My Blog

Some Statistics of my entirely journey

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 12:50:52 +0800

Here is a list of some statistics as well as other miscellaneous notes that I have kept track of throughout my journey :

General Statistics
Total Distance on my bike: 3701 km
Total Distance : 3752 km
Average Distance Per Cycling Day : 168,220 km

Total Days : 24
Cycling Days : 22
Zero Days : 2

Total Time on my Saddle : 142h16 min = 5 days and 22 hours
Average Time on my Saddle Per Day : 6h28 min

Average Speed : 26.01 km/h
Average Bike Cadence : 70 rpm
Flat Tires : 0

“Me” Statistics
Weight before Starting : 72 kg
Weight After Arriving : 70 kg

Average Heart Rate During my Cycling : 113 bpm
Resting Heart Rate : 34 bpm

Average Calories Lost Per Day : 5 500 Calories
Total of Cereal Bars Taken : 308
Average of the number of Cereal Bars Taken Per Day : 14
Average of Apple Taken Per Day : 1

Average of Water Per Day : 5 L
Total of Water Taken : 110 L

Photos Statistics
Pictures Taken : 2149
Pictures Saved : 1169
Taken/Saved Percentage : 56%
Number of Photos Taken per Km : 0.58

Day 24 : RockBank - Melbourne - 68 km - 2h30 on the saddle

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 11:34:07 +0800

Hi Everybody,

I arrived in Melbourne at 8h04 in the morning exactly.

I left from RockBank at 5h33 after sleeping only 4h as I took some times to update the blog. Anyway on my way I found a huge number of cars along the road. It was difficult to cycle as there were a lot of traffic. I was very suprised to see so many cars around 6 am.

I had done almost 70 km instead of 36 than I forecast due the detour that I had to take to avoid the main roads and the Highways to enter in Melbourne.

Obviously to find my correct way was not so easy even if I used my GPS. I took sometimes some wrong ways. To enter to Melbourne was like a nightmare for me as much of the roads are some kind of highways. It’s very dangerous. I had to take finally some small street to reach the downtown. Two times I also changed my way as the camping car couldn’t go through some roads due to is oversize.

When I arrived in downtown and I took the Elizabeth street to go to Flinders street in order to reach at the end the Federation Square. I didn’t like very much this place that’s why I decided to go further to take some pictures in a green park just close by.

I don’t realize what I have done and I feel good physically at the moment. Maybe it’s only the excitation to be here in Melbourne. I will be probably dead later. I’m feeling like if I could cycle 4000 km more. Nevertheless in my mind I start having a kind of dullness setting on my saddle. I paddled each day around 7 hours. The time became long.
From Port Augusta as I had changed the landscapes and the weather was more cooler I managed to recharge my mind and my confidence.

In few days I will put a video of the best moments of my adventure. I will put as well some other videos. I didn’t put them earlier as the network for uploading was too slow.

I hope you enjoyed this 24 days. It was a pleasure to speak with you. Don’t forget to give a bit of yourself to IRCAD, Children Cancer Foundation’s or WaterAid.

Have a beautiful week

See you tomorrow

DNA / Strasbourg : Dans le desert australien

Sun, 13 Dec 2009 17:17:40 +0800

Hi Everybody,

Today I had the pleasure to see a very nice article in the DNA (main newspaper from Strasbourg in France) concerning my Challenge. This article explains the reasons of my adventure and defends the causes that I promote. Have a look...

Day 23 : Stawell - RockBank - 200 km - 7h32 on the saddle

Sun, 13 Dec 2009 16:41:45 +0800

Hi Everybody,

Details and Analysis of my day 23 : http://connect.garmin.com/activity/20449139

Today was my last long day before arriving in Melbourne and it was a strange stage. I have planned to do 200 km to reach RockBank. I woke up at 4h40 and I left from Stawell at 5h33. The temperature was still cold, around 14 degrees. Obviously I had a small wind against me. After less than 1 hour, the drizzle has started for 4 hours. I bicycled for most of the time under the rain. Sometime I had to stop as the rain was too strong and became dangerous for my balance. I didn’t see much the sun unfortunately. I was on my saddle for 7h32 for 12 hours journey. We arrived exactly at 17h31 on our car watch.

I crossed a lot of different cities as Ararat, Beaufort, Ballarat, Ballan and Bacchus Marsh. All this cities seemed to be nice with some little cafe’s and always a lot of flowers to welcome the tourists.

I was feeling well whereas the weather condition was quite bad. After 1 hour I thought I will spend a bad day but I have managed to keep my tenacity and to go ahead to reach RockBank. It’s a very small city, just at 30 km from Melbourne. I wanted to stop here to arrive in Melbourne fresh and especially to try to realize what I have done.

Tomorrow will be my last day, my last alarm at 4h40 and my last ride in Australia. Obviously I will think about the causes that I defend, I will think about IRCAD, Children Cancer Foundation’s and WaterAid. Moreover I will remember all my nice days spent with my Dad, who helped me so much...my wife Prakriti who had some nice words by phone and all my family who had supported me since the beginning.

I will see you tomorrow on my blog obviously...I should reach Melbourne at 8h30 am(Melbourne time), 10 pm in France and 5h30 in Singapore. I plan to arrive in Federation Square.

Day 22 : Nhill - Stawell - 136 km - 4h46 on the saddle

Sat, 12 Dec 2009 14:47:12 +0800

Hi Everybody,

Details and Analysis of my day 22 : http://connect.garmin.com/activity/20392913

Today was similar than yesterday but with a stronger wind against me from my right. The weather was mostly cloudy. As we changed the territory I lost again 30 min meaning that I have now 10 hours time difference with France and 3 hours with Singapore. I lost so 30 min for my sleep. I got up at 4h40 (4h10 old time) and I left at 5h45 from Nhill. Today I didn’t cross some pyramids but some wheat fields...lol :-)... I’m so funny I know.

The distance between Nhill and Stawell is 136 km. I bicycled less than 5 hours for 6h total journey. I was quite fast whereas I had some wind against me to change. The landscape was not very pretty and the quality of the road was bad. I wanted to stop in Ararat, 31 km further from Stawell but we have decided to visit the Crampians National Park. It was a mistake as from my point of view it was not so good. We spent 3 hours to drive along the narrow roads and we have seen a small fall and also an artificial lake. Have a look on my picture or click here.

