Day 10 was from Narromine to Peak Hill. This wasn’t the most exciting day. It was an easy ride and there was no major rain expected. However, it was a little boring. The back road I took, went beside the newish railway line, so it was straight for long periods, and then the drizzle came in for about an hour. I made it to Peak Hill and got a coffee and a toastie at the Woolshed cafe, then ordered the same again. It all tastes wonderful but I’ll concede that cardboard with melted cheese may have tasted just as good after that ride.
Day 11 started with a look at the Peak Hill open cut gold mine. Wow, what a hole and what a scar on the landscape. There were some quiet dirt roads into Parkes with one big snake blocking the road in the afternoon. I hate snakes and stopped just in time. As I walked backwards, two utes turned up. It was only a python, so one of the guys placed into the next paddock. I spent the weekend in Parkes taking it easy. I’d done more than 960kms in a fortnight and needed a couple of days off. I was so tired the last few kms into Parkes were hell.
Day 12 was supposed to be to Manildra. Bad planning meant that I was on a busy road. I didn’t realise it was the main road from Parkes to Orange and there was very little shoulder on the road. Again the truckies were fantastic but I was pleased to get to Manildra and have a coffee. I copped some unwanted backchat from a local for not wearing a mask – I was drinking a coffee at the time though. So I thought I’d go on to Cudal which was about 15kms down the road through a few hills. I camped there and accidentally cooked risotto – long story.
Day 13 saw me going through the hills to Cargo where I had a great coffee and a toastie at a really nice coffee shop. This is becoming my go to meal at the moment. I thought about stopping in Canowindra which is very nice, but I decided to head on to Cowra – again on very quiet roads. An old bike racer have me some tips on the best route. I stayed at the campground on the river, so it was still a bit damp.
Day 14 started with a visit to the Japanese prison camp in Cowra. So it was a late start and an unexciting ride – then I bumped into Ivor who is pushing a pram from Perth to Bondi, and I found a great coffee shop in the middle of nowhere – they make a good toastie !
The last part into Young was up and down and I tried to recognise the farm where a few of us went cherry picking after high school. But that was the easy part … Young’s accommodation is completely booked out, and the campground was apparently waterlogged. After many phone calls to hotels and motels, I was about to give up, so I went to the campground to see for myself – and it was perfect. I’m a relieved and happy camper tonight
