Cycle day 86 - Kimba to Iron Knob - Far too much luggage

August 17, 2024

Cycle day 86 - Kimba to Iron Knob

Cycle day 86 - Kimba to Iron Knob = 92km. 6948km cycle toured so far on this trip.

Woke this morning to a few brief showers and the wind was still blowing from the west. We packed up and a few of the other caravaners came over to chat to us so we didn't get away until around 8am. There must have been over 50 lots of vans etc there last night. This is a very popular place for them to stop at.

We went back to the highway and we came across the other tourist sites to see - the Big Galah and the sign claiming this to be halfway across Australia (from east point to west point)

apparently as the crow flies this is the center of Australia (west to east)

The wind has swung a bit to a south westerly but still behind us. It isn't as strong as yesterday and we find that it is pushing us along. The road for the next 70km was up and down but the hills were longer and flatter and less steep so we were helped by the wind. The only steeper part was at the top but that was still ok to cycle. It was great riding and the down hills were really good with a tailwind that actually pushed you so it was easy cylcing today.

We laughed as after I took this photo we saw the road curve to the left and we didn't end up riding up that hill in the distance and as we got closer to it we see that it is a dirt road. Our hill was around the corner! Funny thing is that you can see them in the distance and as you go down the one you just climbed and as it gets closer the hill is not so bad!

Traffic was a little heavier today, possibly people going to Port Augusta. But we had no problems and resorted to the shoulder when we had to. The last 30km to Iron Knob alot of it was down hill for us, well it felt like a down hill but when you look back you can't see any down hill so I suspect it was the tailwind pushing us more than going down a hill.

For the last 10km you ride along the Iron mine which to our surprise is still active.

coming into Iron Knob we can see the mine is still active

The town is just on the other side of this slag heap

You can see the rehabilitated land and where they are mining now. We are not sure if they transport by truck but we think there is a train line on the other side and they iron ore is taken to Whyalla that way.

The community area set aside for travellers is pretty rugged but when you look at the town which is really rugged you think it is quite modern. Aside from the new toilets/showers in the travel area I think the next newest building was made 60 years ago!

The town has a community area set aside for travellers

pitched the tent on the gravel as there were heaps of ants nests in the designated tent area.

Tomorrow we will make Port Augusta, but we are almost sure our tailwind is being replaced with easterly winds particularly from the north so it will be a headwind. However not overtly strong and possibly we will have fog first thing.

Looking forward to shopping at a Woolworths!

Today's ride: 92 km (57 miles)
Total: 6,948 km (4,315 miles)

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