Posts

Days 45 & 46 Cardwell, Babinda, Cairns

Image
  Day 45 Cardwell to Babinda 124 km The person in the room next door last night could have snored for Australia. I’m a prettty good performer myself but I was totally outclassed. I woke several times and each time it was a struggle to get back to sleep. Sunrise at Cardwell At 5:30 am I gave up and started packing. It was still too dark to consider riding so I pushed the bike to foreshore. At 6:20 am I rang Lisa who I knew was in her car on the way to work. While we chatted it started to rain. I sought shelter under a shop veranda. After Lisa arrived at work I ordered breakfast at a cafe and also purchased a wrap for lunch. By the time I had eaten breakfast the rain had cleared although it continued to threaten for the rest of the day. Distance to go at the start of the day The heavily overcast sky meant the temperature remained pleasantly cool despite the humidity. I was really enjoying the conditions as I rode along. When the sun did make a brief appearance it got really steamy. T...
Post a Comment
Read more

Days 42, 43 & 44 Townsville, Ingham & Cardwell

Image
  Day 42 Charters Towers to Townsville 134 km I was on the bike at 7:00 am riding on the Flinders Highway towards Townsville. Earlier I chatted with Lisa who was on her way to work and had coffee and muesli. I had set myself to ride 130 km to Townsville, a big day to be sure but I was confident. I knew from 5 years ago that I had the benefit of dropping down to sea level and I expected some wind assistance closer to the finish. Burdekin River After an hour I arrived at the Burdekin river. I went into the Burdekin Duck roadhouse and bought some toasted sandwiches. An hour further on I climbed the pass near Mingela and began to descend. The Easterly wind slowed my descent but it was still the best downhill to date on this trip. I stopped at Reid River roadhouse for lunch at 12:30 pm having ridden 80 km. With 50 km still to pedal I was looking forward to the wind assistance I should get when the road turned North. I didn’t get any benefit though until I was on the outskirts of Townsvi...
Post a Comment
Read more

Days 39, 40 & 41 Hughenden, Torrens Creek , Homestead & Charters Towers

Image
Day 39 Hughenden to Torrens Creek 84 km A later start from Hughenden. I had a leisurely breakfast in the camp kitchen while my iPad was charging. I was watching football in my tent last night and ran the battery down.  My solar panel is very effective at charging up the rechargeable batteries I use to recharge my phones, Spot device, the iPad and my rechargeable light. I do have to prioritise the which devices get power first and the iPad is the slowest to recharge so using the power points in the kitchen was a bonus. I also refilled my water canisters in the kitchen after I tipped out the foul tasting bore water I have been drinking since Winton. Last night I tossed and turned thinking about my choice of route. Another look at the map confirmed my choice to head towards Charters Towers. It does mean I will be covering some ground I have been over before but at this stage of the trip I am looking for some easier days. Winton and Muffy While I was in the kitchen I chatted with Muffy...
Post a Comment
Read more