Stray Tag-a-long Tales: Danger! Danger, Will Robinson! or Tim Hack.

The sun gods forgot to come out and play today, or else someone forgot to say their prayers last night as as predicted the rain came tumbling down about 4:00am. As we headed out at 7:30am this morning things were somewhat damp underfoot and life on the roads added another dimension to an already tricky life.

Heading out with full wet weather gear on.

Firstly we had to navigate stop-lights (aren't they pretty on a dark day)! Then turned the corner to go over the bridge into NSW and here right on the railway line the group has stopped. "Get off at the line: slippery" came the call to others approaching. It's apparent by this stage that something has happened and the 'something' turned into Tim Hack taking a fall on the lines taking some skin off and definitely shaking him up. After a few minutes of encouragement and checking no real breaks in limbs he was back on the bike and heading over the bridge. Just then though Jesse goes off the road with his first puncture. Drama happening everywhere in the most treacherous conditions possible. Not only had the rain continued, but the temperature had dropped 2C from leaving the park and we were only about 5 kms into the ride for the day. What was the next thing to go wrong, as these things always seem to come in 3s?
With the NSW side of the Sturt Highway not up to the standard of the Victorian side (never thought I'd say that!!!) shoulders on roads disappeared and what there was, was degraded and very ordinary. Traffic were still an issue with trucks sending up spray, not only smothering the riders in water, but making them invisible to us as support persons - they just disappeared into the mist!
Shortly down the road, we spy Barry and Simone pulled up. Our third issue had now taken place as another puncture, this time for Baz, had occurred. (Actually I was rather pleased to see this, not from Barry and Simone's side of things but for the superstition of the '3' occurring: now we could continue without incident! (My theory anyway)!
Barry and Simone had lost a lot of time fixing their puncture, as Barry had to pull all the bags out of the trailer to find a spare tire. Rain falling, numb fingers, Ray getting saturated trying to help things were not a happy place, but they did soldier on for a while longer before calling it a day. Robin happened to be waiting just up the road and when these two riders were offered a lift, they gratefully accepted even though it was with mixed emotions.
The next bit of excitement was when Tim H. kept getting his microphone on the UHF stuck-on thus making all communication with this bunch impossible. Paul even had to resort to blasting the horn to get off as a huge truck was thundering down behind them. Apologies made to the Truckee and we caught up with Tim telling him about the situation. After this it still occurred, at least the other riders were now aware and would let him know.
The final 'kicker' for the day is all of the support and riders missed the turn off into Robinvale as all went into Euston first, before realizing we were supposed to go toward Balranald before turning and crossing the Murray River one more time.
I decided life in NSW is not a good one, espcially for bike riders. Let's see what Victoria has to throw at us from here on in.
As a follow on from yesterday I would like to inform you I have now met all the new members and know a little bit more about them. Firstly there is another Tim in our midst and also Gavin. Both are riders from Inverlock with Gavin being an Ironman advocate. I guess this is just training to him! Great to see you along lads. I believe they are only here till Monday as they have lives back in the real world too. Enough for today - 3000kms down now on the last 1000!