A collection of long distance ride reports by Melvyn Yap
May 27th, 2011 Madura to Cocklebiddy Distance: 97km Total distance: 4189km The moment I woke up, I was entertained by a hungry mouse picking on my rubbish bag outside my tent. Food must be scarce out here. I leave a small piece of bread outside my tent every night to keep the mice away from […]
Continue ReadingMay 26th, 2011 Eucla to Madura Distance: 190km Total distance: 4092km At the start of this tour, I was doubtful of making a 100km ride in a single day. I remembered how excited I was when I hit the three-digit for the first time. Things have changed now. For one, my legs are getting stronger. […]
Continue ReadingMay 25th, 2011 60km east of WA border to Eucla Distance: 78km Total distance: 3902km One great thing about cycle touring, you wake up every morning with zero knowledge of what’s about to happen and who you’re going to meet on that day. Today is one of those days that will stay in my memory […]
Continue ReadingMay 24th, 2011 Nullarbor to 60km east of WA border Distance: 132km Total distance: 3824km Took off from the Nullarbor Roadhouse with the hope of seeing some whales today and a strawberry milkshake on my left hand. Milkshake was crap, I didn’t get to see any whales, and it drizzled this morning. But not all […]
Continue ReadingMay 23rd, 2011 Nundroo to Nullarbor Distance: 151km Total distance: 3692km All hopes were not lost. Woke up in the morning to a silent atmosphere. No more tent flapping. A bit of drizzle and a one-off gust of strong wind while I was packing but that was it. Finally, Nullarbor seems to be calming down, […]
Continue ReadingMay 22nd, 2011 40km east of Nundroo to Nundroo Distance: 42km Total distance: 3541km I dreamt of riding with a strong tailwind last night. God it was such a beautiful dream! Still, a dream was just a dream. The extreme headwind continues today, only this time it’s blowing from 11 o’clock instead of 1 o’clock […]
Continue ReadingMay 21st, 2011 Penong to 40km east of Nundroo Distance: 43km Total distance: 3499km I knew the weather in Nullarbor wouldn’t be so kind. Yesterday was just an exception. Today I faced the greatest and most gruesome enemy for any cyclists: EXTREME headwind. Flapping tent woke me up early this morning. Peeked out to find […]
Continue ReadingMay 20th, 2011 Ceduna to Penong Distance: 78km Total distance: 3456km And so begins Leg 4: the crossing of the Nullarbor. Earlier, I made plans on where I should stay for the first three nights. I felt it was necessary because the first three days of riding are mostly farmland areas. Finding a place to […]
Continue ReadingOn my first morning in Ceduna, I had a swollen lower lip! This lasted for the entire 3 days I stayed in Ceduna. Don’t know what caused it, but it just went away by itself so it’s all good. I also had moderately sore legs, I guess this was the effect of pushing myself too […]
Continue ReadingMay 16th, 2011 Poochera to Ceduna Distance: 146km Total distance: 3378km Today is another big day, though not as big as yesterday! I must ride 140km if I wish to get to Ceduna, and hence to finish riding Leg 3. I had a feeling that my body would not be able to match the speed […]
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