The riders have a rest day on Saturday in Albany following 407 km from Perth where they rested for 2 days. Apart from time off their bikes, the break in Perth allowed a time of recovery and refuelling as well as servicing four of the group’s vehicles and many bikes, and also food shopping for the team.

On Sunday, the riders will make a turn eastward to cross the continent to Sydney. Initially, they’ll cover 480km from Albany to Esperance and a day’s rest, before the 1500 km leg across the Nullarbor to Streaky Bay, South Australia.

“Enjoyed a great day off the bikes on Rottnest Island in the Indian Ocean” reports rider Gordon Clipsham. “It commenced with a thundering ferry ride just 22km offshore from Fremantle. This is indeed a great island to come for a holiday/rest away from the world…day off has been magic since we look forward now to riding again tomorrow.

“More people joined the ride in Perth and some left. As the group changes, a new dimension in team bonding and peloton riding commences.”

Rider Allan Melmoth says “Since Perth, the riders have been formed into three teams (fast, faster, and fastest). The fastest team keeps changing names depending on what is topical at the moment. First day out of Perth they were the Quokkas because some had been to Rottnest Island. Previous day names were: Wildflowers, Black Swans etc.”

You can follow the riders on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/bikeforbibles

Or via GPS tracking at: http://bikeforbibles.org.au/rides/the-australia-big-ride-broome-to-perth-to-sydney/#.UfIQi1MRve4