one ’ s self .” Around a campfire we chat well into the night , a wallaby , and a scorpion for company . A bottle of red wine lubricates debate as we discuss what ’ s important in life . Family , friends , experience all come to the fore yet the exchange swings again to that of misplaced perceptions . Is Australia racist ? Are Australians racist ?
The dawning of the new day brings greater discoveries . We head onto a track that leads deeper into the National Park , an area I knew little of . Roz ’ s thirst for adventure , a quest to discover , to seek the unknown leads me up the track , I follow her wheel tracks blindly .
This track is not extreme yet wouldn ’ t be welcomed by a rider who doesn ’ t know what they ’ re doing , surprisingly I ’ m not impressed as the ‘ little red bike ’ bounced its way up the steep incline . No . The last 24 hours had led me to expect this from Roz .
“ How fuckin ’ awesome was that ,” the excitement from the rider is not a question , rather a statement of intent . “ Spectacular , with a capital SPEC .”
We laugh as we drink in the views . Something has clicked , I now get it , I understand what Roz is about . The ride up the hill was awesome , but she doesn ’ t mean that , Roz is compelled to take everything in ; the ride , the tracks , the rocks , the bush , the nature . It ’ s all a part of the experience , that of being alive .
We discover the site of an unofficial camp , the
coordinates of which were shared by a fellow rider . The scenery is breathtaking , the location unique and before I get a chance to photograph Roz is off again , climbing the rock face as lithe as a mountain goat . I struggle , she disappears . I get it again .
The next hour is spent descending from the peaks of the Grampians and looking for a way out of the National Park . I know that our time together has come to an end , that this short encounter is complete . Finalised by a huge warm hug , the sort that old friends share .
“ Carry on ,” Roz grins as she twists the throttle and rolls away . “ Carry on .”
I watch as the dust fades into the distance . A little melancholy , greatly fulfilled . I ’ d known Roz for such a short time , but I ’ d known this person a lifetime . There ' s something of Roz in all of us .
Understanding that Roz was off on her next adventure I came to realise that her wide-eyed view of ‘ her ’ world was infectious and would lead any encountered to want more , to discover , to understand .
Roz Veersma is brash , loud , and out there , perhaps not for all , she doesn ’ t care , she ’ s out there exploring ‘ her ’ world , her life . This is her ride and she ’ ll do it her way … carry on ! TRAVERSE
TRAVERSE 34