Day 50 - Cattle grid challenge

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Lake Burrendong - Wellington - Goolma  83km

I just asked Louise "what shall I write about in today's post?" To which she answered "just write it rained all day." It is tempting to leave it at that. 

It rained all day.

When we arrive in the town of Wellington, 28km into today's ride, we think it might be time to pull out the rain coat. This was more to keep warm during the needed visit to the supermarket. It's always freezing in these things, as soon as you reach for the bananas. We balance our stocked up food supplies to the bikes and play a public round of "how are we are going to fit everything into our bags?" which always creates a bit of attention. A few passers-by stop for a friendly chat, a few questions and some well wishes. I liked the guy with the Kiwi accent, half of the front row of his teeth missing, with the stature of an All Blacks player, but showing a genuine interest of what we are doing. When he said "ride safely" it felt kind of cute.

Not so cute was the weather. But given it is quite warm and the quick check on the BOM does not broadcast anything suggesting continuous rain, we decide to push on. Maybe the very funny text message from Coolangatta by dear friend, who spent a couple of days standing at the beach, in torrential rain, to watch her friend's daughter play in the National beach volleyball competition, should have been a warning. We are heading east, into the weather. 

It's not a good when lunch is skipped. There is no rain protected spot to be found. And when we eventually do stop, along Twelve Mile Road, to have a quick snack, we worry the scotch finger biscuits will dissolve in our soggy hands before we get to eat them. It's still 30km from here to Goolma and knowing that there is no official campground...

The fact that we didn't take a single photo while riding today says a lot. Which is a shame because the backroads are beautiful. With the rain comes the dirt, the grit and the cow poo. The final 19km are on a dirt road, trespassing numerous cow paddocks, with the occasional cow on the track who was not happy to see us, and the treacherous cattle grids, which in conditions like today, are an accident waiting to happen. So we hop off the bike, tip toe carefully across the grid while pushing the bike, hop back on the bike and repeat. It's a country version of cycle cross, the cows must be laughing. Although I think the only laughing cow today is the one in our food bag, smiling on the cream cheese packaging. 

Fortunately the solution to the absent campground is quickly found. As we ride into the tiny town of Goolma, we spot the tennis courts and a rather spacious club house with a lean-to at the back. Just wide enough to fit the tent and hang the washing. 

Game, set and camp.





Location: Goolma NSW 2852, Australia

Comments

  1. FrancieMarch 30, 2022 at 7:42 AM

    Thats a clever choice to set up. Hope tomorrow brings less rain. You will be keeping inland hopefully as poor Lismore about to be flooded again.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Kerstin KothradeMarch 30, 2022 at 5:04 PM

    Lucky for our little tent, just enough cover! Slept well, and dry!

    ReplyDelete
  3. BrendaApril 3, 2022 at 6:19 AM

    Good old country tennis club hey, come to the rescue. I am sure the members would have been interested to hear of your travels and Kerstin's tennis prowess. Someone was smiling down on you.

    ReplyDelete

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