Thorns Half Way Across Australia

[Vintagetourer]

With two friends I’m cycling east to west (almost) across Australia. Two of the three touring bikes are Thorns.
One Sherpa. One Nomad.
Yesterday we arrived in Ceduna which is approximately half-way.
https://www.cycleblaze.com/journals/transoz/
The photo is of the two Thorn riders. Ian Wallis and me.
Ian’s yellow Thorn Nomad carried him from St John Cycles in Somerset to Singapore about ten years ago. It’s done numerous very challenging, long distance tours.

[steve216c]

Good luck with your challenge of a ride. Safe riding.

So how come you get to carry all the water for Ian? 

[Vintagetourer]

Thanks Steve.
This photo was set up to show off our Thorn bikes unloaded yesterday at the campground we were staying at.
When riding, all riders in the group are self sufficient for water, camp gear, food etc
Water is in short supply out here.

[in4]

What a great adventure and read. The cycleblaze journals are a great appetiser. Post-covid this Ian’s Nomad will be hitting the road too. Thanks for the share.

[Mike Ayling]

They arrived in Perth WA a couple of days ago.

Mike

[Andre Jute]

The Right Stuff and plenty of it! Good luck, fellows.

The journey around the coastline of Oz by VW Campervan was more than challenging enough for me. But it gives one a miniature taste of how tough your ride is.

Respectful tip of the hat.

[Vintagetourer]

We made it!
It took 42 days to cover about 3,800 km and over 7000 metres of ascent. Australia isn’t as flat as it looks. Average daily distance was 90-100 km. We had three rest days.

Ian on the Thorn Nomad diverted south to Margaret River and rode well over 4000km with a higher daily average km. And he’s intending to ride back to Canberra!

[energyman]

Well done gents !

[Andre Jute]

+1

Lugging all that water...

[Vintagetourer]

Yes access to water is a major consideration for about 2000km of the 3800km ride.
I had enough containers to carry up to 12 litres, but I only needed to carry this full volume a few days. Most days carrying 4-8 litres was enough, depending how far the next roadhouse or hamlet was away.
Autumn temperatures were very mild, so heat caused dehydration wasn’t a problem.

[Rockymountain]

Well done - an amazing ride.

I've really enjoyed reading your blog. The photos are great. My son has just emigrated to the Gold Coast. I think I might have to speak to him about a tour (when the pandemic is over)

Fraser

[Vintagetourer]

Thanks Fraser. I’m glad you enjoyed the ‘Against the Wind’ blog. It’s not my best writing, but I was pleased with the photos. The ride was physically hard, with 39 days of riding 4-8 hours each day and every day to cover the 3800 km, so I didn’t have much time to blog.
And please do come to Oz and do some cycle touring. There are plenty of ride options.