Day  22:                                Hughenden to a barbed wire fenced paddock somewhere (822m)

Distance:                             105.62km

Av speed:                            11.7kmh

Total Elevation:                   650m

Calories:                              3261 per person

Weather:                             Hot (30*C)

It seems that the good times just aren’t meant to last too long (more than a day or two) for the UpUnder 2011 blokes. After an enjoyable and trouble free couple of days, today we were brought back down again.

Rising early we had to wait for the supermarket to open and we weren’t able to leave until a little after 9:30am.

The first 30km were uneventful and on sealed roads, a welcome surprise as we had the impression the whole 260km to the Lynd Junction (tomorrow night’s destination) would be unsealed.

At the 30km mark, Jon got a puncture, which we quickly changed. As the day got hotter the road barely noticeably began to climb and we soon found ourselves at the Porcupine Gorge (the 60km point and lunch break). It was a pleasant view and we soon set off, knowing that we hoped to get at the very least, 130km and halfway to the Lynd Junction before calling it a day.

Within 500m of leaving Porcupine Gorge, Chris had a puncture. We quickly changed the tube and began pumping it up when the new tube’s valve decided to blow itself to pieces. Third time lucky. The only problem is that we now only have two spare tubes (one with a slow leak we cant find and don’t want to waste water on and the other which has a split), meaning it will be an interesting and nervous ride tomorrow on the dodgy gravel road we’re travelling on.

After continuing for a shortwhile we jokingly asked a passing motorist called ‘Chef’ if he had any spare inner tubes, whilst Chef said no, he instead offered us the inner tube off the bike attached to the back of his truck. Unfortunately it didn’t fit our bike, but once again it was an amazing example of the mateship and comraderie were experiencing. We didn’t leave empty handed though as Chef refilled our water bottles - fyi as were camping out tonight were carrying 12 litres each for the next two days.

Finally around 5:30pm we called it quits and started looking for a place to pitch the tent. We currently sit in a little corner paddock by a little dip in the side of the road... here’s hoping John Jarret is busy tonight! Jon’s also taking the opportunity to use all the solar panel gadgets the Greener Group gave us to recharge our Garmins for tomorrow.

Today was definitely one of our more disappointing days as we now have 160km ahead of us tomorrow and the threat of being left airless, however with a lazy 10 hours sleep under our belts we should be ready to fight another day!