We rode out from Oakey, bound for Pittsworth. I have an image here of luggage truck 2. I managed to always have my luggage on this truck. Usually up the front. One thing that impressed me, is that when they unpacked the truck, the order of the luggage on the ground was the same as the order of the luggage in the truck. This helped a lot with finding my bags. I suspect the driver never left the vicinity of his truck. Each morning he would drive off, with a full, load. I do not know if he helped unloading. In the evening he would be there in his cab, eating or talking to people. Then he slept in the cab. The next day he repeated the process. Each day he probably had to drive between 20 and 50 km.
On the way out I passed the live morning broadcast of ABC Southern Queensland, who had come to do their show from the camping ground. As I passed to take a photo, the announcer said, that’s not a bike. Well spotted! It’s a trike! I did wonder if I should stop to talk, but I just rode off on my days ride. Got to keep a bit of mystery and I’m sure it gave them something to talk about for a few minutes.
On the way out we had to cross some busy roads and it was peak hour in Oakey on a Thursday morning. The police man (Col) had stopped the cars and then motioned for us to stop. So I did. He then gave me this tiny signal, that I could only think meant creep forwards a bit. I was confused. At that moment the 4WD in the picture decided to drive through the intersection without permission. Col walked up to the drivers side window and gave the driver a good talking to.
Next we crossed the Warrego Highway. Just before it we passed a point where they assemble and disassemble road trains. I always like how they pack up on themselves, and they were stacking empty trailers on each other on this morning. On the highway there were many trucks, but the turning lane helped and we did not have to do any more than watch out for the on coming trucks.
We started off on the Oakey-Pittsworth road and then at the end of the day we would use the last section of this road too. One of the people had pointed out to me that the order of the names actually shows the direction of the town. So if the sign says Oakey-Pittsworth then you turn left to get to Oakey. If it says Pittsworth-Oakey you turned righe to get to Oakey. I never did try this out to see if it really worked. While on this road there were still many trucks. It was to be a morning of trucks. I had to stop behind a truck at an intersection. As we passed the BQ official said he was complaining about all the bikes.
The morning tea break was at 28km in Mount Tyson. This location is known for it’s chocolate factory. But I did not stop there. I was still psyched up to ride, ride, ride with only short stops at the rest breaks. It would take a few more days before I finally settled down to be able to relax a bit more and take it easier.
After morning tea Geoff and Marian passed, me as they did every day in the morning. There was also a crash. The ambulance went past and then when I got there there was a crowd of people huddled around a woman under a blanket. The brief glimpse I got of her was that she looked ok. I later learned that she had touched the wheel of the bike in front and fallen off. She was taken to hospital and had some stitches.
Lunch was in the driveway of a local wheat and sorghum farmer’s property The coffee truck was a private venture which followed us every where we went. I had coffee there once, but decided that they were a bit expensive at $4 and use the free coffee in the eating area after that.
After lunch we continued on the flat roads we had had since morning tea. Up to lunch they were a gentle down hill, but after lunch it was mostly up hill. But before lunch we had been riding into a stiff breeze, and after lunch we were riding with it. I pushed moderately hard and was rewarded with the fastest day of the entire ride at an average speed of over 20 kmh. I loved the flat country side. I always do.
Arriving in Pittsworth it was a ride down the main street, complete with greeting to us cyclists, before heading down to the Show-grounds to go camping. I was amused that the camping for the volunteers was set up in the stud beef cattle section of the show grounds.
In the camp there were several unusual tents. This one had no poles. It is called a Bikamper. It used the front wheel of the bike at one end and the rest of the bike at the other. Some people were complaining about how small it was. But small is what you get when bicycle camping. There was another set of tents (no picture) that were of the type where you just toss them on the ground and they unfold. Though I did not see that happening.
Finally there was a set photo shoot of the catering staff being done by the official photographer.
The Original Post posted the next day…
Yesterday evening just had dinner and crashed for another early start. At breakfast, the south east Queensland abc breakfast show was there. As I rode past to take a photo, the announcer said, that’s not a bike. Todays ride was, finally flat. There were Lumps and bumps at the start and end. The radio announced that yesterdays car crash on the highway had resulted in one death.
The new technique resulted in improved speed, but in the afternoon I tired and my average speed lowered. Still, I got to camp just after 12 noon. Tomorrow is the longest ride. On the advice of my fellow gt3 rider, i have moved the position of the cleats.
Coming into town I was in position 395. Though I do not know what position I started in.
Day 6
Distance: 80.23
Ave: 20.48
Time: 3:55:10
Max: 46
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