Day 22- Billabong to Galena Bridge (on Murchison River) - 120 kms

Quite a few riders had breakfast at the Roadhouse as everyone is starting to want cooked breakies. Also they are becoming more relaxed in the mornings on not in such a hurry these days.

The flies are still around.

The ride was very relaxed today and we arrived into the bush camp very, very early. This was very fortunate as it was a great campsite right on the river and was well known and well liked by half of Australia- by then end of the night the place was packed. Fortunately Cycle Across Oz got the best camp spots.

We got a huge camp fire going which was pumped by Norm & John with Gayle desperate to get involved but the boys were too strong for her.  We were able to cook a very nice vegetable rissoto with Jacqui as the main stirrer and plenty for everyone with a large amount left over.

The sign was updated as we went.

I could not have coped without the help of my 2 stirrers- the rice would have burnt for sure!

Jacquei was the best help with the cooking. All riders liked to help out throughout the ride.

Roger & his damper.

We had a lovely night around the camp fire with 3 poets reading their poems after dinner. We had a new poet who presented his first poetic effort (see attached)


The Sisters of Cecil by Jerry Coll 1952- ?
One of them is not compliant
She rides an OCR by Giant
The other three push biking tgalkers
Are saddled up on Cecil Walkers
Within this group, there are no misters
They are the cycling Cecil sisters.

They start at dawn before the elves
These sisters are pedalling for themselves
They journey sharing private jokes
These nemeses of blokes on spokes
If you are chromosomes  X & Y
You're sure to see them flying by
As you deal with sores & blisters
You eat the dust of the Cecil sisters
Only m en who are daft & keen
Attempt to catch this mean machine
Those who start off quite undaunted
Will end up forever haunted
It is clear there can come no good
From taking on the sisterhood.

Many men have faced the abyss
While chasing down the heels of Fliss
Face it guys, there's no disgracwe
In not keeping up with Carmen Pace
I've seen stubbled faces wrought with pain
From trying to overhaul Lorraine
Gents have to recognise that
They are no match for Audax Pat
So if you want wisdom, here's my pearl
Become an honourary girl

So take the word of one who's tried
It's the best way to enjoy your ride
It doesn't take alot of guts
They don't demand you foresake your nuts
You have it now on my authority
Hitch yourself to the sorority
Crossing Oz can get no happier
Than when drafting with the Cecilian Mafia.

Wooramel Departures by Theo Van Der Veen

Disembodies  in the pre-dawn dark
Wraithlike, with cyclops centred eye;
Silently they greet, but do not ask
For now the wind is no more than a sigh.

And each a light emitting eye,
Not for blinding by Odyseus' eviles
Transformed by distance and the branches nigh
To interacting fireflies in the tented aisles

Now comes the purpling morning light
A glorious sunrise paints the Eastern sky
And wind arises as a blight
To challenge even the strongest riders by & by.

The earliest riders set themselves apart
With blinking R2/D2 Martian light
The silent cycle cavalades depart;
Our lycred, two wheeled riders glide from sight.