Hi Everybody,

Details and Analysis of my day 18 : http://connect.garmin.com/activity/20277363

Today was an really epic day. A lot of things happened. First we woke up at 4h20 to leave earlier than usual as we have seen that the wind yesterday had started at noon. But unfortunately when I went outside to brush my teeth a strong wind coming from the south was there. Moreover even if it was difficult to see the sky in the night, I didn’t today see any stars as usual normally...

I started my journey at 5h15 with a really strong wind against me estimated by weather-zone between 60 km/h and 70 km/h. After only 1h I have done only 17 km/h. On my mind, I thought that the day will be very very hard. At 6h17 after only a bite more than 1h I had to stop my bike as the wind became stronger and some rains started. My dad parked the van on the side and we put the bike inside. We waited for a better weather to re-start as it was too dangerous.

It was already 9 am and there were still some wind and strong rain. While my dad went to the net on my computer I was sleeping in order to anticipate a very long day. At 9h10, the rain stopped and I took my bike to go ahead but after only 7 minutes I had to stopped for the second time as the rain had re-started again. The road was completely wet and  it was quite impressive to watch the big trucks.

Finally at 10 am I have seen some blue sky and I hope that I will continue my road soon. I had waited for half hour hoping that the road became dryer. Around 10h40 I decided to leave for Snowtown (my stop for today) on the way to Adelaide. The temperature was cold, only 15 degrees and the wind was still there to bother me, I’m sure.

Additionally the traffic became heavier and along the distance I realized there were much more trucks in the two sides. With the wind, each time there was a truck in opposite way I hold very hard my bike and I had to decrease my speed because with the wind I could easily fall as I’m destabilized every time. It’s quite dangerous especially with a such weather.

I reached Port-Pirie after 4h44 cycling (only 90 km done). Still a lot of trucks and today several times the drivers were very rude and when they overtook they were quite close to me. Some of them shout on me but anyway I’m happy but not like some.

Still 80 km to reach Snowtown. After only 4 km away from Port -Pirie, a policeman stopped us on the side. He told us that he received a lot of complains as my dad drove too slow. I explained to him that I’m riding for a great reason and I need my dad behind to protect me against some rude drivers. He told us that he could be a danger for others but apparently I was not a danger for the trucks or cars. Quite strange !!! For me the truck drivers have more difficult to kill a car than a cycle that why they bother us. I explained to him that they have to be patient only for a few second as they could overtake us quite easily when the opposite become empty. Anyway the policeman was very nice and had been already in Strasbourg...incredible !!! He advised us that my dad goes ahead for 3 km and stops then restarts.

We had started to do this but after 10 km I didn’t feel safe as each time the trucks overtook me very close. We decided with my Dad to change our itinerary and so we have planned to go more in the backside of the country instead to continue on the Stuart Highway. It was my last time on this road...bye bye !!!

We took on the left to go toward to Clare valley. This is very famous for their wineries. About only 2 hours north of Adelaide. At the centre of the fertile Mid North agricultural district, the skinny valley produces world class Rieslings and reds. This is gorgeous countryside with open skies, rounded hills, stands of large gums and wind rippling over wheat fields. You can have a look on my pictures.

After almost 9h cycling and 14h journey we decided at 7:20 to stop for the night in Clare city. Named after County Clare in Ireland, this 1842 town is the biggest in the valley but it’s a little thin on charm.

Before leaving you, I have done my first fall today on the Stuart Highway but nothing important. When I climbed on my bike I clicked my first shoe on the left paddle and at the same time a truck passed. With the wind I lost my balance and hardly 1 sec later I felt.

When I changed my itinerary I forgot for a few km to restart my GPS. I missed unfortunately some km. Anyway once I arrived in Clare quite late the only thing I wanted really it was to have a nice diner and a great long sleep.

See you tomorrow in Adelaide.