During my ride, I crossed Dimboola after only 36 km from Nhill and I crossed Horsham at 72 km from Nhill. As you can see my front picture I have a luck to cross a giant panda on the road.

I finally reached Stawell at 11h46 and we went immediately in the Crampians National Park.

Stawell (including Dadswell Bridge and Glenorchy) is a substantial town famous for its professional running races. Stawell is a former goldmining town of some 6700 people located just off the Western Highway, 32 km north-west of Ararat, 235 km north-west of Melbourne and 231 m above sea-level. It is a service centre to the surrounding district and supports a number of industries such as brick-production, goldmining, a substantial and very successful fabric upholstery concern and an abattoir, as well as more traditional grazing and farming pursuits. With the Grampians close by Stawell has a growing tourism sector (see entry on Halls Gap). Just south of town are the wineries of Great Western.

Tomorrow I plan to stop in Bacchus Marsh, around 180 km from Stawell. It will be difficult to go to Melbourne the next and last day as there are almost only some higways and main roads. I need to have look on my itinerary tonight.

See you soon

Day 21 - Tintinara - Nhill - 164 km - 5h21 on the saddle

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 13:16:12 +0800

Hi Everybody,

Details and Analysis of my day 21 : http://connect.garmin.com/activity/20356103

Today was a better day than the last 3 days. No rain, only a low wind and a better road. The temperature was pleasant, only 18 degrees. I was surprised as well to see so less traffic in the road compare to yesterday. Only a few trucks and cars. I don’t understand but anyway my stage was fine, it’s the essential. I have done 164 km in 5h21 for 6h40 total journey.

I woke up at 4h40 and I took my special K as usual on the morning. I left Tintinara at 5h30 and I arrived to Nhill at 12h12. I took only 3 stops to rest and ate my cereals bars. The quality of the road was better as I told you but the landscapes were not very interesting.

I crossed 3 small cities on my road, Keith, Bordertown and Kaniva. This cities were much more bigger than Tintinara and they seem to be more alive.
After Bordertown 86 km East of Tintinara, I left South Australia territory for Victoria territory. I will not change now up to my arrival on Monday 14th in Melbourne.

Otherwise, Nhill is a small town of some 2000 people on the Western Highway, 40 km west of Dimboola and 374 km north-west of Melbourne (halfway to Adelaide). It promotes itself as a centre of merino grazing although it is very much a part of the Wimmera wheatbelt. In fact the large grain silo in the centre of town is reputedly the largest single-bin silo in the Southern Hemisphere. There is also a poultry farm and a flour mill.

Nhill possesses a pleasant and attractive main street with an enormous median strip which has creatively been transformed into a lovely park.

I was feeling nice and my legs even if yesterday was a long day were fine. I cycled quite fast, 30.5 km/h. Maybe and I’m sure it’s thank to all your messages I received yesterday to support me.

See you tomorrow.

...Still 380 km to reach Melbourne

Day 20 - Adelaide - Tintinara - 188 km - 7h50 in the saddle

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 15:17:26 +0800

Hi Everybody,

Today was again an epic day. I met the wind obviously, I met the sun again, I met several times the rain and to finish I took the ferry. Additionally my GPS data had worked only for half day as the battery had been left me alone. I thought yesterday that I had enough but the day was very long. We put our alarm at 4h40 and I left with the wind at 5h50. I reached Tintinara at 16h40 after almost 8h cycling. The rain obliged me few times to stop as the wet road is quite dangerous especially when you have some narrow roads and some huge trucks.

To leave from Adelaide without taking the different highways or the main roads I have done a track but it was very physical again. I took the Chandlers Hill road during few km. As the name said by itself, I had suffered immediately but thankfully for me the weather was cold. Nevertheless I wore my shirt, and two sweeters as usual since 2 days. The differential of the temperature with Pimba, there were 3 days ago was incredible. My body takes some times to realize what’s happening.

The road that I took to join after 100 km the Duke Highway, the main road to Melbourne was really narrow. The first 100 km was difficult. The road was so narrow sometime that against me I decided unfortunately but not more than 10 km to use the car. The road was really dangerous as it was wet and moreover the cars drove very fast. Concerning to the Duke Highway, I have to be aware as this road is also not easy. There is only one lane and I have impression that the number of trucks is so much more than cars. With the strong wind as today coming from my right, I have to be careful as I can lose the control of my bike at any time especially when a truck overtakes me.

We stopped several times due to the rain. The first time was after only 37 min I stopped for 20 min. When I restarted it was not very pleasant and I tried to stay concentrate on the road. As I told you I took the Chandlers Hill road and after a while I crossed the McLaren Vale. If the Barossa Valley that I have already spoken to you, this is the most visited wine region, only 40 min south of Adelaide. The gorgeous vineyards around have a Tuscan haze, rippling down to a calm coastline that’s similarly Ligurian. The second time was at 8h40, only at 2 km to Paris Creek. It was raining strongly. Have a look on my pictures taken today.

We crossed as well Strathalbyn on my way to go to Wellington. Strathalbyn was established in 1839 by scottish immigrants. Many of the old streets-capes and buildings have been preserved.

At 10h30, I had to stop again due to the rain. I was in the direction of Wellington. I restarted at 11 am to reach finally Wellington at 11h34 after doing a bite more than 100 km already. My dad took some petrol and I needed to stop to have a break. At 11h44, the rain was there for 5 min. To join the main road, the Duke Highway, we obliged to take the ferry to cross a river. It was so funny and the guy who managed his boat was nice. I took two pictures of him. After this, I bicycle for 10 km to reach at the end the Duke Highway to go to Tintinara, my final destination of the day.

Australian highways are very strange. In fact, this main road has only one lane and the speed limit is 130 km/h. As I told you before, I have impression to cross more trucks than cars. Today was dangerous as the wind was strong.

At the end, I arrived at 16h40 after almost 11 hours journey. I’m quite exhausted now especially due to the strong wind. It was not so pleasant to ride today unfortunately. I hope tomorrow will be better.

See you soon.

Day 19 : Clare - Adelaide - 150 km - 5h40 on my saddle

Wed, 9 Dec 2009 19:28:33 +0800

Hi Everybody,

Details and Analysis of my day 19 : http://connect.garmin.com/activity/20277360

Today we left quite late. We put our alarm at 6 am to leave at 7.28 am. Yesterday the weather was bad today the sky was perfectly blue but the temperature was still quite low again, around 17 degrees. I borrowed the sweeter of my Dad to put under my sweeter. I was freeze.

