The boys and girls did actually arrive on Tuesday as planned, they trickled on over the afternoon. I was down in the gorge so didn't see a lot of that, and people pretty immediately went out to have a look round. We have a meeting this morning to discuss distances and so on. It's 400km each week from Newman on, assuming we take a couple of days to traverse Karajini. Tomorrow we ride 30km of gravel to Fortescue Falls, Friday camp on the park boundary, then two 90km days to Newman. I will be in the van, possibly driving depending on volunteers.
A full day of bumming around ensues. I don't go gorge swimming because the water is cold. Very cold. And most of the real gorge walks involve "grade two" bits which translates to swimming a fair bit.
Did support with Tanya, packed everything up and drove to the falls. Took along the yellow Peugeot for some guy (Andrew) we met and he rode with the group. Cooked chick peas and lentils, a bit more organised with Tanya doing stuff. Didn't seem to do much other than organise and move, but felt like a rest day. This apparently doesn't count as support since we're having rest days. So I get to spend a day moving and driving while everyone else (except Tanya) bums round, but it doesn't get me any credit.
Gorge walk in the morning, played round, lots of photos.
Rode out of the park and camped probably 20km from last night. I rode Tanya's bike out then swapped to the van while she rode once we were on the seal. Gravel on an upright is still not much fun, but at least it was fairly fast. Averaged about 25kph, with full gear on the bike. Whingers were doing about 10kph and didn't seem to have too much fun. Jonas went past at great speed with a big smile on his face when I stopped to talk to people. Corrugations seem to bounce out at about 30kph, so it pays to go as fast as you can. I wait at the end of the gravel for a while before the van eventually arrives as the sun is setting.
We drive along overtaking riders until we eventually get bored and camp randomly in a side road (gravel) due to a lack of light to see anything useful (no moon). It's pretty mediocre, and dinner is too. I ask round to see if anyone else is interested in a decent ride tomorrow, and Evan says he might keep going at lunch and catch me up. I will wait before 120km until at least 3pm to see if he makes it. The group will camp at 90 and see me in a day or two in Newman.