A big one - Injune to Rolleston

A big big day – pack a rain coat in the saddle bag- few spots of rain last night – leave early – “must be gone by 7” says tom – “it is a big ride tom” says I – “it is not the three peaks” says tom.

Off he heads - he is still not over his fear of Cat's-heads.

The signs seem larger today - they seem to be shouting – your mad! - can't you read! – it is 172k to Rolleston! –They repeat – you are mad! - no petrol for 160k means nothing for 160k

Of no! - ominous clouds - then spots of rain - How long will this last? – not long at all! – the sun returns – glorious riding weather- hardly a breath of wind! - Average speeds significant.

The van departs Injune in pursuit! – "no! - turn around!" – says the driver’s conscience – the van returns to the local café – spend just a little money in the town! – the locals are starting to arrive – not a lot to do in Injune – Sunday breakfast with the family in the company of other locals clearly an important activity.

Pause to take a picture of a local “Thomas the Tank Engine” at the Injune Station – Appropriate given that the town started in 1920 as a rail camp!

The van catches up to Tom – first stop another 30k – yes says tom – are you OK – says he – I wonder what that means? – does it means he is feeling it?  - or does it mean that he is finding it a breeze? – judging by his face I think it is the latter!

Past the road to Rig 61 – the gas is being extracted – injected into a high-pressure pipe and sent of to Gladstone – all roads might lead to Rome but …. “in Australia all gas pipe lines head to Gladstone!” Says Tom.

The van sits and waits – the bush sounds disturbed only occasionally by luxury townhouses being towed to temporary residency, at Carnarvon Gorge.

Listen to the sound of the birds – then curse the mobile homes that disturb the peace! – the van looks at the driver and says “not doing to bad a job am I” - I am not going to say anything to her aloud but I do mutter under my breath “well done pig!” – after all she has been well behaved but!!!!

Up until now the traffic has been notable by the lack of trucks – no sooner the thought than a small convoy of monsters pass! – the van is unimpressed! - she is even less impressed when the convoy is followed by another – “I hope they are giving my bike friend plenty of space” says she

The weather remains sunny and mild – ideal for sitting- the wind starts to rise from dead calm to noticeably in tom’s face – the van thinks to itself- “well – should not be a problem - he has now traversed the high plains of the Queensland Alps – save for the occasional bump it will be downhill all the way to Rolleston still 100 kilometres away”.

The van and driver continue to wait – mental calculation after mental calculation- expected him by now – maybe the wind is stronger than I thought – 70ks – not 3 hours yet – have been some decent climbs by Queensland standards! - it's OK- not time to worry yet!

3 hours arrives – so does Tom- 65k – 22kph Average – “gee that pinch back there was pretty severe - 6.5 percent” says tom – “traffic was quiet for a while but it has picked up now!”

“See you in 70k” says he -  off he goes!

The van follows – the driver pre-occupied – why is the van so chirpy and chatty – something is up! – thoughts start to run through the driver’s mind! – “oh no! – the frig door!” – sure enough refrigerator contents are discovered evenly distributed from one end of the van to the other – no bias one-way or the other – simply an even distribution – again a total catastrophe avoided by the use of containers save for the errant lid of the olive jar! – the driver curses – the van giggles! - the driver resolves to say nothing of this latest refrigerator misadventure to Tom!

Some more pinches – than a steep descent from the high alps.

Some more pinches – past the intersection of the Carnarvon Range and the Carnarvon Highway – beautiful – dense luscious forest – out of place in the arid area – delightful – over the partially flowing Carnarvon Creek.

Into large expanses of open grazing and cropping land – this arid area sparkling under recent rains and moderate temperatures – oh that it was always the same – green crops and dams almost full. – kilometre after kilometre the land displays it recent good fortune.

Pull up at the specified 70 ks – just 40 ks to Rolleston – “be there at one o clock” promises Tom.

I set up tables and chairs – erect the awning – suit back and listen to my book - a farmer stops – you OK mate says she – this is not exactly the behavior she is use to around here! 

I sit - listen to my book - Alone in Berlin - photograph the faarm entrance - the trees - the clouds - fill in my time - relax - enjoy!

A I sit I feel the wind abate and then change direction – it will now assist rather than hinder!

Tom arrives - looking good – relaxed – in good form! He is nervous about the Rolleston caravan park -. Be has seen it before!

Of he heads - the country looks good - very good - a green drought says the caravan park owner- cattle up to their belly in green pick.

He passes a shiny – new caravan park sign -  is mightily encouraged – onward-  It will soon be over!

Tom arrives in Rolleston at 3:30 – he tours the town looking for an ice-cream – it is Sunday Tom – the Sabbath day – it seems like only pubs are open on the Sabbath in this part of Queensland – he heads for the caravan park just a little dejected – he figured he had earned himself an ice-cream – his dejection is relieved - the caravan park has been renovated!

“We have had a number of riders through” says the new owner – “a Brit – some Asians – an old fellow from Weipa.”

Tom proceeds to prepare for a shower - he picks on his bags in the van - what are ll these possum turds here on the floor -  some errant olives undiscovered among his belongings - "did you have another refrigerator disaster!" - the driver is forced to acknowledge his misdemeanor - the van giggles once again!

Today's Strava Results