I don't know if my body is still in shock from riding all the hills yesterday but I have woken very flat and tired today, so I don't think my body and mind has recovered from the Miriam Vale hills.

We ended up leaving late due to fog lingering around, we also stayed at a caravan park about 20 k's out of town instead of a rest area for the night which was very nice. I got to talk with some back packers this morning and I guess this distracted me a little as I found it hard to get motivated again to get moving and back in the mind set of getting on the bike. It was great getting to talk with the back packers and listen to some of their experiences and stories whilst being in Australia.

As I was getting ready in town this morning to leave I thought I saw Nev and Chris's car coming towards us and being that Chris keeps on saying that she doesn't see me ride I quickly jumped out to the side of the road and pretended that I was riding my bike, my bike was still on top of the car and so I was walk pedaling. As I was doing all this the car went past and would you believe it wasn't Nev and Chris - but the people did look at me very strangely. I must have been pretty strange or entertaining as the same car with the couple that I didn't know went past again - perhaps to see if I would do it again or just to see if I was really some freak in bike gear pretending to ride an imaginary bike. It was very funny at the time - definitely one of those gotta be there moments.

After a bit of a giggle and getting all the gear ready I was back on the road with Father Rob kicking off in the support car, I had my first hill at about 6k's out of town and I felt it. The first hill was a very decent climb and my legs struggled so I got off the bike and walked the bike up the hill for a bit (100m's) and then got back onto the bike again. I was trying to do what Catriona and Mick had taught me with hard down the hill and hard on the flat and the hills would take care of themselves, minor problem though I didn't have Mick and Catriona to lead me out - I found that I had my heart beat racing too fast and running out of air and obviously went out way too hard too fast and couldn't pace myself today when I kicked off so I had to stop to get everything back in order and get the heart and lungs back to breathing easier. This was the first time that I have walked any of the ride.

Father Rob was waiting for me at the top of the hill - he asked how I was, whilst panting I think I got out that I was ok. He had a big smile on his face and a bit of chuckle asking was that one a bit big Rickie Dick.  Just glad there wasn't too many hills after that first one.

When we arrived in Bundaberg we had Mike and Lyndall McKechnie arriving and waiting for us and it was nice to see some familiar and friendly faces ready to meet us. We are staying with Mike and Lyndall whilst we are in Bundy, so after a short catch up we waited for WIN Tv to arrive and do their story on us and then went to the local Super cycle store for some screws and very minor parts that I needed for my chain and wheels (Super Cycles 4 Powers St Bundaberg QLD 4670 (07) 4151 4111‎).

Once we were back at Mike and Lyndall's we had the local Guardian newspaper photographer come and take a heap of pics for their newspaper article. I think we are going to be spoilt at Mike and Lyndall's as they have already feed us well and tonight we will be getting to sleep in a real bed inside their house instead of the camper - which is luxury this far into the trip.

Tomorrow we have an early morning with the radio and then a morning tea at the CFQ Thrift shop - all welcome.


Getting ready at Gin Gin to get on the road, kids watching on.


Sunscreening up.


Some of the salt on my helmet strap from sweating!!


More salt on my straps - fish and chips anyone..........


On the road and on the way to Bundaberg.




In Bundaberg with Mike and Lyndall McKechnie




Photo time - Guardian Newspaper photographer.