Nigel says.....Tried to find a disco in Townsville last night, but everything was shut. We even had difficulty finding a restaurant that was open on a Monday night, but found a good Indian. Gordon reluctantly admitted that the large double ice cream cone he consumed on the way back to the motel was "quite nice."
Departed the motel around 0800hrs and made our way through the rush hour traffic back onto the Bruce Highway. The highway today was very flat and very straight. For approximately 50 kilometers a large white pipeline ran alongside (water?) Gordon bleating about a category one tear in his calf muscle and saying he was tired. I think he is nearly back to normal and feeling a lot better.....
We stopped at a very basic service station at Rollingstone for lunch when in cycled a Rhine Maiden who further hastened Gordon's long term psychological decline. Andrea (Lutzi) is from Augsburg in Germany and has been on the road for about 11 months around Asia and has also travelled extensively by bike around the world. She is carrying four panniers and is camping. Her bike was so heavy that neither Gordon nor I could lift it, yet she has been up and down dale across Asia and Australia on it.......man up!
Lutzi suggested that we cycle towards Ingham together - we agreed. Lutzi seemed to want some company, I was pleased to have someone else apart from Gordon to talk to, and Gordon was pleased he could tell someone else how sick he had been and how tired he was, and how his own children wouldn't recognise him he was so thin - everyone happy!
Lutzi took the lead on the road and tore away down the road setting the pace. All thoughts of Gordon's tiredness and category 1 muscle tear in the calf forgotten - we had to keep up! It transpires that Lutzi is something of a cyclist and was the German amateur mountain bike champion when she was younger which explained a lot. I think she may have been better than she lets on as well.
Gordon was comparing his own uncomfortable experience on a Brooks saddle with Lutzi who also rides with the same saddle in perfect comfort. Within several minutes it was diagnosed that Gordon's numbness in fingers and toes could well be due to saddle problems, his saddle had been oiled and the method of adjusting the saddle explained. Gordon's saddle oil and adjusting tool are safely stored in Brisbane and available for when he next needs them...
We arrived at Ingham at 1500 hrs having cycled 115kilometers (72 miles). It was fortunate we had booked a place, as there were no other rooms to be had anywhere in Ingham. Since we had arrived early Lutzi and I cycled round a wetlands park (approx 2 kilometers) that was directly across the road from the motel. Gordon lay on his bed as tarmac was not involved and extra mileage was required. It was a really pleasant ride -loads of wallabies, and birds. Lutzi found a spot where she would pitch her tent after dark.
Thoughts and comments:
Departed the motel around 0800hrs and made our way through the rush hour traffic back onto the Bruce Highway. The highway today was very flat and very straight. For approximately 50 kilometers a large white pipeline ran alongside (water?) Gordon bleating about a category one tear in his calf muscle and saying he was tired. I think he is nearly back to normal and feeling a lot better.....
We stopped at a very basic service station at Rollingstone for lunch when in cycled a Rhine Maiden who further hastened Gordon's long term psychological decline. Andrea (Lutzi) is from Augsburg in Germany and has been on the road for about 11 months around Asia and has also travelled extensively by bike around the world. She is carrying four panniers and is camping. Her bike was so heavy that neither Gordon nor I could lift it, yet she has been up and down dale across Asia and Australia on it.......man up!
Lutzi suggested that we cycle towards Ingham together - we agreed. Lutzi seemed to want some company, I was pleased to have someone else apart from Gordon to talk to, and Gordon was pleased he could tell someone else how sick he had been and how tired he was, and how his own children wouldn't recognise him he was so thin - everyone happy!
Lutzi took the lead on the road and tore away down the road setting the pace. All thoughts of Gordon's tiredness and category 1 muscle tear in the calf forgotten - we had to keep up! It transpires that Lutzi is something of a cyclist and was the German amateur mountain bike champion when she was younger which explained a lot. I think she may have been better than she lets on as well.
Gordon was comparing his own uncomfortable experience on a Brooks saddle with Lutzi who also rides with the same saddle in perfect comfort. Within several minutes it was diagnosed that Gordon's numbness in fingers and toes could well be due to saddle problems, his saddle had been oiled and the method of adjusting the saddle explained. Gordon's saddle oil and adjusting tool are safely stored in Brisbane and available for when he next needs them...
We arrived at Ingham at 1500 hrs having cycled 115kilometers (72 miles). It was fortunate we had booked a place, as there were no other rooms to be had anywhere in Ingham. Since we had arrived early Lutzi and I cycled round a wetlands park (approx 2 kilometers) that was directly across the road from the motel. Gordon lay on his bed as tarmac was not involved and extra mileage was required. It was a really pleasant ride -loads of wallabies, and birds. Lutzi found a spot where she would pitch her tent after dark.
Thoughts and comments:
- Loads of 'pet resorts', catteries and kennels on the Bruce Highway north of Townsville.
- Business of the day: Pet Heaven NQ - pet crematorium and garden cemetary.
- A steady drizzle for much of the morning which kept us cool. Very little sun today.
- Countryside was mostly bush this morning, cane this afternoon.
- Surprisingly good meal at the pub this evening - Thai green curry.
- Gordon horrified that Lutzi chose fish and chips for supper....someone else who enjoys the odd bit of crap food.
- Got some ideas for rides in Mongolia and China.....
- Snack of the day: Rum'n raisen and mint choc chip ice cream cornet - Frosty Mango
- Tune of the day: Queen - Bicycle Race
Big hill north of Ingham - tomorrow Silkwood. Cairns getting closer.
Gordon says ...
Too late, too tired. I'll write something tomorrow
Mongolia and China sound great for your next challenge: 'Gordon & Nigel do the Great Wall'!
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