42.3 km ridden today (intended 170 km)
1043.6 km ridden so far
<I’ll get back to you> km to go
102m up
45m down
1222 calories burnt
Pain factor: 1/10
Strava that shit: https://www.strava.com/activities/18143325517
Not entirely sure where to start on today. But I have found my way back to the Emerald City (this place just draws me in). I’ll start with a general THANKYOU THANKYOU THANKYOU to all the people that helped me out.
Another night in donger(ish) accommodation in Rollerston pub. Not much in Rolleston, but for me it was the typical oasis after a long ride. The next stretch was very vacant, probably the one I was most concerned about the whole trip. 170 odd km of nothing. I asked around at the pub and didn’t get much intel about water options on the way. With my water worry, I chose to load up with enough water to make it to Injune. I departed by 7am and was set for a very long day (likely even into the evening) in the saddle. I was perfectly happy for those 40kms. Felt good. Respected the trucks. Didn’t over exert. Then at 42.3 in the middle of nowhere disaster struck. I have been extremely careful with potholes, but didn’t realise the nastiness of a lip as I approached a bridge. It was I guess from the road and bridge bitumen pushing against each other causing a short but sharp rise. I hit it and the back wheel bounced probably a couple of centimeters off the road. The landing was a bit much for the rack. I heard a horrible sound and pulled over. One of the rack mounts had snaped (not the bolt, the actual bar). A clean break. There was no way of riding like this and cable ties or straps were not going to work in this case. The rack is rated to 25kg and with the 6 or 7 litres of water I was probably up around 20. You can imagine the extra weight burden of a few cm bump back to ground.
No mobile reception. The odd car every few minutes. I sat down and took a break before assessing the situation. The day was still early. I decided to try my luck with a few cars passing by. If that didn’t work, I’d unload the bike (and rack) stash the non-essentials in the high grass off the side and ride back to Rolleston then work it out from there. A few cars passed without stopping. A few did but were heading to Carnarvon Gorge (a 40min detour to a tourist destination). Then a young couple in a small 4 door stopped. They had already passed me, seen I needed help (note: when I am stopped I ALWAYS thumbs up the vehicles that pass so they knew I am ok). They actually turned back to check on me! They were going to Rollerston, but then headed east and down to the Sunshine Coast. So we played Tetris getting my bike and panniers in and with an enjoyable chat I was in Rolleston. They refused to take money so after insisting I topped up their petrol ($55). I then sat and pondered for a moment (which seems to work quite well on this trip). A bit like Tom Hanks pondering what to do with half a port-a-loo while stranded on the deserted island. Anyhoo, like 10mins later a budget rental van (the ones you use for moving) rocks up. Needing assistance, I politely asked where they were going they said EMERALD! I think they briefly sussed me out and we both agreed we weren’t serial killers then they agreed to give me a lift. Even better, the truck was empty (the son was moving back to Roma from Emerald and they were headed to Emerald for the weekend fopr the pick up). Occy straps to the rescue, bike strapped in the back I jumped in and we were off. Another good old yarn on the way.
On arrival back in Emerald, I begged to give them money, but the father flat out refused. His reason… what goes around comes around… He said he also has a sense for decent people (I feel over the years I’ve had that gift too). I did manage to twist the sons arm. Told him to stop/drop me at the bottle shop and left him with a case of his preferred beer.
The bottle shop was right opposite my ye ol’ faithful Sunflower Cycles. I am sure he thought I was coming back to complain about the tyres. No racks, but he proceeded to check every bike in the store for one. Next option… welding. He directed me to a welder. They were closed, but it was in the middle of I guess the industrial park of Emerald. I literally called the next place I could find on Google. 500 metres away, and they told me to come on over.
Alas, while a welder, Geoff found that all the kit was at a big coal mine job. He said if he had it, it would be like a 5minute job. Anyway “one second” he said and made a phone call. Next think I know he gives me a lift to an old business partner of his just down the road. After 40mins or so (35 of them just getting set up) job done. This time, both Geoff and John flat out refused money. “We know what you are doing and want to help”. Full stop. Dead set champions and yet more reason for my fondness for Emerald (well, central Queensland really).
Geoff’s business is DGH Engineering. They don’t normally do the little jobs. They send their team out to big stuff (like a mines) for weeks at a time. So to help a measly bike packer in a spot of bother was truly Epic. John’s business is Dolech Engineering. He had basically packed up for the day and even needed to move a forklift and get the welding machine out to help me. I really wish I had some sort of sway in the area to throw business their way, but I am a lowly ‘Gong boy from NSW, first time in the region. I will scour the web for ways of providing feedback though. I cannot thank them both enough for their help and it will only keep me on the path of always trying to help others.
DGH Engineering: https://www.dgh.com.au/
Dolech Engineering: https://www.facebook.com/DolechEng/
(Just in case you know people in the area. Or of course, are a crazy bike packer who happens to snap a pannier rack in the area).
…no they didn’t pose for me in this one – they were all out on a massive job 🙂
So I found a motel after than. More ponding on options…
I really didn’t want to ride over the same 200 kms again, and I am now running a bit behind. I considered….
– Flying to Brisbane then riding to Sydney from there (but I’ve done that).
– The lady at the motel said flights are cheaper from Rockhampton. It’s 250km away. I could ride there fly to Brisbane and ride home.
– I considered car hire companies. Perhaps one would need a car moved back to Roma from Emerald?
– I did briefly look at buses while John was welding, spoke to Emerald coaches but no luck.
Upon arriving at the motel I looked more closely. There was a bus to Roma. It isn’t direct though. It is a 14 hour journey and goes out to Barcaldine (nearing Longreach), down, then across to Roma. Would you believe it does this once weekly…. TOMORROW! 12:30pm leave for a 2:30am arrival in Roma.
Booked.
So it does mean I shave off another 150km off the ride. But if them thar’ donations are coming in, and I have time, I am sure I can make a detour or tack something on around Canberra 😉
Well, what a day. Initial despair (but calmness) turned into a day I will remember vividly for the rest of my life.
Oh and quickly. Me always wanting to learn something. I noted the load bearing bars of the rack are at an angle to the mount point (ie: not vertically down). I think I need to adjust this so the load is more verticle as I feel the angle it mounted to the frame might have been a contributing factor. I’ll also keep less water on the rack (and distances between water access vastly improve after Roma). That said, I think I can probably mount the water bladder within the triangle of the frame between seat and bars. Just need something to stop it all slopping the the bottom. Maybe straps or something ridged. Might duck into the hardware store before the bus stop. Gives me something to think about as I go to sleep tonight…
Song of the day: My cousin on the Gold Coast “reminded me” her daughter (which for those keeping score is actually your “first cousin once removed”) is a singer.
https://chloebehrensmusic.com.au/
Upon checking out her stuff (and while she writes as well), I cannot possibly go past Incubus (brilliant band). This is Chloe doing “Drive” a most awesomely awesome and apt song for today and the 14 hour bus ride ahead. So Chloe, you have made by blog, which obviously means global fame from here…. 🙂