Day 28 Bush Camp #3 to Erldunda 133 K / 83 Miles

We woke this morning knowing we should get on the road early. There were strong headwinds forecast and our options for overnight were somewhat limited. Kulgera Roadhouse would be an easy half-day ride. The next roadhouse at Erldunda was a full day’s ride and into the headwind would be both a physical and mental challenge. The option of another bush camp had little appeal to me. The only option that would keep us somewhat on schedule was a long day into Erldunda. When we got to Kulgera it was mid-afternoon. It was hot and we were already tired. David raised the question of where deciding on where to stop. I advocated Erldunda. I’m not sure what Joe’s particular preference was but I think David would have preferred stopping where we were or possibly another bush camp. It was obvious that we were all stressed, as the conversation was abrupt and filled with tension. We all had our desires and limits, but were to some extent afraid to assert our stance fearing that it would pressure the others. Conversation was very limited and we set off again in hopes of getting to Erldunda.

We made Erldunda about an hour after sunset. We were all worn by the experience. David was particularly spent, as his back pain has persisted and another broken spoke on his rear wheel had caused his rear wheel to be out-of-true and would require repair before setting off tomorrow.

When I came back from our room at the roadhouse, I was surprised to see David sitting at a table out front, with a smile on his face talking to another man. David introduced his friend David Isitt to me. David and David had been friends for some time and had corresponded about having David I. join us for the ride into Alice Springs. David I had flown in to Uluru (Ayers Rock) with his bicycle and had ridden 3 days to meet us at Erldunda, the turn-off to Uluru from the Stuart Highway. Uluru is a popular tourist attraction and sacred aboriginal place. It was recently returned to aboriginal control, and they have in turn, leased it back to the Australian Government to manage as a National park. David I had tracked our progress toward Erldunda in conversations with other travelers. He had had doubt that we would be making to Erldunda and was surprised to see us. David O. was taken be surprise to see his friend. The meeting was unplanned and unexpected. It was a fortuitous finish to a very hard day.