Goondiwindi to Gold Coast by Bicycle: Day 1 - Goondiwindi to Texas (QLD not USA)

Distance: 111 kms
Ride time: 5 hours 33 minutes
Climbing: 256 metres
Energy: 7366 calories
View the ride here:
http://cyclemeter.com/4539622a02fdb662/Cycle-20170710-0729

Pretty good day for cycling. Cool, overcast and in to a very light head wind.

Brass monkey start at Goondiwindi. The are a few ways to get there, we took the tourist drive, that follows the river north of the border.

What I like about riding out here is everyone waves. Not that there's many cars. What cars there are, all seem to be Toyotas, I reckon about 100 to 1. That's a bit like the kangaroos. You see 100 dead ones for every live one.

They love their single lane of bitumen out here. Great for cycling, it climbs just 100 metres over the whole 100kms, so I'm not sure why we were so slow with a grade of just 0.1%.

We crossed the border in to NSW at a place called Keetah. Got to be the best unknown camping spot in Queensland, (or is that NSW). It was about here we came across the only pothole for the entire day, coinciding with a caravan - covered in mud.

The second best unknown camping spot in Queensland (or is that New South Wales) is the Cunningham weir which we crossed to get back into Queensland. Not a soul there.

The closer you get to civilisation of course, the less waves you get. The locals are still mighty friendly though, especially the folk at the Stockman hotel in Texas, where we commenced the all important rehydration program, the cornerstone of every endurance athletes recovery. Only three beers on tap however, XXXX Bitter, XXXX Gold and Hahn Super Dry - life is too short. Just as well we had an esky with a few Coopers Extra Stout.

Spent the night at the Texas Caravan Park. It's the Bernard Tomic of tourist facilities - not sure if it wants to be a caravan park or not, but they take the money anyway? The showers were hot, and that's all that matters.

Big day tomorrow. Texas to Stanthorpe, lots of hills, expect to be tired and emotional when we get there.

Thank you so much for those of you have generously donated to Future2 Foundation. Your support is really appreciated. If you'd like to help, or to find out more, visit my fundraising page.

https://give.everydayhero.com/au/tony-63

And to finish, some of you might be wondering why is there a town called Texas in Queensland. So were we. Please respond.