Day one summary

Elapsed Time: 5:00:00

Distance: 61.07 miles

Average Speed: 13.9 MPH

Riding Time: 4:23:20

Maximum Speed: 31.5 MPH

Odometer: 80,967.32 miles

S/ESE/SE/ESE/E Winds 10-20 MPH

73-82F

The flight got in on time around 9 am. I then had to wait in this huge line for customs. Then I found my bike in a special area for oversized luggage. The bike itself was well packed. I went outside to try to assemble it. Parts were packed together with these tough plastic ties. Of course I did not have a scissors with me. I went into the airport and bought a kit with a small scissors. The scissors was very flimsy however. The kit also had a fingernail clipper. I worked through cutting through the plastic with that. It must have taken me close to half an hour just to get all the plastic ties off. Assembling the bike went well except I had an issue with the front brake. I couldn't seem to get that to stay in place firmly. Nevertheless it still would brake. It must have been close to 11 am by the time I actually hit the road. Before I left I checked the weather forecast. Temperatures between Sydney and Adelaide were forecasted to be 106 degrees for some of the days. So I thought rather than taking this direct route, I would try a route closer to the coast. I figured this may be a little cooler. It would be more hectic though as it would require more miles. I found the road I needed rather quickly. The Princes Highway was the name of the route. Initially getting used to the roads was a bit of a challenge. In Australia, traffic drives on the left. Iwas still wearing sweat pants from the flight as I began riding. I was very uncomfortable and hot. I stopped at a McDonalds a short time later and changed into my shorts. I also grabbed a bite to eat. When I got back on the road again a few miles later everything looked familiar. I had taken a wrong turn and ended up where I started! I must have wasted about 15 to 20 miles! This was not a good way to start the trip; especially since I chose to go the long way. The second time around I was on track. I followed the Princes Highway most of the way. However at one point I took a side road which went right next.to the Ocean. The scenery was enjoyable. I did not know what the temperature was at the time. I did feel rather hot and uncomfortable all day though. At the town of Wollongong, I found a hotel. It was rather difficult trying to find someone to check me in. They had this intercom system thing outside the door which I tried to figure out. I couldn't get it to work. Eventually there was this guy outside who helped me. He paged this lady for me. I believe this was probably his wife since she kissed him when she showed up. Anyway, I got my room which wasn't anything too fancy. The price was still $105 though. Throughout the day the riding went okay although I did have a few leg cramps. One more worry was that somewhere along today's route, I lost my seat pack with all my spare tire tubes. I did call a place in town here, but they were just closing. I was a little worried too since a lot of businesses are closed for the whole week after Christmas! I will have to pray that I can find some spare tubes somewhere.

Pacific Ocean looking east