Days 1: Bus to Murray Bridge - ride to Langhore Creek

Franklin St, Adelaide was the departure point for those catching the bus to Murray Bridge. The weather was threatening, but the forecast predicted the wind to lessen and the rain to ease.

Starting point, Sturt Reserve, Murray Bridge

Lunch was served not long after arriving at the Sturt Reserve on the bank of the Murray River.  The wind was quite cool, but the sun tried to shine between the clouds that were continuing to gather.

 Soon, we were gathered for the briefing and then 200 bike riders pedalled off, a wonderful tail wind for about 200 metres, then we turned into the wind.

Even the trees struggle to stay upright

We were led out of Murray Bridge and were soon struggling into a nasty strong wind coming on an angle, smashing into our front wheels.  It was a relentless slog just trying to keep the bike on the road.  One woman in front of me, was literally blown off the road and into the long grass.  Thankfully, she was unhurt and soon back into the saddle again.  Dear Nellie, being a bit heavier than the road bikes, struggled on and eventually we made it to the Wellington Road where we then turned right - so that now we could face that wind head on.

The farm land changed into salt-bush country and Lake Alexandria lapped her reedy edges with cold grey wavelets.  As we rode further west, we left the Lake and were back into farmlands and then into vineyards of grapevines in all different ages; brand new vines sending out their bright green new leaves to wizened thick-trunked old vines, also crowned with bright green leaves.

Vineyards

The cold squally weather was a bit of shock to a Queenslander, so it was with a measure of pride to pedal into Langhorne Creek to the oval and that night's camp site.

First thing to do was to collect baggage and put up the cocoon bivvy, then to a nice hot shower.  Food was plentiful and tasty and plenty of space for all to have a comfortable meal.

My bivvy tent

But the evening temperature had fallen even further and a very uncomfortable night was spent, 8.5C in the morning - but my sleeping bag is +10!!  need to wear more clothes!

Fellow freezing campers