All Trails Past Rides

Cairns to Cape York 2003

As we stood by the waters edge, and peered across the reedy surface of the moonlit lagoon, an eerie feeling was felt by all present.

Pairs of red beady eyes, staring directly at us, constantly disappeared and re emerged elsewhere, sometimes closer, as the crocodiles nonchalantly observed, although puzzled by the presence of 32 adventurers with mountain bikes. This thrilling night was one of many where we camped under a zillion stars, sometimes guitars strumming after a fair dinkum meal, superbly cooked over the bush camp fire. The official departure in Cairns, shared with Warren Entsch MP, allowed us exposure with travellers and locals, in raising money for The Fred Hollows Foundation.

The riders, all ages from Australia and New Zealand were experiencing three hot weeks of tough cycling through rainforest, National Parks, corrugated sandy tracks and the legendry Overland Telegraph Line. Some nights were heaven, like when we all had a safari type cabin in the Daintree Forest, amongst snakes, Cassowary, pigs and exotic bird calls, with a morning swim only minutes away on a palm fringed tropical beach.

The variation of cycling allowed all to experience many firsts. The steepest ever hills both up and down, the darkest jungles, the deepest and longest creek crossings, and surprisingly, some managed in granny gear to stay upright, witnessed by cheering onlookers as they forged their way to the other side, through handlebar deep water.

Tony was unlucky, when a kangaroo mounted his bike, knocking him off and into hospital with serious lacerations. Some men had many falls, mainly in sand, while others including the women kept their balance.
The 10 km time trial, through winding bush tracks, tested the riders skills of dodging Brahman cattle and the odd snake, while some opted for a cool dip in the cattle trough.

The logistics and remoteness were ever present, however the positive attitudes of these intrepid cyclists never waned.

The efficient crew kept bikes and bodies fully lubricated and patched up, sometimes massaged, to help fulfil their dream of riding 1100 km from Cairns to the tip of Australia Cape York. Congratulations, perseverance prevailed.

Phil & Susan McDonald
All Trails Bicycle Tours