BIKING ACROSS AUSTRALIA (2012)

For anyone who might be interested, between Tuesday 21st August and Wednesday 24th October 2012, I cycled across Australia. Commencing in Fremantle and finishing 4000+ miles later in Brisbane  my route took in Kalgoorlie, Nullarbor Plain, Eyre Peninsula, Adelaide, The Great Ocean Road, Melbourne, Canberra, and Sydney.

This trip is recorded at     www.bikingacrossaustralia.blogspot.co.uk

10th November 2012 

EQUIPMENT LIST

Will be added in the next week or so.

Message for Ken Rowan.

Ken,  I hadn't bothered with an equipment list but will add shortly.  I couldn't reply to you directly as there was no email address with your message.  If you want to include your address in another 'blog' comment, I can get in touch directly.

Andrew Dickson.

10th November 2012

Day 74 - Friday 15th July 2011

Fredericksburg to Washington DC     67 miles     DFP n/a

I sat chatting over breakfast with Patty and Paul until just after 9 when it was time to head off, especially as I wanted to reach the end of the road today.  We said our farewells and a couple of additional photos were taken.  To Patty and Paul, "Many thanks for making me so welcome and allowing me to share your lovely home.  It was a great pleasure meeting you both and I really appreciated the interest you took in my trip. Please take care and best wishes".

Due to the difficulties following the signage for cycle route 1 yesterday, I decided to simply use Highway 1 north.  As it runs parallel with Interstate 95 I thought it would be pretty quiet.  Initially that was the case and I did stop at a diner for an all day breakfast and pancakes/syrup.  Also stopped at the library in Dumfries as I was making fairly good time.  This was probably a mistake because when I resumed cycling, Friday rush hour had started.  There then followed probably the hairiest part of the whole trip.  Two busy lanes with hardly any hard shoulder and lots of debris.  But then followed safety in the form of the Mount Vernon trail, where motor vehicles are prohibited.

Stopped to reminisce and take in some fuel when I was approached by a young couple, Simon and Katherine who had recognised my Scotland flag.  They're from England, have just moved to Washington and very kindly gave a donation for ALZHEIMER SCOTLAND.  To you both, "Many thanks".

The trail is about 15 miles long and is a pleasure.  Then I had the first view of Washington Monument, situated in the centre of the capital and the point I was treating as THE final end point.

Crossed the Potomac River and I was there.  Stopped for a photo in front of Lincoln Memorial then made towards Washington Monument.

Reached it and the trip was over.

Arrived just after 6.30pm having covered 4687 miles since leaving Seattle.  What more can I say other than, "I've had a wonderful time and have absolutely no regrets".

Got to Cathedral Avenue just before it got dark and was warmly welcomed by Nancy and Dante, two old friends.  I've now got some true vacation time to wander the city.

Update: Washington DC

Day 73 - Thursday 14th July 2011

Ashland to Fredericksburg     65 miles     DFP n/a

Set off fairly early and continued north on cycle route 1 which I managed to follow without much difficulty until crossing over Interstate 95.  From there however, I seemed to loose the way.  Not sure if it was poor observational skills on my part or the signage.  Anyway I managed to regain the correct way after visiting General Stonewall Jackson's shrine.  Decided food and fluid were needed, so headed into Fredericksburg where I also called into the library.  Fredericksburg is a lovely town with loads of relatively recent history.  Birth place of George Washington and location of several civil war battles.  The architecture is also worth mentioning.

On leaving town to continue north, I stopped and asked a chap on a Harley-Davidson motor cycle for directions to local shops.  Five minutes later he drew along side and asked if I'd like to stay the night with himself and his wife.  Now bear in mind, I was a total stranger, had not showered in almost a week (the swim in the James River really not counting), was pretty dishevelled and was probably in need of a considerable amount of deodorant but despite this, here was I being warmly invited into their home. As a consequence I had the great, good fortune of meeting another lovely, warm and very hospitable couple, Paul and Patty Fiore, their labrador Kenai and slightly aloof cat.

They very kindly allowed me to shower, eat with them and sleep in a bed.  This on what will probably be the final night of my actual cycle across the USA.

Updated Dumfries, Virginia (library).

Day 72 - Wednesday 13th July 2011

Scotland to Ashland     84 miles     DFP n/a

I should maybe mention that last night I initially intended setting up a bivi by the river but after about 30 seconds when the mosquitoes found me, decided I'd better think again.  There's just something unique about the buzzing noise made by mosquitoes.  It's unnerving. Problem is for tent read sauna.  Should I go for mosquitoes or sauna,  mosquitoes or sauna.  Sauna got my vote but just as I thought, the minute I got inside, the sweat started pouring out.  And that was with the two outer doors wide open.  Not the inners obviously.  Things got a little better sometime after midnight and the next I knew it was five and time for the ferry.  Third time over in 12 hours and at no cost.  Bonus.  A holiday just isn't complete without a short ferry crossing.   

