Forty Kilometers of Bitumen-Expedition Dust day 8
I slept with no fly on the tent last night so I could see the stars. It was beautiful and such a luxury to be warm and dry with the best view I could ask for.
The fly's were out with a vengeance from the moment the sun started to heat the land. I had my breakfast and got on the road quite early. It was a pleasant change pushing my bike out of the Bush where I was camping and onto a tar sealed road. The bike isn’t too fast on the road but it’s definitely faster than the sand tracks. The road rolled slowly down back towards shark bay road. Reaching the end of the Useless Loop road was another huge milestone for me. I can already tell that because the roads are so long every time I reach the end of one I’m going to feel like I have smashed another task.
I made sure to get a photo of myself under the steep point road sign before following the road east. I have been keeping my mate Dylan in the loop of where I have been as he drives a tour bus. Along the road two friendly women in a car pulled over and handed me a banana, these small gestures of kindness truly make my day!
From the end of Useless Loop I span for about an hour before reaching the Hamlin pools turnoff. I pulled of the side of the road to decide if I should add an extra 5 km each way and take a look. Moments later a orange bus full of travelers being driven by my mate Dylan turned up! Dylan made me lunch while I talked to some of the people on the bus! A wrap with chilli con carne with Hummus and fresh lettuce, Dylans an absolute legend. Fresh food becomes the biggest treat on expeditions and I had been very lucky so far, i'm pretty sure the middle of the desert wont be the same however.
I said my goodbyes and kept peddling, I didn’t have far to go until I hit the main highway. I was so excited. I put my headphones in and jammed out in my own little world until I spotted the windmill at the shark bay turnoff. My stopping point for the day was at the Overlander Roadhouse. As I peddled in I spotted Loren standing there with a cold juice stretched out towards me. It was nice to see a familiar face. I told her all about the last three days before I headed inside to book a room for the night so I could have a shower. The shower was bliss but I have started to get a saddle sore from sitting down for too long, when the water went on that it definitely stung a bit.
Dinner at the roadhouse was a treat I had three lamb chops and some chips, that I then followed with a burger. Life’s pretty good from where I’m standing!
I'm sore and tired, the last 8 days have been incredible but also very challenging. My knees hurt as they are adjusting to being used constantly. I think I might spend the day here tomorrow then head off into the next leg of the adventure.
