71.2km ridden today
1764.8km ridden so far
463.6km to go
673m up
805m down
2464 calories burnt
Pain factor: 4/10
Strava that shit: https://www.strava.com/activities/18261222960
So what I thought would be an easy day with lots of free time when I reached Mendooran was thwarted by another snapped rear pannier rack (the other side to the first one). I also awoke to a somewhat limp rear tyre. It was a slow flat and got me 65km before a top up was needed. Generally I took my time today to take in some views and cruise. I did not “punch it bishop!” today.
I am not sure when/where the rack snapped. I didn’t hit any heavy bumps/holes. I only noticed it when I took a break and laid the bike down when I saw it move off the bolt. I suspected it happened some way back. Thankfully it appears the realign I did of the rack a week or more ago was putting direct vertical pressure on the bolt and the weight seemed to be holding it in place, with not much movement back or forward. I decided to ride the 15km to town. Despite speed and a lot of jolts it sat in place.
The welder in town is in Dubbo for the weekend. I texted him (everyone knows everyone in this small town). As I suspected, he doesn’t have the kit to weld aluminium. So I did a bit of a MacGyver on it. Yes, cable ties. Not for load bearing, but to stop the support sliding forward and backward. Hopefully it gets me to Dubbo.
Anyway, yet another little challenge of the trip. Let’s touch on some of today’s good stuff….
So after consulting a local, I learnt that the Coonabarabran road via Mendooran might be better than the Newall via Gilgandra. It is 70km to Mendooran and another 70 on to Dubbo. I pondered doing it in one hit with a rest day in Dubbo. I’m going to stick with riding every day though and take on some shorter legs as “rest”. Will see how that holds up for the remainder of the trip! I only spent 15km on the Newell before turning off. You know you are nearly home when there are signs to Dunedoo.
Look closely below… the Stinky Sock is making an appearance…
Anywhere near Sydney this road would be riddled with MAMIL’s. Lots of hills, turns, views etc.. I knew there was about 250 mertres of elevation drop from Coonabarabran. Most of that arrived in the last 10km or so. Top of the hills with magic views of the landscape ahead. I stopped here for a bit and took it in.
Oh. One thing. As a result of leaving the the Newell I did not get to see Jupiter or the rocky planets. Totally bummed on that…
Mendooran is a tiny place. Pub and shop. Little else. I found this place that had a few cabins on their farm about 1.5km from town. Cabins were freaking awesome, cool little things, and cheap too! Owners were lovely. Husband sold his welding gear 3 months ago. Typical.
Righto, Song of the Day. I can’t possibly let this trip go by without some Paul Kelly. I do not need to know how to make gravy. But I am doing one of those “Dumb Things” doing this trip. I guess my dodgy job on the rear pannier can also be compared to “I’ve melted wax to fix my wings”……
See you in Dubyoyo… hopefully.