Movember Australia

Day 19 continued: Thanks to Phillip & Suzie at 201 Lake Street, Cairns for providing all the creature comforts and support of our ride. Restaurant and Adelfia, I will update this site in the coming days with result of fund raising etc however I would like to thank all those persons along the journey who have contributed and made this venture possible. We have met all walks of life and it has been the experience of a lifetime. Finally but most importantly I would like to acknowledge and thank our families for their support and sacrifices they have made and understanding over many months leading up to the ride and the period of time that we have been away. Thanks Joanne, Meg & Charlie (me), Janine, Vanessa & Megan (Kevin), Liz, Melissa, Jared, Sienna, Carlye, Brett & Jarrod (Graeme). Cheers. Craig, Graeme & Kevin.

Added : 28 November 2009 | 10 Week Ago

Day 19: After 18 hard slogging days the end is in reach some 184kms down the Bruce Highway & into Cairns. Stop off at The Stag Tavern in Babinda for a great feed then into Cairns. I must say that I was full of bravado for the last 22kms and pushed it a little hard and under the sign welcoming us to Cairns I pretty much crashed & burnt in the humidity. It was however at great sense of achievement for both Kevin and myself. It would of been great to share it with Graeme but he contributed a hell of a lot in the 17 days he was riding & will fly in Sat to rejoin us & help with the driving home. We arrive at the Blue Sky Brewery in Lake Street to a warm reception from Adam the promo manager and owner Ben. Very professional and well run establishment. Adam also teed up channel 7 who come along for filming & interviews with Kevin & myself. All the staff are a credit to the place and the reception exceeded our expectations. Another great feed followed by raffles & fund raising then off comes my moustache. It was looking so good as well. It was in the style of chopper read but just on a better looking face with ears. A long and fun night. Thankyou agin to Ben, Adam and all the staff at Blue Sky Brewery.

Added : 28 November 2009 | 10 Week Ago

Day 18: Thurs early rise and off 165kms north along coast solo to Cardwell. Kevin stays behind to see Graeme off at airport. 60kms into ride & joined by Townsville trathlete Peter training for Busselton Ironman. Peter is a welcome relief to the loneleness even though he pushes me along for an hour in the mid 30kmh. He turns around just shy of Ingham and Kevin is back behind driving. Good luck Peter with the Ironman. Lunch is at Lees Hotel in Ingham. It is the original Pub with no Beer and after a chicken parmi its off again to Cardwell. 165kms marks end of day on Cardwell foreshore. Try my hand at breaking open a coconut on the beach with no knife. Half hour later conquest is achieved and drink my first real cocunut drink. We stay at Mudbrick Manor with hostess Bev. Husband Ken built the B& B and it has tio be seen to believed. Amazing. 7000 thousand hours Ken put in with help of Bev to build it. If in the area it is a must stay. Look it up on the net. Ken unfortunately in hospital. Hope his health improves. Just when we thought it couldnt get any better we are taken down to Cardwell Hotel on the foreshore where Australias hardest working Lions club members and the pub treat us like kings and Lions presents us with $500, Allan & wife from the pub $100 & Lynette $100. Thankyou all for a fantastic if not late night.

Added : 28 November 2009 | 10 Week Ago

Day 17: Temperatures again below 40. Early 5am start and first 20kms easy. Just as we feeling encouraged by the weather we hit a strong easterly for the next 60 kms that keeps us honest. Last 40odd kms ok & arrive safe & sound in Townsville. We meet Townsville Bulletin for a story & Barry Hamilton from the Townsville RSL has been a tremendous help with radio interviews as well. Meet up with Barry at the RSL where we enjoy a tasty feed then presented with a cheque by Dutchy. In all a memorable evening. Stay in the magnificent Mariners North apartments on The Strand with beautiful views. Unfortunately this will be Graeme's last riding day as he will be returning in morning to Geelong due to family matters that are certainly more important than our ride. Its been enjoyable and rewarding experience having Graeme along for the journey.

Added : 28 November 2009 | 10 Week Ago

Day 16: Tues: We drive back to top of the Great Divide where we finished previous day then ride 136kms into the gold mining town of Charters Towers. It is finally below 40 degrees and we experience our fist rain downpour. Fantastic (really). Humidity is starting to kick in. Arrive at our accommodation at Cattlemans Rest then onto Civic Club for a great feed of fish courtsey of Wally Brewer's wife Robyn. Lovely. Northen Miner are calling in shortly for photo and story. Spend the arvo looking around the pretty township of Charters Towers & catching up on emails, phone calls & media etc at our next night in Townsville.

