Having enjoyed my trip by mountain bike from Sydney to Melbourne in 2004, I decided to tackle a longer trip in 2005 and the idea of riding from south to north through the centre of Australia had a lot of appeal. I love the vastness and isolation of the Australian outback and this seemed a good opportunity to enjoy both.

Adelaide to Darwin MTB - Snowtown to Port Augusta

Day: 002
Date: Thursday, 25 August 2005
Start: Snowtown
Finish: Port Augusta
Daily Kilometres: 180
Total Kilometres: 339

 Journal:
I got up at 5:30am and was on the road by 6:15am.  It was very cold and dawn was just breaking.  I made good time during the beautiful sunrise although the wind became a headwind.  After some indecision, I turned into Crystal Brook (it added a few kilometres) to get breakfast about 8:30am after 50km.  It was a pretty little old town and I got some great fresh donuts from the bakery and sat and watched the town start another day.  About 45 minutes after leaving Crystal Brook, I got a puncture and then, while trying to get the tyre back on the rim, managed to break both tyre levers!  Eventually, I managed to get the tyre on using a spanner, but decided I needed to divert into Port Pirie (added about 10km) to the bike shop to get more tubes and tyre levers, which I did.  I then had an early lunch at the Subway before heading for Port Augusta which was 88km away.  The headwind was constant, but I made reasonable time.  I rode to Mambray Creek Roadhouse, with the Flinders Ranges to my right and the gulf to my left.  Unfortunately, the Roadhouse was closed and I missed my planned ice-cream.  I had a snack and then set out on the last 46km to Port Augusta.  Alas, about 30 minutes later, I had another puncture (the tape covering the spoke holes seems inadequate).  When I tried to use the new tubes, I found the valves wouldn't fit through the rim - what a waste of money and very annoying!  I decided I needed to get to the Port Augusta bike shop and gave them a call to see when they closed....5:30pm, it was going to be tight.  Fortunately, the wind and road was kind and I averaged 25kph, reaching the bike shop at 5:15pm.  I then found that the shop was closing for good tomorrow!  He gave ma a couple of 26X2.125 tubes which he reckons will fit....let's hope!  I then stopped at the supermarket and stocked up with a few things before riding to a motel and checking in at 6pm.  It had been a long day - about 180km.  Had pizza in my room for dinner, watched the cricket on TV and went to bed at 9:30pm.
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