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 - Mataranka to Pine Creek

Day: 017
Date: Friday, 9 September 2005
Start: Mataranka
Finish: Pine Creek
Daily Kilometres: 196
Total Kilometres: 2825

Journal:
I got up at 4am after a poor night's sleep and set out at 4:40am.  It was warm and there was humidity that I noticed for the first time on the trip.  The stars weren't quite so bright.  Another lovely sunrise but, disappointingly, there was a headwind.  I found out later that the winds were north-westerlies, exactly what I didn't want.  I had been hoping all week for tailwinds on this section where the road direction was mostly WNW.  It was sweaty tough work with a few hills, but more interesting scenery.  There were rocky outcrops and the burnt undergrowththat is commong at the Top End.  I actually saw some feral donkeys in the early light.  After 105km I reached Katherine feeling quite tired.  Maybe the hard riding is catching up with me.  Katherine was much the same as when the family visited two years ago.  Quite busy, provincial town feel.  I bought a couple of toasted sandwiches and OJ and a lime milkshake at a roadhouse, much to the amusement of the cashier.  I hit the road again at 10:30am after walking through town.  I had decided that, in the conditions, Pine Creek would be my target for the day, even though it meant a lot of kilometres tomorrow.  The road became quite hilly and busy but also interesting.  It looked like Kakadu country with lots more rocky outcrops.  Also lots more habitation.  Eventually I reached Pine Creek which is a pretty little town and checked into the hotel/motel which seemed very nice.  I had time for a nap before a very nice pasta dinner at the pub, followed by cheesecake.  Lots of phone calls to Barb as I sorted out an earlier flight back to Sydney.  back in the motel room I watched the Geelong vs Swans finals game and some cricket.  Despite a later than usual night, I decided to leave at the usual time given the 225km tomorrow.  I will also dump my surplus food to reduce weight.

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