It has been some months since I last blogged. So much has happened in that time. I ended up landing a new job. It is as a milkman delivering to service stations, cafe's, supermarkets and take-aways. It has been quite demanding, not so much the work as I'm used to the physical stuff. But the hours are taking some time to used to.
As a result I haven't been able to get away much, and have been feeling quite lethargic and unmotivated. But I suppose I will get there in the end. I am trying too get my system adjusted, but...
I thought I might blog about my attempted Bundaberg to Brisbane trip that was in January of this year. It was a trip fraught with error from the very beginning, maybe an omen, maybe just a case of "shit happens".
The preparation the trip started the night before. I made sure everything was packed, I had gone for another short ride to make sure the panniers were loaded evenly. I shaved, showered, ate and went to be early to get a good night's sleep prior to the trip.
I tossed and turned all night, had I done this, had I packed that and so on. So needless to say that the next morning became a later than planned start. That wasn't too bad, I'm on a holiday, there's no rush.
After breakfast and a large coffee I realised that I hadn't checked tyre pressure the night before. I decided to check these before I loaded the Kona. The rear tyre was down a bit so up she was pumped. Then onto the front tyre, and this is where all the fun started...Over the bike went, and with the pump still attached to the valve stem. Well needless to say the valve stem snapped and out came all the air.
I only had one spare for the trip, so it was used up here, even before I left. The bike store I usually go to was still closed as this was still during the Christmas holiday break. My plan was "she'll be right" and I'll when I get to Kingaroy I'll buy a couple of tubes there. How did I not know that this would come back to bite me hard on the arse later in the day, much later in the day.
Getting away at just before 8.00 am the temperature was fast rising, Summer in Queensland isn't always kind. It was already topping 30*C and was only going to get hotter. But I was still enthusiastic and I'm used to riding in the heat.
Heading out of town along Takalvan Street and onto the The Isis Hwy I pedaled contently happen about being on my way eventually. I continued out to Phillips Road near Pine Creek and hit gravel heading for Promiseland and Cordalba State Forest. The purpose of this trip was to take as many back roads as I could, to see as much a variety of countryside as I could.
I got to end of Phillips Road and turned right onto Promiseland road. The plan was to head onto Svenson Road and follow that through the forest to the Bruce Hwy. From here I was going to follow some back roads that run parallel to the highway until I got to Booyal Roadhouse where I would stop for lunch. This is where the day really began to belly up.
I got to the end of Promiseland Rd and instead of going straight ahead, I read my map ( on my phone) wrong and ended up turning right. It was a nice ride until I got to the end and realise that I was on a loop road that was taking back to where I started...the long way. I backed tracked several times completely bewildered...and well, lost.
I had past through a sugar cane farm earlier, and several hours later I stumbled across it once again. Annoyed and relieved at the same time knocked on the door to the house and got some decent directions. I also filled my water bottles up as I only had about one litre left, something else that was concerning me. It had topped out to around 38*C, and some sections with heat coming off the road it hit well over 40*C.
After the directions I realised where I went wrong and started off in the right direction. The plan was for the first night's camp to be at Lakeside about ten kilometers south of Biggenden. I knew I was going to make, so plan B was to get to Booyal and camp at the roadhouse.
By now it was 5.00 pm in the evening, a total of five and a half hours were lost getting lost. With many steep gradients in my "little" misdirected adventure there was a lot of pushing the bike. In the loose surfaces there was a lot of slipping and sliding.
I was making good time especially along a less than desirable road surface. The Kona Sutra took all that she was given that day and soaked up the bumps beautifully. What a pleasure this bike was proving to be. Handling the weight that it was carrying and the way it handle it all was magnificent.
But as good as the Kona is it couldn't avoid the pinch flat, or should I say flats, that she suffered. With no spare tube and only an emergency adhesive patch kit...well needless to say I ran out of patches, especially after the third flat. The tube had far more holes in it that I had patches. There was no choice left, no Booyal now, but rather a night's sleep in the middle of the State Forest.
My wife and daughters had been away for the past week and were due to return that afternoon. I did have some mobile service, thank goodness. I rang and she had just got home. The plan now was to set up camp and she would come out in the morning with some new tubes...ahhh the lessons learned here...lol.