Added : 24 November 2009 | 11 Week Ago

Day 15: What a day!!! Yes its hot but after getting directions to start our days ride we manage to fall off the beaten track & as a result suffer a hole in petrol sump from an errant rock. We get a tow from local farmer Lynette in Hughenden & from initial discusssions with mechanics looks like our trip with car may have come to a premature ending. I ride off towards Pentland at midday to try to reach days target whilst Kevin & Graeme visit local police station then onto a local panel beater. As a result of some shrewd negotiations and incredible kindness from Jamie and Richard car is repaired & back on the road. Graeme joins me in ride 60kms down the road & rides with me further 60kms. We stop & drive 30kms into town of Pentalns where Wally Brewer the local police is expecting us. Thanks Wally for a bed & meal. What started out as a bad day has ended well.

Added : 24 November 2009 | 11 Week Ago

Day 14: Drive back to barcaldine as the road beyond Aramac is dirt. Was always planned this way. We head west away from our final destination in cairn to Longreach. Helpful strong northl breeze with slight easterly tail makes for a short quick day of 107kms. Stay at Albert Park Motor Inn. Great facilities have lunch at Illfracome: Wellshot Inn historic pub. Publican Joane is a great host putting on a feed even though no meals on a Sunday. Meg the border collie keeps us amused in the bar and we have found a new friend. Illfracombe well worth a visit with hundreds of resored and old trucks & machinery lining one side of the clean town. Tea is at Ferdinandos Pizza with host Harry and wife Rosi.

Added : 22 November 2009 | 11 Week Ago

Day 13: Blackall to Aramac 176kms. Wake up ok. Kevin cracking the whip saw us off at 4.45am. Today is to be in my eyes the hardest of the trip. Strong northerly for almost entire trip meaning averaging below 20km hour. Stop for break at Barcaldine after 108kms Bite to eat then on towards Aramac. Hot, windy and then continous foul stench of the rotting kanagroo, sheep and wild pig road kill is unbearable. Manage to get to Aramac with temperatures again in 40's after 8-0 hours cycling. Stay at Aramac Hotel with publican Judy Mole. Headed next door for a banquet of food at $15. Delicious even though I think we all had each at least enough to feed an army. Rear end showing signs of wear and tear. Very tender. Sleep quite well.

Added : 22 November 2009 | 11 Week Ago

Day 12: Tambo to Blackall. Rode 115 kms and early start. Arrived 9ish & Graeme off to airport to pick up returning Kevin whilst I met Ozzie from Acaicia Mptor Inn and immediately given task of cleaning pool and sweeping outside. There had been a storm previous night so pool cleaning took close to 2 hours by which time Graeme and Kevin arrived expecting that I would of been asleep. Great hospitality and over the road to Barcoo Hotel. A great afternoon with stories and talking to a lot of the locals. Host Gumby and staff looked after us & after raffle & selling a few tshirts we raised over $500 towrads the cause. Great town and memorable stay. Perhaps a bit to much over indulging. Interesting to see how wake up in morning.

Added : 22 November 2009 | 11 Week Ago

Day 11: Charleville to Tambo: 205kms. Long day early start at 4.45am. 40 degrees plus but wind was kind. Small town of Tambo cleanest I have seen. kathy from Tambo Mill Motel put us up in nice accommodation. Over to Royal Carrangarra for feed. Publican Andy a great host and his wife put on a mean spread. Raised a few bob and chatted to locals. Slept well.

Added : 22 November 2009 | 11 Week Ago

Jarod Macleod

Hi Craig My name is Jarod, the boss that I work for is a big advocate for MOVEMBER however has not grown a moustache, he has stated that if our team raised over 2500 he would shave his head, What im asking is could you just join my team so your total also shows up under ours tthat way we can teach him to participate properly next year, my team name is MO-LDC. Thank you in advance Jarod

Comment : 22 November 2009 | 11 Week Ago

Day 10: Footnote: Great news that Kevin Kay will be rejoining us on Friday in Blackall. Hes flying from Melb to Brisbane then taking a connecting flight. What an effort. Will be great to see him again and then Greame & myself can resume riding again together. Also despite the heat we have been very lucky with little head winds or rain. It doesnt get any better than this. Please also if you are reading this and know us & havent already donated please consider. Every little bit counts. It is not going into our hip pocket, plus you get a receipt.