Day 17 - Belyando Crossing to Charters Towers 196 Kms

Setout at 6:00 on a very cool morning which remained so for the first 170 Kms before it began to to rain. Covered the distance in 5 Hours 45 Mins at an average of just under 30 Kms per hour. The temperature makes such a difference and it was a much easier ride today than previous days. Very undulating with the an ascent of 650 metres over the distance.

Coming from. Going to.

Coal conveyor belt to the Rail Line

The line to the Coast

Day 16 - Clermont to Belyando Crossing 176 Kms

A big day.  Setout at 6:15 with a good tail wind behind me. Covered the 176 Kms in 5 Hours 38 Mins. Averaged 29.5 Kms. Temperature over 41 C by 12:00 pm. A good ride. Nothing at Belyando Crossing accept a Roadhouse and a Motel.

Early morning shot on the Main Street of
Clermont

A mural depicting a main activity of the Region

The Roadhouse

The Motel Room

Day 15 - Emerald to Clermont 107 Kms

A great day. On the road at 5:30Am with a tail wind SSE at 30 Kms per hour gusting to 45 Kms per hour. Covered the 110 Kms in 3 hrs 54 averaging 30 Km per hour approx. Road undulating ascending 358 metres and descending 278 metres. Hoping for a tail wind tomorrow.

The Droving continues along the road

The Sculpture below celebrates The Australian Light Horse Brigade. The tradition of emu feathers in the Light Horseman's hat's began here.

A welded construction in the Town of Cappella 50kms
from Clermont

A quick look around Clermont, which was subject to a massive flood in 1916 which killed 65 people.

Then off to Rubyvale to have a look at Sapphires.

Oh dear this could be expensive.

Oh Jan's happy

A lovely Pub at Rubyvale before shopping

The Commercial Hotel Clermont. Impressive.

Day 14 - Rollerston to Emerald 140 Kms

Well I cycled 140 Kms but I had to back track 30 Kms because I took the wrong turn out of the Caravan Park. I was heading East into a headwind that would have slowed a road train. I was doing 12 Kmph. When I realised I was going the wrong way and changed direction I was doing 50 Kmph. I hope the wind is behind me tomorrow. Relatively flat country but of so dry

The Pub at Rollerston. These places are
 the lifeblood of a small town.

Entrance to the small town of Springsure

Along the way we saw the "Long Paddock" whereby cattle breeders apply to the Government to graze their cattle along the highway. The cattle not good with their ribs showing. Most of inland Queensland is drought declared.

"The Long Paddock"

Coffs has the big banana. Emerald has the
big Van Gogh

Day 13 - Injune to Rollerstone 175 Kms

A good and bad day. Started to 6:15 Am into a strong NE wind but the air temperature was great at 26C. Cycled 116 Kms  over 5 hours 11 Min at an average speed of 22.4 Kms per hour. There was a fair amount of climbing (716 Metres) in the beginning of the ride but this was offset by a great downhill section towards the end of the ride. In addition the wind changed direction towards the end and I was getting along at over 40 Kms per hour. Yahoo ||||  Got two punctures  at 50 Kms almost one after the other. No spare tubes so I had to wait for Jan to backtrack with some spare tubes. Decided to put two brand new Schwabble tyres on when changing the tube which I think will eliminate any future punctures. Here's hoping.

Injune - We are 8 all the rest taken by Miners

Injune - The only bank in Town

The only Pub in Injune. Not the worst 
meal we have had this trip

Day 12 - Surat to Injune 169 Kms

Had to sit this one out. Repaired two tubes from yesterdays ride, one successful, the other would not retain its inflation. It was also raining very heavily over night and in the morning. No riding today. The only thing to do was to buy some more tubes. But from where? Fortunately we are passing through Roma on our way to Injune.  Roma is a big Oil & Gas Town and the local toy shop had the right type of tubes. Bought five and will put one on the bike this evening in Injune. Played Tourist in Roma having a look at the Oil & Gas exhibition at the Tourist Information Centre.

