Friday 10^th July

Not a bad days drive only 450kms. Arrived at Alice Springs about 2.15 and went straight to a massive camping shop called the Desert Dwellers – cool name, to get a part for our brand new BBQ which is not working. After some extra helpful assistance all good and we are back in action. Found 'Winter Sun' the name of the caravan park, just near town, that we are staying at. Alice seems to be a tidy town from our short drive around. Got the bikes out and rode up to get some supplies, a short distance to IGA. Ran into a very friendly policeman outside of IGA who kindly offered to watch our bikes while we shopped. Early dinner at the camp kitchen, can’t get the new BBQ  dirty!!

Beautiful weather here tonight but even we are expected to be affected by the cold snap expected to hit you guys in next few days.

Did you know Alice Springs is further from the ocean than anywhere else in Australia – Oh no think I’m going through withdrawals.

Saturday 11^th July

Today is known as Hump Day in the Alice the reason being that it is the day for the annual Camel Cup Races. How lucky were we arriving on the weekend of this event. So we busied ourselves in the morning and rode into town to get some moolah for betting on the camels. The courtesy bus was picking us up outside the caravan park at 11.15. Along with about 15 other campers we were still waiting at 11.45 so Mez and myself hailed a cab and only just missed the first race.

The finish of a race

The start where the camel is supposed to be seated on the ground but it doesn't always work that way - so anything goes.

This is a huge family day with market type stalls, food stall, souvenir stalls even makeshift bars but nowhere to bet. This is a non betting race meet so Mez and I had our own betting system where we would pick a number and whose camel came in first that person got the money - $5 in each per race. On the day I was lucky enough to make a whopping $5. 

The bar that supplied us with a couple of beverages, run by volunteers. 

 In between the 8 camel races there were novelty events for all ages and the finale was a water canon battle with 3 battle ship floats one being the navy, one the pirates and one the Vikings, all good fun. 

Chariot races that were a lot of fun

The canon battle

I took so many pics, it was so much fun

This was to be a cool day, however, it didn’t turn out that way and we were unprepared with no blockout and came home a little red faced. 

We were a little over dressed for the temp but at the end of the day it was fab day.

Great day, lots of fun.

Sunday 12^th July

Alice Springs has a myriad of good bike riding tracks and so today was planned to explore the town on bike. We started with a ten minute ride into the main street to Todd River Mall for the Sunday markets where we picked up some fresh fruit and vege straight from the farm. Very exciting as produce has been poor due to the arid areas that we have travelled through as well as the limitations at border crossings.

Back to camp with supplies then off for a long bike ride to Telegraph Station, one of the  historical sites that helped to locate and form this town. The ride took us along the banks of the Todd River which is completely dry and has been for some time.

We are actually standing in the middle of the Todd River which in the wet season is normally flowing straight underneath our feet.

The dry river bed

This was not a welcome site when we started our bike ride but you have to soldier on.

 The Todd River Hotel at the corner of town was our late lunch time stop. Great spot for people watching. On leaving the hotel I thought there was something wrong with my bike and realised that I had a flat back tyre. At this stage we were a far way from camp so decided to try and ride it with a front basket full of groceries as well as a backpack full as well. I’m sure not many of you would have had the experience of riding with a flat, well let me tell you it was hard going. Mez took over half way as my knee was packing it in – I can't believe I have knees that don't work properly. After a long time we made it back to get organised for an early departure.