|
Day: |
018 |
|
Date: |
Monday, 14 August 2006 |
|
Summary |
Riding from Muttaburra to Hughenden. |
|
Start: |
Muttaburra |
|
Finish: |
Hughenden |
|
Daily
Kilometres: |
205 |
|
Total
Kilometres: |
2518 |
|
Weather: |
Mild early but warm to hot and sunny for
the rest of the day with north-east wind. |
|
Accommodation: |
Motel in Hughenden , Queensland . |
|
Nutrition: |
Muesli, peanut butter roll for lunch, and
hamburger and milkshake for dinner. |
|
Encounters: |
I saw quite a few kangaroos during the
day. In late morning a guy in a station-wagon passed me and then
pulled up further down the road and got out. It turned out he was a
New Zealander of similar age to me who was travelling Australia and
bike-riding each of the circuits recommended in the Lonely Planet
guide to cycling in Australia. He had his bike and trailer in the
back and was headed forCairns for his next circuit. He was very
friendly and we had a good chat. |
|
Highlights: |
Seeing the lights of Hughenden at the end
of a very long and exhausting day. |
|
Lowlights: |
Encountering a strong headwind and very
rough trail early in the day, which frequently reduced my speed to
less than 15kph. |
|
Journal: |
I had set out in the 6:00am pre-dawn gloom
in the optimistic hope that, if things went well, I might reach
Hughenden in one day, instead of the planned two, and be able to
give myself a day off. I was, however, quite apprehensive about how
tough the trail would be and knew I might have to camp out. Before
long I was struggling to find a good riding line on a trail that
varied from rocky, to corrugated, to sandy. To compound the
challenges the trail began to climb very gradually into open
undulating grassland and the wind sprang up from the north-east. It
was tiring work and my optimism evaporated as I struggled to
maintain a speed of around 15kph and I began resigning myself to
camping on the road.
As the morning wore on the trail veered
slightly to the left, meaning that the wind became a crosswind, and
changed to mostly baked and cracked mud. The latter allowed greater
speed but was quite bumpy. My spirits lifted as my speed rose,
although every time the track veered right the wind slowed me again.
A few cars and trucks passed and some of the cars stopped to ask
whether I was OK or needed anything, which was nice. All waved.
The day passed riding through the undulating grasslands in
increasing temperatures and I was drinking plenty of the nine litres
of fluid I was carrying. Despite the fatigue, I enjoyed the
solitude and scenery. Mountain ranges were appearing to the north
and east and I had the sense that I was gradually climbing into the
foothills. The sun finally set around 6:00pm with 30kms to go to
Hughenden so I kept riding. The last hour 15km was on sealed road
which made riding in the dark easier, although it was very narrow
with no white road markings. I had both hands on the brakes at all
times in case of sharp turns or roadkill lying on the road. The
lights of Hughenden appeared in the distance with 10km to go and I
reached town at 7:30pm, checked into a Fawlty Towers-like motel in
the centre of town, showered and got a hamburger from a nearby
take-out shop. I was very tired and my quads were stiff and sore,
but I was pleased with my effort and looking forward to a day off
tomorrow. |
|
ADVENTURE LIST
Round Ireland
(2016)
Hume & Hovell Walking Track
(2013)
Via Alpina
(2012)
Australian Alps Walking
Track
(2011)
Land's End to John O'Groats
(2010)
Round Oz Bike Record Attempt
(2009)
Round Oz Bike Record Attempt
(2008)
Round Oz Bike Record Attempt
(2007)
Australia Tip to Top MTB
(2006)
Adelaide to Darwin MTB
(2005)
Sydney to Melbourne MTB
(2004)
Three Peaks Race
(2004)
Appalachian Trail
(1986)
Alpine Track
(1983)
|
