A last hurrah šŸ„³

I donā€™t know if I have many more long bicycling journeys in me. To celebrate the start of my eighth decade, however, I am going to attempt one more epic bike tripā€¦Australia and New Zealand.

Starting in Adelaide, Australia and ending in Queenstown, New Zealand

Regrettably, Jim has been having problems with his ankle that preclude his bicycling long distances for now. So I am going solo on this journey and Jim has the more challenging task of taking care of our property and our two adolescent Australian Shepherds, Cholla and Paco.

Cholla aka ā€œDevil Dogā€ (donā€™t let those innocent brown eyes fool you!)
Paco, the chill dude
What are the dogs doing on the couch! I have a feeling that when I am gone, the rules will go out the window!!
Do you think they have enough toys to keep them busy while I am gone??

This Tour is with the same cycling company that we have traveled with previously. It has approximately 5500km (3400 miles) of cycling over 11 weeks with nearly 200,000 feet of elevation gain. There are many rest days (thank goodness!) to further explore these countries and get in some hiking as well.

Adelaide to Sydney with ferry to Tasmania midway. Red dots for each night, green dots for ferry ride (canā€™t cycle on water!)
North Island New Zealand
South Island, New Zealand

Itā€™s my first trip to this part of the world and there are so many things that I am looking forward to seeing: The Great Ocean Road, Tasmania, the mountains and glaciers of New Zealand, and hopefully some of the unique animals ā€¦ wallabies šŸ¦˜ , Tasmanian devils, platypus, wombats.

Platypus (photos courtesy of Google)
Tasmanian devil

I hope that my legs and ā€œsit-uponā€ hold up to the rigors of the trip. Please join me as I head off next week āœˆļø. Your virtual companionship always keeps me going.

27 thoughts on “A last hurrah šŸ„³”

  3. wow! Good for you Barbara!!! Very excited for you – looking forward to hearing the details. You are right to worry about Jim & the dogs bending the rules though!ā¤ļø

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  6. What a coincidence. I was just thinking and reminiscing about you yesterday and then I got this post. Itā€™s amazing how things happen sometimes. This sounds like an awesome trip. I hope you really enjoy it. Iā€™m looking forward to following your adventures.

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  10. Wow! Congratulations on one last run. I’m embarrassed. I just walked a mile to the grocery store for milk, and now I think it is time for a nap. hope you have a great trip.

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  11. Congratulations Barb- It seems entirely within your purview to tackle this daunting adventure! It looks amazing and I look forward to your updates along the way. However, I think you should bring in a nanny to give Jim some relief from the “children?” This is another occasion for applause (plus extraordinary good luck for Paco and Cholla) …integrating “2024’s version of Beep Beep the Road Runner X 2” into your lives. I love your enthusiasm for “today.” Thanks for sharing. Have fun. Susan

    >

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  12. I sure hope you see a Tasmanian Devil! That would be super cool. Youā€™ve got the sticktoitiveness and the grit to get it done. No matter, I admire your ambition and always cheer for you on your adventures. 3500 with that much elevation ainā€™t gonna be easy, but forward is a pace on the long steep climbs, and your experience will help you through. Iā€™m looking forward to reading your adventures. Seems Jim should be posting his right long side of yours! Those puppies are gonna be a handful. A handful of love and fun solely, Iā€™m sure. šŸ¤— Safe travels and Godspeed as they say. You got this.
    Lisa

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  13. It is so much fun to read your blogs on these amazing trips that you take. It does feel like I am riding along with you ( of course I am doing it from a comfortable chair). It will be another challenging ride but your tenacity and sheer determination will get you up those hills.
    Enjoy the new areas yet explored.Safe travel and thanks for setting up another blog so we can travel along with you. Flora

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  14. You are an inspiration , Barb. You never cease to amaze me. I am thrilled to ride along remotely through your wonderful blogs and photos. I’ve graduated to an e-bike, just back from Slovenia. Have a superb trip and stay safe!!

    Your darling dogs clearly have Jim wrapped around their paws. Don’t worry. They will still miss you and you, them. XOXOXO

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  15. You are truly amazing, Barb, and I admire your ambitions! Have a wonderful, amazing and ā€œdoableā€ trip, Iā€™ll keep watching for reports. And stay well and healthy. Love, Jutta

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