Yesterday had been challenging and I remained very suspicious of the rear rack’s intentions. Had I patched it sufficiently to get me home without further complaint or was it going to continue to test me?

Bring it on, I am better than you!

But I still took it easy, avoiding where possible any large jolts and definitely staying off the backtracks that had caused the problems yesterday.

The weather today started nicely but it was 34° Celsius at 11am and then by the time I reached Echuca at 12.30, it had climbed 40° (104° F). Surprisingly though, it was not unbearable. It was dry heat and cycling created a cooling breeze. The big risk was going to be sunburn and sunblock was applied regularly. Even so, I did take on a slight pinkish tone.

The scenery over the last few days had also changed significantly. But it was never boring.

I love this wild, desperate country and bird song keeping me company, calling to me as I approached and then ceasing as I rode past as if they could not sing and gawk at this strange site crossing their territory both at the same time.

As for challenges, other than the normal traffic avoidance every day contained, this was an uneventful day.

There were even some sections of the Murray Valley Highway that had shoulders!

Hallelujah and would it last?

Bike repairs needing my creativity were not required and other than the last 15km which had me pushing into a strong headwind, I was able to relax and retreat back into my head to tackle some of those “meaning of life” questions that had been gathering dust.

Camp tonight was under a protective Eucalypt, hidden nicely from the road about 200 metres away.

Road noise never seemed to be an issue after a day on the road and after eating the last half of a foot long Sub that I had for lunch in Echuca, I was asleep not long after sundown.