After cycling 3,300km and a particularly windy day yesterday that snapped and blew off my safety flag and mirror somewhere near Gawler, I fell off my bike crossing a train track coming into Adelaide. Don’t worry. I’m OK, I just grazed and bruised my leg. But it was a surprise. I was trying to go through one of those zig-zag things to guide and slow down pedestrians when they’re cross the train tracks. The sign said “cyclists dismount”. I should have. Lesson learned!
Anyway, that’s a good prompter for me to share some dos and don’t for long-distance cycling across Australia. I know some of you have been asking me to do that. So here we go.
Look like a tennis ball. Wear and use as much High Vis as possible. Other road users will see you earlier and have time to take your safety into account. You’re family will also feel more reassured.
Use strong flashing lights front and rear, and an orange flag on a pole like the ones mining 4WDs use. Same reasoning as above.
Buy a radar and rear view mirror. These two gadgets have definitely saved me on multiple occasions from serious injury, if not worse. The radar warns me what’s coming from behind, including on the speed of approaching vehicles.
Check the weather again and again. Plan your ride to go with the wind behind your back and to avoid the rain. Be obsessive about the the weather. The Bureau of Meterology’s “Detailed Forecasts” are the best. Check and double check the wind.
Trucks are not as bad as everyone says. Truckies are generally experienced and qualified drivers. They’re friendly and adapt their driving for cyclists. Grey nomads are less predictable. While many slow down and give me a a friendly toot, a few of them don’t seem to be aware that their caravan can be a metre wider than their vehicle. So stay on guard when you see or hear a caravan coming, they could inadvertently clean you up.
Farmers and graziers are always friendly. They slow down and give you lots of room. Give them a friendly and grateful wave.
Be careful taking your bike too far off the side of the road because the bindis in the outback are on steroids. They’re huge and sharp. You don’t more flat tyres.
Enjoy the stars. Night and pre-dawn driving isn’t as dangerous as you might think. There are no Grey Nomads on the road. They only come out after about 930am. There are virtually no cars. Just make sure your lights are good.
Take backroads when you can. They’re quieter, safer and provide an opportunity to connect to country.
Drink lots of water and have sunscreen and lip balm on hand. My lips are constantly cracked despite going through half a tube of pawpaw ointment.
Be aware that you’re going to have to eat a lot more than you usually do. You’ll probably get sick of eating. I do! Hot chips are good. So is iced coffee and chocolate milk. Anything with carbs. A supply of Snickers or muesli bars is essential. A few emergency Red Bulls are also advisable - especially when you’ve already cycled 180km, feel tired and have another 30km to go.
Be prepared for a sore bum and wrists. Ibuprofen gel and tablets are handy for both. You can also wear two pairs of bike pants to double up on the padding. I also wear those wrist support things that you can buy at the chemist. Pool noodles are a nice addition to the handlebars. They soften and change up the grip.
Take a first aid kit. You’ll need it.
If you’re on an Aldi or Optus mobile phone plan, get a Telstra SIM!
Talk to the birds and animals. And keep a sharp eye on the magpies! They’re in WA are worse than those in Canberra for dive bombing.
PS: When I got to Adelaide I stayed with my Aunty Cathy and Uncle John. Uncle John fixed up my grazed leg with disinfectant and Aunty Cathy poured me a Radox bath and cooked me a massive bowl of pasta. Today I’m going to kartcher my bike and rest up a bit more before hitting the road again tomorrow for the homeward stretch.
Only 1,500km to go. I got this.
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