134.8 km ridden today
862.4 ridden so far
1887.5 est to go
740m up
616m down
3927 calories burnt
Strava that shit: https://www.strava.com/activities/18098581164
An early start today. Despite the hum of the diesel generators, I slept well. I rose early, did my bike pack up routiny thing, and was on the road at 6:15am. I did this to give myself the option of riding to Clermont, 175km down the road. Diddly squat in between. Just the usual gravel traps and truck pullovers; these for me bring some level of excitement. There was a proper toilet stop (Frankfield) at about 85km with non-potable water with camping allowed.
The first first 20km or so sucked hard. The wind decided to welcome me at the start. Very early for high winds. I did my usual cussing into the wind. Like it was a living thing listening to me. I wondered if I could even pull out 50km today, let alone to the camping stop. Perhaps the winds were listening. They eventually backed off, and swung more round to an easterly side wind. The next 55km, nothing to report. So here is some intermission music. Listen to it and imagine nothingness for 55km…
Ok, we’re back….
I hit the rest stop at Frankfield (a locale, NOT a town). Not exactly a nice spot to camp. So at 85km it is still 95 to Clermont. I had drinking water to last me to Clermont, but not a camp. So I did my usual middle of nowhere musing. Body and kmlegs doing great. I’m gunning it… The road was varied. Some new bits, some very old bits. Credit where due though, they had made “good”, the sections most important, corners, low vis etc.. The long endless straights were old and I had oodles of time to jump out of the way of the trucks.
Then at ~125, a FLAT. First one in over 800km so I just accepted it.
Alas, this was just the start. Another 10km or so down the road, flat again. I DID check the tyre for left over debris from the first flat, but clearly not well enough. So yes, another EPIC fail is warranted. By this time it was starting to get late. I guess by luck, I was at a road works section and they were all preparing to head back to Clermont. So yes, for the last 40km or so I got a lift with two workmen, bike and luggage in the back tray of the Landcruiser. They dropped me at a motel. I offered some coin, but they refused.
I was bummed about not going the full 175km. I had the energy, legs and water to do it. I was reminded though situations are going to arise and will probably form the strongest memories of the ride.
Alas (again) things got worse at the motel. So I was meaning to rotate the tyres soon anyway. Including riding before the trip, the tyres have 2000 km on them and I could see the rear wearing much more than the front. So I moved the front tyre and tube to the rear and inflated. After fiddling with a few things I checked the tyre. FLAT. WTF to the power of WTF! Both the tyre and tube were from the front. Turns out the front copped the same damage as the rear but had managed to stay inflated until I deflated it.
I can’t say exactly what the debris was. It was tiny needle like, plastic spike things. Only a few mm long. So what I didn’t do properly was check the inside walls of the tyres. I proceeded to painstakingly “caress” every part of both tyres over and over. So now I just have one good tube and 3 others, all of which now have puncture repairs all over them. Yet more woes… one of the tyres has a faulty valve and I can’t inflate it. So: 1 good one on the bike, 1 repaired on the bike, 1 repaired spare. No way in hell I am setting off for Emerald (110km) in this state. Clermont is small. I asked the young bartender (a biker from a few years ago about places that sell tubes here. “Nah mate, you’d need to go to Emerald”. So it looks like I need to get to Emerald without a bike.
I asked a few tradie looking guys at the pub/motel where they were heading. All to Mackay or Townsville. I then asked the bartender. There is a bus! I didn’t think there would be, but having thought about it, Mackay <-> Emerald would be a populate route for workers. So another skipped biking section, not by choice though. Was fully up for the 110 km to Emerald.
I tinkered with the bike some more in the evening. A temporary bike workshop and never can avoid grease…
Anyway, a break now is good. I needed to be in a stable location for a job interview on Wednesday, so this will be an additional rest day. And yes, the interviewers know what I am doing and where I’ll be for it (hopefully it plays in my favour, but more on that later).
Song of the day: When I rocked up at the pub/motel, “The Riddle” by Nik Kershaw was playing. Love this song, but I felt it apt as well for my mood at the time as well.