Day 265 – 266
Our last hurrah in Townsville was a circuitous cycle tour into the mountains, along a 70 km dirt road, wild camp and then back to base. Mick and Jen would take their trusty tandem – the Duet, while Ian would ride his moustache handlebarred road bike with a trailer, and of course Cher and I on the trikes.
The Duet by Mick and Jen
We have been asked by numerous people, are they fast? And now we had a definitive answer. No. Although we were carrying much less gear than normal and we just completed a 2,500 km ride, and had plenty of rest, we were slow. Not too slow but not nearly as fast as a bike with road tires or a tandem. However, they were quite patient and stopped from time to time so we could catch up.
Early on we had a long climb out of the coastal plains into the mountains, and by noon we had done 50 km and ate had lunch and coffees at a little mountain top cafe. 30 kms later we left the pavement and entered a sandy gravel track. The trikes were made for this. Our front suspension ate up ruts and potholes while our three wheels gave us stability as we slid through sandy patches. The others were white knuckled but still faster than us.
By 4 we had completed 115 km and were setting up camp. Mick had chosen a secluded spot next to river without crocodiles. We lit a fire, and settled in for more great conversation, aided by the 3 bottles of wine we brought for the 4 of us.
Well rested, we set out early with a picturesque blue sky filled with white clouds puffed at regular intervals. Cher and I had already passed through this stretch and knew what to expect, a nice long downhill into town. Even though we started earlier than others, the crew caught us easily and passed us, but waited once again. We finished around 3pm and were treated by yet more hospitality when Mick and Jen insisted that they cook.
Emotionally well rested, we were prepared to set off for Brisbane, our first climbing destination, and our first long rest from the road.