Three score and 10: Mareeba to Mount Carbine - Barb leaves to fly back to Albury

The team are keen, and are up early to push off. It's a short day today, with only 70k's to go. All are a little in trepidation of this next part of the trip, knowing that there is some tough riding ahead, as they get onto the dirt roads. Tom reminds us that there are exactly 14 days to go, and that the schedule is tight. No slacking for anyone.

Early morning ballooners rise over Mareeba

Keen to get moving

Tom leads them out...

As the team heads out of camp, Terry and Barb turn to preparations for final handover. Firstly, and most importantly, is the handing over ceremony of the peanut butter, honey and vegemite - staples of the cyclists that have travelled with them from day one. She also hands over the satellite phone and walky talkies - all important for the next part of the trip where there will be little phone reception at all.

Handing over ceremony - honey, vegemite, peanut butter

Then, it's pack up time. Barb is travelling to Cairns today, and Terry moves north. It's a squeeze but finally Terry manages to stuff everything in. Not much spare space for anything. Then he's off....

Terry is ready to go - bike tubes sit proudly on the roof top.

Then Barb packs up, and the Merc is ready to go as well. It's feeling a little sad as we head off to Cairns and our flight home. First to the post office to post spare gear home, then to the Coffee Works for a coffee and a break.As usual, the coffee is great - after all, Mareeba is the home of Australian coffee.

Drop off the Merc (not at all sad about that, as it had not been a good experience), then on to Rydge's Esplanade resort in Cairns, for a real treat - a comfy bed and a really nice shower. Four star is looking good,,,,

View from my room in Cairns

I get a text from Tom at 10.45am - they have arrived at Mount Carbine already. The ride had been "cruisey" and they had had "a strong tail wind" to help them along, particularly from the cape turnoff. They were now settling into their new camp.

No reception there, and Tom had managed to get out a text, but that is all for today.

Have since received the following photos from Tom...