Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Day 3 Mt Garnet to Mt Surprise 124.2 kms

What a lovely, friendly caravan park at Mt Garnet. Greg the manager could not do enough for us and the part owner (who provided home delivered meals last night) also provided us with some block ice this morning.
Without Anna around Collis & I need to leave a bit earlier to provide the earlier water run and to choose a nice tea break site which is what Anna used to do for us. "We all miss you Anna!!" We requested our other driver to provide this service but he for some reason refused without giving us a reason. He has also requested we no longer mention him in the blog!
Today there was the usual gap between the first & last riders with the first group leaving around 1/4 to 7 and the last group leaving an hour later. Before morning tea the group had a head wind with some undulation but as soon as they turned onto the Savanahh Way they had the best tail wind all the way to lunch.
Morning tea was at the 50 km mark on the side of the road. Ben had picked out a spot for us but we couldn't get the car in so we went a little further down the road. I had made a homemade date slice which everyone seemed to enjoy. We missed Georg at morning tea and Woody just travelled on by without stopping. Lunch was at the 100 km mark on the side of the road and once again Ben had chosen a spot with Jan & Annie waiting there with him. Again we couldn't get the car in so we again travelled down a little before stopping. Jan was quite chuffed with herself as she got to her food box before Ben as he had to get back on his bike to catch up with us.  We missed Woody & Georg at lunch as well as they didn't bother to stop and went straight on through to the town.
We are staying at the Bedrock Village and we have a large area for camping, everyone has spread out and most have already gone down the pub for a well earned drink. We had been told that there was a supermaket in town but have since discovered this is not so and that all there is, is a small general store with minimal supplies. I was fortunate to be able to get the mince for the meal I will be providing for the riders tomorrow night otherwise it looked it may have ended up being a vegetarian meal. Nice swimming pool here but the weather is a bit unpredictable and everytime I think I will go for a dip, it starts to sprinkle again. Tomorrow is our first rest day on this leg and everyone is well and truely ready for it after the last couple of days.
About a dozen of the riders headed back to the pub for a meal while Chris, Jan, Annie, Collis & I all stayed and cooked at the camp kitchen. Woody went for the the caravan park special of stir fry chicken followed by an apple/peach crumble. The rest of us that were eating in went for the CP desserts as well. A really great deal for $6/head and there did not appear to be any limit to the amount you could eat.
Early to bed again tonight as quite a few of us are doing the early morning lava tubes tour, leaving camp at 8.15 am.

Monday, April 29, 2013

Day 2 Yungaburra to Mt Garnet 105 kms

We have woken to a downpour of rain this morning and everyone stayed in bed for a little bit longer. The rain has continued for most of the morning with thick fog, driving rain and sleet, some headwinds but also lots of tail winds. The terrain has been "undulating" with more steep hills, probably more than yesterday. Here I was worried about yesterday and telling the new riders that yesterday would have to be the worst day of the leg and then they have to face this weather today. There was a forecast of a cyclone turned into a low and I think this must be the tale end of it. It is absolutely miserable.

We have stopped at the morning tea stop but no-one has really stopped for a cuppa. They had some Anzac biscuits today kindly provided by Ben's mum, Heather and probably the perfect biscuit for these poor buggers who look like they have been in the trenches. It is amazing that no-one is complaining and they are all just trudging on. We are waiting on Robbo & Woody with Pat having just passed through. I hope everyone waits for us at Ravenshoe as we haven't seen everyone on the road or at morning tea. A large group has gone through Millae Millae and hoping to go a back way into Ravenshoe; they all let us know their plans.

It is now lunch time or for these intrepid cyclists lunch is over and they are on the road again. The rain has stopped for the moment and a couple were able to change into some dry clothes. Most of them had eaten a hot lunch at the cafe before we managed to get in to Ravenshoe. An ambulance with lights flashing flew past us at the morning tea stop so I made Collis leave the tea things with the other car and chase the ambulance to make sure it wasn't one of our riders. We lost the ambulance but NO riders involved. A car was left behind with a certain person who waited around for Woody & Robbo to go through before he joined us here. We now have quite a long wait for Woody & Robbo.
Collis has reserved 8 beds for any cyclists that were wanting a bed in a donger at $40/head. Jacquei & Melanie were first to put their hands up, Gill was a close second, John & Theo not far behind and Peter has agreed to share with Gill. Bob will take one if he has someone to share it with.
3.45 pm: All barr 2 riders (Peter J & Robbo) are in camp. Robbo was struggling a bit before lunch but he should pick up once he ate and rested a little. Peter was touring as usual. All the riders were pleased with the ride after lunch even though a few showers went through. We are expecting the cyclone "Zane" to hit land tonight. It's a long way from us but we should feel the edges of the wind and rain at some period. It's all fairly exciting while we aren't on the road but hopefully it will all be finished before we head off in the morning. Because of the predictions a few have taken the dongers.

