Day 91: Edmonton to Yungaburra

May 12, 2021

Start: 6:30am
Distance: 68kms
Ride time: 6:10hrs
Average: 11km/hr
Max: 58km/hr
Finish: 2:15pm

I was up at 5:30am, ready for a big day. I stopped by a local bakery and bought a couple of salad sandwiches and had a quick coffee while I was there.

I rode south for about 10kms and then turned west towards Atherton.

Wiki tells me the road used to only be one way. There were gates at either end for people to wait until the designated time to change the direction of the traffic flow.

Wiki also said there are 263 corners in 19kms and the elevation climbs 800 meters.

There were many sections with no shoulder.

Once I'd done some climbing I was rewarded with a hazy view looking east.

Luckily this guy went past while I was having a rest.

There were not many trucks. There were lots of cars with one passing me every minute or so.

There was no wind. When there were no cars passing me I could hear many bird calls from the rainforest.

It was very nice.

There were several spots like this, perfect for a water bottle refill.

Yellow bridal veil stinkhorn.

I reached the top! It was nice to have some flat ground.

It took me 3:30 hours to climb Gillies Range.

There was a small downhill at the top. I felt kinda ripped off.

The gradient in the climb was okay. Most of the time I was in 2nd gear.

The traffic was nice and I got lots of waves.

I stopped at Lake Barrine to have my sandwich and a little rest.

Lake Barrine is in an old volcano.

I arrived in Yungaburra a bit further down the road and bought some supplies.

I then went 3km down a side road to the Lakeside Caravan Park. It is next to Lake Tinaroo.

I put the tent up and had a swim before doing my daily chores of washing etc.

The park owners had a couple budgies.

I bet you got them mixed up. The owner's kids named the blue one Greeny and the green one Bluey.

I had a healthy dinner of salad and smoked salmon.

I ate early so I could return to Yungaburra. On the edge of town is a platypus viewing area at Peterson Creek.

I walked along the river bank quietly for 10 minutes and then a saw a small splash. I waited a minute more and then I could clearly see a platypus!

The low light conditions made it difficult to get a better pic.

I watched the monotreme swim amongst the vegetation on the creek banks and swim upstream for about 15 minutes.

Then it became too dark and I was pestered by mozzies.

It was a magical way to end a big day on the bike.

Today's ride: 68 km (42 miles)
Total: 3,991 km (2,478 miles)

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George (Buddy) HallVince,

Wow! This is an incredible adventure you are undertaking. I have never visited Australia, but it's always been on the bucket list - your journal makes me want to visit even more. Perhaps someday...

Buddy Hall
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3 years ago

Vince McCarthyHi Buddy,

I feel fortunate to have this opportunity to do the ride.

Australia is a big and welcoming place. I hope you make here. Sorry it takes so long to fly here. Hehe.

Cheers
Vince
Reply to this comment
3 years ago