The last 3h on the day 18 I climbed quite a lot to reach an elevation around 500 m. Today the first 2 hours were quite pleasant and my speed was higher due to the descent even if there were some works-road. I might to be careful as it was not so stabilized. Anyway once I reached Gawler (80 km from Clare) I took the wrong direction and took the highway to go to Darwin. I stopped on the side waiting my Dad to take me in order to go to the good one. We drove for less than 10 mins. We changed our itinerary again as the traffic was too high. I took some smaller way once I checked on my GPS to go to Adelaide.

From this part, the layout was quite magical and very pretty. For me it was quite difficult again as there were a lot of hills. I suffered quite a lot but thankfully the temperature was not too high. I took the road bringing me in the Barossa Valley. This is one of the world’s great wine regions, an absolute must for anyone with even the slightest interest in a good drop. The Barossa Valley is compact a 25 km long stretch of undulating hills - yet it manages to 21 % of Australia’s wine, mostly big, luscious and fruity reds.

After Barossa Valley I reached Adelaide Hills. Very nice area as well even if there were still a lot of hills. Not so nice for my legs. This is a labyrinth of cool valleys. Fleeing the sweaty city, early colonists built stately summer houses around Stirling and Algate. German settlers escaping religious persecution also arrived, infusing towns such as Hahndorf and Lobethal with European values architecture.

Once again I took a wrong way and we reached a very small nice city Gumeracha, a hardy hillside town with a pub at the bottom.We stopped few minutes to watch a Bowling competition outside. It’s quite famous game here in Australia. You can have a look on the pictures. It’s like the marbles and the bowling together.

Anyway I came back on my way and went down to reach Adelaide. We crossed Morialta Conservation park. Some nice gorges and nice lakes around.

I arrived in Adelaide at 16h20 after 5h40 riding and around 9h total journey. We went to a supermarket and drove for 15 km to reach our Camping Car park just close to the Airport.

We didn’t have the time to visit Adelaide but to go to our Camp we crossed the city. My first thought, it’s a really nice city. A lot of green area and all the streets seem to be very clean. Adelaide has remained true to its design : a pure, orderly grid that has informed both its growth and social consciousness. The downtown seem to be great as well but it’s especially the areas around are nice and very peaceful. The different suburbs are quiet but the architectures of houses are pretty and we can easily imagine that we are in Scotland.

From Adelaide, it’s de rigueur to make a day trip out to beachside Glenelg or the nearby Adelaide Hills, Barossa Valley or McLaren Vale regions to see the wineries.

Tomorrow I will have an other long day...some rains should be there

Have a nice evening

Day 18 : Port Augusta - Clare - 165 km - 8h40 on the saddle

Tue, 8 Dec 2009 17:19:55 +0800

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.

Day 17 : Day off - Wilpena National Park

Mon, 7 Dec 2009 12:46:54 +0800

Hi Everybody,

Today it’s my day off and we have decided to visit Wilpena National Park close to Port Augusta. We got up at 5h50 in order to leave around 6h30 to reach on time Wilpena. My dad drove for almost 2 hours as the distance is around 170 km. The road was nice with some different layouts. At least it’s different than the landscapes that we had seen since 3 days.

We reach at 8h40 the National Park, perfect time to take the shuttle. In fact to go to the view point we took a shuttle. The trip was only 5 min. We have decided for the return to walk in the middle of the forrest as finally the distance was not so far compare that we thought.

After the shuttle dropping us, we walked and climbed for 45 min to reach the nice view point. We took as you can see on my albums a lot of pictures.

Wilpena is a sunken elliptical valley ringed by gnarled ridges of rock. This is also the perfect place to spy grey kangaroos and geeky families of emus.

We left the park at 11h22 to reach Port Augusta at 1h30. We took some petrol before parking our camping car. Now it’s 3.30 pm. I need to rest for tomorrow. The wind is absolutely strong now...but tomorrow is an other day.

I will reach adelaide in two days. I need two stages as the distance is more than 300 km.

See u tomorrow and have a nice week

Day 16 : Pimba - Port Augusta - 169 km - 6h21 on the saddle

Sun, 6 Dec 2009 14:21:31 +0800

Hi Everybody,

Details and Analysis of my day 16 : http://connect.garmin.com/activity/20112023

Today I left at 5.50 am in the morning. The wind was still there as it was a game for him. Anyway, I didn’t have any choice to go ahead to reach Port Augusta the sooner I can in order to rest. At the end I arrived at 1:28 pm in Port Augusta after spending more than 6.20 hour on my saddle for 7h30 total journey.

The landscapes were almost the same than yesterday unfortunately for me. I don’t like so much this kind of layout. Absolutely nothing to say or just have a look. Of course, some lakes were quite impressive but seriously after more than 15 days I’m happy to find back the civilization. From here to Adelaide, still 300 km to do, I will ride through the coast. After this, I had planned to do all the coast but John didn’t advice me as actually it’s the holidays...as the road should be narrow and busy I decide to go from inside. I will take a day off to see the 12 Aspotles close to Appolo Bay.

Anyway, the wind was stopped after 3 hours cycling and so I managed to accelerate a bite. The quality of the road was better than the previous days. The traffic also starts to become higher. Now I need to be careful and try to not play the fongio.

Arriving in Port Augusta, we went directly to a supermarket to buy some foods for the next 4 days. The camping car park is nice and very clean as well.
Tomorrow I will take a day off to visit Wilpena natural park. My dad needs to walk a bite as he stays almost 8 hours per day in his seat. His ankles are swallow.

Concerning Port Augusta : It’s about 300 km north of Adelaide at the top of Spencer Gulf. Port Augusta proudly calls the “Crossroads of Australia”. The town earned this moniker when shipping booms in the 1880s made it a trading hub, a position reinforced when it became HQ for Sydney Perth Transcontinental Railway.

The old town centre has much more appeal with elegant old buildings and revitalised waterfront. Otherwise the Australian Arid Lands Botanic Garden is apparently great.

As I mentioned above, tomorrow will be my rest day. I will take some pictures of Wilpena and I hope I could show you soon.

