Day 8 Clayton Creek Station to Cooper Creek

We started our morning looking out on a light orange horizon just prior to the sun rising. It was 5:30 AM. Ric lead us through an Anzac Service, talking about Gallipoli and then a summary of Australia's contribution to major conflicts through to the current Afghanistan and Iraq wars. All commented on how moving the ceremony was, and we had our two minutes silence as the sun broke through on the horizon.

The day's journey then kicked off with a traditional gunfire coffee (coffee and rum [albeit with whiskey as a substitute]) - just what you need before doing 85 km on a dirt road through the Tirari desert!!

The first 20km was fast on packed dirt, but the track then got progressively worse with us "aqua planing" through some sand sections and bouncing off the largest rocks that we have seen so far on the journey.

The iPods were out for all the cyclists today as we pushed our way through a tough 60km. Andrew was listening to classical music, Ric seemed to be humming to the Carpenters, Dom was listening to a playlist that Jacqueline (his daughter) made for him and Pete was listening to a rock compilation that his wife Karen compiled.

At 57km into our day's riding Alan and Julie were waiting with fresh water and some sandwiches. There is not a lot of shade, and I think they found the only tree within 5km. The Tirari desert is mostly flat and has lots of small green shrubs - we suspect that the shrubs are probably due to the significant rain the area has had.

Peter was much happier riding with a different saddle for his bike and Andrew has ironed out some small niggles with his bike tires and gears.

All the cyclists were happy to come over the last rise to see Cooper creek (a very wide shallow creek that rarely has water in it - but does at the moment) A couple of months back we all thought that we would have to cross the creek via a temporary ferry but we will be able to cycle through it tomorrow.

Our average speed for the day (while we were cycling) was 19 km per hour. Pete was on fire, driving the four man peleton along.

Dom, Pete and Andrew all bathed in the open air to get the dust and sun screen off them. Ric commented that he will now need to see a psychiatrist and that he will the first to crack and get a proper room when we get to Birdsville.

The thought of bacon and eggs for breakfast at Mungerannie on the next rest day is keeping us going. Legs are definitely getting weary and the saddle soreness is a constant niggle.