Some of my riding photos while staying at Alice Springs
20th to 24th Apr 2016.

Location Bike Date Distance
Travelled
Average
Speed
Description
Alice Giant Boulder Sun 24th Apr 2016 16.90km 16.8kph Alice - Todd River - morning ride - sunny -10-15degs 6-9kph E - LAST Ride.
Alice Giant Boulder Sat 23rd Apr 2016 18.80km 16.2kph Alice - Todd River - morning ride - sunny -18-22degs 7-33kph SE.
Alice Giant Boulder Fri 22nd Apr 2016 22.10km 17.1kph Alice - Todd River plus a bit - PUNCTURE - morning ride - sunny -24-27degs 13-30kph SE.
Alice Giant Boulder Thu 21st Apr 2016 20.50km 15.3kph Alice - Todd River - morning ride - sunny -21-27degs 0-20kph S.
Alice Giant Boulder Wed 20th Apr 2016 51.10km 17.3kph Alice - Simpsons Gap - PUNCTURE - morning ride - sunny -28-32degs 13-27kph N.
Total kms ridden: 129.40kms


Simpsons Gap in the background.

Day 12 - Wednesday 20th April 2016.

Day 1 - Sightseeing around Alice.

I slept well until 5am, pulled on my 1st blanket. I awoke about 6:30am and decided to ride out to Simpsons Gap via the bike path.

I left camp at 6:54am to try and beat the heat. Today's forecast is 36degs. I had previously mapped out where I was riding and it was all bike paths from camp to Simpsons Gap. As I was about 1 kilometer from the Gap, I punctured in my rear tyre. I had a little drama, as my pump is now nearly stuffed, I could only pump it to softish but rideable.
Decision time, do I return via the bike path which is really in no man's land or continue to Simpsons Gap and return along the main roads. I choose the latter as I thought if I get another puncture, I will really not be happy and being on the road I could hopefully hitchhike a ride. So I started, I went slower than I usually ride. Any curves I slowed down and took them as straight as I could, you could feel the rear tyre rolling. Not a good feeling.
As I rode along Larapinta Drive, you had to ride on the white line on the edge and the few cars were doing 110kph, I was continuely looking behind me, but luckily, the traffic was extremely light, maybe 10 cars passed and gave me heaps of room. I was stopping about every 2-3 kms under the shade and drinking. I did take 4 water bottles with me, but I was doing it very tough, with the thought in the back of my mind, that I could puncture at any time and it was so hot. My ride from Simpsons Gap, the temperatures were 28 rising to 32. During this, I still was stunned by the scenery and stopped to take photos, it really is so stunning.
Got back to camp, without any further dramas. After showering, I drove into downtown Alice and bought a new decent pump.

We also visited the Info centre and found a more popular bike path that goes from our camp beside the 'dry' Todd river to the north of town. I will attempt that sometime over the next 5 days.

Dinner was salad rolls. They were YUMMA.

Tomorrow, is more of the same, just bugger about and check out Alice.

My bike Route.

The Todd river is a tad dry.

The Gap south of Alice.

Now the scenery shots start.

More scenery.

The bike path is on the left.

More scenery.

Nearly home. Thank God, I was knackered.

Day 13 - Thursday 21st April 2016.

Day 2 - Sightseeing around Alice.

I slept well until 5am, pulled on my 1st blanket. I awoke about 6:30am and decided to ride along the Todd River bike path.

I left camp at 7;46am and decided that the Todd River has heaps of river gums to provide shade. There were some highlights on this ride, seeing a large kangaroo about 10 meters away, 3 dingoes just lazing about on the dry riverbed and a 'rock wallaby' watching me ride by, except that I stopped and snapped him. Arrived back at camp about 9:30am. Rode 20.1kms.

My Todd River Bike path Route.

This roo just sat there and watched me.

To my great surprise, 3 dingoes.

Just laying in the middle of the dry riverbed.

This dude just sat there, as I stopped.

and photographed him.

The Gap on the south side of Alice.

An obstacle I had to dodge.

Day 14 - Friday 22nd April 2016.

While Marg buggered about camp, I went riding to the Old Telegraph Station along the Todd river bike path plus a bit more. As I was putting my bike away, I noticed that the front tyre was flat. Bloody Hell, that is 2 punctures (front and back) in 3 rides. I drove back to the bike shop and bought another thorn proof tube (they are just thicker rubber). The bike is now all set for its next adventure.

Day 15 - Saturday 23rd April 2016.

I slept very well, must have been getting up at 5am yesterday, I was a tad tired last night. About 5am, I pulled on my 2nd blanket. I awoke about 7:15am and decided to ride along the Todd River bike path. I am enjoying this route.

I left camp at 7;58am and headed off along the Todd River bike path. No wildlife showed up and a few Aborigines were sitting on the concrete path but I rode around them and they were pleasant. On my return from my turnaround point at the Old Telegraph Station, I rode through the CBD and found a coffee shop. I arrived back at camp about 10:00am. Rode 18.8kms.

Day 16 - Sunday 24th April 2016.

I slept fair, tossed and turned after 3am. I got up at 6;15am, got organised and left Marg in bed and rode out to the old Telegraph Station.

I left camp at 6:55am and headed off along the Todd River bike path. I was very lucky to see the dingoes, roo and rock wallaby a few days ago, because since then I have seen zilch. Each day there are a few Aborigines sitting on the concrete path but they are well behaved and don't give me any grief. On my return from my turnaround point at the Old Telegraph Station, I rode through the CBD to confirm if the market was on today. The Internet says every 2nd Sunday. Well they were setting up, so we will visit it around 10am. I arrived back at camp about 8:20am. Rode 16.9kms. Today was my last ride in Alice, if we ever come back, I will have my bike set up with stronger tyres and tubes and then I will ride the Simpsons gap bike trail again, as it was a beautiful ride, except for the stress of having a puncture and not knowing if I would make it back to camp without another puncture.

April 2016 - Site 85
Our Camp - Big4 Macdonnell Ranges CP.