It's been nice spending time in Maryborough

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Well,it's been nice spending time in Maryborough. It seems as though there is a bike culture here - especially bmx's. How pleasant it is to go to lock your bike and have an area dedicated for bicycles.

Have been sampling coffees and indulging in greasy fat chips. So far the coffees has been disappointing but the chips have been a delight.

Today we've been working on our presentation and am feeling that it will be entertaining as well as factual. I'm not too sure how I'm going to cope with the riding, setting up camp and doing a presentation and connecting with the locals of the town. Shall just wait and see.

Am finding that the cool nights are being unpleasant. My -5 degree sleeping bag is just not cutting the grade and have opted to share a tent with another rider to increase the body heat factor. Have found the emergency blanket (silver foil) works a treat in keeping me warm however my sleeping bag is usually wet in the morning from condensation - not so great.

As far as my muscles are going, I've only one area of my body that has complained repeatedly and that is my right shoulder. My leg muscles have stood up to the challenge, however I've noticed that they feel stronger the next morning if I've given them a good stretch. So far haven't got sore bum syndrome so am reducing the amount of time I'm wearing my bikepants so that I don't get cyclist crutch (thrush) again.

Had a funny incident a few days ago where my bike fell over (whilst not on it) and I tried to then get on it and ride, however my front wheel wouldn't spin. I was getting really annoyed and was trying to work out what was happening and why it wouldn't spin. I just couldn't work it out and a few minutes later, Evan cruised up had a quick look when I realised that my panniers were back to front. I had started to fix my panniers when Evan said he'd help me fix front wheel and simply spin my handle bars around and then my panniers where back to front again. He then informed me that the front brake automatically engages and hence stop the spinning of the wheel. It was such a simple error but it just about did my head in.

The other thing I'm trying hard to do is to stop swinging my leg over the back of the bike as I've now a flag and have managed to snap it twice so far.

So I'd encourage people to make their own flag and stick it to a pole and join us for a leg of the ride. It's such a great experience and would love more people to join us.

There is a big group of riders joining us at Narangba and also in the Northern Rivers area. Keep checking out this site for updates.....