Cycling across Australia – South Australia Under Extreme conditions

I knew the weather forecast today was going to hit the extremes, but our encounter with the drunken Aboriginal girl in Ceduna left us quite worn out in the following morning. But what’s done is done, we just had to find a way to get to Wirrulla. I prayed and committed my distance to the Lord. Did a straight 95kms to the destination. The sky was clear, sun was scorching hot and there were simply not enough foliages along the way. We started @ 830am and the temperature increased 2 degrees every half an hour to 45 mins. It was 40, by 1030am and peaked @ 47 @ 11am onwards. I figured that resting too long would only put me in danger of heat exhaustion, so I only rested twice, 5 minutes each time and drizzled water on body whenever I had the opportunity. By the time I reached Wirrulla, I was completely worn out. Thank God for seeing me through with 4 Litres of water for a 95km ride under the hot sun. Its comforting to know that weather’s gonna be cool till the end of this week. I had a fantastic 1st ride of 2011 today..but that’s another story.. I’ll leave u with a weather forecast for this week in South Australia.

http://www.meteorology.com.au/home/sa

 

 

God bless and have a blessed 2011!

Cycling across Australia – Crossing the Nullarbor (Part 2)

Night Cycling Across the Nullarbor

This is one of those experiences in my life-time I won’t forget. Having spent 2 nights resting in Ecula. Both of us were hoping to cover some extra distance on the following morning. We(Me and Fuji) crossed the border into SA @ 930am with the hope that we’ll clock 192kms to reach Nullarbor Rd hse.

Due to Christmas day, there was hardly any traffic on the road. It was like 1 car every 45mins..that was gd news. However, due to the strong NE winds we ended up riding slower than what we’ve planned.. Before we knew it it was dark.

We had lights, but riding in complete darkness was not very pleasant. We couldn’t gauge the gradient, neither could we draft properly. The rain that came much later didn’t help. Thank God we found a camping site 10kms down the road.

We were both cold and wet by the time we set up everything. Time to cook! Its little things like these in the wilderness that help us to boost morale, especially after tough rides. We had canned tomato soup with pieces of bread(meat substitute) popped inside. Warm food never tasted so good =D

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Both of us agreed that one ride like this was enough. We are never going to get ourselves in this situation again..God-willingly. I guess the morale of the story is that sometimes we have to be flexible and learn to go around plans in life. Personally, I feel this experience had reminded me of the day in and day out comforts we so often taken for granted.

In the Nullarbor, there is no such thing as last minute plans. You either stick to the plan or try your best to find the next best option.

Cycling Across Australia – Critters: Flies, Horse Flies, Mozzies, they come in all sorts of different colours and sizes

Fuji mentioned a couple of times along our journey together that cycling across this country has taught him how to be patience in his life. He learnt that through his daily encounters with the bush creatures that dwell across Australia.

Through the Karlgoorlie leg there are files(medium sized ones, fairly slow). From Norsman to Nullarbor there were Horse Flies ( They can bite through my leg and arm warmers with ease, slow flying, easy to kill, but its the pain that gets on my nerves) Once we crossed into South Australia, Penong onwards, we get a warm reception from the local flies..(Tiny ones that swarm your face) and the local mozzies ( Swarms and swarms of them. It got to a point that there were so many of them I gave up swatting them) and not to mention the ants..

Most of the time, to complete the task at hand, Eg. setting up the tent, packing up or resting up. I would try my best to ignore them. As I reflect upon it (the mozzies are still feeding on me now as I typed) It’s exactly like life. Sometimes, many things happen around us. They distract us from the our priorities at hand. They are like all these different critters. Annoying, worrying, interfering with our daily lives. What is the best way to go about these distractions?

It reminded me of one of the verses I came across in my quiet time; In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8 Its like Be still and wait upon the Lord. We are helpless when these critters swam us. Its like some problems in life, you simply cannot have a solution. All we can do is wait.. the sands of time will heal the wounds. I’m in safe hands, I just need to remind myself every now and then.. but It’s a long road to recovery..pray that the Lord we continue to teach me through this trip.

Joe Hien Sia ~ the Journeyman Cyclist

To Renew, Reconnect and Rediscover life !