Have a nice Weekend

Day 15 : Glendambo - Pimba - 113 km - 5h09 on the saddle

Sat, 5 Dec 2009 14:59:21 +0800

Hi Everybody,

Details and Analysis of my day 15 : http://connect.garmin.com/activity/20057754

Today the stage was quite small. I hoped that I will not have the wind against me for this time. I was wrong. For all my journey the wind (33 km/h) was against me again. Thankfully the temperature was quite cooled and even cold. I wore a sweeter as I felt cold when I left Glendambo. The temperature was 14 degrees to reach 31 at the end of my ride.

The landscape were still annoyed except the lake that I have crossed. Now I’m quite happy to reach tomorrow Port Augusta and to see back the civilization. The road was still not so nice. I was quite slow today due to the wind. It’s really frustrated to cycle in a such condition but anyway I have still my tenacity to go ahead.

I reached Pimba at 11h45 after 5h09 in my saddle. Once arrived my Dad wanted to take some petrol for the car. We are staying in Woomera just close to Pimba only at 8 km. Woomera set up shop in 1946 as the headquarters for experimental British rocket and nuclear tests. Now it remains an active Department of Defense test site.

It’s now for me to have a nap and also I have to prepare my ride for tomorrow for Port Augusta 174 km. Unfortunately I will have again some wind against me.

See u tomorrow...alive

Day 14 : Coober Pedy - Glendambo - 252 km - 10h20 on the saddle

Fri, 4 Dec 2009 14:36:29 +0800

Hi Everybody,

Today unfortunately I couldn’t provide you my GPS details as there was some recording problems. I forgot the night before to recharge it. The total trip was 252 km and I had done the distance in more than 10 hours. The total journey was 13 hours. I arrived completely dead especially after doing almost 500 km before in 2 days. Have a look in my album to see the pictures for this ride or click here.

I left Coober Pedy at 6h08 (new time) in the morning. Just before climbing in my saddle I have crossed a local guy. He supported me and told me that I should be careful as there will be nothing up to Glendambo. He added “It is the best way to the death”. I was suddenly a bite less confidence.

From the beginning I started against a strong wind (35 km/h). My speed was low as only 21 km/h. In my mind I hoped that the wind will be stopped after the sunrise. But I was wrong and for my bad luck I have to support this wind against me up to Glendambo almost. It was really horrible as the number of cars was low and additionally the quality of the road was disaster for my bike and me.

I was frustrated to advance so slow but it’s the rule of the nature. Concerning the nature, nothing really to say as there was absolutely nothing to see. It was like a nightmare, I felt totally alone with the sun who was trying to kill me and the wind against me...a very bad day for my legs.

I reached at 7.13 pm Glendambo and the first thing on my mind was to have a shower and eat some breads with nutella.

I hope tomorrow I will not have this wind but my day will be shorter as the distance between Glendambo and Pimba is only 113 km.

See you tomorrow

Day 13 : Marla - Coober Pedy - 228.5 km - 9h on the saddle

Thu, 3 Dec 2009 13:32:48 +0800

Hi Everybody,

Details and Analysis of my day 13 : http://connect.garmin.com/activity/20025880

I left from Marla at 5h19 in the morning a bite tired of my long ride yesterday. Anyway even if I was not feeling totally fresh I had the tenacity to reach Coober Pedy. The temperature was quite low around 17 degrees. It was a long journey to reach Coober Pedy as the distance was almost 230 km. The time spent on my saddle was 8h59 min. The total of my journey was 11h45 min.

The condition was not very nice as for nearly all my ride I had the wind (30 km/h) against me up to 2 pm. The landscape had changed and became more dry. No animal I could see and the traffic was still low as since 3 days.

Around 82 km South of Marla, I crossed Cadney Homestead. It was an old style outback ranch. It had the desert essentials, petrol, puncture repairs, cold beer for the road train drivers. Also a nice camels camp was there.

As you can see my pictures, the landscape had changed and became more and more dry and lunar.

After 7h40 min I have done a break close to a rest area at only 76 km from Coober Pedy. It was 3 pm. The temperature was around 32 degrees. While I ate my cereal bars, I had a surprised to meet John Vaughan Fowler. In fact he is riding as well from Darwin to Melbourne and was stopped close to us to introduce himself. He is from Oxford. He is doing this riding to celebrate his 50th birthday on the 19th of December. He left Darwin the 18th of November and he will plan to arrive in Melbourne for his birthday. His family should welcome him. His main reason is also to raise funds for the Roald Dahl Foundation, The Parkinson’s Disease Society and Parkinson Victoria.

It’s a very nice gentleman and I will plan to welcome him in Melbourne on the 19th of December. Anyway before, there is still a huge distance to do for both.

I reached Coober Pedy at 5:03 pm after almost 9h cycling. As the time zone had changed I lost 1h of rest. When I thought I arrived at 5 pm it was in fact 6 pm. I have to eat quickly to rest for tomorrow.

Coming into Coober Pedy the dry, barren desert suddenly becomes riddled with holes and adjunct piles of dirt. The reason for all this rabid digging is opals - the fire in the stone that’s made this small town a mining mecca. The surrounding desert is jaw droppingly desolate - a fact not overlooked by international film maker who’ve come here to shoot “end of the world” epics such as Mad Max 11, Red Planet,Ground Zero...Coober sweats with wide eyed opal fever.

The next destination will be Glendambo. I will do again 250 km

See you tomorrow hoping alive...

Day 12 : Erldunda - Marla - 252.5 km - 8h45 on the saddle

Wed, 2 Dec 2009 18:04:23 +0800

Hi Everybody,

Details and Analysis of my day 12 : http://connect.garmin.com/player/19942497

Today I woke up at 4h30 in the morning to start my stage at 5h19. It was my biggest ride since the beginning. I have to bicycle 252 km to reach Marla. The temperature is nice in the morning even if the sun rises quite early as usual. The sunrise started at 5h45. I had bicycled for almost 8h45 for nearly 11 hours total journey.

The quality of the road was good today compare to the other days. The weather was fine also as the highest temperature that we had noted was only 33 degrees. The traffic was still low. Anyway, we have changed as well the territory. We are now in the southern territory.

When I left I felt in a good shape even if yesterday was not a totally rest but the fact that I had not bicycled was a good thing for my legs I think. I didn’t have any problem today to bicycle this long stage. I had managed my effort and I was forced to drink and ate a lot, still my cereal bars.

