Day 490 | Just north of Copley: found a great spot

107 km | zzOz total: 15,898 km

Making progress?

Yes, sirree.

I could have even done another 20 odd ks into Leigh Creek, the wind was vigorous and of enormous assistance as I sped across the asphalt but I was apprehended by the local constabulary and issued a blue Expiation Notice for “failure to wear a bicycle helmet” and although being in South Australia where people are renown as either serial killers, or polite and civil, I was lucky enough in that this particular bloke in blue was in the latter category and in the Total Amount Due column of the form was written, CAUTION ONLY, in an almost illegible primary school scrawl.

Despite that ultimate joy in our encounter, he was mostly interested in my travels, the helmet was an issue but just one of compliance with the law, acknowledging out here not so much of safety, it kind of knocked the wind from my sails and when I spotted a terrific campsite adjacent to an abandoned stone cottage, roof and floorless, just the stonework upstanding, I ceased the whirring of pedals for the day and even finished a little early satisfied that I’ve had my fastest day since I left Alice Springs and probably Perth, the wind and road surface, a good proportion in smooth clay graded yesterday and this morning, the grader waving as I sped on by.

Tomorrow I reacquaint myself with all that has happened unbeknownst to me for the previous 11 days since I left that last communication point for the internet back in Birdsville.

And hopefully Pete’s Brooks saddle will be awaiting, just as my posterior has finally and painfully moulded itself to my Mt Isa replacement seat.