A day of successful bike surgery and then us cooking ourselves on the road.

We arrived at Two Wheel Industries, the bike shop, at 9 o’clock, pushing the tandem as it still had no chain. Marek and Levi set to work with the plan to replace the small chainring with a larger one, to improve shifting, but keep the low gears by fitting a new rear derailleur and an enormous 40 tooth rear cassette. 

The Blue Strawberry is now shifting like a dream, thanks the the Two Wheel masters.  

We didn’t get too far in the afternoon, with the temperature rising to at least 37°C (also known as 99°F - or “flipping hot”) on the road. Frequent stops in the shade we’re called for. “Mad dogs and Englishmen (and women)...”

We made it to Anna Bay, drapped our bags at the campsite and rode to the beach for a cool, refreshing swim... and cool it was, the Pacific feeling like it was funnelling water out of the Antarctic. 

​More heat tomorrow, and a special guest appearance for a boat ride.