Around Australia in 54 days

Today we went on the Tandem into the City, or more specific to the Bell Tower. Left home about 6-20 am and took it very easy on the way in.

This is the reason why.

Eric is trying to better the time for unsupported cycling around Australia of 55 days, 17 hours and 8 minutes, so he can claim the price money of $15 000 and split it even between the Danish and Australian Red Cross. When we arrived there, Channel 10 just started to do some interview with him.
All together only about 25 riders turned up for the send off. 2 Cops on Mountain bikes,2 Motorbikes and 1 Patrol car where ready to escort Eric towards Fremantle. At 8-00am we started to roll on. Jenny and I stayed well at the back, because riders sometimes don't give us enough room with the Tandem. As we rolled over the start line we got tangled up with some ribbons and by the time we got all out of the sprockets,chain and back wheel, we had lost about 600 m. Off we went and before Nedland we eventually joint the group again.

The ride to Fremantle was nice with the Police escort. Eric turned left in one of the streets,( cant remember the name) and headed South. We rode a bit further on and stopped at Bike Force for a Coffee and Muffin. Was also time to catch up with Paul, Anna, Warren, Tony and a few of the other guys I used to ride around the River over the last 2 years. Afterwards we started heading home along the coast. Had a quick stop in Scarborough for a GELATO Ice cream.

It was about 11-15am by the time we got home. The ride was 65.4 km and we found it on the harder side, because
1. We have not been riding very much for the last 6-7 weeks
2. Had to race very hard to catch the rest of the group.
3. the head wind on the way home was quite strong.

Anyway if anybody is interested to follow Eric, this is home page.

http://www.lonebiker.dk/EHJEM/forside.htm

Kyle Thomas from Sacramento

I have been following a Journal for about 2 months now from a guy from America with the title "Across Australia" . His plans have been to start the week after Easter riding from Perth across the Nullaboor to Sydney. Oh by the way the Journal is called crazyguyonabike.

I did put in for Holidays just after Christmas to have a week off after Easter. Jenny and I had planned to go away 3-4 days on the Tandem for a first test run and to see how everything is performing. This plan got canceled as we had guys starting to work on the pool.

Before Easter it crossed my mind, it would be nice to have a coffee and have a talk about his plans, equipment and how he is going about Bicycle touring. A few e-mails later we offered to pick him up from the Airport and also to stay 2 nights with us.

On Wednesday morning at 11.30 am we went and picked Kyle up from the Airport. We only had a Photo to recognize him, but we did not expect him to arrive on a Jumbo from Sydney with so many passengers. But no problem, when he came off the Plane he was holding his Bike Helmet.
As soon as we got down to pick up the luggage, his name came across the announcement and we found out, the luggage will be coming on the next plane. We were told a courier will bring it to our place somewhere between 6.00pm - 9.00pm. On the way home we went for a short tour up to Kings Park. Had a Coffee and then slowly made our way home. Didn't do much for the rest of the afternoon. The Courier turned up at 9pm.




Next morning first thing Kyle was doing was assembling his Bike. Went without any problems and no damage was done to the Bike in transit. After that we went and took the suitcase to Warwick Post office to get it send over to his contact in Sydney. So by 11am we went for a ride into the City. Had a Coffee at the Bell Tower and carried on riding south along the Freeway to Applecross and then along the river to Fremantle for another refreshment as it got warmer. Afterwards we rode on up the coast to Sorrento and Home.

About 6pm we went for a short drive to show Kyle the Kangaroos and then went shopping in Greenwood for supply for Kyle. He invited us out for Dinner. Went to Hillary's Harbour and had Fish n Chips.



Friday morning we got up at 5-30am and had Breakfast. Jenny drove us with the van to Cottesloe, where Kyle done the traditional back wheel in the ocean thing. Kyle had a big job pushing the bike in the Sand. Some of the People there had no idea what has happening. Jenny overheard a conversation from somebody, suggesting he will be riding on the harder sand along the Beach.



Then it was time for Kyle to start his Journey heading east towards Sydney. We went all along the Railway line through the City and then towards Midland. Here we had a break before we started going up the long climb towards Mundaring.

Once we made it to Mundaring, Jenny was already waiting for us with a cold drink. Well it was time to say goodbye and wish Kyle all the best for his Trip.

It was a very nice experience to have for the first time a Bicycle tourer staying with us.

Another step closer

2 more weeks and we should be ready to get the Real Estate Agents back again. I am on Holiday this week and Jenny and I have done a lot of cleaning up in the front and back of the House.

At the moment all we waiting on is on the guys to finish the resurfacing of the pool. Suppose to be finish this Saturday but as it looks at the moment it could be easy another week or even more, because of the reliability of the guys. The owner of the Business reckon, he is paying the workers already a lot more than the award wages. But as soon as they get paid you do not see them till they run out of money. Another problem here in Perth is, it is very hard to get any Tradesman .

Just about finish with Painting

Well, we are just about finish with painting the inside of our house. It took us longer than we have planned. Never mind.

At least tomorrow morning we will be going for a shortish ride for the first time in about 5 week. Somewhere between 35km -40 km. On Sunday morning we will be doing the Freeway Bike Ride.

Map of our planned Trip on the Tandem

This is the route we have planned to do when we have sold the house. We will be on the road for about 12 -18 mts. Again will be talking more about soon.