, I find that I've left behind the city-to-town transitionary period I experienced on my way from Melbourne to
Australia Bike Tour Day 13-22: Adelaide Intermission
Adelaide, the capital of South Australia, boasts a population of over 1.2 million and represents civilization's final foothold before my journey turns northward towards the Outback. As was the case yesterday afternoon when I first arrived here, it's raining. In fact, the forecast predicts that
Australia Bike Tour Day 12: The Adelaide Hills
Last night I camped in Tailem Bend, positioning myself within striking distance of Adelaide (where I plan to take a few days off before setting out towards the Outback). However, I've heard some nasty rumors about the roads to this Adelaide place. Apparently there be hills. Hills mean elevation
Australia Bike Tour Day 11: Nerve Damage
Two days ago I left my gloves on top of my front pannier bag when I went into a grocery store to recover my lost sunglasses (or sunnies as they call them here in Oz). Upon successful retrieval of said sunnies, I proceeded to get on my bike and ride off without first equipping my gloves. I can
Australia Bike Tour Day 10: Puncture City
Just a few days after my first flat, things are spiraling out of control. I wake up with high spirits in the sleepy little town of Keith, South Australia. I break camp, pack my bags, apply my anti-chaffing balm, and roll out of my stealthy campsite to find my back tire flat. Spirits
Australia Bike Tour Day 9: South Australia!
Today saw a landmark achievement in my Australian bicycle tour: I crossed the border from Victoria into South Australia (both of those are names of Australian states by the way). But before we talk about that, let me tell you about last night, aka the thunderdome. Yes, it would seem that last
Australia Bike Tour Day 8: One Week Lessons
I've officially completed the first week of my bicycling journey, and I've gone from knowing next to nothing to slightly more than nothing. Today, instead of describing what it is I did or saw (pedaled and a lot of sheep), I will talk about what I've learned from being on the road with a
Australia Bike Tour Day 7: My First Flat
In typical ignorant-me fashion, I was unjustifiably cocky when I set out on this trip. "I'm not going to get any flats" I told the bike shop employee as he took all my money. "In fact, I'm going to send you my spare tubes and puncture repair kit when I finish my ride." Things never change;
Australia Bike Tour Day 6: Big Stupid Things
Having spent an entire day confined in bed, I feel that I'm ready to continue my ride across the Australia. My knee still doesn't seem to quite agree, but that's something I'll just ignore until it becomes a serious medical issue (probably exactly what a doctor would recommend I