Over The Hills And Far Away.

As I sit here in South Grafton waiting for the weather to change for the better yet again, I can't help thinking what an amzing trip this has been thus far. As I write, there it goes again, more rain. It has been like this for pretty much the whole trip, with the exception of a few days from Brisbane to Woodenbong, and it seems to be setting. But you get that!

The ride out of Woodenbong was nothing short of spectcular. The undulating hills and vibrant green pastures made the perfect backdrop to this awesome pedalfest.

Of course as you leave the small township of Woodenbong the only direction iss up. I had planned to stay at Tooloom Falls, but as described in the last blog I suffered a bad case of hamburgeritis and called it quits where I was. It was a good thing though beause after talking to one of the travelling greys (grey nomad) at the caravan park, Tooloom Falls had a decent amount of water across the causeway. It would have been difficult to get in, and especially out the other side. It is a shame though, I did want to see the falls and apparently they were in full flow.

After a little bit of road works I was well on my way for an area I had never been through. There is always something great about seeing an area for the first time, and being on a bike is just the icing on the cake.

After about an hour I started the climb. The climb is what I call the ride up into Yabbra State Forest. Now talk about spectacular, wow. The ride up was awesome, even though steep in parts it was more than rideable on the loaded bike. But once at the top, it was breathtaking. Tall gums reached high into the sky and blocked the sun's light completely from reaching the ground. I felt like an ant as I pedalled among the bases of these giants of time. I was so taken in by their impressiveness that I almost ran off the road...a couple of times.

I stopped for about half an hour at a rest stop just to take it in. One tree had been struck by lightening and no longer had a crown of branches at it's top. Instead a termite mound or other insect nest had taken shape. It resembled a street lamp out of the 1960's show Land Of The Giants.

After the rest stop it was pretty much down hill with only the odd exception. I am so glad I was heading south. Long downhill runs made for a day just cruising, spending more time brakng rather than pedalling. Rough patches on the road were soaked up by the Kona's sturdiness and surefootedness.

The road was also lonely, with hardly a sole travelling on it. Those that did were friendly and courteous and ackowledged me with toot, a wave and a smile. Maybe the smile was more a case of, "Look at this crazy bugger".

The geography continued on a downhill slope until I eventually reached the Bruxner Hwy. The Bruxner is a stretch of highway that runs between Lismore on the NSW Northern Rivers coast to the cental northern NSW town of Goondiwindi, then divides into The Bardon and Cunninghams Hwys.
I only had a short distance to travel on the Bruxner, and with no shoulder I was glad. I was able to stop and top up on water at a rest area on the intersection.

Back onto the Clarence Way it was now dirt...and rough. Even though earlier segmants had been rough, the now dirt section I was on made the Paris to Roubaix look like a walk in the park. Sections of it reminded me of my earlier trek down the Cololoola Way. Some sections had been freshly graded as I travelled downward, but they were still rough in the middle and soft on the edges. I found myself tacking across the surface looking for a decent surface like a sailboat across the water looking for a good breeze.

By now the land had levelled out. By levelled out I mean it was no longer a reasonably consistant downhill run. It was undulating and the downhills equalled the uphills. Actually, I think the uphills were winning.

I wanted to knock out one hundred kilometers for the day. Because I had stopped at Woodenbong instead of Tooloom Falls I was sixteen kilometers behind the eight-ball. But I knew I had well over one hundred to pedal out the following day as well. So my plan was simply, do more today equals doing less tomorrow.

It was now around 4:30 pm DST and I had planned to just keep riding until almost dark and camp off the side of the road. But the sky grew dark and the breeze that was, gave way to a very eery stillness. Even the birds had quietned. I saw the clouds building up to the west of me and thought to myself, "This doesn't look good", although hopeful that it would bypass me somehow. There was nothing I could do now. There were no shelters to run and hide in, I just had to keep riding and hope for the best.

Not much longer and a distant deep rumbling began, yes, thunder. I've said before that thunder doesn't worry me, and it doesn't. But what can come with it does! Not only was the sky very dark, it was 'green' dark and this can mean hail. I was also hitting some open plateaus and where there is thunder there is often lightning.

The wind started to build and the rain began, lightly at first, the odd big drop or two on the head. It gradually built up in intensity and it wasn't long before I was soaked through. Well and truly wet there was nothing I could do now.

