Day 2- Barn Hill to Sandfire Flat

This is our biggest day of the trip with a ride of 195 kms in 35 to 40 degrees heat.  Not good when it has been a long time since some of the riders had slept rough and their backs were a little stiff. But before they hit the road, Collis & his helpers had to cart all the riders & their bikes out onto the road which was 7 kms down a dirt track. First whinge for the day was Gayle complaining of being woken so early as the riders were wanting to get out there and finish it as soon as possible. 

 The riders were all in good spirits at the beginning of the day & all very willing to enjoy the ride & help & encourage each other along. Morning tea was find the shadiest spot & lunch was let's just drown each other with water. By afternoon tea time even the water container needed sunglasses. 

 But the heat for today was unbelievable and the riders started dropping like flies. Collis had to leave Gayle, myself & our water & drink supplies by the side of the road so he could go into camp, unload and come back with an empty truck to cart the riders in. 7 riders were unable to complete the day. Some had stomach upsets, some had sore bottoms, some had heat exhaustion but everyone was pleased to see the end of it no matter how they got there. Fliss reported at lunchtime that her thermometer on her bike was reading 45.2 degrees. The destination wasn't the greatest but to these riders it was heaven.

 Some of the riders upgraded into dongers tonight & most ate at the roadhouse. The food was generous proportions & the staff very friendly. The dongers were pretty ordinary but comfortable. One problem- ladies underwear went missing from the clothesline- mine!!!! They must have been desperate!!