Sydney to Perth

: The country is in one of the worst droughts in its history. If you think
it
: was hot in Europe this year just wait untill you get here. 35 to 40
Degress
: is normal for us in Summer it will be up to AND OVER 50 DEGREES during
the
: day and well below Zero at night out there.

I think you will find that the drought in much of NSW (80% according to the
news last week and the other 20% is in the NE) is now over. I am sure Vic
is the same but not sure about other states.

The desert does not get that cold at night. Colder than day of course but
it is a world wide urban legend that deserts get cold at night - sub zero
sleeping bags in the desert would definitely be dead weight. Ask the guys
on one of the survivalism newsgroups about deserts and night time.

50 degrees is a bit over the top but make no mistake the desert in the
daytime can kill in a few hours as has been demonstrated by ill prepared
tourists. It also is a different heat than in the northern hemisphere. It
would be beneficial to have a support team or at least I would look into
getting a distress beacon. Carry loads of water and also cover up from head
to toe. Aust has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world. If you are
going to be going all day you are better off with long sleeves and long
pants or at worst a good lather of spf30+ sunscreen applied often. Man I
have copped some good sun strokes over the years while long distance
touring.

Pete

"John Doe" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:mbg6b.85385$bo1.74566@news-

Quoted message said:

50 degrees is a bit over the top but make no mistake the desert in the
daytime can kill in a few hours as has been demonstrated by ill prepared

Temperatures are measured in the shade remember.. so 47degC in
the shade is probably quite a bit hotter when you've got the sun
blaring down on your poor body!

hippy

: Temperatures are measured in the shade remember.. so 47degC in
: the shade is probably quite a bit hotter when you've got the sun
: blaring down on your poor body!
:
: hippy

Yes they are. I assumed that all knew that. In direct sun the mercury
would climb higher but this guys were comparing it to European statistics
which are also measured in the shade. Apples with Apples.

Notwithstanding the desert will kill very quickly if you are unprepared. I
think that fact is more important than numbers, shade or not.

cheers
Pete

I can recommend reading Cold Beer and Crocodiles by Roff Smith ISBN
0-7922-7952-2.
I picked it up on special for $6.95 but after reading it I might have
paid the full price of A$40.
He describes a ride around Australia and has nothing good to say about
the Nullabor.

An alternative view can be had from a couple of Canadians September 2003
Australian Cyclist.

Frankly I would not do it, there are far better places to ride in
Australia and I am told the Indian Pacific train is very relaxing.

Jack Russell

Dodo said:

Check you maps the prevailing winds in Australia at that time of year or any
time of year for that matter are from West to east and is up to 40 knots at
times, if you go from Sydney to perth you may not even make it that is you
may DIE from heat exhaustion or simply get the [censored] with the palce.

Its one of the great romanictic notions of many cyclists to ride across
Australia truth is it is very hot and very dry and there is nothing out
there just day after day of grinding along a busy and not partincularly wide
road that has lots of trucks and NO WATER for hundreds of miles at a time
and every thing is as expensive as hell.

The country is in one of the worst droughts in its history. If you think it
was hot in Europe this year just wait untill you get here. 35 to 40 Degress
is normal for us in Summer it will be up to AND OVER 50 DEGREES during the
day and well below Zero at night out there. Its called the " never nerer" by
the Aboriginals for a reason. Because if you go there you may never come
back.

Australia has many nice palces to cycle some people do cross the continent
but only as a supported rides in winter. so unless you have are planning on
bying a car or van and have someone to drive it is not practicle or safe to
try to cross form Sydney to Perth or vice versa, and there is nothing to see
any way

If you are looking for a good tour go to Cairns and the Atherton table lands
up noprth to start with and head south this will be a much more pleasant
tour for you and is about the same distance and there is water , beaches and
most importanly towns full of Pubs and friendly people some of whom may want
to have sex with you.

If you still want to see the red center drive it, and yes helemets are
compulsory