Continuing on and the dark clouds giving the appearence of near night fall I began looking for a camp site. There were no designated free camps along here so stealth camping was on the cards. I was looking for a patch that was unfenced as I don't like camping on private property.

Around 6:30 pm I found a patch of grass that was off the road and reasonably out of sight, although hardly a car was seen. It was near a creek, scenic and up on a flattened mound that would keep me out of any run off. The storm had broken by now so it was peerfect timing.

I pulled over and got the tent set up. I leaned the bike up against a gate and covered it with a small tarpolin that I carry. After setting up, I got changed into some dry clothes, got my chair out and put the billy on to sit back and relax before dinner as the sun finally set. I no longer sat down, put the teabag in the cup and lit the stove and a few drops started again. "It'll pass", I thought and stayed put. BUT, it began to get heavier and it wasn't long before I was huddled in the tent with the stove just outside the tent boiling the billy.

I made my cuppa and sat in my little home away from home and waited for the rain to stop. Well, I waited and I waited and I waited. Nope...no reprieve tonight by the looks of it. I sat there with my little cooler bag full of salad stuff, nibbling on tomatoes, cucumber and carrots sipping my cuppa. That was dinner and with the rain set in it was time to enjoy the calming sound of it on the fly and settle in for the night. I laid back and thought I'd listen to a podcast, and that was as far as I got, thinking about listening to a.....

Cheers guys, and as always, ride safe.

We Can't Sit Idle.

After lulling around over the weekend, eating and drinking several friends out of house and home. It was, just like a plaque of locusts, time to move on, and move on I did.

Getting away from Brisbane's northern suburbs I planned a route that would take me via Bardon, Centenary, out through Forest Lakes and bring me out at the back of Browns Plains.

Hardly a road was pedalled on after I left Enoggera with the exception of a few back streets. Down through Ithica Creek Bikeway, up through Bardon and down onto the Centenary Bikeway. After here I followed footpaths and bikeways through Forest Lakes and pretty much all the way to Browns Plains, except one small section along Johnsons Rd until I could jump onto the path way.

Most of the way to Jimboomba was service road. Then from Jimboomba to Beaudesert was back roads and acreage suburbs, and some bloody big hills.

I knew I had atleast one hundred and thirteen kilometers to ride this day, so at no stage was there ever going to be a sprint session. It was all steady going all the way, with the times I was on the road motorists were extremely accommodating. There was one hero in a semi going the opposite way that called out obsenities. But he was going the other way, and it's easy to be a hero when you're going the opposite direction. Beside that one, all else was good.

There isn't much to report passing through Brisbane. I didn't get too caught up in the scenery as I was way to focused on following my navigation. But once I began out on The Mt Lindsay Hwy little suburban boxes gave way to pasture land, mountains and valleys.

I hit Jimboomba at around lunch time, and after buying a small amount of groceries just prior at...ahhh...ummm...ahhh, I thought I'd pull into the park and have a well earned coffee and a couple of salmon wraps, yes...tinned salmon.

I must've procastinated for around an hour before moving off, I still had a ways to go. After leaving I headed out a back way. My navigtion was going to take me off the highway, a good thing, and bring me right round to well south of Beaudesert. After the first section of back roads I opted to ride the last few kilometers along the main road into Beaudesert. I wanted to fill up on water as I didn't know what was up ahead. I'm glad I did as it was impossible to get down to the creek where I ended up camping.

After Beaudesert I launched it in Rathdoowney's direction. My planned stop for the night was Langdon Reserve at Tambrookum Creek. So out I pedalled, and I pedalled, and I pedalled...was this campsite ever going to appear.

Don't you hate that, you have a planned route, a planned stop and the amount of kilometers you are travelling. But somehow at the end of the day the campsite keeps moving with you.

The road was quite busy as well, with little to no shoulder. I'd say it was just the normal afternoon home time gabble, and I was caught in it. Everyone was pretty good so there are no complaints.

The scenery was changing, from little acerages to sprawling pasture lands, grazing properties and mountains, big mountains. Was I really going to attempt to pedal a loaded touring bike up them?

After several stops I eventually arrived at the place where I wanted to be, home sweet home...well for the night anyway. There was an older couple, grey nomads, camped there as well so I shuffled across to say a quick hello. Then it was time to set up camp and get some dinner on. The tent was up, a warm wash was had, a hot cup of tea was mellowing out the day (yes tea, I like it at the end of a hard day) and it wasn't long before the pasta was simmering in a camp made sauce that tasted sooo good.