I had seen some eagles, cows and also some kangaroos who tried to follow me. It was so funny as they jumped. Concerning the cows, each time they gazed at me as if it was the first time they had seen a cyclist on the Stuart Highway. Maybe I’m like a UFO for them.

Finally I reached Marla almost at 4 pm. I thought before leaving that I will reach around 5 pm

Now I have to rest. Tomorrow I will have a long day as well. To reach Coober Pedy I should ride 233 km.

Speak with you soon.

Day 11 : Day off - Ayers Rock and The Olgas

Tue, 1 Dec 2009 18:27:35 +0800

Hi Everybody,

Today was my day off. We took this time to visit Ayers Rock and The Olgas (KataTjuta) in Uluru city. We drove for 270 km to reach Ayers Rock. For most visitors in Australia a visit to Uluru is high on the list of must sees, and for many Australians this World Heritage-listed icon has attained the status of a pilgrimage.

The Rock itself is 3.6 km long by 2.4 km wide, stands 348m above the surrounding dunes and measures 9.4 km around the base. It is made up of a type of coarse grained sandstone known as arkose, which was formed from sediment from eroded granite mountains. The Olgas is a conglomerate of granite and basalt gravel glued together by mud and sand.

They were laid down over about 600 million years in a shallow sea in what geologists call the Amadeus Basin.

We spent 3 hours to visit the two icons walking around. My Dad was quite impressed. We couldn’t imagine before seeing some photos how huge the 2 rocks are. I was 4 years ago and I have the same impression. We can imagine that we are in an other planet. It’s difficult to understand how we find this 2 icons in middle of no where. Around Ayers Rock and The Olgas there are only desert and nothing else.

We enjoyed quite a lot but for me this trip was a bite tiring as we woke up at 5 am and came back at 4 pm. I had a nap to rest my body.

Tomorrow it will be a long day for me to reach Marla, our destination. Around 250 km I should ride. With the breaks it will take around 13 hours.

See you tomorrow

Day 10 : Alice Springs - Erldunda - 190 km - 6h43 on my saddle

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 18:40:40 +0800

Hi Everybody,

Details and Analysis of my day 10 : http://connect.garmin.com/activity/19846014

Today I left quite late it was 5h37. The sun was rising just when I started my day. The road from Alice Spring to Erldunda was nice. I have done 190 km in 6h43. The total journey was 8h40 and I arrived at 13h50.

The sun was not so hot today. The temperature was 32 degrees with 10% of humidity. The wind was against me when I’m heading the south. I was starting to feel the wind after 3 hours. I was quite fast today as we lost some elevations.

Yesterday was a quite long day and difficult for me. I have managed to get back some energies to be in a good condition today. The traffic was a bite more as a lot of tourists go usual to see Ayers Rock or Kings Canyon from Alice Springs. I didn’t cross a lot of Road trucks. When we had reached Erldunda I was quite happy to down my bike to rest. I feel nice but definitively I need some rest or maybe to have a nap.

I have already done 1700 km since I have started from Darwin. This week will be the hardest week for me. I will have 3 consecutively days with more than. 230 km for each stage. More than 700 km in 3 days.

Anyway tomorrow will be my first day off and we will plan to visit Ayers Rock and The Olgas. We will leave early as well in the morning as my dad should drive 240 km to reach this place.

Otherwise go to have a look on my daily albums to see our nice new neighbour for the night. Please click here to see.

See you tomorrow

Day 9 : Ti Tree - Alice Springs - 130 km - 5h38 on the saddle

Sun, 29 Nov 2009 19:59:53 +0800

Hi Everybody,

Details and Analysis of my day 9 : http://connect.garmin.com/activity/19762572

I have just arrived to Alice Springs. He is almost noon (12h) after fighting during 5h38 min against the wind. When I left this morning at 5h16, the first half an hour was great as the road was nice and no wind at all. After this, at around 6 am it became like a nightmare for all the day. I had bicycled against a strong wind and the road became very bad in term of quality. I was very slow as well because there were some elevations. At the final I have done 130 km in 5h38 min for 6h40 in total.

I took some break almost each 1 hour as the road was bad and I was doing some huge effort. Around 50 km before reaching Alice Spring I was stopped suddenly seeing this poor kangaroo on the side of the road. His leg was completely broken and he couldn’t move. My dad gave him some water as the temperature was already hot even if there were some winds. We could not do anything else unfortunately except to give some water. It was so cute. It’s was a sad moment of this day but as I was suffering as well I decided to finish nicely this stage for him.

Today the traffic was quite calm again even close to Alice Springs. Concerning Alice Spring, it is a new nice city. You can find anything you want. Around 26 000 people live here. Several things to do and to visit as the Kings Canyon, some natural parks as West MacDonnell national Park or Finke Gorge National Park and not far from here, Ayers Rock.

Tomorrow I will have a long day as I should ride for 200 km to rest Erldunda. It’s on Stuart Highway but also on the way to go to Uluru to see Ayers Rock, the big red rock in the middle of no where

See you tomorrow

Day 8 : Wycliffe - Ti Tree - 181 km - 7h on the saddle

Sat, 28 Nov 2009 17:12:31 +0800

Hi Everybody,

Details and Analysis of my day 8 : http://connect.garmin.com/activity/19762575

Today, I left at 5h29. A bite late I think. The first 3 hours were very difficult because I had a strong wind on my left side (60 km/h). I had to be careful as my bike is quite light. Several times the wind had pushed me on the middle of the road. The temperature was fine due to wind but after 9 am I had started to feel the sun on my skin. The temperature reached today 38 degrees. The quality of the road remained bad unfortunately.

Anyway, I have done 181 km in 7 hours. I arrived at 14h04 in Ti Tree for a total journal around 8h40. My first stop was after 2h10 in a rest area. My second stop was longer in Barrow Creek after 92 km done since the beginning. Barrow Creek is known by his original telegraph station built in 1872. When I arrived it was quite dead and scary as no one seems to be there.

I left Barrow Creek at 10h25 to bicycle more than 1 hours. I took a break at 11h49 after 5h12 already on my bike. I have done 131 km.

