Monday 6 Jan 2019

Yesterday I discovered that one of BOB’s wheel bearings is disintegrating, so I detoured slightly off the BNT route today and followed more traveled roads as well as almost 20 kms of the Wide Bay Highway, which was horrible with all the traffic. Total distance was about the same but I wanted to be closer to traffic in case the bearing totally failed. But it survived, so far. Still another two days to Kingaroy, where there are bicycle shops that can hopefully fix or replace the bearing. It’ll be along the rail trail though, which runs right beside a road, so if anything happens I could still hitch a ride into Kingaroy.

I got to Kilkivan at 9:30, perfect time. Bought a mango for $1 at a road stand, had coffee and scones with cream and strawberry jam at the little cafe, and the coffee was so tasty that I had a second cup. Then a couple of brews at the hotel/pub and I’ll be camping at the field behind the daycare opposite the pub. The official BNT camp is 2 kms out of town and rather isolated and this is another good no-cost option. I’ll chill and relax for the rest of the day again. I really like these early finish days, way more enjoyable than struggling through the afternoon heat!

Actually, I found an even better spot to camp, a little bit further down the old rail track, at the very start of the KKRT (Kilkivan Kingaroy Rail Trail). There is a rainwater tank, portapotty, some chairs, several power points, and a beautiful shade tree. I had a water bag shower and a shave, man I look civil again!

It’s a beautiful cloudy day, the first day where it never reached 30º!

Totals: 43k 3:20h 535m+ 435m-