It wasn't a late night, or atleast I thought it wasn't. The gentleman that was camping there came across earlier to invite me over for a cuppa and to sit by the fire. I had intentions of doing it, but by the time I finished my dinner and cleaned up I turned around and all the lights were out. Well I obliged and it wasn't long before it was lights out for me as well.

I tossed and turned quite a bit throughout the night. I've been sleping so well since I have been away, in tent, motels and friends places. This night was different. There was a bit of traffic and my matress was pumped a little too hard, plus it was kind of chilly, but it wasn't so to speak. I don't know...

Any way morning eventually came and it was difficult to get up. But get up I did. The billy was on, and breakfast was being devoured. After the one hundred and fifteen kilometer stretch the previous day I only had around sixty eight to do today. The good news was I only had one hill, the bad news, the hill was around forty four kilometers long.

I headed off around 8:30 am and then started the progresive climb up through Rathdowney to the summit of the Mt Lindsay Hwy. It wasn't really that bad, a gradual 1 - 3 % kept me spinning but it wasn't tiring. After all, the plan for the day was 'head down, bum up and spin like a phsycotic washing machine'.

The first twenty kilometers passed and the scenery became more breathtaking with every corner. The hill didn't seem that bad and considering that I had driven trucks up and down this stretch of road, I was thinking maybe they had a done a lot of work. But surely, it takes a lot of work to flatten out a hill.

Well it appeared it was just the oldtimers setting in and it wasn't long before I spied the notification. Urgh! It was time time to hit plan A, shit was about to get real. Most of the trip up was sitting at about 67 R.P.M. I didn't over do it, I just took my time. There were a couple of pinches that I decided to dismount and walk, but this was more for a stretch rather than tiredness.

I stopped plenty of times and I was in no rush, even though time was ticking away. I was hoping to be at the top around 12:30 pm, but ah well.

I reached the border around 1:00 pm, took some happy snaps and at 1195 mtrs I thought I was pretty much near the top. Well pretty much wrong there, wsn't I? It had been some years since being up this way and I forgot about the approxmate seven kilometer hike from the border to the Summerland Way Intersection.

Anyway I eventually made it, there was nothing left in the tank, the legs and taint were burning like and old Jonny Cash song and I was so glad to see the down hill run into Woodenbong. The best part of five kilometers without turning a pedal, heaven.

I needed a break, and I needed it bad. So I rolled into a servo that I knew sold food and the works burger was so huge that it will take me a week to digest. After eating, and a couple of drinks I knew I had sixteen kilometers to go, but in the end decided against it. I am now coserly set up in Woodenbong Caravan Park. Five dollars for a site with a hot shower, a short walk to the pub and a couple of beers. That was much more tempting than another sixteen kilometers of climbing. Can you blame me?

So as I said, I'm here in Woodenbong, the night air is chilling and the plan for some mexican style bean burritos will soon be happening. A couple more beers and I think I'll need my winter woolies for the night, damn, I dind't bring them...

Cheers guys, and as always, ride safe.

Fn... I will edit this post and add photos in a couple of days. I have very limited data service where I am. It will not allow me to upload photos...

Gotta Love Cycling?

I awoke a couple of times throughout the night to the bashing of wind and chairs on the verandah. The Kona had taken another couple of tumbles as well. But generally the night's sleep was pretty good.

When I woke to the glare of stiffled light coming through the sliding glass door all I coud see was rain and wind. There was no way I was hurrying out into that. I didn't want to stay another night either so I toddled around making coffee after coffee and trying to make breakfast. I was planning on cooking some spam and eggs as a day starter on the verandah, but that was out of the question, except of course I preferred my eggs extra runny. But I chose exploded.

I took time to video a quick vlog and check social media and the clouds eventually ran dry and I was able to leave. This leg was to Glenview so I had already saved myself thirty kilometers from the day before.

I headed out of town, on what was turning out to be a cracker of a day. Even though overcast, breaks of blue shone through and the wind kept things cool. Pretty much like the morning before, but no rain today.

I cycled down McKinnon Dr towards Tewantin and as the wind strength lightened, I was able to make good headway. I stopped at Tewantin for a quick rest and map check and an elderly gentleman cycled up and we started to chat. He told me of his touring days and some of the places he had been. But now he was to old for that stuff...lol. He was content at 88 years old to just cycle around town on an old Giant road bike that wasn't far his junior. I love meeting people like this, and what was to be a quick stop turned out to be a little longer.

