Marla and Alice Springs

I miscalculated the amount of km's I had to do in the day and I slept in and took my time packing up camp. I did not leave until after 10am and had +600km's to do. Ouch. It was a hard slog on the bike. I made Coober Pedy after 2pm and still had 235 km's to go. I was knacked and had enough. Mentally drained and physically wrecked. My bum and right arm and hand were sore. But I made the itinerary and knew getting to Tenant Creek involved long days.

So after a rest at Coober Pedy and a phone call to Marla asking did they have cheap cabins available, I was on my way. During this stint I overtook a gentleman riding a Triumph Thruxton. 80km's prior to Marla is a roadhouse called Cadney Homestead. All I wanted was a ale and a 15 min break and I was soon met by Pat, the gent on the Triumph. I'd say mid 50's, semi retired (his business allows him to get away for 1-3 months over winter). He is from Alexandra in country Vic and every year takes either an Aus or OS bike trip. This time it is a quick 1 month short lap of Aus outback. In 2011 he completed a similar trip to what I am thinking of completing now, which lasted 3.5 months. Got some great advice from him. We both carried on to Marla and then continued a great chat over a few more ales and dinner. Some great tales from his 2013 Canada and Alaska trip. And glad to see the Hawkers win over Buddy!

As we left Cadney HS roadhouse, an old local from Darwin was there next to his 1980's KLR motorbike. An old relic which had seen better days. Bald back tire and he was off to Ceduna (better hope he avoids rain). We we arrived he was bragging about how good his bike was. It was time for him to leave and he spent about 20 min trying to kick start it. Pat and I offered to help, push start or kick start but he was quite stubborn and did not want any help. He got quite upset with the bike and moved it about 50 mtrs away from us to start kick starting again. We offered our help again, got the no thanks and we left him. It was closing in on 5pm and I doubt he left the roadhouse that night.

Early start from Marla for Alice Springs and arrived and had camp up by about 3pm. Now showered, wearing shorts, t-shirt enjoying the 25 degrees temp.  But come 7pm it will cool down to about 4 degrees C.
The final 100km's into Alice and the terrain changes for the better. Rocky outcrops grow into small mountain ranges which then eventually turn into the McDonnell Ranges. Last time I was here, I went with a tour group on a bus for the day. It was awesome but way too many tourists for my liking. Almost all the photo's had a tourist or 5 in them. Pete and I will give these a go when we arrive in Alice in 2-3 weeks.

During my rest day in Alice, I still had to ride. I wanted to ride to the first town on the Plenty Hwy. It's supposed to be a dirt road, going west from Alice to Winton Qld. Some great scenary of the west McDonnell ranges. But for my 70km stretch it was a one laned rd and I had 3 roadtrains come against me and had to stop, move way of the rd and let them by.

So far I have passed 5 "nutters" going up to Darwin by pushbike. Nutters yes, but pretty heroic stuff. In Marla, the cabin next to mine was a husband and wife (mid / late 50's) from Melb who are riding to Darwin. It took them 4 weeks to ride to Marla (just sth of NT border) and were 4 days behind schedule as every day bar 4, they have had head wind. I asked them, "Why?" and they answered "Why Not?", "Something to do". Not my cuppa tea and hugely dangerous with roadtrains overtaking.

6:30am at Marla. Sun rise over the Oodnadatta Track.

The only 200km stretch in Aus where the speed limit it open. ie go for it. And me on my small bike and not the Golf GTD or Triumph Explorer. Maxed at 157km's (GPS) and that was enough. I want to get to Darwin!!

Road Restrictions sign for Plenty Hwy. I think I will have to put this on the bucket list.