After two weeks of cycling I’ve just made it across the border to South Australia. I’m over one third of the way across our huge country. But it doesn’t feel as small as it used to. And when I get across the Nullarbor in a few more days I will be more than half way. But I am going to miss WA. It’s big and stunning! I can honestly say I haven’t been bored once yet.
I’ve been overwhelmed by the generosity and friendliness of everyone I’ve met. No-one has ever said “no” when I’ve asked if I can have some of their power to recharge my batteries. I’ve eaten a hell of a lot of hot chips and had some pretty bad coffee but also a couple of really good ones. The best was at Mundrabilla Roadhouse. I won’t shame the worst places, cos they also had their graces.
There’s a lot of renewable energy out here on the Nullarbor and it makes sense given the remoteness. The Telstra towers that keep everyone connected are solar, many of the roadhouses like Mundrabilla have big solar systems. The quarantine checkpoint at the border has a combination of wind and solar for its energy. There’s even the chip fat powered EV charger at Caiguna. And most of the grey nomads have solar panels of different sorts.
I’ve only had one flat tyre so far. And my battery has yet to run out, although I have come close a few times. I am a bit nervous of the next few days. The winds are going to be unpredictable as I cycle along the edge of the Great Australian Bight. Apparently the cliffs whip them up. Although I will be rewarded with stunning views and whale sightings, I’m worried I wont enjoy good tail-winds. The road house has also warned me about dingoes and death adders, but I’m not worried about them. Most animals run the other way when they see me coming because I look like a giant tennis ball with all my high viz.
I’ve had some really good conversations with truckies and grey nomads about renewable energy and you can check those out on my Instagram feed. I’ve only had to shut down one conversation with a bloke who persisted in telling me that wind farms are wrecking the environment. And no one I’ve spoken with thinks Peter Dutton’s nuclear power plants are a good idea.
Once I get to Ceduna in another 500km, I will be back to ‘civilisation’. That means I will have the opportunity to engage with communities again and will start finding more renewable energy projects to support. So if you haven’t already, please donate to my Go Fund Me campaign so I can support people in the Bush to access clean and affordable energy.
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