We parted ways and I continued for Noosa, then down the David Low Way along the coast. I got to Collum just on lunch so stopped for another rest and some fish and chips. After leaving here I climbed to the topped of the hill heading south out of Coolum, and bloody hell. The wind almost blew me in reverse. It was really starting to rip now, and it persisted all the way down the rest of David Low Way, through Maroochydore, Mooloolaba and down Nicklin Way.

It appeared the further south I got, the stronger the wind got and the legs were really feeling it. Too higher gear and I was pushing to almost a dead stop. Too lower gear and I spun to an almost stop. I couldn't win a bloody trick.

I continued down to Kawana and made the decision to can the rest of the day. I pedalled to Currumundi and that's where I called it quits.

I got a good night's rest and headed off the next morning for Pine Rivers on Brisbane's north side. I got away early and travelled the first twenty kilometers smoothly and reasonably quickly. I stopped at Landsborough for a coffee and a feed of bacon and eggs at a small cafe' just opposite the railway station.

Here I made contact with Coach Jeff who I would be staying with that night. Coach Jeff is a guy that has shown some interst in my escapades, contacted me via my YouTube channel and has had me on his Podcast Show a couple of times, The Cycling Podcast.

After a stomach full I headed south for the big smoke, taking as many back roads as I could. Jeff, along with another guy I know Grahame, told me about a dirt pathway that ran along Steve Irwin Way to Beerwah. Do you think I found it? Not a chance. So I opted for Old Landsborough Rd which had a pathway all the way along to where I wanted to change direction.

From Beerwah I followed Old Gymie Rd all the way to Caboolture, taking in the beautiful sights of Glasshouse and Beerway Mountains. It was a quiet road, narrow, with patient and courteous motorists. The sealed section bends around to join onto another road and follows into Glasshouse. But I didn't want sealed, and I didn't want to end up on Steve Irwin Way (Landsborough Rd), so my obvious choice was to go straight ahead and stay on Old Gympie Rd and hit the dirt.

I thought Cooloola way was rough...lol. That was a four laned highway compared to this, and a little down the track hit the dirt was what I did. Well actually it was sand. All the way down this section were deep pockets of soft sand that managed to hobble me to a stop a couple of times. Well third time lucky they say, for the sand anyway. The front wheel went one way, the rear another. The bike stopped dead in it's tracks and as I struggled to get my foot unclipped in time, onto the side I went. My feet came of the pedals simultaneously, I tucked and rolled and stuck the landing back onto my feet with all the grace and charm of a gold medal gymnist. Brushing off the sand with laughter I continued and met up with a more compatable road surface, gravel then back onto bitumen.

It wasn't long before I was in Caboolture and making contact with The Coach once again. He met up with me on Old Bay Rd at Burpengary, then led me back to his place. A good shower, a snooze, a great feed with a few beers, along with fantastic company and tremendous hospitality was all in a night's fun. It was an absolute ball tearer to catch up with him, and his beautiful wife, in person.

The eyelids got heavy, then the sun rose again, and it was time to get going to my next destination, the Northern Suburbs of Brisbane where I am now. The Coach was coming for a ride with me and decided to lead me out part of the way to where I was going. A word of warning, if The Coach says to you, "I'll take you a flattish way" run...and run far. It wont be much point running for the hills because that's where he's planning on taking you...lol.

But seriously, It was awesome to catch up with him. I made my way to my current destination and am staying with some dear friends of Sharon and I who we have known for many years. They have graciously made their home open to me and I sit here now blogging.

A couple of beers and wines last night, a trip to the markets this morning and just a little time to chill before heading south tomorrow. The bike had a good clean and lube around the drive train this morining and an ample intake of coffee has been eloquently sufficient.

So today I timidly prepare for tomorrow's early departure and approxiamte one hundred and thirteen kilometer leg down through Beaudesert. I also start the climb up through the back of the scenic rim, across the New South Wales border and into Woodenbong over the next couple of days. There will be no emergncy accomodation, no running from the storms to the nearest motel. I will be somewhat isolated and self-sufficient until I drop down thr Copmanhurst and into South Grafton.

Cheers guys, and as always, ride safe.

It' All Going To Be Fine, Right?

Waking up after a good night's sleep during the previous night's fiasco was pretty damn good. Although it had appeared that I had suffered some shoulder and neck strain from the earlier day's riding. Because of the heat I was uncomfortable and not relaxed at all, I guess just the pressure caused some strain???

