Monday 22 January 2007

Today was one of those weird days on the road. We did lots of things but did little and went nowhere and it all seems so confusing. We left Barmera and headed towards Berri, home of Berri juices. From the start we were riding into a headwind and neither of us seemed to have any energy. We stopped along the way to buy dried fruit at a roadside stall and to visit the Angus Park shop, where we both enjoyed a Ginger flavoured Ice-cream, complete with chunks of Ginger.

Arriving in Berri we took a little tour around town and had a look through the camping store before buying some lunch and sitting in the main street park to enjoy it. Berri has a nice main street on the side of a hill, a nice green strip with plenty of shady trees separates the traffic flow and it was here that we sat for lunch. We were approached by an older couple who told us of their adventures such as cycling New Zealand, rafting the Murray River, living on a deserted island and walked around Australia pushing a cart with their belongings on it. Whilst talking to them they confirmed the free camping area at Martins Bend on the river and of another one near Loxton our destination for tomorrow.

Lunch over we rode up the large hill and onto the Berri Juice Factory where we spent some time looking around in their direct sales office where we bought some items and wished that we had away to carry more. It was then a nice glide down the hill and on to the camping area. On arrival we found a nice free camping area near the Berri Water-ski club and the river. The place is known as Martins Bend Reserve, named after a man called Martin who lived here and when he died he bequeathed his land to the council for use as a free camping area and the caretaker now lives in Martin's old house - Thanks Martin!

We set up camp and settled in then Dave & Sue, the couple we met in the main street of Berri came by for a chat. Our new found friends gave us a copy of the newspaper articles, plans and stories on their life on the Murray River in book  form and we settled in for a while swapping stories and ideas before they departed. Ideas for another adventure after this one - perhaps.

Today's Stats

From: Barmera

To: Berri

Ride Time:
2 hrs 6 mins

Distance:
26.54 km's

Av Speed
12.5 km/h

Max Speed:
46 km/h

Max Altitude:
109 m

Max Climb: 8 %

Av Climb: 2 %

Weather: Sunny and warm 32 deg C.

Tuesday 23 January 2007

After enjoying a free night at courtesy of Martin, we rode the few kilometres back into Berri and then out the other side towards Loxton. Joanne had seen an advert for one of those tourist villages that depict yesteryear and had decided that she wanted to see it, so off we went. What should have been a simple 20 kilometres turned into 35 as we did some sightseeing and campsite exploration along the way. One of the things we went to look at was Lock # 4, one of many along the Murray River and used to ensure that there is water in the river during low water flows, which generally turned the river into pools of water separated by large sandbanks thereby effectively killing off the river until the rain or the source of the Murray generated enough to make it flow again. Lock 4 is an impressive sight and the weir alongside it ensures that the river is flowing.

Before long we arrived in Loxton, a nice riverside town that like all of them, is built on the side of a hill with the streets all ending down at the river. The main shopping street was very wide with the traffic directions separated by a large and shady car park. We rode down to the nicely grassed picnic area on the river and near the exhibit village where we enjoyed lunch before Joanne took off to explore the exhibits leaving me to enjoy the shade of a large tree and the view of the river, something I never tire of.

We spent most of the day in the shade near the river, just kicking back and relaxing but before long it was time to ride the 5 or so kilometres back to our selected campsite near the river.

On the way to our campsite we stopped at an Auto Electrical shop to see if they could replace or solder up one of the connectors on my solar panel, which fatty, as he called himself, did and for no charge. Fatty was also able to tell us about the Beef Jerky place we had been trying to find, which as it turns out, is on our way towards Renmark tomorrow.

We are looking to supplement our diet with a little regular meat and rather than just buying some fresh meat every now and then we decided to see if we could get some of the locally made and sold product we have been seeing. The great thing about jerky is that it is light to carry and we can throw it in the pot with our meals to add that little more protein. We used dried meat and chicken on our previous trip around Australia to great effect so we will see if we can obtain some as we go tomorrow, in the meantime we are going to sit here and enjoy the view of the river and the flock of pelicans sitting on a log near the small island opposite to us.

Today's Stats

From: Martins Bend, Berri

To: Rilli Reserve Loxton

Ride Time:
3 hrs 27 mins

Distance:
45.9 km's

Av Speed
13.2 km/h

Max Speed:
51.5 km/h

Max Altitude:
133 m

Max Climb: 17 %

Av Climb: 3 %

Weather: Sunny & hot 35 deg C.

Wednesday 24 January 2007

One of the great joys of free camping is the gem of a site that you occasionally find, and the last few sites we have had have been exactly that - gems. Our site next to the river at Rilli Reserve was quiet and very much picturesque. Upon waking this morning we were greeted with a very pleasant view of the river with the island and the resident pelicans reflecting on the water in the morning sunlight.

The locals were out walking as we ate breakfast and packed up. Riding back up to the main road we joined the many vehicles as they rushed along to places unknown. A few kilometres later we turned of where the sign said Mildura. Most of this area was vineyards and orchards and the further we went the further they went until nearly 10 kilometres from the river. The road was a real roller coaster but we were making a good speed thanks to the downhills which gave us a rest ready for the uphill.

Working on the directions given to us by "fatty", and the description of the house from the Loxton butcher, we turned into a driveway we believed to be that of Schmek's Beef Jerky. As we pulled up in the driveway I could see through the window to the large shed and a person head wearing a food preparation hair net, so I presumed we had found what we were looking for. The door opened to my knock and a young man stood there dressed like a butcher and obviously in the middle of work. I gave him my brief explanation of what I was after and told him that "fatty" had sent me out. He smiled and said "sure, we can sell you some" so we partook in a taste test and bought a kilo which we had put into four 250g packs, each pack theoretically giving us around six meals. Loaded up with our beef jerky we rode on to Lyrup where we took yet another ferry across the river, climbed a large hill and joined the highway some 12 kilometres from Renmark.

