Days 45 & 46 Cardwell, Babinda, Cairns

 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.

The Big Gumboot is the height of the town’s most ever rainfall - over 5 metres in a year

Just as I arrived in Tully after 40 km 2 things happened; The 1st group riders in the Townsville to Cairns bike ride overtook me and then my front tyre went spongy and I realised it was going flat.

The bike riders stopped for a break in the rest stop shelter next to the Big Gumboot. Their support crew had morning tea organised for them. 

I stopped there as well and went off to the shopping centre looking for a cup of tea. No luck as every shop was closed for Tully Show Day. Back at the shelter I ate my wrap. It was only 10:00 am so I was going to need 2nd lunch. One of the rider support crew gave me a Diet Coke. 

Refreshed I tackled the flat front tyre. I had a spare tube in my tool kit. When I got it out I thought it looked a bit dodgy. Not surprising really as it has been folded up in my kit for a long  time. If my memory is correct the last time I replaced a tube on this bike was in 2017 in Ceduna.

Anyway the tube replaced and the wheel back on the bike I continued on. The 2nd and 3rd groups of riders arrived before I left. Chatting with one of them I discovered they were only going as far as Innisfail today. That was my plan too. It seems pretty slack to me. Cruising along in a peloton on lightweight bikes must be fun. 

Back on the road there was some wind assistance and I kept up a good pace. At Mourilyan just outside Innisfail I stopped for a mango smoothie. While I was there a couple I had met at Wyandra a fortnight ago came to say hi. They had seen me and done a U turn to come over to me. They were very surprised at my progress.

When I rode into Innisfail I was looking for the caravan park I stayed at 5 years ago.My memory deceived me and I passed 2 caravan parks and was headed through the other side of town before I gave up. It was only 2:30 pm and I realised I could get to Babinda a further 25 km

Although it was grey and gloomy I was feeling good and still enjoying the conditions. The surface was really nice and I got some nice freewheeling down a couple of hills. The shoulder was very narrow in places and there was a big drop off down an embankment. It made me a little nervous when big trucks came by that I might get shifted towards the edge.

Babinda Creek next to the campground 

I rolled into Babinda and quickly found the camping ground. It was already filled with grey nomads and backpacker vans. I found a spot between a huge coach and a caravan and set up my tent. The facilities is this park are great. I had a shower and went off to the supermarket.

When I came back it started to rain. Fortunately I had non cooking options for my evening meal because the rain had set in. Cooking outside was not an option. I was going to spend a long night in the tent.

Day 46 Babinda to Cairns 60 km

Lots of rain during the night. I was dry in the tent but outside it was very damp. When I removed the tent pegs the holes were full of water. I packed up the tent wet which I hate. 

While I was packing I leant the bike next to a small tree. When I tried to load the bags on the bike I was stung by some Australian Hornets that were sheltering under some leaves. Ouch!

As I headed out of the park it started to rain again. I headed into Babinda’s Main Street and found the bakery. Coffee and a Brekkie Roll sitting outside until the rain stopped.

With only 60 km to Cairns I was in no hurry but I was enjoying riding in the cool moist air. A couple of groups from the Townsville Cairns bike ride passed me. The 2nd group urged me to jump on. I liked the idea but knew I would struggle so I let it go.

I passed through Gordonvale and Edmonton and all too soon I arrived at my destination. 3771 km and 46 days after I left Melbourne (or at least the outskirts of Melbourne) I had arrived in Cairns.

Celebratory gelato 

With my journey complete I have to acknowledge Lisa my wonderful wife. In many ways my pursuit of these solo adventures is quite selfish. I sometimes feel guilty at the time I spend away from home particularly as Lisa continues working and managing the house and family. I am grateful beyond measure for the support and trust she gives me.

I am also grateful to the many people who waved, tooted their car horns and flashed their lights to encourage me. Also all the truck drivers who gave me space and manoeuvred around me and the grey nomads and travellers who passed me safely. 

Especial thanks to all those people who came over for a chat or to find out what I was doing. 

Finally thank you if you have followed this blog.

POSTSCRIPT 

Marjoliane who I met at Wilcannia later came to stay with me in Melbourne. It was a treat to host her and then to show her around the Great Ocean Road and Phillip Island.