The temperature became more and more hot. I was hurried to finish and quite impatient to reach Ti Tree to rest for tomorrow. The traffic was dead today as I only crossed 5 road trains and some cars. Since I left Tennant Creek I feel that the road was quite calm. It happened that I bicycle for 1 hour without cars. Each minute I try to find some motivations and I think about my cause that I defend. I’m proud of the people who give everyday some helps. This kind of thoughts give me some energy to continue and to become stronger.

I’m impatient to talk with you tomorrow.

See you in Alice Springs...

Day 7 : Tennant Creek - Wycliffe - 130 km - 4h10 on the saddle

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 14:30:00 +0800

Hi Everybody,

Details and Analysis of my day 7 : http://connect.garmin.com/activity/19762457

Today was the smallest stage since the beginning. Only 130 km. I left at 5h28 and the temperature was 24 degrees. The sun should rise in 20 minutes. The quality of the road was not so good for my bike but anyway I must go ahead. I bicycled for 4h06 minutes and had done 130 km. The total journey was only 5 hours as we arrived at 11h15 in Wycliffe.
The stage was quite flat and I felt good that’s why I put the turbo. Nevertheless the bad news is about the temperature. At 7 am it was 28 degrees and at 9 am it was 34 degrees.

We took a break at 9h30 exactly after 100 km and 3 hours riding to see the Devils Marbles. Scattered far across a wide and shallow valley, these massive boulders of granite are an impressive site. The boulders are precariously balanced on top of one another in a seemingly impossible arrangement.
Surrounded by these enormous sacred boulders, you sense the peace and tranquility of the outback in the serene and special place...Over estimated 1640 million years a huge granite block criss-crossed with fault lines eroded into slabs roughly 3m to 7m square. The extreme desert temperature forced the expansion and contraction of the blocks and slabs flaked off, like the skin of an onion. Have a look in my Daily albums or click here.

After 45 min I restarted cycling to go to Wycliffe Well, our final destination. It was 10h18 and the temperature was almost 40 degrees...so early

The road was still flat but unfortunately for my butt was bad quality. My seat is quite hard and the road was not made for a kind of bicycle that I use. Anyway in my head, as I should ride for only 30 km and I tried to advance quick.

We arrived at 11h15 in Wycliffe Well...a strange place but quite fine. Why is it so strange ? Unearthly happenings abound at Wycliffe Well, 93 km north of Barrow Creek, where a spate of UFO sightings has been documented. Welcome to the UFO Centre of Australia.

See you maybe tomorrow, it will depend of UFO !!!

Day 6 : Renner Spring - Tennant Creek - 160 km - 6h14 on the saddle

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 15:17:30 +0800

Hi Everybody,

Details and Analysis of my day 6 : http://connect.garmin.com/activity/19617005

Today I managed to leave at 5h26 in the morning. I reached Tennant Creek at 13:06 after riding for nearly 6h15.

The sun was very very hot with a temperature at 39 degrees. Compare to Darwin the humidity felt to 10 % only. The road was pretty bad for my bicycle but especially for my butt. I start to feel some burn as the seat is quite hard. I need to put a pillow or maybe to have somebody who blows my back...I’m quite funny I know but definitively the sun gave me some humor sense.

Anyway when you are alone like me and ride for many hours you try to think about something or try to imagine some story. In my case, I try to imagine nothing and to think nothing. As it’s already hard for me why I should think something to give some work to my brain ? So I look the landscape and I try to go ahead to defend my cause, my reason.

Of course, I don’t forget my Dad as he drives at 23 km/h...it might be so excited for him !!! Try to beat the slowest speed and also keep an eye on me. A lot of courage...moreover he suffers inside himself watching me suffocating under the sun. But him, he has the time to imagine some stories and to think about everything about the life...maybe he is afraid and thinks I’m not a human...an UFO...apparently here in the middle of no where, some people believes about it.

Anyway, I’m real and today was difficult due to the weather and the road. We are staying in a nice park for caravan. There is a swimming pool but we prefer to avoid. After a nice fresh shower we ate our lunch...couscous with chicken curry..it was so heavy as the quantity was too much.

I forgot, we have an invasion of ants. They wants to eat all our foods...so bad. After the sun, all the spirits try to put more difficulties in my challenge...but I’m a fighter and I prove it...

See you tomorrow

Day 5 : Dunmarra - Renner Springs - 193 km - 7h42 on the saddle

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:49:22 +0800

Hi Everybody,

Details and Analysis of my day 5 : http://connect.garmin.com/activity/19615601

Today was my biggest day since the beginning of my challenge. I have done 193 km after cycling during 7h41. The journey lapsed 11 hours. I started at 5h38 in the morning and I arrived at 16:25. The first 2 hours were quite fine as the temperature was under 26 degrees. But from 9 am I felt the warm of the sun through the concrete in the road. From 11 am the temperature was 33 degrees to reach 38 degrees at 1 pm.

My first stop was after 1h30 of cycling to take some energy and rest a bite. Only 10 minutes to recharge my batteries. The second stop was in Elliot at 10:15 after doing since Dunmarra 101 km. It’s a small village with 500 people only. We stopped more than 1 hour and a half to put some gas, to buy some breads but also to update my website. It’s hard to find some network here so it was a good time to do it.

I restarted at 12 under a boiled sun. As I told you yesterday I think and now I’m sure that the sun wants to do a fight against me. Anyway, it was fine for me. As I have the wind against me, I have some fresh air but I suffered also trying to go ahead. Of course I put a lot of sunblock as some Nutella on a bread. On my mind, I was thinking about my gift...a nice bread with Nutella...maybe two in fact.

The road was quite fine although I have some elevations and still the wind against me. I’m afraid that I will have the stupid wind against me up to Adelaide at least...so wonderful...I think as my challenge seemed to be too easy all the spirits have thought to put some wind for me should be more fun...Thank you my friends.

Anyway the landscapes have started to change. We can see less trees and less green areas. More I’m closer to Alice Spring less I will find some life...but I’m here to save some...so as I’m a fighter I will say to you....

See you tomorrow

Day 4 : Larrimah - Dunmarra - 138 km - 5h58 on the saddle

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:36:36 +0800

Hi Everybody,

Details and Analysis of my day 4 : http://connect.garmin.com/activity/19567397

Arg...still no network here in Dunmarra to update the website.

