Tuesday 21/2/06; Cycled and bushwalked! for 2 hrs 44 min 34 mostly in 40 degree (Celsius) heat...and up some challenging hills, which reminded me a lot of 6-Inch Track... Was rather dehydrated and heatstroke affected after making some very costly navigational errors... A challenging experience this one! Ended up being a bit of an spontanous/unplanned orienteering/rogaining type experience.

I set off in the 40 degree heat hoping to get a quick 1 hour ride in on the path alongside Tonkin Hwy before the forecast thuderstorms set in for the evening. As I did not plan to be gone that long I only took one 600ml gatorade bottle, and about 500ml of water in my hydration pack. In hindsight I soooo wish I had taken the two one litre powerades and refilled the bladder in my hydration pack to its max of 2 litres as I could have done with the extra two litres of fluids for sure...

I took a wrong turn on some roads I have not yet ridden on yet, and thought from my map that I may be able to double back to Mills Rd.

However the dirt bush track I was following just got steeper and steeper until it was quite gnarly! trying to drag my mountainbike up it without losing my footing ( I had already given up trying to ride up I reckon about a 70-85 degree incline.) My gastrocnemius muscles (calves) were pretty close to maximal fatigue by the time I got up that hill, and I was rewarded with some shade from a tree in the oppressive heat and a glorious! view of the plains below as I was well up the Darling Scarp by this time.

However then I was faced with another challenge. There was no sign of Cockram Rd which I was looking for, and then I was shocked to discover a massive open-cut mine/quarry complete with a couple of those very large "Tonka" trucks (their wheels are about the size of a car! ) blocking my way forward. It was an incredible majestic sight a bit like looking at the Grand Canyon I suspect.... There was absolutely no way I was going to try a suicidal slide down the dirt track I had come up so the only thing for it was to try and skirt around the open-cut mine on bush tracks...

I spent the next 2 hours or so climbing steep hills in the oppressive heat, ran out of fluids, enjoyed some glorious views (felt like I was in a plane, and saw a few jet airliners Qantas etc flying just above too...)....Kept re-assessing my position trying to figure out how I could get to Mills Rd from here...Saw some of those massive powerlines heading in the correct direction and figured if I could find my way on tracks to them I could follow them to Mills Rd. Saw a few Rabbits and Kangaroos startled by my presence... The terrain was tough with lots of large boulders amongst the gravel...Prayed to God a few times to keep me safe...

Alternated between easy walking and easy cycling, as I attempted to conserve energy and fluids given my lack of each and the energy sapping heat...Eventually I managed to get to the powerlines and followed the track down until I cam to a small brook/stream. Unfortunately the first crossing I came to I decided not to take as it was covered with about 20 or 30 BEES! and a few WASPS thrown in for good measure... Soon found another crossing furtehr upstream not guarded by Bees and wasps. More climbing up steep gravel tracks in the HEAT! no fluids left now... and then I could hear the cars on Mills Rd in the distance. Then the big black clouds provided some welcome shade and I could rain down on the plain below the Darling Scarp a long way away. The views were absolutely fantastic! After much winding tricky gravel tracks and a few wrong turns I finally got to Mills Rd...and the feeling of elation as I dodged a car on the road and headed over to Cohuna Wildlife Park looking for a water fountain was a huge mental boost/encouragement...No sign of a water fountain so I would have to wait longer to treat my dehydrated state...However the sun was gone and rain was threatening as was;......LIGHTNING.

The tough ascents done, it was time to start the long descent down the bitumen of Mills Rd, and give the brakes on my bike a workout instead of me. Had to concentrate hard on the steep winding descent, with a few cars whistling past also..., but my legs got a welcome rest...The lightning seemed to be striking every few minutes and I reckon within a few km of me maybe even a few 100m of me...a little scary and I was glad to get through this part and enjoy the light rain all the way home...

So a very eventful ride which ended up being heaps tougher than I had planned and made me feel like I was doing SIX INCH TRACK again...but I will be better for it, and it feels good knowing I was able to rise up to the challenge...EYE OF THE TIGERESQUE.....Thanks God! for getting me through safely and without any major mishaps...

After that ride I think its time I did some reps....! to see what gains I picked up from the Darling Scarp ascent....but first I have to recover....I'm tired but happy.