The first thing I did when I awoke was to check the weather. If it was going to continue I was just going to have a day in bed...lol. But all was good on the western front and up I shot, had the coffee hot in no time flat and proceeded to pack and load the bike.

The day was overcast and cool but as I was leaving Tin Can Bay a few spots appeared on my glasses. No biggy, all gone in a minute or two. So I continued out through Cooloola Cove and headed for Rainbow Beach Road where I would connect onto Cooloola Way down through The Great Sandy National Park.

My plan was simple, a short fifty-five kilometer day and a good camp out at Harry's Hut, a place I haven't been to in years. But it sounded too simple to be true. I no longer arrived at Rainbow beach Road and the spots came back, only heavier. It wasn't long down the road before I had pulled over donned the rain gear as the heavens opened up. It was only 9:00 am, great.

I wasn't turning back now so progressed up the goat track slipping, sliding and skating my way round obstacles like fallen trees, washouts, rocks and the puddles that pooled to make dams across the road. Well at least I would have plenty of water...just open mouth and swallow.

It did ease off and eventually stop and the dat fined up nicely as I made my through the forests, mountain and some absolutely awesome scenery.

It was not that long before I had arrived at the turnoff to the campsite after traversing the hills and rolling casually down the other side. Ten kilometers to go, the day still reasonably early and all was good...well.

There were a couple of rangers at the turnoff with cameras and I thought they were just out there checking on things after the previous night's storm. It turned out they were there for that, but also to keep the campsite's access road closed due to carnage across the road, trees and live powerlines. There were a number of people who were still in there but couldn't get out, and they weren't letting me in.

Great, another thirty kilometers to ride, just what I wanted. I knew I had a big day the following day so today was meant to be light and easyish. But good news, one of the rangers were empathetic and generous enough to give a lift to the nearest town, Boreen Point.

It just so happens I was passing through here the following day anyway so it worked out well. Only problem was, I was planning on camping. I had already started eating into my emegency money. The ranger advised against camping as there were gail warnings and hail warnings for tonight, just like they had had in the district the night before. The same kind of storms were expected.

Bugger, but I really didn't have a choice, so off to the motel I pedalled. Yet again, I showered, took some imflamatories for my shoulder and rubbed in some gel to it. I lay there snoozing when I was awoken by a loud bang. The wind had whipped up, it was teaming and the Kona lay on her side on the verandah. I raced out to set my bike up as the strong wind was blowing rain into the motel room.

There was a break in the storm however, and I dashed up to the pub for a beer and a good steak. I have a fondness for the pub here, the Appolonian Hotel. You see it is where my wife and I made our vowes many happy years ago. This was the whole purpose of putting Boreen Point on the route.

I no longer walked onto the verendah of the pub and on cue the storm ripped into action once again. I had to wait the storm out now, so no point in going thirsty right?

Anyway, it was a quiet evening and I had a little company for dinner, the owners two little, and old, staffies curled up at my feet as I chomped away at my tastey portion of beef. As the pub was closing and the storm had eased somewhat, I persisted in getting back to the motel. But throughout the night the storms kept coming one after another. But I did get a good night's sleep and the shoulder pain had ceased. I had a full belly from a great steak and a few refreshing ales so I was pretty well a happy little camper...sleeping in a motel.

Cheers guys, and as always, ride safe. 

The Worst Day's Cycling Of My Life.

After breaking camp and looking forward to, what appeared to be a much cooler day I headed off on my merry way. I had another path chosen for the beginning of today's leg and set out to find the start.

I had a bit of trouble here, apparently the trail that I programmed into Komoot no longer existed. This wasn't the app's fault, but yet again the appee. I meddled with the route to find a more direct one when storing it so maybe I should just leave well enough alone...lol.

I found my way eventually and headed off through the scrub to join onto Maryborough/Biggenden Rd which would take me into Maryborough. It was a much better surface to ride than the previous day and I was able to maintain a comfortable nineteen to twenty kilometers per hour. There were no major hills and there was not one car in sight. Just perfect.

I eventually got onto the major road I was looking for and pedalled east through West Maryborough. The clouds were dissipating and the temperature was rapidly rising. It was 36*C by the time I got into town.

I headed for Queens Park on the river where I wanted to rest, fill water bottles and have a snack before continuing. The shade of the park made it seem like entering airconditioning. I hung around probably too long but I really didn't care.

