After getting home via Skytrans on friday night, I have re built the Surly Long haul trucker from the bike box it was in for flight.Washed cleaned etc.I think it works out a little easier to fly home direct rather than train for me with the price not a lot different, it helps if you have a seniors card or similar but I am not in that league yet.I had the official measure around the gut from loyal bride Kim and from day one at 115cm I am down to 103cm and I lost 5.5kgs but I tell you I can crack walnuts with one area of my anatomy thanks to cycling.Maybe one day you might take up cycle touring yourself and visit some of the brilliant regions around the world as well as locally that welcome cyclists. good luck and 'on ya bike'
I must admit the Clem Walton Park was one of the best spots I have camped in for purity and Privacy.A ripper! Dave and I left at 8.45 with a 3 k dirt road to negotiate to hit the bitumin. We found another spot up the road for those that might not want to go 'bush' called the 'Fountain Springs Rest area' with toilets etc but no drinking water. just off the road.at about 49ks we stopped for a lunch of soup then pushed on finding this section easily the most hilly with consistent climbs.We got short on water and twice were assisted by Caravanners that were on the side of the road, many thanks.Finally arriving in Mt Isa at 2pm and headed for some accomodation only to find the town nearly booked out? we better book next time, finally got a room and cleaned up awaiting a large steak and a Red wine or 2 as I have already had Beer!
I would like to thank some wonderful people if I may. Kim thanks for your courage and support I am grateful to have you as my partner, GM of Prime Radio Steve Hirst for pulling the odd surprise out of the box when it was most needed.Jing at Michael Aw 'The good Guys' for lending me his own EEEpc which has survived more than I am game to tell him, Wally D at Telstra who said 'Here you go Locco, No worries' and lent me the USB Internet which gets me coverage in the strangest places and everywhere except when I let the battery go flat on the PC.Brother Dave for a three week tough trek and lots of bumpy bits we ironed out and his invaluable experience cycle touring.The other fellow travellers who just thought we were crazy but would give us the sirts off teir back and oranges?Shane Obrien for sorting out photos and what a job? Ben and Juanita for filling in on air thanks guys. If I can say one thing more and that is 'just do it' Hirsty rang me today and said...'would I do it again' not this week but hell yeh. thankyou all, as soon as I know my new Girth I shall let you know of the success of the 'Great Girth Control Tour'
It is wonderful the country out here and the scenery is brilliant, we got up at 6.30 to a warmer morning and went to buy food for the bush camp meals, so called into the supermarket then the Bakery. What a surprise in the middle of Cloncurry to hear ‘G’Day Locco’ from a staff member at the bakery, well we had a chat and it is Cate Burgess who used to ring the Breakfast show with Locco and Juanita and win stacks of prizes etc a while back. A former Cairns girl. The riding is the best yet with rolling hills and sensational views, Dingoes having dinner at the road kill grill and plenty of it and bird life to die for with plenty of wattle in bloom. At 10 15 and 29 ks out we took a snack break of boiled eggs and oranges then 45ks from Cloncurry we stopped by the ‘Burke and Wills Memorial’ where the great explorers crossed 22nd of Jan. 1861.The spot has a picture postcard river gently flowing and fresh water with lush growth. At 12.30 we arrived at the ClemWalter Park which is on the map and we thought why not, you have to open the gate to get in and we were told to travel in about 3 ks to a spot with Toilet and next to a swimming lake with shelters etc. a very rough dirt road but no probs for 4 wheel drives and found this spot I must say is one of the best camping spots I have ever been to and its free, of course a few sneaky Grey nomads beat us here but they even called over to say Hi and gave us a 5 litre container of water as we are drinking gallons. There is no signal for the internet here during the day at all but the phone seems ok! Only a 58 k day with the best riding day in a while with a paradise of a camping spot, what more can you ask [well maybe airlift the family in as I do miss them, bloody sook? And a nice bottle or 3 of red wine] Last day tomorrow we think and what a hell of a trip that will stay in my memory for years not the least the scars on my rear end.I am looking forward to the tape measure and see how much girth is gone.
