Ride Report - Days 1-2Yesterday I set off from home for an eight day ride which will see me do a double border run. Day one's destination was Ceduna, where I had stayed on the way to my first border run in 2017. This time I left a lot earlier which meant that the Bungama roadhouses were closed when I got there so I veered off into Port Pirie to refuel.
From there is was off to Port Augusta. The bike's outside temperature showed a minus degree for the first time through that period. It was still dark when I got to Port Augusta so I had breakfast there and defrosted before hitting the road again. In 2017 I brunched in Kimba, but this time I stopped to take some photos and refuel only. I took a few in Iron Knob as well which is where I was at sunrise.
After Kimba I took one or two photos at most of the towns along the way. The big ant at Poochera has been moved to the property next door and the roadhouse is now closed. Just as well I refuelled at Wudinna because I nearly didn't. I also bagged the big oyster at Ceduna, the big farmer at Wudinna and the big galah at Kimba. Arriving early at Ceduna I rode to Denial Bay and back before checking in to my accommodation.
Last night I crashed into bed really early and had the best night's sleep I have had in ages. I departed Ceduna this morning at 0400, a lot earlier than I did in 2017. An hour in I stopped at Watraba to get a photo of the "out of boundaries" sign I missed in 2017. No lights around meant the stars looked awesome. In fact, most of my ride was in the dark. Dead wombats on the road gave me a couple of frights. Again the bike showed an outside temperature of minus degrees, down to minus six at Yalata. Trust me, I felt it. Brrrrr. The sun poked its nose out just as I was heading into Nullabor Roadhouse and I got a good photo of it when I had finished refuelling. I had breakfast there, again to defrost. Despite stopping at every Australian Bight lookout I arrived at Border Village quite early and my room wasn't ready. In hindsight, I should have waited until first light before departing Ceduna.
After greeting Stroppy and Johnnyyted I went to the bar and had a pint of Guinness. I met Mitch, WAG, Yorkie and Wombat at BV before being able to get into my room.
Once in I was quite pleased, as this room has a desk. My room in 2017 didn't. The usual setting up of transferring files underway and it was back to the roadhouse to meet with the other Ozstocers. This time I was present for the group photo. Just as well as I had the SA flag as I was the only SA member here. I then snuck in another Guinness.
Last time Langers and I had the border run buffet whilst Stinky Pete ordered off the normal menu. I think Pete made the wise choice. Stroppy and I opted not to go for the buffet but were told the normal menu wasn't available. If that was to entice us to the buffet it didn't work. We ate from the fridge. In 2017 there was a welcome speech for all involved but there wasn't today (unless we missed it). They also had t-shirts on sale but there was none of that today, which was disappointing. I didn't take any photos at the dinner.
Tomorrow I shall be making my way back to Ceduna. I plan to wait until first light and stop at the Head Of The Bight among other places along the way.
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