It took me 12 days in the end. The last few of which offered a car like speed in change of surroundings. I had started out the Tanami desert ride with sleeping in nothing but my liner. And ended it with digging deep in my panniers for warm gloves and jackets I hadn’t touched since China.
Crossing the Tropic of Capricorn I’m officially back in the land of seasons, something I’ve been looking forward to immensely. Though quite expectedly I’ve got to say the Australian winter has yet to impress.
Rain and 20°C? Sounds and feels like Swedish summer!
I had an incredible ride behind me, but it was high time to reach it’s end. I was running out of food, and my legs don’t go far without fuel. Lucky for them, I got to finish off on 300 km of easy breezy bitumen towards Alice Springs. And lucky for me, that last stretch turned out to be another stunner.
Done & done!
I rode those last 3 days. Then came the finish line. Back home people celebrated the Swedish national day with cake. I did it with reaching civilisation. Hungry, tired, and marinated in two weeks of dust and sweat – I was quite happy to do so.
Stuart Highway! Me. And flies hitchhiking to the big city.
Sure! If you say so.
There are a few things that after a big ride make me feel like a kid at Christmas. Not very surprisingly showering is one of them. Maaaan, don’t even get me started on showers. Food is another obvious one. And sitting down somewhere comfortable, without any intention of getting up.
There is one thing that beats all else though. And that’s being welcomed with open arms by someone. Taken in by some friendly, selfless soul with that wonderful ability to make a stranger feel at home before even saying Hello. And an hour after first greetings, finding myself opposite to what I already know is a soon to be great friend.
Thinking that ‘This – this is gonna be good.‘
Cheers!
Fredrika
PS.
Remember this photo? Of the food I brought with me into the desert?
This is what I had with me on the way out. (I guess that’s sort of how you know it’s time to finish up.)
Raisin soup anyone?
X