Ute Capital of the World

March 28, 2025

Finley to Deniliquin

I don’t often average 23km/hr when cycle touring, but I did today.

We departed Finley in the dark at ridiculously early o’clock and arrived in Deniliquin 60km later at about 9.30 am. 9.30 am! Finished.

So we are done and dusted for the first sector of the tour. We’ll have two nights here in Deni, and head off Sunday in the general direction of Hobart. Ferry tickets are booked from Geelong to Devonport on the Friday evening sailing so we need to be in Geelong in six days of riding.

Tomorrow afternoon is the launch event for the Bruce Simpson Rural Scholarship Fund. This will include me making a speech to a gathering of about 100 people. That will be a first for me in 45 years of cycle touring. I even bought a decent looking shirt from a Deniliquin clothes shop for the occasion. I don’t think a HiViz cycling jersey would be appropriate attire.

On arriving in Deniliquin we met, and had coffee with, dedicated senior adventure-cyclist Grant McKern from Griffith NSW. Grant and his wife Joana have shared many cycle travel adventures. Grant is one of those wonderful people who you feel comfortable talking with for hours. A very inspiring person.

Looking back toward Finley about 40 minutes after we departed.

Then the sun came up. We were about 1/3 the way to Deni.

No town but there’s a town name sign at about half way to Deni

Joel sprints into Deniliquin. Our 6th day of touring was a fast, short day.

The Edward River. Impressive width for an Australian inland river.

What Deniliquin is famous for. Utes. More specifically bringing thousands of them here for a ute festival. See the follow pic for details.

Within a few minutes of arriving, we met this instantly likeable fellow from Griffith NSW. Grant McKern. Retired builder. Has been a dedicated cyclist for many decades.

Grant’s bike. A 1970s Australian hand built classic

Today's ride: 61 km (38 miles)
Total: 525 km (326 miles)

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