Looking up a Oil Well Rig

It is interesting to see the effect mining has on a small town. At the Telstra Shop the Techie explained that the normal population of Roma is about 15,000 but swells by an additional 60,000 with the Miners. Have a look at the Car Park at Roma Airport.

Where did I park my white Ute

Early Settlers Cottage at Roma Info Centre

Day 11 - St George to Surat 117 Kms.

A good day. Gusty winds still NNE which slows progress. Cycled 117 ams today at 22.2 Km per hour. A fair amount of climbing. The country side is dry with a minimum of trees. The whole 117 Kms is subject to road works hence there is a lot of rough road surface. This caused the back tyre to be totally trashed and blow the tube in spectacular fashion. Fortunately I was only about 500 metres from the town of Surat.  Jan had gone into town to get petrol as the petrol gauge was showing empty about 20 Kms from Surat.  There is a fuel Station in Surat, thank God. This is my fourth flat tyre which means I am having to patch tubes to be able to carry on. Believe it or not I was able to buy a tyre repair kit in Surat. Population 150 ???

Doesn't look good at the moment

The rain has come.

Day 10 - Hebel to St George 160 Kms

Setout at 5:30 AM Queensland time heading North East and straight into strong winds gusting at 40 - 50 Kms per hour. Struggled to get speed above 18.5 Km per hour. The weather forecast was the wind would turn South West around 12:00 AM. Cycled in two stints today totalling 100 Kms approximately over nearly 4 hours. Started and cycled 50 Kms and then drove to 50 Kms short of St George and cycled in to the Town with a slight change in wind direction.

Ballone River St George

Comfy accommodation in St George

Harvested water for Cotton Farming Cubbie Station nearby

Day 9 - Walgett to Hebel 136 Kms

Another good day with the a tail wind and good air temperature during the ride. Cycle 80 Kms to Lightning Ridge where we became tourists. Cycled for 2 hours 41 Mins at an average of 30 Km per hour.

We visited an underground opal mine which was 20 metres (or 83 steps) underground. The mine has been developed by an ex British Merchant Navy Seaman who has owned the site for many years. His mining activities netted it is said only $20.000 over 15 years. He has since devoted many years to constructing sculptures in is mine below the ground. Thus creating a Tourist attraction which has probably netted him substantially more than his opal mining ever did.

One of hundreds of underground sculptures

The Buddah has been blessed by the Dali Lama

We arrived in Hebel in the late afternoon as there is little there apart from a General Store a Pub and 20 small houses. We stayed at at two bedroom cottage with air conditioning that was barely upto it.The heat was incredible. Fortunately during the night strong cooling winds started to cool the place.  Those winds, good for cooling things down, were not going to be good for the next days cycling

The General Store

The Pub

The Cottage "Jazz"

Day 8 - Coonamble to Walgett 115 Kms

Hoo Bloody HooRay. Was able to complete the scheduled ride distance of 115 Kms. What a joy to have a tail wind instead of the alternative. Took 3 hours 55 Mins. Ascending 18 metres and descending 82 meters. The temperature at the finish of the ride was 41 C.

Memorial to Fallen Soldiers in Walgett "Lest We Forget"

The Namoi River.

Walgett is derived from a Aboriginal word meaning "meeting of two waters" Walgett was proclaimed a town on 20 March 1885 but settlement had been established for many years. Today, Walgett is renowned for production of quality wheat, chickpeas, cotton, beef, sheep and wool. The area is the largest exporter of chickpeas in the world

Walgett has a large Aboriginal population and is rich in Aboriginal history & culture. 

The first mechanical shearing machine was engineered at Euroka Station near Walgett by Frederick Wolseley. The machine operated hand piece acknowledged in March 1877 paved the future of the wool industry as we know it today. The Wolseley car was named after Frederick.

For more information on Walgett Tap here

Day 7 - Dubbo to Coonamble 161 Kms

The day started well with the early temperature being 26 C. Was able to cycle 110 Kms of the 161 Kms scheduled at 25.5 Kms per hour. The road is essentially very flat. I quit riding when the temperature reached 43 C.

The Pub has seen better days.

