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...

Turn off to the Cape

All good so far....

Click here for Strava results.

Changeover Day at Mareeba - Liz joins the team

It's a big day today.  Barb and Terry confer about what is required provision wise for the last part of the trek to the Cape.  A lot of the fresh provisions are to be frozen, so we carefully plan out what is required. Terry is concerned about space - after all, from here on in he will be the sole support crew and his vehicle will need to carry all the necessary provisions for four, as well as tents etc, and sundry bike parts.  A long list of groceries is prepared, as is a list of essential last minute items.  So it's off to Atherton for shopping - to Bunnings for some bits of timber to make a shelf in Terry's vehicle, to the bike shop for some advice, and some new bike gear for Barb, then to the supermarket for the big shop.  Followed up by a lovely coffee and banana bread at the Tolga Woodworks Gallery - a truly beautiful gallery between Atherton and Mareeba.

Then back to camp, where we find Tom has already greeted our joining cyclist Liz Wood, and her daughter Alice who had brought her up from Cairns.  Liz is keen, and injects a new level of enthusiasm into the team.  She is clearly looking forward to the big ride north.

Liz Wood, her daughter Alice, Barb, Tom and Terry

The new group of cyclists - Barb, Tom and Liz

The full crew - I will be departing the next day

For the next part of the trip north, Liz and Tom will be pitching small tents and they both show off their prowess.  Tom is clearly struggling with his, but it is agreed that he will most likely get better with practice.  He reckons his blow up bed is heaps better than the bed in the camper!!  Sister Barb changes sheets in her roof top abode, in readiness for the dust of the trip north.

Barb does some house keeping in her roof top abode.

The trip to Mount Carbine the next day is discussed - it's to be a short ride of only 60 odd k's, with hopefully a good tail wind. Sounds like a doddle after the last couple of days in and out of Ravenshoe.

Then it's tea time, and another display of Terry's lights before an early bedtime for all.

The campsite (with our lights display)

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.....

Click here for Strava results.

Forty Mile Scrub to Ravenshoe

Today Tom and sister Barb are heading for Ravenshoe, a distance of about 110k's.  Barb is a little concerned, as she is aware that there is to be a bit of climbing.  And so there is, and it isn't long before the two cyclists are again separated.

The support team again leaps into action, working to support the two cyclists.  Morning tea stop is planned for Mount Garnet, where we hope to buy some fresh food. After 4 days on the road, our supplies have become a little limited.   Mount Garnet doesn't disappoint, and the two cyclists are impressed by the food produced at the only cafe/supermarket in town.  Apparently cyclists are welcome here, and the ladies are aware that cyclists require big meals and plenty of carbs.  Huge sandwiches are made for them, and raisin toast and coffee/hot chocolate are also prepared.

One of the ladies advises that the road ahead will be quite hilly, and there will be a continuous climb into Ravenshoe, with a number of serious hills on the way.  Barb is concerned, Tom is excited!!

Support crew Barb does her own thing, and stops to take some arty photos (see below).

Termite mounds everywhere,

Grass

A stop is set for another 25 k's on, and although Tom shows, there is no sign of cyclist Barb.  Where is she?  We wait on the side of the road but still no sign.  Tom takes off for Ravenshoe, and the support crew are left wondering. Barb takes off to support Tom, and Terry waits for cyclist Barb.   Not for long thank goodness - Barb showed up soon after.  She had had a flat tyre, and had had to change it.  There was still a problem, however, as she had been unable to pump up the tyre properly.  Terry to the rescue and the problem is fixed.

We soon realise why there are so many hills - Ravenshoe  is Queensland's highest town, at an elevation of 930m, and this information is proudly displayed as we enter the town.

Camp is set up at the Ravenshoe Van Park, situated in the old railway station area (highest railway station in Australia), and we are greeted warmly by the residents.  The evening is cool, with altitude, and we feel colder than we have felt for quite a while.

Old Ravenshoe Station (now a van park)

Plans are made for the morrow, our final push into Mareeba.  Tom and sister Barb are happy because it is supposed to be mostly downhill tomorrow.  Dream on....

Click here for strava results.

The Lynd to the Forty Mile Scrub rest area

Cyclist Barb plans to beat Tom to the punch today, and is away early from The Lynd, powering along well. The plan is to do about 100k's today, finishing up near the intersection of the Kennedy Highway and the Savannah Way (the road to Normanton and the gulf).

Barb is first to leave this morning!

Tom follows on soon after!

Watch out for those prickles Tom!

Tom leaves a little later than usual, and eventually catches up with cyclist Barb about two hours later.  The support crew pack up, again, and set off.  Morning tea is had by all on the side of the road, and then it's off again.

The plan is to stop at the Meadowbank turnoff for lunch and photos, just 12 k's south of the Undara turnoff.  Tom and Barb's friend Rosemary has fond memories of the area, being the area of  her family home.  We are impressed by the clear evidence of volcanic activity in the area and the map shows a number of craters in the area.  Large Basalt volcanic rocks can be seen strewn across the ground, and evidence of underground lava flows can also be seen.

