July 9, 2021
The Remarkable Ian Wallis
Finito on a Red Tie Day
The more observant followers of this journal may have noted that three riders began this “Against the Wind” fundraising ride, but only two of us, Joel Krewaz and me finished the ride in Perth. The third rider, the intrepid Ian Wallis seemed to disappear from the journal photos just after Ceduna. I did mention in the journal where Ian had gone (a detour to Margaret River), but I’m adding this page several weeks after the ride finished because Ian has accomplished something extraordinary.
On Friday 9 July he rolled back into Canberra on his heavily laden, seemingly indestructible yellow Thorn Nomad after riding back from Western Australia. He’s covered about 8000km since the start of this journal by not just doing most of the “Against the Wind” ride to WA, but by also riding solo the entire way home back across The Nullarbor, Sth Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and now into the ACT.
His wife Cora, also an accomplished expedition cycle tourer, and a few of Ian’s cycling mates including me rode about 20 km out of Canberra to accompany Ian home along the busy Barton Highway.
It was wonderful to see him make it safely home after an extraordinary cycle tour which has seen him convering up 200+km some days, camping out every night, braving freezing, wet conditions and the other rigours of long distance, remote solo cycle touring.
And of course Ian was wearing his trademark red tie, which he only dons for special occasions such as border crossings or significant distances covered. He did both today. 8000km and crossed the ACT/NSW border.
Well done Ian Wallis.
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Today's ride: 45 km (28 miles)
Total: 3,868 km (2,402 miles)
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