Day 15 – through Bundaberg

Started off very cold (5c) and warmed up after about 1h. Thankfully the wind had dropped and it was a relatively OK ride on the Bruce Hwy segment, then turned off on Goodwood Road and followed that into Bundaberg. I stopped at a bike shop to see if I could buy some new bibs as … Read more

Day 14 – Riding to Howard, in the wind

My thoughts of an easier, flatter ride today were quickly rewritten by some nasty wind which picked up pretty much into the 2nd hour of the ride. I might as well have gotten rid of the big ring, as even on the flat or mild descents I had to push pretty hard to keep going … Read more

Day 12 – Riding to Gympie

Started very cold again, not sure what’s wrong with this place… Problem is that I need to layer up, and then gradually peel off the clothes and I have got nowhere to put them, except the jersey pockets. I am sure I look like a camel with everything stuffed in my back. As expected, it … Read more

Day 11 – Riding through Brisbane

My navigation skills were put to the test today, and unfortunately they failed. Well, I made it to the camp about 6 hours later, so it was not a complete fail, but pretty close. At one stage, I was so lost that I ended up facing the traffic coming off the motorway on an exit … Read more

Day 10 – Riding to the Goldie

Ouuuffff… Started off super cold (weird!), then up a number of ramps, each one over 10% (though away from the main traffic), descents, no shoulders to ride in, potholes… and a few wrong turns. Uhm. I hit a back trail (Billinudgel Nature Reserve) which was really nice, but slowed me down quite a bit, and … Read more

Day 9 – Riding into Byron Bay

A much better ride today, as I concentrated on the recovery yesterday, and that definitely made a difference. The fact that the route was a lot flatter and was seaside for a while must have helped too… The highlight was the Burns Point Ferry – super cool. This ferry is chain driven, and just goes … Read more

Day 8 – Riding to the Clarence

Started off cold, but not too bad, with a few navigation challenges to get on the A1, thankfully for a brief section. Back roads and some nice views up the hill of Coffs Harbour and the sea. All bitumen today. I started to get a few small pains and bothers, especially on the saddle contact … Read more

Day 6 / 7 – Rest and riding

Do you ever have that feeling as you walk out of the door that you have forgotten something? Well, I did this morning and usually it’s just my imagination. Except half an hour after I left Kempsey, I reached out for my water bottle… What bottle… Oh yes, the one(s) sitting on the bench in … Read more

Day 5 – Riding

Longer ride as I intend to take tomorrow off! Started off with Christine in Old Bar and rode across the old bridge. We went past the Manning River Rowing Club, which we know well as we had many rowing events from there – the Taree regatta each January is a bit of a blaster, usually … Read more

Day 4 – Riding

Some kind of eventful day as I took the PacHwy towards Taree and then Old Bar. Started off super cold, so I layered up thinking I would warm up quickly, but did not, not the bestest of mornings, with a sprinkle of rain too. I made up my mind to ignore the trucks, in a … Read more

Day 3 – Riding

Better day today, shorter and less climbing, though the Pacific Highway is a bit of a challenge at times… I had an awesome stretch of bike-only path along the Fernleigh Track which is about 16km long, a bit West of Newcastle – highly recommended. I did not want it to end. Then came a super … Read more

Day 2 – Riding

The idea of riding this lap on open country roads with sweeping views and fresh wind in your hair (helmet)? was a little challenged today, as I rode my way out of the burbs of Sydney with a certain amount of difficulty. Peak traffic, commuting hour, noise, dust and a lot of tension. I guess … Read more