Followed Route 5, which is also cycle route 76, westwards but decided to go right into Richmond for shops and more importantly fluid.  Another gallon of orange juice.  Picked up Cycle route 1 north out of the city and found it reasonably simple to follow the signage.  Reached Ashland and luckily called into the library, second time today.  That saved me a soaking from one of those hour long storms.  Also had a nice chat with a local who mentioned a church about 8 miles north of town where I could camp.  During this part, cycle routes 1 and 76 combine.

So off I went and reach the Fork Episcopalian church in plenty time to set up the tent and cook supper. 

Updated: Fredericksburg, Virginia (library)

Day 71 - Tuesday 12th July 2011

Virginia Beach to Scotland     76 miles     DFP n/a

Up early as I didn't want to worry any early dog walkers.  Sat having breakfast watching 4 osprey fishing about 100 yards away.  Don't think I've ever seen so many osprey than along this coast line of Virginia.  I then retraced yesterday's route through Norfolk/Portsmouth/Suffolk then headed north on Highway 17.  This came to a halt at the James River bridge which doesn't permit cycles.  So had to backtrack a little to pick up road 10 north.  Stopped at the historic St Luke's church for a little fuel intake and was just setting off again when I realised the rear tyre was punctured.  Bummer but it couldn't have happened at a better place as there's handwashing facilities at the church.  Job done and headed north to Surry and a big drink.  Read 1 gallon big drink of orange.  Next was Scotland and the ferry over the James River to historic Jamestown.  At 7pm the display board was reading 92 degrees.  What it was during the day, I've no idea.
Sailed to Jamestown with views back to Scotland.

Right off the ferry there's a picnic area where folks were swimming, so that had to be the overnight stop.   The swim was just great.  My meal was OK also but then the state park officer came and very apologetically and politely emptied me out.  Pity.  Still,  just got to make the most of things and got back on the ferry and returned to Scotland where I'd seen a suitable spot right by the river and at the end of the jetty road.  So I can now say, "I've stayed in two Scotlands".

Updated: Richmond, Virginia (library)

Day 70 - Monday 11th July 2011

Suffolk to Virginia Beach      65 miles     DFP 4010

On the road by 6 o'clock heading south on 627 before turning east on 337.  Things started to get busier as I neared Chesapeake and Portsmouth. Portsmouth and Norfork are divided by the Elizabeth River which has no bridge suitable for pedestrians/cyclists, so the crossing must be made by a quaint little ferry.

The ticket guy gave me the 'senior' return fare without even asking.  Ehhhhhhh, while that starts at 60 and I'm 59, I know it's close but!!!!!!!  Get use to it Andrew.  Getting through Norfolk on 166 was easy but once on Highway 13 which goes to the Cheaspeake Bay Bridge/Tunnel things got a bit hairy, so I diverted onto  166 and then east again on Highway 60.  This goes by First Landing State Park which was nice.  Then 'it' was there, crossing the bridge over the Lynnhaven Bay inlet, I saw the Atlantic for the first time.  Just a few yards away.

Didn't want to rush things, so continued on Highway 60 until I picked up Ocean Front Avenue and then the 'Boardwalk' at Virginia Beach proper.  Had to savour the moment a little, so had a couple of banana pieces and a Danish pastry (who says I don't know how to celebrate) before wandering slowly down the 'Boardwalk'.  Then at the end, hauled the bike over the soft sand and with the help of a guy from the Netherlands, who now stays locally, got the necessary photographs.

Miles for today 46 and with the ODO sitting at 5097 the 'crossing' was over.  It was 1.30PM and there's nothing between here and the Scottish coast somewhere roughly to the north/east.
JOB DONE.  Dream/ambition realised.  What more can I say.  Well maybe, YIPEEEEEEEEEE. I estimated 4000 miles for the trip and it turned out at 4010.  Now just the small matter of cycling the 250 odd miles up to Washington DC. 

Updating this in Virginia Beach library but will head back to the beach now and wander up and down.  Might even go for a swim.  Who knows.  Will finish today's entry in a couple of days or so.

Didn't bother with a swim, just wandered then headed back up Highway 60 to Lynnhaven, found a nice bit of Chesapeake Bay Beaches and set up a bivi.

Watched a nice sunset and then I had the place to myself.

Updated: Virginia Beach, Virginia. (Then Portsmouth library on 12th)