Have to laugh at his diet though - roadhouse breakfasts, pies and sausage rolls, coke and fish and chips for dinner. Where do I sign up to do this next year?

Well done Dave - keep it up!

Sadly, folks, I have abandoned my attempt to beat the record for riding around Australia. The muscle tear I sustained on Day 25 is just not getting better. On the 150km ride into Port Hedland this morning it steadily worsened until I was again pretty much pedalling with one leg, despite strapping and Nurofen, and very thankful for a tailwind. I’m booked on a plane back to Sydney tomorrow from the Port Hedland Airport which is just across the road from a caravan park where I have a cabin for tonight.



As you can imagine, I’m very disappointed. Before setting out, I thought it was possible but not probable that I would beat Eugen’s outstanding record and that any successful attempt would rely on a lot of luck. However, by Day 20, I began to believe that I was going to do it. My bike and body were responding positively to everything I asked of them and perhaps I became over-confident. Who knows?



Regardless of my whingeing about being near my limit and my complaints about it being no fun, I have relished the experience and will always value it. There is something spiritual and cleansing (and certainly selfish!) about being totally absorbed in a mission that completely dominates your existence for an extended period of time. There is an immense sense of freedom in riding through the outback, or through sleeping towns, at night. There is a great sense of accomplishment in feeling the kilometers click by and reaching goals that you doubted were possible. Not least, there is a lot of joy in being able to eat and drink whatever you like!



Will I have another go? I don’t know, but it has crossed my mind. However, there are also a lot of other challenges on my list.



Finally, the support I have received during my ride has been both overwhelming and inspirational. I am very grateful for all of your messages and can only wish that I had delivered the desired result for all of us.



Thanks,



Dave Byrnes

Whilst heading to Perth in the morning, he was struck by a van and sustained minor injuries, specifically to his right arm which was hit by the mirror of the vehicle travelling at high speed. After an attempt to continue riding, the injury was painful enough to force Dave to stop and seek medical treatment. The contents of the right pannier bag were strewn across the road, his laptop being one of those items, and is no longer working. As a result, Dave does not have internet access but is contactable via mobile phone for those supporters who have his number. Dave has a flight booked home Thursday, to allow time to retrieve his bicycle and finalise some things today.