We rolled out at 05.30 am on Day 1, bound for Hopetoun 163 km away. Arriving at the first gravel road section the feeling was high - full of excitement and uncertainty with what we were in for.
The first issue - due to heavy rainfall from the days previous, roads had flooded at their low points and spread wide onto the neighbouring paddocks. With no option, we climbed through the fence and around - bikes getting stuck, pedals refusing to unclip and bodies falling. Wet shoes followed, with the decision to walk the safest one.
Initial progress was slow, however, a turn of fate meant we were in for a strong tailwind for the remainder of the day which allowed us to arrive within schedule. We cleaned the bikes, cooled off and headed to the neighbouring pub.