I carried the bike and gear off the road and found a nice sheltered little spot well out of sight. I set up camp, had a much needed wash and coffee and settled in for the night. A lovely cool breeze began to blow which brought a great relief from the heat. It also helped to keep any midgies and mozzies away.
Although pissed off with my stupidity, I was quite at peace where I was. It was quiet, peaceful and I felt like thee only one on earth. This is why I love camping and touring alone, you exist there and then only by yourself.
Too tired to cook anything flash for dinner, a couple of packets of Noodles mixed with a couple of scrambled eggs were the menu. Being a warm night with that lovely breeze was perfect for sleeping in the tent without the fly on it. Looking up at the stars and moon I notice a little cloud cover forming. Nothing major, but there was a little shower early in the morning hours which forced me to put the fly over.
What a great nights sleep, the Sea to Summit hiking mat had done it's job successfully ounce again. The sun rose and it was nice just laying in. There was no rush to get up as I knew the support vehicle wouldn't be there early. When I did arise, I noticed some back pain. I put it down to just a hard day the previous day and was probably just some stiffness. I got up, stretched a bit and got about having some breakfast and a morning heart starter (coffee, strong and black).
The niggling in the back continued but I didn't pay it too much mind. I derived a new plan which would save me some time and still get me to Kilkivan that night and put me back on track. My wife would pick me up and I would get her to run me out to Biggenden, some fifty kilometers away. This would put me within one hundred kilometers of Kilkivan where I would camp in the free camp in the middle of town.
I got rescued driven to Biggenden, replaced the tube and packed the bike up to eventually get away about 12.00 pm. Another late start but atleast I'd be back on track for the following day.
A stiff breeze was blowing which was a curse and a blessing. It was a head wind and made it fun with pushing into it on a loaded bike. But it cooled things down, making it much cooler than the previous day. Cloud cover began to get heavier and there ended being showers on and off. The wind got stronger and stronger throughout the afternoon making it harder; and the back pain got worse.
Nearing Woolooga it began to pour, it was getting dark and it began to be an endless day. I had planned to bypass Woolooga and head to Kilkivan via Running Creek Rd, but as it was getting late I didn't want to risk travelling another road I was unfamiliar with. Heading through Woolooga and onto the Wide Bay Hwy wasn't something I was keen to do. I was even less keen as it was now raining and pretty much dark.
The rain continued along the highway, and I am thankful for the courtesy that truckies showed me along this stretch. There was a time that I didn't think I was going to make and seriously considered camping on the eastern side of Kilkivan. But I pushed on, whether that was to a good thing or a bad thing I wasn't sure. By now my back was killing me and I still had about fifteen kilometers to go.
I decided that due to the rain I would soft cock it and crash in a motel for the night, not something that I had really budgeted for. I had my wife book the room for me and as I approached town the roads were perfectly dry and not a drop of rain in sight. Here I was thinking of money wasted for a room, but as I opened the door to my motel room at the Kilkivan Hotel-Motel the heavens opened up and it poured rain all night and well into the next morning.
I struggled to unpack the bike as I was in a lot of pain. I relished in a hot shower and began to feel better. I cooked my self some chicken stir fry and settled back to enjoy the cold six pack that I purchased. I was knackered and it wasn't long before I turned in. Little did I know that this would be my last night.
The morning came, and I was in a world of pain. I had trouble getting out of bed and had even more trouble loading the bike. I was flat out lifting the panniers, let alone ride anther seventy five kilometers to Kingaroy. This was disappointing, it was here I was about to embark on the Kingaroy-Kilkivan Rail Trail. After all, these trails were the main reason I was doing this trip. I had to make a bike decision, I couldn't afford to stay another night in a motel, but couldn't go on. If I was to continue how bad would it be, and it would only be further to get home.
It was here that I conceded defeat, it was much better to be safe than sorry. After all the trails will still be there, there will always be other opportunities. I rang my wife and called for the "whambulance".
As much a disappointment as this was, I don't consider it a fail. After all bicycle touring isn't a competition, it's a vacation. Vacations are cut short all the time for a variety of reasons.
So I'm home and all recovered now. I was still working as a school cleaner then and had planned to revisit the trip over the Easter break. Unfortunately there has been a few changes to my circumstances now. But I will revisit the trip, and maybe even beyond.
As for now I will be content in just getting some order in place and do some weekends away.
Cheers all, and safe cycling.