Christmas Eve in Ecula

Pre Christmas Eve Dinner @ Eucula

It has been a real blessing staying in Eucula. Not long after we arrived @ the roadhouse, Tailya, the roadhouse attendant there gave us and extra serve of fries for the set meal we shared. (A hot dog, fries and a 600ml fries for $6)

Not long after an elderly couple offered us some curry powder and corns.( I still hv the curry powder!)  I did some shopping on my own in the road house, it’s the 1^st time I cooked in a camp kitchen, so must make it special. Wanted to cook for everyone( Fuji, Eric, Nad and myself) as both Nad and Eric has helped us a lot on the previous night. I bought veges and Fuji got the meat. In the end we managed to cook 3 dishes; Black pepper beef/lamb, Lentil curry and satay sauce veges served with rice. Nad and Eric made coffee after that…So shiok!

The next day, on Christmas eve, all of us went to the beach and had a photo taking fiesta. Thanks Fuji for teaching me some photo shooting techniques =D We had to walk 4kms to reach the beach, with sand flies to accompany us all the way through. =/

The beach was untouched, I’ve never heard the sound of waves breaking so gently. It was so soothing.. One will have to be there to fully experience the serenity it brings.

On our way back we had some fun jumping off the sand dunes.. Pls watch the videos..

Christmas eve dinner was extra special.. I have been saving up for that.. Finally.. the lot burger with an sxtra egg

inside! Fantastic! Beer was on the house, courtesy of Taliyah. ( Taliya, if you ever  drop by Singapore, I’m always happy to bring you around!) Here are the photos of Christmas eve dinner..

Cycling Across Australia; Nullarbor – Part 1

We left Norseman revitalized, a week of riding had seasoned me enough to ignore the distance signage to Adelaide. Surprisingly, the road conditions here are way better than Perth-Kalgoolie. 1^st of all, there is a road shoulder. Secondly, the roads are smoother and well paved. Third, there were lesser road trains. We camp in between Balladonia (80kms before) and Norseman that night.

The following morning, we ran into fellow riders, Dave and Collin( New Zealanders) whom I have met while riding down from Kalgoorlie. They were doing a similar route as us, just 1000km shorter as they will be going inland after Nullarbur. But I applaud their effort as Dave and Collin are both 56 and 62 already! They are also doing this trip for fund-raising( Diabeties foundation in New Zealand) If you are interested, you can go visit their website @….(mm.. I forgotten their website) It has been fun riding with them..bypassing them and they by-passing us. It was a mini-tag race..haha.. I got a feeling they are ahead of us now

Here are some of the bits and pieces of my experience along the Nullarbor in short

1. Remember Jin? The Japanese Cyclist? His map was God-sent. Our planning has been smooth so far because of his pre marked map. We have managed to plan the distance between each roadhouse
2. Bought the most expensive and biggest bottle of water in my life. $16AUS for 10L @ Balladonia
3. Rode nearly til dusk, strong head wind
4. Rode through longest straight road
5. Washed my face in a Water reservoir in the middle of no where
6. Slept a couple of  nights in my cycling attire without washing up
7. Cycled until I went dizzy (150kms to Caiguna)
8. Fuji worn off his back tyres completely and burst the inner tube!
9. Met up with another Taiwanese in Mundura, sponsored us some food along the way
10. Had a get together with 6 cyclist and one motor-cyclist ( Munderbering)
11. Celebrated Dave’s birthday in Munderbering roadhouse with all the 6 cyclists
12. Celebrated Christmas eve with Nat and Eric (Fellow cyclists from Switzerland)
13. Did some night cycling on Christmas Day
14. Rode with headwind continuously for 7 days. Maximum @ 67kms/hr

…… I’ll update part 2 when I reach (Part 2 – Ecula to Peenong)

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Cycling Across Australia – its not about the bike

Remember Lance Armstrong’s famous book? “Its not about the bike: My Journey back to life” Woke up 530 am this morning, packed everything else, only to have my bike not working. There was something wrong with the cassette. (Sorry Jason, was not very familiar with the actual names of the parts) The 1st thing I did was to follow through my standard routine check, serviced my drive train(Crankset, cassette and chain),

only to find the problem still persisted. Special thanks to Nick(Garland’s cycloworks and brother Jason for your prompt response to my concerns) For those not familiar with bicycle parts( see picture below)

When I finally rectified the issue, it was 9-ish already. So thankful for Joan(Railway tavern) for helping me out with the luggage. Hope that all will go well for your refurbishing of the place!

When I reached Yellowdine(30kms past Southern Cross) I’ve got myself in trouble again when I accidentally release the air valve of my front wheel while checking my tire pressure. Spent another 1/2 hour pumping up my tire.