Meadowbank photos (for Rosemary)

A short break and then on to our destination of Forty Mile Scrub, where we set up camp in a roadside quarry.  Surprisingly there was little traffic at night, and we all slept well.

Click here for Strava results.

3000 k's and still going strong (Blue Water Springs Roadhouse to The Lynd Oasis Roadhouse)

Today marks another milestone in Tom's schedule as he crosses off 3000k's done and dusted.

It is an early start, as Tom and sister Barb head off from Blue Water Springs Roadhouse. Destination The Lynd, some 150k's up the road. There are hopes for a tail wind, and good roads ahead.

Terry and Barb remain behind to pack up and move the camp...again.  Mike, how did you do it every day!!! We leave our froggy companions behind in our ensuite, to give following nomads some excitement too.

It soon becomes apparent that the single lane roads with big drop offs are to continue, with road trains barging down the middle of them, and caravans coming up behind the cyclists and beeping at them to get off.  Tom is not impressed.

The vegetation is very similar to the previous day - savannah woodland - and there are Brahman cattle and emus to contend with.  The cattle are quite surprised to see cyclists, and run across the road in fright - goes to show how many cyclists they have seen before!!  Not many of these crazy fellas.

A view of the ranges.  Plenty of hills.

Clarke River

There are a few more hills than expected, and Tom and sister Barb soon become separated as Tom powers ahead.  This begins to challenge the backup crew, who now have two cyclists to support in vastly different locations.  No communications make it difficult.

The backup crew are in a lot of trouble with the cyclists, for failing to find them at the planned times for morning tea and lunch, (we had perhaps been a little slow in packing up for various reasons and there had been photos to take etc) and cyclist Barb in particular was hanging out for a cup of tea by the time we eventually got to her.  Plans are made to ensure that this doesn't happen again. (which it did again the next day anyway! Sack the support crew, we say! ) In any event, we all manage to meet up again at the Greenvale roadhouse for lunch.

Tom at Greenvale with 62 k's to go to The Lynd.
Note: cattle road train behind, one of the hazards for cyclists.

Barb and Terry at Greenvale for lunch.

It's a bit of an uphill climb for the cyclists, but we all eventually arrive at The Lynd Oasis Roadhouse by mid afternoon - another dodgy affair - where we set up camp for the night, with other grey nomads.  The number of grey nomads we are now coming across is gradually increasing, indicating that the flood to the north is now well and truly underway.

Terry's carnival lights again provide entertainment for all!  Cyclist Barb complains of a sore bum! Wonder why!?

Click here for strava results.

And now there are two!

Tom has had a two day rest, and sister Barb is keen, so it is an early rise all round this morning. Barb was quite obviously concerned about her first day riding, and has had a fitful night, in anticipation of a big day.  There has been a little rain overnight, but the morning is clear and cool.

Tom has made it easier for his sister today – only 113 k’s today to Blue Water Springs Roadhouse, instead of the original planned 200k’s.  A new plan has been mapped out, so that there are now 5 days riding to Mareeba, instead of the original four.  Much easier!!

Tom and sister Barb ready to leave Charters Towers

Tom and sister Barb hit the road, and Terry and Barb set out to strike camp, get some supplies for the next 5 days in the bush, and fill up with fuel before hitting the road.

As it turns out, the weather is kind as well, and the sky is blue.  The road is undulating, but not too hard.  A couple of single lane sections of bitumen have us all pulling off the road when the big trucks go past, but largely the road is good.

When we all meet up for morning tea break about 60k’s out,  all appears well and Tom is looking like he has just had a stroll in the park.

A cup of tea has them both looking perky again!

All good after we feed and water them.  Then on for the second part of the ride to Blue Water Springs Roadhouse. We arrive - not muc there except a roadhouse (pretty dilapidated one at that.) Will we stay here?  Have to - there's nowhere else for miles....

Terry and Barb go ahead, and are able to set up camp - everything in waiting for the riders.  Terry, as a scout master, of course excels himself, when he sets up everything needed including the kitchen sink.  We have selected a shady site, with ensuite (see photo below).  Nothing but the best.  What do you expect for $10 a night.  A visit to the ensuite reveals a friendly frog in the “clean!” amenities.  (Do not look at photo below if you are at all squeamish).  We later learned that three frogs inhabited that toilet.

Camp behind Blue Water Springs Roadhouse

Our ensuite!!

A friendly green frog resident in the toilet
(BEWARE those who are squeamish! This is not a pretty sight)

The riders arrive, and after about an hour, a cup of tea, and her legs up, sister Barb was able to report that she was feeling good.  A session of yoga, a sleep for both riders, and all was well again.

By the end of the evening, scoutmaster Terry had excelled himself when he turned on a light works display that had all the passing trucks wondering what on earth was happening at Blue Water Springs.  (After all, nothing EVER happens there!)  Coloured flashing lights lit up the camp like the carnival, and Terry was happy to display how he could change the display with his hand remote.  No wonder he is popular as a scout master on jamborees!!

Despite Terry’s entertainment, the riders were too tired to stay up for the midnight display and went to bed early as usual, dreaming of another day on the road!.

Click here for strava results.