So when I said that I would blog everyday I guess I didn't take into consideration the fact that we would be exhausted by the end of the day and that I would have limited internet access at some of the places we were staying.  I will apologise now for the lack of photos but for some reason the blog won't allow me to download them and after spending about a hour sorting the photos and downloading them earlier the whole thing crashed and I lost all the work...not happy Jan!!!  Anyway I thought I'd quickly write something and have another go tomorrow at getting the photos on.

Day one:

We had to assemble at the start line at 6am on Sunday morning, we had an interesting time packing up the campsite in the dark but after having a couple of days on the ride now we realise that by the end of the ride we will be very good at it.

Everyone was remarkable fresh looking for this early hour in the morning and didn't seem to mind that I was sticking a camera in their face.  Micheal headed off at 6:45 as he was doing the Kuranda Range and the rest of the riders left at 7:15am.  Michael did the range no problem at all but it isn't as steep as the Toowoomba Range and since that is were he's been training I guess you can understand why.  At the top of the range everyone regrouped and broke off into their packs for the ride.  Michael started in the 5th pack but has since moved up to the 3rd pack as he was finding the 5th pack a little too slow for him.  He seems to have found his niche now as his pack keep a fairly constant speed and are very well organised.  From the top of the range they rode onto Mareeba, where they stopped for lunch.  After lunch, which is about an hour, they headed for Atherton where we spent the night.  There wasn't much organised for this night as everyone was too exhausted after riding all day.  The food is amazing I don't know how the cooks continue to come up with such delicious food with only limited cooking facilities.

Day two:

Today started off wet and foggy, not much fun when you're packing up a canvas camper...in the dark!  The riders got delayed in getting away as the escorting police officer wanted to wait until the fog lifted slightly off the range they had to climb up.  Once going, it was up hill nearly all day.  The fog soon lifted as we got over the first range and the day ended up being beautiful.  Some of the scenery was amazing especially when we climbed up to Misty Mountain.  Once I can post the photos you'll see that it really does live up to it's name.  We ended up at Ravenshoe for lunch, which is the highest town above sea level in Queensland.  From there they rode towards Mt Garnet where we will be spending the night at the racecourse. Some of the lucky people managed to get powered to their sites but neither of us managed to get here early enough so I am typing at the moment but laptop light while Michael is fast asleep.  We had yet another lovely meal followed by some lighthearted entertainment and it has started raining again, oh well as long as we get fine afternoons we soon dry out.  Well it is way past my bed time as we have a 5am start again in the morning so I'll sign off.  Fingers crossed I can get the photos on for you tomorrow.  Love Bec and Mick xx