Cairns to Innisfail 90 km Day 1

After having 9 fabulous days holidaying with Lisa in Cairns, Port Douglas & Cape Tribulation today was the start of another adventure.

I was up early assembling the bike which has been sitting in the back of our hired car since we arrived in Cairns 10 days ago. Fortunately all the parts were there and I was ready to go.

A quick breakfast with Lisa who was catching a plane back to Melbourne and then on the bike about 8.45 am. Stopped twice to adjust the seat height and reset the back wheel in the dropouts. The bike has just been serviced but I was having a minor issue with each gear tuning and the back wheel moving. I tightened the quick release axle and all was good.

I planned to stop at a supermarket but found myself outside Cairns passing Gordonvale and then there was no more supermarkets. Passed lots of sugarcane and occasionally some bananas plantations. Traffic was moderate all day with very few trucks. Most of the time was there was good shoulder to ride on and the surface condition was good. There was some wind, at times it was a headwind but nothing too challenging.

Stopped at Babinda for lunch. There was a supermarket but it appeared closed although on my way out of town after lunch I noticed it was open through an entrance on a side street. Butter chicken pie for lunch - excellent!

Having done 57 km before lunch I could afford to relax for a while in a shade shelter next to the war memorial. Had a lovely chat with Paul and Sharon who were on a day trip from Kuranda. Paul is originally from Moorabbin so we chatted about a few places  we both knew well. I worked in Moorabbin for 9 years in the 90s.

After lunch it was still comfortable riding although I was tiring. As I got closer to Innisfail there were a few hills - nothing major but tired legs and headwind slowed me down. I passed the rest stop/free camp I was aiming for but decided to keep going. It was 5 kms out of town and I still hadn't bought dinner. Also a nearby farmer had fertilised his fields with something smelly and the camp was down wind. Didn't seem to bother the Crusties (grey nomads) who were already ensconced there.

Rolled into Innisfail at 3:30 pm and went to supermarket. Uncle Bens Mexican Rice and Chilli Tuna for dinner tonight.

Girl on the checkout told me there was a caravan park across the river about 1 km out of town. Suited me as it has been a long day and I need a shower. Got a nice unpowered site right on the river - apparently there are "Salties" in the river so this may be my last blog - if not 94 km ride tomorrow.