Goodnight Goodnight. Day 3.

The morning attempted a start at 6.20 am, but with the still dawning sun's light being washed out by heavy fog, it was difficult to justify an early rise from the comfort of my bed. So, I lay there listening intently to early calls of crows, warbles of magpies and the myriad of other bird calls. It was Sunday after all, and I would get up soon. Yep, soon, that's for sure.

The photo doesn't do the fog justice, but it was clearing as I exited the tent.

So who hit the snooze button? I awoke for a second time about an hour later. I did this time however, manage to drag my backside out of the tent. The air was still thick and moist and the fly I had draped over my small tent was drenched like it had been drowned in a heavy downpour, even the under side.

The chilly dampness gave me a brazened wake up call as I tucked myself down to exit, only to drag my back along the top of the fly. It was still a little chilly so I rummaged through the small pile of sticks I had laying on the ground for some dry kindling. It wasn't long before I had a small billy fire ablaze and the subtle heat was enough to warm my hands. Coffee was on.

Again, I had great plans of getting up early and attacking the dawn with pedal power, but... I took my time with breakfast and then attempted to catch the now shining sun's rays to dry out the fly and tent somewhat. I did eventually get  packed up.

It was now about 9:15 in the morning and the steed was mounted for the ride home. I had worked out that it was approximately 75 - 85 km's, so I took the later as an estimate. Riding out of the forest was so much easier then entering. One, because I suppose my legs were fresh and two, it was a lot more down hill than uphill. Although I still wasn't without a great many climbing challenges.

I just love roads like this

My plan was to head out of Goodnight the same way I headed in. But instead of heading back towards Wallaville, I would head South-East for Booyal. It wasn't long before I was back at the Goodnight-Booyal Road. I had knocked that eighteen or so kilometers over rather quickly. I now only had 11 km's to go to get to the Bruce Hwy at Booyal, and the road was sealed. This was going to a sinch. Or was it?

Although the road remained sealed for a short way, it was a continual uphill run. Not a steady 2% climb, oh no. I was excited when a climb was only 5-6%. Now, the sealed road had run out and the hill continued. I say hill because there was only one, it just started a long way back.

Wow, now a down hill run and the road was sealed again. Down over the Burnett River through Booyal Crossing I hurtled. But that was it, it wasn't a hill that faced me, it was a mountain. I think the Garmin showed about 27% at one stage, and yes I was walking. It was so steep that even walking I had to stop. But the problem with stopping was, it was so hard to get started again. Who's idea was it to come this way?

I eventually made it to the top, I laid the bike against a small tree and just sat. After getting to my feet I just stood there slumped over the handle bars. Ok, it wasn't far to Booyal now, and it wasn't. It was also down hill...YOU BEAUTY.

I pulled into the roadhouse at Booyal and purchased a Gatorade and a Snickers then went over to the grassed area and sat under a tree to prepare some lunch and a coffee. I sat there for about an hour before packing up and moving on. I headed out along Old Booyal Rd as I didn't want to be on the Bruce Hwy. I knew that there was a turn off somewhere to travel along the old Isis-Dallarnil Branch Line, but I missed it and came out onto the highway...bummer.

I travelled along the Bruce for about 200 meters and by then I'd had enough. I stopped at the turn off to Uphams Rd and searched Google Maps for a better way, and I found it, a track approximately 100 meters in off the highway. It didn't take me long to work out that I had stumbled onto the branch Line that I wanted to find 15 minutes prior.

Gotta love adventure

I followed the tracks along and it eventually bought me out onto Marule Rd. I knew now where I was. I had thought of continuing along the line but as I was unsure of it's condition and accessibility I opted for the way I knew, Svensons Rd. Back to Promiseland through the forest via a familiar way it was. It was along this stretch I was stranded for a night on a previous trip due to my own haste, ahhh, the memories...lol. As I knew where I was, I just casually strolled along in no great hurry. I stopped for the odd photo, snack and rest.

Quiet forestry roads. The Kona eats these up.

Onto Promiseland Rd and Phillips Rd I now wasn't far from home. Around 20 km's to go and my short trip would be over. My last stop was at the corner of the Isis Hwy, where a quick muesli bar and gulp of water was had, then it was hightail it for home. The traffic wasn't bad so that was a good thing, and the usual easterly Bundaberg wind was at a lull.

Reaching the airport I started to dream of my next trip, as I always do. Where to next? How long could I go for? I finally arrived home about 4:30 pm and then, of course reality bit. I was due to start work again at 2:00 am and thus on the mouse wheel once again.

But it was fantastic, I hadn't been to this part of my area before, and to do it by bike...wow. A 200 plus kilometer weekend away was what I needed, it rejuvenated the soul as it always does. It also hammered home of bicycle touring not only being the grand months or years long travelcade, but also the smaller weekends away. The weekends that are much more a reality for the most of us.

Cheers, and as always Ride Safe.