Half the team went down the pub for a dinner deal of 2 for 1 meal while the rest of us ordered very cheap meals from the cafe around the corner, run by the owner of the caravan park who provided home delivery to the camp kitchen.


Sunday, April 28, 2013

Day 1 Cairns to Yungaburra 70 kms (roughly)

The day has dawned for the first day of our new adventure. It's raining, actually pouring but it is 4.30 
am and hopefully it will pass over us before take off at 8 am. Not sure how long Collis has been up and about but he never sleeps well the night before a ride (even though he won't be riding). Our break in Cairns has been very enjoyable and probably just the right amount of time (although we didn't get time to go up to Cape Tribulation; maybe next visit).

We have 6 new riders joining us on this leg and they include Melanie, Bob, Jacquei, Pat, Gill and Peter S. Everyone was looking quite relaxed last night at the briefing even though Jan was trying to stress the 20 km climb they have ahead of them today (no-one seemed too phased by the idea and seem to be prepared to take it in their stride). I better help Collis with the packing and get back to you later today.

It's now 9.30 am and morning tea has been and gone. All riders have made here safely although there was one incident reported where they were riding in a group and the tail rider was just watching the rider in front and didn't see or look for the car coming her way and we had a very near miss.  The front riders were a little shook up and we will have to have a chat with them all today about riding in groups when in heavy traffic. We unexpectedly received notification this morning that Alf & Anna were withdrawing from this leg for personal reasons. We don't have to do much with supporting Alf as he has Anna along on every ride but he will be sadly missed and Anna will be missed by all riders as she is a great support to them and us. Happy cycling to you both and enjoy your trip O/S.
Melanie, Ben (who started later than everyone), Georg and Woody didn't stop for morning tea as they were on a roll and decided to keep going. Peter & Jacquei have decided to do a scenic tour which will include Devonshire teas and maybe a swim in Lake Eacham or Lake Barrine. Other riders have been invited but will decide once they finish the 20 km ride up to the tablelands. From now until they have completed the next 20 kms is the part I have been dreading since we mapped out this ride. Not being a huge cyclist and definitely one who has trouble on small inclines, I have trouble working out how anyone can possibly ride these huge hills.  Morning tea was kindly supplied by Theo's wife, Caroline, who made us lovely homemade cookies.
Everyone has made it up the hill and most have arrived at the hostel, although some have gone out sightseeing. The hostel said we could all camp out the back but when we arrived we have found a very small area provided. We may be able to fit 9 tents on the area at a squeeze. Looks like we will have to upgrade the others in the dorm rooms. Not sure who gets the best deal as I haven't sighted the dorms as yet. We can't sort it out yet as there is no-one on the desk at the moment.

                                                       What did you do today 
I went to the church today
No sign of God around
Just lots of people
Praying, and taking communion, at the ATM's
Lord please show me a dollar sign.
I sat under the dome
Just outside Muffin Break, (always fresh)
And talked to my friends on the free WiFi
We were all together
But worlds apart
My marshmallow muffin looked good
Sugar coated, pink and fluffy
But only on the outside
Inside was not so much
I went to the Hair and Beauty shop
The lady said they had just run out
And could I call back tomorrow
I went to the confession booth
Forgive me Lord for I have sinned
For I have lost my credit card
That's Ok son take this $100 loan
You'll be fine again soon.
John Tracy 

Well my worries were all unfounded and the riders are tired , some admitted to feeling tired and that it was a tough ride but some thought I was mad. Most enjoyed the ride and the challenge. I was pleased to note that since we were last up this way, they have installed strong barriers on all the steep edges and this has made it all so much safer.
We have sorted out the accommodation issues with 9 camping in very squashed conditions, 4 in dorm rooms and Jan in a couples room. Collis & I are in the back of the truck as usual.
Because of the cramped conditions we took all of them out for Pizza tonight at Nick's pizzeria, who opened especially for our group as they are usually closed on Mondays. Very nice service and pizzas which I think everyone enjoyed. Melanie and Peter went out for dinner with Peter's uncle, who I think lives in the town.
Early to bed tonight.
Oh yes, we shared a bottle of red before dinner and John gave us a reading of his new poem.  It was written during his stay in Cairns.

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Preparations in Cairns

Stage one is completed.

In a few days time we will be leaving on the Stage 2 ride going from Cairns to Darwin over approximately 28 days. The scenery will change quite dramatically when we get off the tablelands and into the arid outback. The stage has a few more riders and a few more bush camps.

We will be meeting the riders that are continuing on and the 6 new riders next Sunday at 5 pm for drinks & nibbles, weighing of luggage and a briefing for the first day of this ride.

I hope everyone is looking forward to the new adventure.