Day  24:                                Lynd Junction to Ravenshoe (915m)

Distance:                             209.36km

Av speed:                            16.2kmh

Total Elevation:                   1662m

Calories:                              7143  per person

Weather:                             Mild (26*C)

Rising at 5:15am in order to get an early start, we chowed into our remaining Weetbix (a lazy 8 each) and some 2-minute noodles, before setting off in the dark shortly after 6am.

The road for the first 30km was a single lane bitumen road and we were careful to jump off the road and into the gravel at the first sound of any passing road trains.

By 8am the road was beginning to gradually climb and we soon found ourselves up out of the saddle for the first time since Victoria... it appears this is a requirement for any successful crossing of the Great Dividing Range.

Before noon we had increased our elevation by over 450m and had commenced a descent back down to 500m above sea level. This was quite annoying, as we knew our destination – the Tully Falls Hotel – was 915m above sea level, so we were going to have to reclimb the difference again later in the day.

Shortly after our lunch break at 125km, the ‘regain’ of the lost metres commenced. Unfortunately, rather than one long steady climb, it was in the form of 20+ up and downs... with each ‘up’ becoming longer and steeper.

This continued for upwards of 50km, to the point where we queried whether we’d survive any more vicious rollercoasters. After a short break at 4:45pm, we set off for the last 30km and were pleasantly surprised that the final 200m of altitude was generally gained via a gradual climb, rather than more vicious undulations. It was also inspiring to pass through all the signs highlighting the WWII regiments stationed in these areas, which helped remind us how our suffering compared in the big scheme of things.

After 210km and over 1600m of climbing, we finally arrived at the Tully Falls Hotel – the highest pub in QLD – shortly before 7pm. An amazing effort given the circumstances and possibly our proudest moment yet.

 We’ve spent the night unwinding eating some ripper food (a sensational Guinness Pot Pie) and chatting to the friendly owners, Brendan and Selina. Knowing we only have 40km tomorrow to meet Sars’ parents means weve also been able to enjoy some XXXX and Bundy too!

Apparently the Prof’s farm doesn’t have phone reception, so once again youll have to wait 48 hours until our next blog...hopefully there won’t be too much which can go wrong in 40km anyway!