Breath tested in the town at about 2:00 PM. Hadn't had a beer at that time but felt like one or two.

When loading the bike on the car, because of the heat, I forgot to tie the front and back wheels down,
consequently the bike came off the car at 90 Kmp. Substantial damage to the front handle bar and rear brake system. The rear wheel is no longer true and rubs against the back brake. I have loosened the back brake so that the wheel will spin, but it has had the effect of leaving me with no back brake.

It is Monday and we have driven down to the RSL club for a meal. Six people in the place  having a drink. No food. Told everything else is closed except the Bowling Club. Thank God. All of Coonamable must have been there playing Bingo. Good to see the integration with the indigenous people. Great fish meal. Better than some I have had back home.

Day 6 - Cowra To Dubbo 211 Kms

Its too bloody hot to keep this up day after day so I have decided to have a day off the bike and have a look around Cowra. We visited the Japanese Gardens which were created to promote peace.

Beautiful landscapes

Water an essential in a Japanese Garden

So much water in such dry surroundings 

Day 5 - Wagga Wagga to Cowra 216 Kms

The ride in "Hell" continues. I must be mad. Completed 85 Kms of the 216 scheduled. I can see the tar on the road blistering as the temperature soars to over 46 C. Cycled for 4 hours 15min at an average of  20 Km per hour. Too bloody hot to continue and finished at Cootamundra. Unfortunately due to a mix up with the Gps on our iPhones Jan finished up 60 Kms in front of me resulting in her having to backtrack. "Not happy Jan"  Everything fine after watching a great game of cricket at the Cowra WACA and a Chinese meal.

 Any bit of shade helps

These Guys seem to be able to handle the heat. However they didn't start their game until well into the late afternoon.

Cricket at the Cowra WACA

Day 4 - Chiltern to Wagga Wagga 163 Kms

The day always starts out well "temperature wise".  Trying to get on the road by 6:15am as the temperature is between 26C - 30C before it raises to 46 C around 11:00 am . Cycled 72 of the scheduled 163 Kms spending 2 hours 46 in the saddle, averaged 24 Kms per hour. The max temp recorded was 41 C

The train was at least 1Km long

The Murrimbidgee provided some cool relief from the heat.

Day 3 - Euroa to Chiltern 127 Kms

These heatwave conditions continue. Cycled 96 kms of the scheduled 127 before retreating to the air conditioning of the car again as the temperature soared to 48 degrees C according to the bike computer. There is simply no place to hide from the sun accept for the occasional overhead bridge.

A place to hide from the Sun

Downtown Chiltern. I love Telstra they are everywhere. I am glad I have a few shares.

A view of Lake Anderson from our Cabin in Chiltern. Still too hot to sit outside.

Day 2 - Craigieburn to Euroa136 Kms

A really tough day in "Hell". My bike computer recorded a temperature of 46.0 degrees C.  Drove out from the City to start at Craigieburn about 7:45Am. Wind gusty and straight into the face although this time it was cool.

  

Country Pub for sale. Interested?

The Road to Euroa

Average speed 21.3 kmh over the 75 Kms covered before I retreated to the air conditioned car. Metres climbed 586, road not hilly just undulating. News is that there is more to come of the heatwave conditions

One of the better Churches in Euroa

For more info on Euroa. Go to en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euroa‎

Day 1 - Drive to Melbourne

Left Balgowlah in the coolness at 7:00 am for the 870 Km drive to Melbourne via the M31 and arrived at 4:30pm in "hell" temperature 42 degrees "C" only stopping for fuel and some lunch along the way. Thank God we purchased a portable fridge with a Battery to keep our provisions and water (beer and Jan's wine) cool and it seems to be working well. 

The fridge

The M31 road into Melbourne is dead boring and very dry. When we came down for Around the Bay in a Day the countryside was very green now it's a Bush Fire waiting to happen.

   

Food stop at Gundagai. 

For some amusement Jan read me a book which is (by proxy) only the second book I have read in my life. Feel free to guess the first but the second definitely kept me from running off the road.

Its dry down here