Well, need for distance really But I have always looked at the map and thought that the town Speed was a place that really should be visited. Coincidentally it also is a bit over 800km from home, I really needed a good long run and I hadn’t done a 1600 for about 6mths. So about 4:30 yesterday I was off.

There is something very focusing and purposeful about a pre-dawn start and I love a sunrise on the road. The Hume is mind-numbing evil but it does go through some beautiful country that looks spectacular in early morning light.

1st stop and refuel in Nerrandera and then out across the Hay plains. The country is still looking pretty good after the rain and particularly east of Hay there is more signs of habitation and activity than I have seen for a while. Amazing what a bit of water availability does.

Other places, maybe not so much…

Always meant to stop here to get this photo.

Into Balralnald and the RBT plod was keen for a chat, apparently 24degrees is “getting a bit warm to be riding” and was keen to know where I was coming from (I was just in Nerrandera this morning…) and where I was going (Just heading down near Ouyen…). What he doesn’t know won’t concern me, but I was very worried he was breaching all sorts of WHS safety protocols by standing out on the hot road without a fluoro vest or a sun hat. Ah, the strange things that occupy the mind on a long ride.

Got to my destination took a photo and left again. I didn’t even die!

Heading home via Swan hill upto Deniliquin. Starting to get bloody hot through here and then my bloody aux tank decided to stop supplying fuel, buggrit.

Everytime I go through this area I wonder why I bother. The roads are rough narrow and dull, it is bastard country and it is invariably stinking fucking hot. On the plus side there usually isn’t very much traffic so a healthy touring speed can be maintained.
An unplanned refuel in Jerilderrie thanks to the fuel situation and then through Urana and back up to Wagga.

Thank the Road Gods for a drop in temperature as I headed up the Doom on the way home, Traffic light and the Doom does the only thing it is good for – making good time. More amazing colours in the early evening to help make the drudge go quicker.

Pulled into where I started 1645km and 16hrs 6min ago. Moving average of 107 and overall of 102. Nice to know you can still do it after you have started to doubt yourself a little.

Will I submit it and get it all offcial? Nah, probably not. I know I’ve done it. Then why? Because it is there. Because it simplifies thought. Because there’s a weird challenge to it. Because a day on the bike, making time and doing nothing else is good for me. And a whole bunch of other reasons besides.