I guess the morale of the story here is not to panic when things goes wrong. Without much bike shops around, it always helps to stay cool in the head when things goes wrong. Personally, the biggest lesson learnt here is to learn to commit e day to the Lord 1st before everything else.

Everyday, people are so often caught up in preparing themselves to a new day, doing all the “necessary” chores. When things go wrong, we so often are caught surprise, asking ourselves what have we not done. I realised what I had not done was to commit my day to Him. It helps an awful lot. Especially you are reminded that God is sovereign above everything else. It is not how much time you have slept on the previous night, it is not about how neatly and well packed your luggage is, it is not about your physical and mental conditions before the ride, it is certainly not about the bike. It is Him who allows all things to happen in a way He desires/allow to be.

Beginning a day without seeking His council means without the assurance and reminder that “He holds the earth as His footstool” everything begins and ends with him. It helps me to keep my composure when things goes wrong. Everything happens for a reason…it is the same thing for broken relationships. (Not getting into that today) It is definitely not just about the bike…

Hope you’ve enjoyed today’s sharing.

Best regards,

Joe~the Journeyman Cyclist

Cycling across Australia – Night under the stars

Hi all,

After 1 night camping in the bush, I must admit it was one of the most beautiful experience I had in Australia. Lying in my tent on my sleeping bag, looking up in the stars in the sky, counting them as I fall alseep. It was actually one of those nights I’ve managed to acheive R.E.M sleep.

Although I do admit, setting up my sleeping area required some patience especially with flies swarming my face. Some of them actually bite!=( Country folk flies seemed to be more active and aggressive compared to their Perth city cousins. I was only able to get away from them when I got into my tent.

Here are some photos I took while bush camping. Enjoy!(Some things just cannot be captured, you need to be here yourself to see it..=)

Please keep the donations coming in @ http://www.everydayhero.com.au/journeyman_cyclist

Warmest regards,

Joe~ the Journeyman Cyclist

Cycling across Australia – A Familiar Face Once Again

Karlgoorlie – Norseman

I woke up @ 5am, I thought I was early until I discovered that most folks are up already. Making breakfast and getting ready for the day’s work. Left town 6am in the morning, with my bike fixed, wounds 50% healed, I’m all set to go. It was a long ride from Gold town to Norseman, 160kms. 160km of mines and nothing else to see, but one of the highlights of the day was that I rann into Graham and his wife. (Graham, I’ll keep both of you in my prayers.. may you continue to trust the Lord at all times, lead not unto your own understanding and in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall make your path straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 So no matter where He leads you, continue to trust and serve Him!)

Reached Norsman @ 530pm. Lake Cowan was a breathtaking..kind of reminded me of God parting the red sea..the trains loaded with coal just goes on and on..

NORSEMAN! Hurray! It was a strange but heartwarming feeling( Hard to put down in words) when I finally get to see Fuji. Coming across someone I finally knew since I’ve left Perth.

Stayed and rested in Norseman’s railway motel for 2 nights getting ready for the big ride across the Nullabur. We celebrated our reunion with a roasted chicken and ice-cream. .and boy, we enjoyed our stay there. Thank you Land lady of Railway hotel (Sorry that I forgotten your name!) We really enjoyed your hospitality there! If any of you reading this ever pass Norseman, do drop by that place.

I’ll leave you with some of pictures we took in railway hotel,  the tavern’s owner/land-lady and her dog Audrey.

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Riding across Australia – Sabbath

Since this is a Sunday, a Sabbath, I will include a something I’ve picked up from the bible (Word of God) today. Ever since I left for this trip, the spiritual theme in my head has always been “Going back to basics” That is to revisit the verses and lessons I learnt throughout these 7 years of my Christian life. These past few days has just been random stuff, and spiritual bites of the food of life but did not manage go into the theme. I been wondering where I should begin. I started with Genesis, Isaiah Genesis again, I even picked up a track by RBC in Northam..Today, I finally decided to begin this with the story of Moses, one which even if you are not a Christian you might be familiar with.

Moses was born in uncertain times where he had to be given away, casted off the river by his own mother (reluctantly) due to the Egyptian king’s cruel rule to suppress the population of the Israelites. He was later miraculously picked up by the King’s daughter, raised away from the poverty of his country-men, only to fled the nation because of some fool-hardy act of murder he committed. (Exodus 1-2)

In the midst of all these drama, the Israelites called out to God and pleaded with Him to bring them out of their oppression. God heard them and remembered His promise to Abraham. “So God heard their groaning and remembered his covenant with Abraham..and God looked upon the children of Israel and God acknowledge them”

I thought I would write something about Moses today. Strangely, the lesson I’ve picked up from here is that God always remember the pact (covenant) He made with us. Once you are a family member in His kingdom, you are forever inside. He will be with you from the beginning and all the way till the end. Nothing will change that.(.. I am with you always, even to the end of the age Matt:28:20b) However this is not a lesson about the unchanging Yaweh(God) but is about Him knowing/ acknowledging about our strives/problems in life. It makes it twice as assuring when He is unchanging.

