It was a quiet Sunday morning as I rolled out of Horsley Downs, feeling good.  It had been a great B&B, would be perfect if you want to get away from everything for a few days.  

The only town on the route today was Hawarden (population 240). It was silent as I rode through, no signs of life.  Five kilometres further down the road I turned right into Pyramid Valley Road. Still no cars or people. 

By the time I got to the start of the gravel road I had only seen one car, and that didn’t change for a further two hours. 

Heart

4

Comment

0

Link

Log in to comment or reply

The hills started coming, and I had a lot of time wandering up and down on the gravel by myself, except for the livestock. 

Heart

5

Comment

1

Link

Karen PoretIt “makes the picture”..:)
Reply to this comment
3 weeks ago

Log in to comment or reply

In fact I saw a lot more animals than people. A group of lambs ran across the road in front of me just before the Waipara River bridge and that seemed like as good a time as any to stop for a rest. 

Heart

1

Comment

0

Link

Log in to comment or reply

So I’m sitting on the grass eating some biscuits and drinking water, thinking you really need to be comfortable with your own company to do this stuff. Nobody around to talk to except the cows, probably would send an extrovert bananas. You really have to be able to think about things all day and not be bothered by the isolation around you.
So what (I hear you ask) do I think about?  Well there’s lots of things. For example,

•  the road ahead (did I get over that hill already?); 
• the weather forecast; 
• the ride tomorrow (including both the hills and the weather);
• Is the old dog losing any weight?

One thing that came to mind was all the young guys I saw in the Hanmer hot pools with moustaches. Not that I’m being critical mind, but it was kind of 1980s-Magnum PI-esque.  Are 1980’s fashions coming back?  

I look down at my feet. 

Heart

2

Comment

3

Link

Rich FrasierCycle touring fashion statement!
Reply to this comment
3 weeks ago

Bill ShaneyfeltMy style.
I occasionally hear about it from "fashion police" but care nothing for their foolish thoughts.
Reply to this comment
3 weeks ago

Karen PoretTo Bill ShaneyfeltComfort is key..:)
Reply to this comment
3 weeks ago

Log in to comment or reply

Maybe what I thought was geeky is actually the leading edge of a new fashion trend?  

I get back on the bike and ride up the next gravel hill, thinking I really have to interact with another human being by the end of today. 

Eventually the gravel relents and is replaced with rolling tarseal. Signs of civilisation start to appear as I get closer to Amberley and I even see two other cyclists. Rolling into the motel I feel good to be surrounded by other people for a change.