Today, the weather was better and more fresh in the morning. I manage to leave at 5h38 in the morning. The temperature was 24 degrees during 3 hours as there were some clouds. After 9 am the temperature started to increase up to 32 degrees. I think moreover that there was less humidity. Nevertheless during all my ride the wind was against me. That’s why my average speed was around 23 km/h. I bicycled for 6 hours to reach Dunmarra. The total journey was 7 hours. Today I took only 1 hour break due to the nice weather although I had the wind against me.

My first stop was at 8h46 after cycling for more than 3h. I had done 73 km. The elevation was 207 m compare to 154m in Larrimah. I felt a bite pain on my right knee but nothing serious.

The second stop was in Daly Waters at 9h53 after cycling 88 km. The elevation was 218m. Still the wind against me. I had suffered as additionally there were some hills to climb. Thankfully the temperature was not so suffocated as the 3 last days. I had a short time to try to call Prakriti with success but unfortunately it was not so long.

About Daly Waters, it is undoubtedly the most popular stop along the Stuart Hwy between Tennant Creek and Mataranka, mainly due to a little outback pub that’s made a big name for itself. In the early 1930s the Air-flight company Qantas used Daily Waters as a refuelling stop on the Singapore leg of its Sydney-London run. The airstrip became one of the major stops in northern Australia.

The last stop was at 11h15 after cycling for 4h49 and 111 km. I have needed to eat an apple and a cereal bar to bring with me some energy in order to finish the day to reach Dunmarra.

We arrived in Dunmarra at 12:39 for the lunch :-). For the starter we ate some bread with olives tapenade and our main course was indian rice curry with some pieces of chicken. After having lunch, I took a nice long shower before having a nap as well as my dad.

Tomorrow it will be a long journey. 195 km to reach Renner Springs. Just before at 104 km from Dunmarra we will stop in Elliot to rest a bite and buy some additionally foods.

Speak to you soon

Day 3 : Katherine - Larrimah - 178 km - 6h06 on the saddle

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:29:56 +0800

Hi Everybody,

Details and Analysis of my day 3 : http://connect.garmin.com/activity/19567206

After a nice but short night, I woke up at 4h40 to be ready on time. I started my ride at 5h50 when the first lights appeared. The temperature was quite pleasant but still a lot of humidity. At 5h50, the temperature was 26 degrees with 67% of humidity. The sky today was still completely blue as usual in fact.

Today was my biggest day since I have started. The road was quite fine even if there were still a lot of enormous trucks. Have a look in my daily albums or click here.

I had a break after 1h15 at 46 km from Katherine to drink and to eat some energetic foods. The temperature was still fine, around 28-30 degrees. I have tried to ride the maximum that I could before 10-11 am. We had a second break in Mataranka (Capital of Never Never) after cycling 58 km from my first stop. Total done up to here (Mataranka) 104 km.

We took some diesel petrol as there aren’t any gas stations before 200 km. We also took this opportunity to buy more waters, some tomato soups and some Nutella. I have found a small box in the middle of no where. Hey Hey !!!

From Mataranka, still 74 km to bicycle to reach our destination. It was almost 11 am and the sun had started to burn (36 degrees). I had done two stopped to rest and to drink a lot of salted water.

The last 30 km was quite hard. A lot of small hills + the wind against me and at last the sun. I think definitively the sun wants to kill me but I’m a fighter.

At the final, after almost 6 hours ride and a total of 8h50 minutes (2h40 of rest in total) I have done 178 km. We reached Larrimah at 14:40 local time.

I’m feel fine now after having my lunch. Nevertheless there is not network here. Anyway, it’s the time to rest for me and my dad.

We are staying in a strange camp. The name of this camp is Larrimah Hotel but know as Pink Panther Pub. Have a look in my album. This quirky outback pub offers a rustic bar experience and a menagerie of donkeys, birds and crocs next door. The owner are a mine of local information.
The army established Larrimah as a staging camp during the war II. It became one of the largest in the Pacific and was the base of 6500 military personnel. After the war, the population fell to less than 30.

Tomorrow I will try to leave 20 minutes earlier. I should reach my destination Dunmarra after 140 km.

I need your support

See u soon hoping I will have some network tomorrow.

Day 2 : Hayes Creek - Katherine - 140km - 4h49 on my saddle

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 15:58:20 +0800

Hi Everybody,

Details and Analysis of my stage 2 : http://connect.garmin.com/activity/19369210

4h50 was my wake up. I left at 5h53 exactly in the middle of nowhere and in the middle of the flees. I was fine and felt fresh even if I slept only 7 hours.

The beginning was quite hard because a lot of small hills. I stopped in Pine Creek after 50 km from Hayes Creeks. I bicycled almost for 2h and it’s difficult to find some shade. The temperature was around 30 degrees and still a lot of flees once I have stopped to rest for few minutes. I drunk already 2.5 liters and took 2 cereal bars.

Pine Creek was the scene of a frantic gold rush and although the open cut mine here ceased in 1995. Today there’s a new influx of mine workers from the recently opened gold and iron mines. The tows itself is 1 km which gives it like a sleepy atmosphere.

In the morning, a lot of big trucks (road train - 40 meters) along the road. Some of cars when they had overtaken, had done a sign to support my reason. I had planned to rest 5-10 minutes for each 1 hour ride meanings after 30 km done in order to drink and to eat. I burnt nearly 6000 calories.

Close to the arrival in Katherine city (around 6000 people), we have seen some dead kangaroos maybe crashed by cars and trucks.

Katherine is the Territory’s largest settlement, a transcontinental crossroads and a good place to browse Indigenous art and stock up for the trip. More importantly, it’s the gateway to Nitmiluk National Park where you can canoe or boat through sublime sandstone gorges or bush-walk to rock art sites.

We arrived to the Camping Car park (Lower bridge park) at 12h17 after 4h43 of ride and 6h20 of the journey. I drunk 8 liters and several cereal bars.

The camping park seems to be very nice, a lot of birds, trees and a great swimming pool. I feel a bite tired. We just ate some couscous with curry.

See you soon

Day 1 - Darwin - Hayes Creek - 170km - 6h in the saddle

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:39:21 +0800

Hi Everybody,

Details and Analysis of my stage 1 : http://connect.garmin.com/activity/19301729

Ouf !!! I have just finished the first stage after 6 hours of ride and a total of 9 hours for the journey. I took 3 hours to rest and especially to drink a lot. At the beginning when I left the temperature was quite fine although it was 27 C. The sun was not very strong at this time but from 8 am I have started feeling the warm temperature through the road. Absolutely no shade for my entirely ride. At 11 am the temperature was 38 C degrees.

