Prologue (Adel to Pt Adel)

DAY 1 (Adelaide to Victor Harbor)

DAY 2 (Victor Harbor to Meningie)

DAY 3 (Meningie to Robe)

DAY 4 (Robe to Mt. Gambier)

DAY 5 (Mt. Gambier to Port Fairy)

DAY 6 (Port Fairy to Port Campbell)

DAY 7 (Port Campbell to Lorne)

DAY 8 (Lorne to Melbourne)

back to step-hen.com

Graham tuck behind

the All Trail bus at 70 kph

~Bad luck struck! The chain stay of the Festina frame decided to give way~

It was hard to believe. A frame costed me an arm and a leg could actually became rubbish in a matter of seconds. It happened to the shock of everybody, including the tour mechanics Greg, Stephen the shop owner of Le Tour Cycles, most fellow tour cyclists and myself.

Before it happened, I was expecting a very easy day even I rode out with a hurting left shoulder and now a saddle sore. It was because the wind was mostly behind us today! I started the pretty much the same as the other days. Packing my stuff, checking the tyre pressure, check my camera, and do some stretches. It was cool but not cold morning and a lovely tail wind.

The pack set a gentle pace and I was hiding at the back for most of the first hour. I casually picked up my water bottle and had a sip. And I casually put in back, as usual. The bottle was dropped and the back wheel ran over it. I thought there was nothing wrong and waved to the bunch. I went back and picked my bottle up. Had a quick look of the bike. There was nothing wrong and I rode on. Then I heard some weird clicking noise coming from the rear. Bizarre. I had a good look. Guess what?! The frame snapped at the weld of the chain stay.

Found Sue and her CR-V at the first water station and she helped me to call Greg. He came speeding in, had a look and said, "bugger." Grey took the frame and promised to look at it during lunch hour.

My heart nearly stopped and I thought I never would ride again this trip. I rode in a bus and suddenly I saw a helmet sticking out from the rear window. It was Graham holding on the back wheel of the All Trail bus, at 70 kph! Amazing! This was the second time that I saw him doing this. I am sure there was something wrong under his helmet. Children, please don't this at home!!

At morning tea break, I called Stephen from Le Tour and asked him what to do. It was impossible to get a new frame to the Mt. Gambier as it might not be perfect fit - then it will make the matter worse. I thought of my spare bike in the apartment. I quickly called mum and asked if she was free to come over. In the mean time, Greg went to a local mechanics and got some clamps to cover the crack. See the pictures below:

I was advised not to get out of saddle and not to use all the gears as the chain may touch the clamps. Greg thought I could use most of the cassette but I rather kept the gear low (up to 16T) than busting the chain. The rolling hills and the magpies did not help my frustration but I still kept at 30 kph on flat. The repair was quite strong but I knew I could not have the frame for the rest of the tour. That would be too risky.

Mum and dad came with my spare bike and they rewarded with a bar of chocolate for their effort. Thanks mum! Change the seatpost, pedals and wheels and wah-la ... a new bike! (or my old bike)

Most people said it was an easy day and certainly it was not THAT easy for me. Life goes on I suppose. Stephen from the shop said there will be a new bike next week. Sweet! I would be a zebra king next week. ... Look at my new bike now