Sometimes when we go through tough times in our lives, we tend to shun away from people. Having this notion that our friends and family members would not understand us. Even if they tried, it would be only skin deep. You cannot blame them. Intellectually, people can understand, if you tell them. But to understand it emotional and spiritually, that’s another level. At most, drawing from their own personal experiences helps, but to truly know, it takes someone with the exact personality, character, spirituality and perhaps gender, age etc etc..(basically the carbon copy of you) The only person I know that is able to do that is Him.

Jeremiah 1:5 before I form you in your mother’s womb I knew you. Before you were born I sanctified you..” (I nearly cried when I typed this down)

God knows us inside out, He promised that He knows our worries and He will deliver us out of these issues. In the context of my personal experience, I did not blame God for what I went through these few months, but looking back, I did not see that He’ll help me in any way to overcome my problems. Nor did I think He should be interested in them. I blamed myself for the situation I was in. After that, I started to point my finger at others.

I guess the lesson here is

1. Know that God always knows everything we go through
2. Understand that He is our best source of council because He knows us inside out
3. Believe that He is able to do wonders that brings us out of any hole we might hv fallen into
4. Action – tell Him about it and ask for help(as the Israelites did)

As for my trip I do not worry about how far I can cycle after each day. I’ll leave it to God after I commit my distances to Him. I told myself I need to cover at least 100km a day. I’m at Yellowdine now, missed my morning ride( will share more on my next post) only 30+ kms pass Southern Cross. I still have 185km to cycle till I reach the next town Coolgardie. I will pray now and leave it to Him. Pray for me on road safety, fatigue and a suitable campsite to stay for the night.(I need to camp in between ) and that I will find reception to send this. Love you all and Shalom!

Joe~the Journeyman cyclist

Blog written @ 130pm @ Yellowdine rd hse

 

Cycling across Australia – Toughening up in Gold town(Coolgardie/Karlgoolie)

The 1st thing that stands out in Kalgoorlie was its residents. As I entered the neighbourhood, I was greeted by a signboard that gives me a slight indication of life in Gold town.( Can’t remember what that was exactly..but something like ..”town for the hard-working folks” The folks here were tough/rugged. There were 2 groups of people, the oversized beer-drinking ones and the muscular/tough looking ones.

I guessed I kinda toughened up a little bit myself. Battered and beaten from my accumulative falls( I fell 5 times), I found refuge in the town’s backpackers. It was my 1^st experience staying in a back-packer’s accommodation . Thanks Darren for the best tasting beer I ever had in my life. (Now I can testify that alcohol is certainly nature’s pain killer. I ONLY had a small bottle=) Spent the next day visiting the local bike shop and exploring the town.

The Gold town Kalgoorlie was self-sufficient, but it seemed to have lost its former splendour. The colonial architecture was still standing along the town’s up-market street(bolder street and hey street) But it was the faded paint-jobs that gave their age away. This town has certainly seen better days.

Under the scorching sun, I looked through the streets for a café to sit in. Many times I was tempted to visit one of the local bars. The red neon lights, the swing-doors and… kind of resembles the wild-west.. having a pine of beer by the bar counter would have been a great experience. In the end I settled in 101 coffeebristro. Thanks girls(Sorry that I couldn’t remember your names) for your wonderful reception. Coffee was great!

Just want to thank,

Brother Hyunjoong for his Meds(Your sharing about walking around South Korea inspired me, hope all is well for you in Gold town, sorry I’ve forgotten to take your medication you’ve given me( left it in the room) But I was, am still very touched by your sharing.( we are the same!) I will always remember you! All the best! If you ever drop by in Singapore. I’ll bring you around!

Stacy roommate– For your encouraging words

Jessica, German roommate – helped me bandaged my wounds. Enjoy your stay there!

Joseph for his sharing on his experience of bike touring across Europe

Derren, once again for the best tasting beer and bun I had in my life

The rest of the residents

The experience in Kalgoorlie has showed me the other side of WA I’ve never experienced but rode to witness. Thank you and goodbye Kalgoorlie!

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