Day Two
Leaving Sydney and Heading for the Outback
Day 02 Leaving Sydney and Heading for the Outback
17 December 2025
Day two began with the simple goal of escaping Sydney and that proved easier said than done. The city was busy, the air was already hot, and by mid morning the temperature was climbing fast. Sitting in traffic on a bike at 36.5°C is not much fun hot, sticky, and physically draining. For the first hour it was a test of patience as I crawled my way out of the city.
But then, slowly, everything changed.
As the urban sprawl faded behind me, the road opened up and the countryside took over. The heat was still intense, but the sense of freedom that comes with open roads made it all worthwhile. This was the real start of the journey.
The ride carried me through a series of beautiful natural areas Mount Gibraltar Reserve, Cecil Hoskins Nature Reserve, and the forests around Moss Vale each one feeling further removed from the chaos of the city. Eventually, I reached Namadgi National Park, where the sealed roads gave way to gravel.
This was new territory for me.
Riding gravel for the first time was both challenging and exhilarating. The bike felt different, the surface demanded respect, and every input mattered more. This was where earlier off road training really paid off, and I was grateful for the skills learned back home. After 35 kilometres of gravel, the relief of reaching tar again was very welcome.
A stop in the Snowy Mountains followed despite the name, there was absolutely no snow to be found. Instead, there were wide open landscapes, endless views, and the kind of quiet you only find far from major cities. One unexpected highlight of the day was spotting a kangaroo out on the gravel road, a very Australian moment and a reminder that I was well and truly out in the country now.
By the time I rolled into accommodation, the bike was completely covered in dust easily the best photo of the day and a perfect symbol of the ride so far.
Ride Stats
• Distance: 443 km
• Time: 9 hours 19 minutes
• Conditions: Extreme heat, clear skies
Despite the punishing temperatures, Day 02 was a fantastic transition from city life into the Australian wilderness. It was long, hot, and demanding but also deeply rewarding. Gravel roads, vast landscapes, and the sense of real adventure had officially begun.
Tomorrow, the outback continues.