After 110 km we stopped for a bite in Adelaide River. It’s another small Stuart Hwy stop with a big history. It’s an important rest camp and supply depot during the war II. The Adelaide River War Cemetery is the largest war cemetery in the country. The rows of simple headstones honour those killed in the japanese air raids during the War II.

After this stop I have bicycled up to Hayes Creek. We arrived at 3:40 in the afternoon. Our first time in a camping car. What a great experience.

At the final, I drunk 10 liters of water, ate 4 cereal bars, 3 apples and 2 energetic gels.

You can follow and see all details and analysis of my stage if you click in that link : http://connect.garmin.com/activity/19301729

Now It’s 10 pm and it’s the time to go to bed for me. Tomorrow I put the alarm at 4h50 and I hope to leave at 5h45 am just during the sunrise.

Good night and speak you soon

Day - 1 less than 7 hours

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:10:58 +0800

Now I’m very close to the first stage of my challenge. After many hours of preparations and many hours of meditation I feel ready to start and to support IRCAD, Children Cancer Foundation’s and WaterAid.

This morning we had picked up our Camping Car at 10 am. The rental guy explained to us all the functionalities of the Van. As it’s our first time the explanation took almost 1h...what a such adventure !!! Anyway I feel your huge support so everything should be great.

We went to a supermarket (Woolworth) to buy our water (60 liters to start), some pastas, some sauce, Cereals and milk. Don’t worry we didn’t forget the sunblock. Unfortunately and unbelievable they sold only 30+

After finishing our shopping, we enjoyed a very delicious fruit juice. I took Tropical Strom (Mango, Coconut milk, banana, Orange...etc). My father took Mango Magic. To know the recipe go to my daily albums (Darwin - my road bike - van)

We went to walk a bite along the streets for around 30 minutes. I was rested in the swimming pool before setting up my bike.

It was my first time that I set up all my bike from nothing. Have a look on my on my daily albums (Darwin - my road bike - van) to see the different stages.

We just came back now from our diner. I ate Pasta Carbonara but definitively forget about italian food in Darwin unfortunately. Here the speciality is more chicken with barbecue sauce or Beef with peppercorn.

Tomorrow I will get up at 5:00am and plan to start at 5:40 just before the sunrise. All my journey will be follow thank to my GPS bike. Once I will arrive you can see all my performance through a link.

To resume, I will leave from Darwin at 5:45 am to Hayes Creek. The distance between the two cities is 180kms. I will expect to arrive at 11-12am.

Good night and may the force be with me

Day -2 : Darwin - The discovery of the City

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:28:02 +0800

Hi Everybody,

We (my Dad and I) were just arrived in Darwin after 4 hours flight from Singapore. We landed at 3:00 am in the morning. After clearing the immigration with success we were quite lucky on the arrival because once we went through the custom and the security check we found easily a perfect taxi Van for all our baggages especially for my cycling bag (29 kgs, height 1m, length 1,20m).

After sleeping almost 5 hours, we decided to walk through the streets of Darwin to discover the city.

Darwin sits at the end of the peninsula poking into the turquoise waters of Port Darwin. The main shopping, accommodation, wining and dining area is a compact grid along the parallel Mitchell, Smith and Cavenagh Streets. Darwin’s cosmopolitan mix - over 50 nationalities are seamlessly represented here and is typified by the wonderful Asian markets.

Near to the downtown and parallel with Esplanade street, we wente for a walk along the coast in Bicentennial Park. We were almost alone this morning to admire the nature and different kind of birds. The temperature at 11 am was around 35 C with 70% of humidity.

After 1h30, we went to a phone shop to buy a pre-paid phone card and a pre-paid Wireless Broadband to keep connect with you.

This afternoon we have enjoyed the pool of the hotel and enjoyed a late walk under a cloudy weather. We went to Wharf Precinct, the billion dollar Darwin city waterfront. Some hotels, boutique restaurants and a wave pool are there. All are new as the inauguration was only a few months back. It’s well worth for a short but nice promenade.

This evening we went to Alaturka, a great Turkish restaurant. I was surprised to see so many people since this morning the streets seemed to be empty.

Now it’s time to sleep to be in a good shape for tomorrow.

A busy day will wait us as we will pick up our Camping Car at 10 am. After this, we will plan to go to Woolworths supermaket to buy the needs (water, food...) and I hope some games as I forgot cards, scrabble...in Singapore.

At last I will set up my bike for saturday. It will take at least 1 hour. I will post tomorrow some pictures of the Camping Car and some of Darwin.

At the moment I feel good despite the fact that the temperature is quite high.

Good night !!!

A new article in the Weekly Link of FCCS (French Chamber of Commerce in Singapore)

Mon, 9 Nov 2009 18:40:33 +0800

New Challenge to save some lives...

One of our members, Gregory Lafitte, is taking up a sports challenge to promote and raise funds for 3 associations/foundations (IRCAD, Children Cancer Foundation’s, WaterAid).
From 21 November to 18 December 2009, Gregory will accomplish a solo bicycle tour across the Australian continent from Darwin to Melbourne covering a distance of almost 4000 km in less than 28 days.
Follow Gregory and support him on: www.cyclingforareason.com

First Article about Cycling For a Reason in a French Newspaper (DNA)

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 22:38:09 +0800

My First Article in the French Newspaper in Strasbourg, France. For the non-french people, the article says about my challenge in Australia and explains the reason of my fight.

Creation of Cyclingforareason.com

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 09:50:19 +0800

After many hours looking for a name for the website, we have decided to name Cyclingforareason.com.
I believe everyone can give something of his/her own for the welfare of others. However small my contribution might be, I would like through cycling, to help causes that so many volunteers fight for all around the world. I thing this name reflects nicely my challenge and my spirit.

Cycling For a Reason Project

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 09:37:34 +0800

The source of my inspiration began in 2006 when I successfully completed “Le Marathon des Sables” across the Sahara Desert covering almost 240km supporting IRCAD association (Research Institute for Cancer of Digestive System) located in Strasbourg, France. After completing one of the hardest running races in the world, I wanted to find another challenge to carry on promoting some charitable associations.