I eventually made my way through Granville on the southern side of town and headed towards Boonoroo. It is a long stretch of straight road that runs along this trek and is known as Boonoroo Straight. It was only a couple of yers ago on this very straight that I was racing. On the return leg a guy in front brought myself and half dozen others down. This only just six weeks after a bad crash on some cane lines in Bundaberg. The scars were still on the mend and had now been re-opened...

Anyway, there was no crash this time, just a continual increase in temp and a strengthening of wind that had changed to being a headwind. Lovely thing about panniers, they make a great sail for tailwinds, but make a hell of a parachute for the opposite.

I eventually got to Marybourough/Cooloola Rd and began to head south. I have driven this road a million times before and hence we face apprehension number two for the trip. A non-existant shoulder and a road that is frequented by the wandering grey nomad and logging trucks.

But the caravans and logging trucks were the least of my problem. The temp now well into the 40's, the sun belting down and heat frying upwards made this, without a doubt, the toughest day I have ever experienced in the saddle. The wind now changing from the east to the south-east, could things get any worse. Yes, I hadn't hit the hilly section yet, it was still to come. I seriously started to look into the forest for a stealth camp site. I didn't think I was going to make it.

I pushed on, starting to walk the many hills that began to raise their ugly heads. There it began, thunder in the distance. I thought nothing of it really, it is quite normal throughout this time of year. A hot day breeds humidity and heat forming clouds and thunder and quite often nothing comes of it.

The thunder seemed to come around behind me and head out towards the sea. I thought it was over, then the lighteneing started and the thunder returned. Now thunder doesn't worry me in the slightlest, but out on an open stretch of road bordered by tall Hoop Pines, lightening is the last thing I wanted.

After a myriad of flashes and rumbles the spots of rain started to show up on the bitumen and I quickly covered the panniers and donned my lightweight spray jacket. Then it fell, and fell, and fell.

By now the temp had dropped from what had topped out at 48 degrees to a now chilly and damp 18.5. From heatstroke to chill, just what I needed. Anyhow, after a while the rain did stop and the cooler temperature did make for much needed releif. It's just that the rain would stop, then start, then stop, you get the picture.

After what I can only describe as an agonising day I saw it, the T-Junction that would soon direct me to my camping spot. Only a few kilometers to go. This rallied in me some excitement and gave re-birth to an otherwise weary body, and there it was, the intersection of Tin Can Bay and Rainbow Beach Rds.

I pulled into the rest area, sat relieved I had finally made it. I pulled my phone out of my bag and as I did, it rang. It was my wife wanting to tell me of a mighty storm that was hitting Bundaberg and to check BOM (Bureau Of Meteorology) for weather concerns up and down the coast. Well I did and I didn't like what I saw. Gail force wind warning, hail warning, severe thunder storms and the list went on.

My trip for the day was not over, it was time to hightail it to better accommodation. The tent wouldn't be enough for tonight. I quickly booked the cheapest room that I could on-line and time trialled it on the fully loaded Kona another ten kilometers. With the wind picking up dramatically the bike was very unstable with the wind pushing me sideways and every other way.

Anyway, I made it, booked in and breathed a sigh of relief, this time for real. I wasn't going anywhere now, the day's journey done. I jumped into the shower and on my exit I heard the pelting down of rain on the roof. The rain was that heavy I couldn't see the other side of the carpark. The wind was whipping up a frenzy. I had done it. I had endured the heat, I had suffered the lightening and rain from earlier, but now, and finally, I had beaten the deluge that was now falling...for today.

Cheers guys, and as always, ride safe.

The Trek Begins

It's Day 6 of my trip and who would've thought that the first week could have had so many ups and downs. I don't mean hills either. It has been a week of mixed weather from severe heat to thundering storms, and it has tested me. I thought I was going to have a holiday, I wasn't endeavouing to commit to some kind of 'life' challenge. I have three daughters at home, I don't need anymore challenges...lol.

Monday started out later than I had planned but, meh, I was on holidays so if you can't leave when you want to, what's the point? I headed out via the cane fields and vegie crops of Southern Bundaberg along Goodwood and Farnsfield Roads to Childers. I had done this route many a time so it was just a means to an end really. But it was different cruising on a loaded touring bike compard to a ight carbon road bike.

The Dippers, or Rollers of Farnsfield Rd were a breeze but I had Showground Hill to contend with. Needless to say I walked it. That's all well and good, it was a nice day for a walk.

