Day 102 - I just couldn't get things right! - Unfinished Business

August 10, 2023

Day 102 - I just couldn't get things right!

One of the best things ever is the paper map. Spread it out, gaze at it, run a pink marker over it. That's how Cora and I planned our ride across America, using state maps. I was craving one today when Komoot put me on a goat track.

I got a good start - gorged on bread and bananas and papaya and was on the road at a good time. The navigation was simple: ride to the second river, cross, turn right.

I crossed the bridge, looked down a lane and thought, "that doesn't look right". I did the obvious and cycled a few hundred metres up the road to see if this caused concern to Komoot. It did! Things then got amusing. I stopped in a random place, to check my whereabouts. It just happened to be near a playing field where a teacher was instructing a bunch of school children. Well, I completely disrupted whatever was going on. But, all good; we practiced some English and then had a photo session.

With that done, I turned around and made the left turn onto the narrow concrete road.

The road's a little rough but the scenery is good.

I can walk a couple of kms and use some different muscles.

Back to concrete; things are looking up. Actually, it's a steep descent.

I've learnt in these places never to rely on one geographic opinion. I got several along this route, including from these fellows.

They wanted my photo; I asked for theirs.

They play the beautiful game everywhere.

It was a few kms from this junction to one with a major road. It was midday, I had done 28 kms and a hunger was ascending. I had a snack and started on a long ascent through rather nice scenery.

Apple guava. There are many varieties of fruit that often look remarkably different but are all Psydium guajava.

And here's a new game: identify the plant.

Eventually, I conceded defeat and acknowledged that cycling would be so much easier after a meal.

I got to the top of the hill and then got a terrific descent - steep and twisting. It took me most of the way to Margaluyu. By then it was 3.30 and, when I saw accommodation, I conceded defeat on a day that did not go to plan. I don't even have a bicycle or a truck of the day so it will have to be wires today.

I stopped at this bench and then realised that I was surrounded by wires.

And here's a few photos from Margaluyu.

The food I try to avoid. Each bowl contains a pre-cooked food item - chicken, fish, tofu, tempeh, vegetable, that gets placed on rice at any temperature.

The day reminded me of meeting a French fellow in Osh, Kyrgyzstan. Michel had lost the papers for his motorcycle, but wasn't overly concerned. We have a saying in France, he said "tomorrow's another day".

Today's ride: 65 km (40 miles)
Total: 7,551 km (4,689 miles)

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Graham SmithI have to disagree. It appears that you got today’s ride very right.
Such a variety of roads, scenery and, most importantly, positive interactions with many local folk. Especially with the students. That was great.
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8 months ago