Clear Skies and Full Energy
I woke up just after six in the morning. Thanks to a good rest the day before, my body felt light, and outside the sky was a perfect blue without a single cloud. The air was crisp and clear, and each breath sharpened my mind. My phone and battery were fully charged from overnight, and I felt completely ready for the day.
My destination was Sale, and today’s route would be on public roads rather than trails. At first, I felt a little nervous about riding on roads without dedicated cycling lanes, but once I started, I realized there was very little traffic. The asphalt was smooth, and the only sound was the steady rhythm of my tires rolling through the quiet countryside.
Battling the Wind
The only true challenge of the day was the wind. When it pushed from behind, the pedals felt light and effortless, carrying me forward with ease. But when it shifted to a headwind, it was as if an invisible wall blocked my way, slowing every turn of the crank.
It reminded me of those long hours across the Nullarbor Plain, where the headwind had tested not just my legs but my determination. Once again, I found myself leaning into the resistance, fighting both with my body and my mind.
After about 25 kilometers, I reached Woodside. I stopped briefly but chose not to linger, continuing straight onto the highway. The road was wide with generous shoulders, and with almost no cars passing by, I felt surprisingly safe.
The Satisfaction of 80km
By 2 p.m., I arrived in Sale.
I had left at 9 in the morning, and in about five hours I had completed 80 kilometers—the longest distance I had ever ridden while pulling my trailer. Instead of exhaustion, what filled me was a deep sense of accomplishment.
A Night Shaped by Connections
After arriving, I reached out to a friend, who quickly said, “My daughter lives in Sale. You should meet her.” Within hours, I was being welcomed into her home.
She greeted me with a kindness that felt almost familiar, asking with a smile, “Do you want to go to Woolworths? Want to have pizza tonight?” Her thoughtfulness warmed me after the long ride.
At Woolworths, I was stunned by another coincidence—I ran into a cyclist I had briefly ridden with a few days earlier. To meet again in such a vast country felt almost impossible, and I couldn’t help but laugh at the sheer luck of it.
That evening, we shared pizza, and I went to bed with both my stomach and my heart full. My body was completely worn out from the long ride, but the fatigue turned into a comfortable drowsiness, pulling me quickly into deep sleep.