After some lunch and a coffee at the park in Childers it was time to tackle the first of my apprehensions, The Bruce Highway. The Bruce is known as the worst highway in Australia and whilst there is plenty of shoulder to the side, the mere thought of what could be flying down behind me was eerily disturbing.

Luckily I only had thirty-five kilometers to ride before turning off, and I have to say that I was impressed with the general motoring populous that day. I was given plenty of room and it wasn't overly busy.

I headed into my first night's camp at Wongi Waterholes in the State Forest. Along a bone jolting corrugated road I pedalled taking every bump into my now overly tired body. But, HOORAY...I finally made it to a beautiful little spot with cold showers, toilets and a swimming hole that I was so tempted to emerge myself in, and no-one else around.

Up the tent went, a cold shower that revived and rejuvinated an old bum's body and all that was needed was a cold beer. But I haven't worked out how to carry a fridge on the Kona yet.

Dinner on and eaten, no fly on the tent, and a warm night just made to lay back and watch the stars above saw me drift into a peaceful slumber.

It was about 1:30 in the morning when I was awoken by my tent, with me in it trying to blow away. As I looked up I saw the emptiness of looming storm clouds that replaced the sparceness of stardom that had once been. A few drops of rain was felt through the screen of the tent and in no time I hade the fly whipped over and my gear, as best I could, shoved in under the fly. I no longer tucked myself into my hiding hole and the heavens opened. I awoke about 5:30 am to hear the patter of light drops still falling, but it was on the clear.

Day two strated right about then. But in no hurry to get up in the rain I just laid there until it eventuall stopped. I had, in my haste packed everything I thought of before the earlier downpour, but one thing...my socks. There's nothing like putting wet socks on in the morning.

I did take my time and as the sun encroached through the clouds I had a line of damp clothes hanging in the broken morning sunshine. It was still windy, so if the sun didn't work, surely the wind would help.

With an overcast day, a slight chill to the breeze I was in for a cool day's ride. Or so I thought...

Cheers guys, and as always, ride safe.

Ho Hum!

I should be getting excited right about now with only two days before depature, and yes I suppose I am in a suttle kind of way.

I would normally be getting everything ready, packing, unpacking, repacking etc. But tomorrow looks like an extremely busy day for me. I am in Brisbane at the moment helping my brother-in-law move house. That's some exciting shit right there...lol.

This was organised after my planned departure and although I should be anxiety level 100, I am not. I have a lounge room floor covered with a sprawl of gear that is is to be packed. I know I have all my gear in that pile...well I hope. I even think we had carpet last time I looked.

My bike is in top shape and ready and raring to go thanks to my good mate Jack at Dr Bike. He kindly picked it up last week and serviced it, cleaned it, adjusted everything and returned it like a brand new bike. I could never complain about his service.

The route is well mapped out, thought out and planned out...as well as one can. I do want to go for a short ride and double confirm Komoot's navigational skills just to be on the safe side. I'll do this tomorrow morning early on my Sunday ride.

I do need to go and do a small shop for some food, tinned and fresh. But again a Sunday chore. Batteries need a restock of course.

I suppose I need to fit a birthday dinner in for my wife. I'll be away for her birthday. Isn't she a lucky woman? Yes, I think so...lol.

I also have aquired a 20 watt solar panel so I intend to wire that up to my battery pack. It's a little bigger than I'm used to but it's not any heavier. The 5 watt panel that I have beeen using but does lack a little in a couple of ways. If I have low light for a few days in a rown, and trying to charge an electronic item whilst charging the battery it struggles. With the larger panel I'll have no trouble charging the battery and a phone/garmin/lithium battery pack etc. I intend to use my phone extensively for navigtion so battery drain is a concern.

I also am testing my tablet with my new wireless keyboard as a small computer, and it is working well. I've replaced the old USB keyboard that I had simply to make it easier to post photos as I blog. That was a reason I didn't blog much during my last rides, it was just a pain in the preverbial. I'm silly for not doing this earlier.

So as I prepare to leave Brisbane for home with a loaded car and trailer I am pleasently relaxed. This may change tomorrow night before my departue on Monday. But I am confident that everything will be done by tomorrow afternoon.

I dont know if I have mentioned how excited I am before, but incase I haven't...lol. Even though the lead up is kind of dull, I am sure this will change tomorrow night. But then again, helping someone move is no real reason for celebration...lol.

Cheers guys, and as always, ride safe.