June 24, 2021
Day 133: Noonamah to Darwin
Start: 7:10am
Distance: 52kms
Ride time: 2:55hrs
Average: 18km/hr
Max: 47km/hr
Finish: 11:35am
Temp: 23-30C
I cycled for about 20kms and went to a hardware store to buy more cables ties and duct tape. Somewhere between Cairns and here I had lost my tape. I wasn't going back to find it.
Soon after I heard an unwelcome noise on every rotation of the rear wheel.
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The tyre went flat instantly. I can't complain. It's my first flat of the trip.
I replaced it with some difficulty. My flag prohibits me from turning my bike upside-down which is the simple way to fix it.
Instead I had to do it with the bike lying on its side, resting on the panniers. I was in a shady spot so I took my time.
I kept riding and without realising it I took an exit from the Stuart Hwy and on to the Tiger Brennan Dr.
Shortly after I passed two signs stating bicycles were prohibited from being on the road. There was no feasible alternative so I disobeyed the signs and kept riding.
After 1km, bikes were allowed to be on the road again. Silly signs.
I was riding with a big smile and I'm sure I looked a little mad.
I followed this into the city. My first stop was to a phone repair shop. The staff member didn't have the required knowledge of my phone and suggested I return shortly when the owner would be able to help me.
I was a little anxious that maybe they wouldn't be able to fix my phone.
I went to a cafe and enjoyed a fruit salad and a coffee.
When I returned to the shop the owner was confident he could fix my phone by replacing the charging port (it was first replaced in Cairns) and replacing a camera lens.
He didn't have the parts in stock and said they will arrive tomorrow. I'll await their call tomorrow.
There was a food produce stall nearby and I bought some fresh diced pineapple. I ate this and then got a milkshake from another cafe. I was satiated.
I rode along an esplanade.
In the park were many decorated tiles.
I don't know how to summarise the impact he had on Australia so please read his wiki page.
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The then Prime Minister of Australia pours soil into the hand of Vincent Lingiari.
It was a good day for Australia.
I collected the replacement tyres Serena had mailed to the Darwin post office.
Unfortunately my food supply she mailed at the same time hasn't arrived yet nor the water bladders and pillow. Hopefully they will turn up soon.
I checked in to our hotel which is 1km from the city centre.
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The tyres have done about 10,000kms. They could probably do another 1,000kms, even so I'm happy to replace them now I have the opportunity.
Schwalbe tyres are known for being hard to install because they are so tight. I've broken plastic tyre levers doing this job so now I have a pair of steel tyre levers.
It makes it much easier although one needs to be careful not to pinch the tube as this will cause a hole.
And that's exactly what I did wrong on my front wheel this time. At least now I have new tubes in both tyres.
It was great to have a shower and use a normal fluffy towel instead of my grimey camp towel.
I went to a big supermarket and bought some more fruit, a salad and some smoked salmon for dinner.
It will be a luxury to sleep in a real bed with an ensuite, air con, a fridge, and even my own washer and dryer.
No drunken campers or road trains to wake me during the night. No midges, sand flies or mozzies to feast on my body.
The internet works on my phone and there are plenty of power points to charge my devices.
This is my heaven for the next few days and Serena will join me on Friday night.
Today's ride: 52 km (32 miles)
Total: 6,564 km (4,076 miles)
| Rate this entry's writing | Heart | 8 |
| Comment on this entry | Comment | 10 |
3 years ago
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I did think of you when I got the flat but you didn't jinx me. Many people also ask how many flats I've had and how many tyres I've gone through.
The air con is great!
3 years ago
xox
3 years ago