June 21st - Sydney to Newcastle

Nigel says.....Had a few beers and athelete's pizzas in the Rocks last night. The full show is firmly back on the road which is great. We decided to put in another big day and get from Sydney to Newcastle in one hop. We figured the terrain would be better than down south and the distance manageable. Today was 160 kms (100 miles)

It was quite an experience cycling over the Sydney Harbour Bridge at 0630hrs. We knew the way to the bridge, but did not know how to get onto the cycleway. Fortunately a bloke on a bike happened to be passing and we followed him.

We travelled very quickly along the Pacific Highway and we were heading north out of the northern suburbs by 0830hrs and onto Route 83. All the traffic north and south into and out of Sydney travels on the Freeway. We cycled for approx 60kms and only about 20 vehicles passed us in either direction. It is like a "spare road" which nobody uses. There were 3 very big climbs en route, but equally there were some terrific "yihaaa" downnhills to have some fun with.

Because Gordon has "gone commando" and only exists with a bar bag - he was moving quicker than I was. We decided to strip my kit down in Gosford and send stuff back to Brisbane. I got rid of cold weather gear used at Wilson's Prom, shoes, pharmacy stuff, a good water bottle I had found on the floor en route, etc and yes - underpants. Its official - I am also now going commando! I would like to assure you all, however, that I am still able to dress decently for dinner, unlike Gordon who looks like Max Wall in his leggings.

After Gosford we made very quick progress. The bike was 5.25kg lighter, the terrain was flat and the roads/cycleways were good. We took the coast road up through The Entrance and Budgewoi and rejoined the Pacific Highway just as it started to rain. We cycled in quite heavy rain all the way to Newcastle. (Where is this drought we have all been hearing about - or is it raining because Gordon and Nigel are doing a bike ride?)

We have been really well looked after by Jenny who has fed and watered us here in Newcastle. Thanks Jenny. We have been given advice on the route tomorrow which should keep us of the Pacific Highway for most of the day.

Thoughts and comments:
I am banned from shouting "Yihaa" until I am in front of Gordon going downhill.

• Mudguards do keep you that little bit drier.
• Slogan of the Day: Aged Care Services - Taking care of tomorrow...............?(Shouldn't that read today? Ed)
• Snack of the day: Double bacon and egg McMuffin prior to heading north out of Sydney - no really it was good.
• Tune of the day:Ain't No Stoppin Us Now.

Thanks for all the offline messages of support received. Much appreciated. We have been taking photos. Planning a big upload tomorrow.

Have thought about the route tomorrow - not that many good alternatives, so Plan A is to get to Forster - terrain allowing. It is absolutely chucking it down as I write this. We have warm,clean dry kit as well. Ho Hum!

Gordon says ...

Sorry I've only just got to add a bit to this blog, two main reasons;

It was a really hard ride - the Horsnby to Gosford bit of the Pacific Highway was a monster - nothing as horrid as the Orbost to Eden hell-ride, but very unpleasant nevertheless - so I was completely buggered by the time we got to Jenny's in Newcastle.

By the way - big thanks to my academic friends who've been incredibly kind and hospitable to us so far - Denise Meredyth and Jenny Gore - I owe you both one ... actually more than one, since I have been deftly plagiarising your excellent intellectual ideas for years.

The second reason I didn't write anything was because Jenny brought out two 18 year old bottles of Lake's Folly Cabernets. Almost needless to say, I hoovered far more than my fair share of what is one of my favourite wines, and quickly tottered off to bed in a gibbbering stupor. Back to feeling shit again next day - for once on this ride, all my own fault.