Day  23:                                Barbed wire fenced paddock somewhere to Lynd Junction (590m)

Distance:                             157.97km

Av speed:                            14.8kmh

Total Elevation:                  727m

Calories:                             4730 per person

Weather:                             Warm (28*C)

After a pleasant 9 hours sleep in our tents, we woke bright and early to eat breakfast and pack our bags, before pulling the tents down as the sunrose.

Setting off at 8am, we continued climbing on alternating red sand, white sand, red gravel, blue chip gravel and baked mud roads. There were even a few patches of bitumen to tease our backsides about what they were missing.

We stopped at noon for a quick lunch break and like yesterday, within 250m of getting rolling again, Chris’ rear wheel punctured. Making a quick change, we then had the stress that we were once again down to a few precious (but dodgy) inner tubes and a long amount of gravel ahead of us.

Dishearteningly, we then began descending (knowing well have to climb it all back up again tomorrow) and the roads deteriorated rapidly. We were now riding over sections with rocks packed liked oranges. To brighten the mood, some crazy European vanners offered us cans of Sunkist from their window as they drove past (before we repassed them later when they had their own mechanicals).

With about 80km to go the scenery changed and we rode through what has been the highlight of the trip – lush green grass, lakes and flowing rivers, black volcanic hills, white and black trees and hundreds of termite nests.  It was a magical setting to be riding through and we hope we can experience more like it up north of Cairns.

As we counted down the kms till the Lynd Junction, we passed through some significant roadworks which were being completed. It was quite amusing to try and pick why they chose this specific 10km of road to upgrade, when pretty much the whole 260kms from Hughenden had been rubbish! We waved to all the truck drivers, roller drivers, digger drivers etc, which turned out to be very profitable!

With 15km to go, we were passed by one of the roadworkers who told us to come by their compound for a drink on our arrival and they’d pass the hat around for some donations. After suffering up six short but very sharp climbs, we finally arrived a little after 6pm at the Oasis Roadhouse – pretty much a roadhouse in the absolute middle of nowhere. They must know it, as they certainly charge appropriately!

After enjoying a beer with the workers and collecting $200 for the PCFA, we’re quickly doing our chores and readying ourselves for a 5am departure for the 210km to Ravenshoe tomorrow.