Ravenshoe to Mareeba

The crew are weary, the cyclists are weary, and the agreement is to leave a little later. This is the last day before the one day off in Mareeba, and so there is cautious celebration.   We have only 85 k's to go, and we had been told by a local that there is just the one big hill out of Ravenshoe then all would be downhill to Mareeba.  We should have known that this was just plain bullshit.

Tom and Barb don't look all that enthused this morning!!

Terry is running a little late and so Barb takes lead support for the first part of the morning. She notes the long hill out of Ravenshoe, and takes time out to photograph the wind farm at the top.

Windy Hill - aptly named.

A view of the tablelands - a lot of hills...

As Barb drives on, she realises that there are a lot of hills here.  She comes across cyclist Barb slowly making her way up yet another hill, but there is no sign of Tom.  Obviously he has taken off with the climbs, leaving cyclist Barb behind.  Barb drives on through rain forest and national park, enjoying the beautiful scenery of the Atherton Tablelands, the smell of the rainforest, and the calls of birds. She stops to take a walk through the rainforest.   Finally, there is Tom - a happy man. Although he bemoans the fact that it would all have been a lot better on his road bike.  He says that he'll just have to come back another time for that.  Looks as though we will be back again!!

Arty photo 1  - rainforest floor

arty photo 2 - rain forest light.

As it turns out, the hills go on and on, and eventually we all make it into Atherton for morning tea.  A recharge for all of us, even if we are running a little behind schedule and then it's off for the last 35 k's into Mareeba.  It's Sunday, and the road is busy.  The avo's are in season, and there are signs everywhere advertising them for $2 a bag.

By now, both cyclists are looking forward to their break, and welcome the Mareeba sign. 

 Home sweet home for the next day and a half will be the tropical Tablelands Caravan Park - a rather dodgy place where we are pleased to find some shade and clean toilets and showers.  Washing is the order of day - the cyclists shower and the washing goes into the machines.  We all look forward to the next day off and settle in to enjoy the rest.....

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