Our trip into town was an eventful one, the first being a stop at the Almond Factory where we had a look through the shop and bought some Apricot and Almond jam. Our second event was being flagged down by Glen O'Brien from the local ABC radio. Glen interviewed us for the radio and took some photo's for the Murraylands ABC website.

We eventually made it into town, did some food shopping and went and ate lunch at the park overlooking the river. A brief visit to the Tourist information centre provided us with the opportunity to fill our water bags and to obtain the directions to a free camp on the riverside just out of town. The paddle steamer Industry was berthed at the rear of the information centre and is one of the original paddle steamers in the area.

Moving on from town towards our intended campsite we were enjoying a bike path that allowed us to remain out of the traffic when it ended near a large bridge that lifts to allow river traffic through. We spotted where the path continued and after crossing the traffic were able to pedal across the middle of the bridge with traffic going down either side. Looking at it as we rode, we summised that perhaps where we were riding was in fact the old railway line.

Our turn off was just after the bridge and took us past more houseboat moorings and Lock # 5 which we inspected and were able to see a speedboat complete the final stage of its upstream transition. We eventually found the Paringa Sandbar, selected a nice campsite, set up camp and had a swim in the river to cool down and to wash some clothes.

Today's Stats

From: Rilli Reserve Loxton

To: The Paringa Sandbar south of Renmark.

Ride Time:
3 hrs 12 mins

Distance:
45.6 km's

Av Speed
14.1 km/h

Max Speed:
43 km/h

Max Altitude:
88 m

Max Climb: 16 %

Av Climb: 2 %

Weather: Sunny 26 deg C.

Thursday 25 January 2006

Every now and then there comes a campsite that is truly remarkable and that we never want to leave, the Paringa Sandbar however is not one of those. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with the place but as it is the local swimming and fishing spot, like most places it gets a little busy at times, but the one thing that we will always remember it for was the birdlife, in particular the pelicans, and lots of them.

The view out of our tent was only obstructed by two beautiful white gum trees and the view of the pelicans all swimming around feeding as the sun settled on the horizon was magical. Many photo's were taken trying to get that perfect shot.

We were up early this morning to get a start on the distance to Mildura and as we packed up the pelicans were all taking up their spot for the day just down the river a bit and the hundreds of  Corella's that had been perched in the trees alongside the river decided to take flight, noisily screeching their way through the air as they ducked and weaved like a squadron of fighter planes at an aerobatic show. 

Before most people were up and about we left Renmark with a full load of water and ready for a few days ride to Mildura. Initially climbing the road took us through farming country for most of the day. Some 15 kilometres later we arrived at the Fruit Fly Inspection point but as we were going out of the protected area we just rode past and watched as those coming in were inspected for the various pieces of fruit etc that make up the contraband. The trucks were out in force today and many were giving us a wave and a toot, we presume testament to the fact that our interview had been aired on the ABC, and in which I had praised their treatment of us as fellow road users. Click here to open a new window and go to the ABC website where a small article on us has been posted. Another 10 kilometres and at 9.18 am and 25 seconds we rode across the border into Victoria.

The day was starting to heat up and the Mallee country that is through this area was not going to provide us with much shade or release from the sun. A truck approaching the opposite direction and a family of Emu were on a collision path until we rode along and the Emu family decided to go back into the bush thereby possibly averting a catastrophe right before our eyes.

After 50 kilometres we stopped at a roadside rest area and took a break at the only table in the shade much we are sure, to the annoyance of the truckie and the car driver that went to pull in but continued on after seeing us firmly in place. The truckies were still tooting and waving as they went past and it was nice to be popular for all the right reasons. We had planned on a bush camp but the further we rode the bleaker it got, so after 86 kilometres, and with our drinking water resembling that on the Nullarbor, we pulled into the Cullulleraine General Store for an ice-cream. It was here that we were told that this little place actually had two caravan parks. Having devoured our icy treat we rode another 400 m to the very nice caravan park (operated by the Returned Services League (RSL)) on the shore of Lake Cullulleraine where we have a nice shady spot on the grass.

Today's Stats

From: The Paringa Sandbar south of Renmark.

To: Cullulleraine

Ride Time:
5 hrs 47 mins

Distance:
86.1 km's

Av Speed
14.8 km/h

Max Speed:
37 km/h

Max Altitude:
130 m

Max Climb: 3 %

Av Climb: 1 %

Weather: Hot. 43 deg C.

Friday 26 January 2007 - Australia Day

With the forecast of another hot day we took the opportunity to start early to try and beat the heat. We began with some hill work just to wake the legs up from yesterdays ride but unfortunately for us the hills kept coming! In fact it was uphill for most of the trip to Mildura and other than the fact that it was hot, the ride was uneventful and not that interesting. The countryside being mainly farming and or grapes, something the area is known for.

We are visiting with Joanne's niece and family for a few days and during that time will figure out which way we are going to go from here, probably following the river for a little bit more before we head down through central Victoria towards Melbourne.

Happy Australia Day everyone.

In the meantime, please enjoy our little video.

Today's Stats

From: Cullulleraine

To: Mildura

Ride Time:
3 hrs 51 mins

Distance:
55.49 km's

Av Speed
14.3 km/h

Max Speed:
27.5 km/h

Max Altitude:
156 m

Max Climb: 4 %

Av Climb: 1 %

Weather: Hot 40 deg C

For a map on our latest travels, click on the map (opens a new window). or

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