Deep Creek Campground to Blackmans Lagoon Campground (23 April 2009)

23 April 1:30pm. Gladstone
Tired! Want to be done cycling. Just want to read book and sit in sun. And sleep. I did not sleep well last night. Had strange dream of not being able to move or scream and wild animals coming up behind me, in my hair. I've had that before in some form, like absolute, paralyzed terror or something. Blehk. The sunrise sky was beautiful. Had a cup of tea with the Anderson's while eating my delicious muesli, had more powdered milk than usual and my last smooshed and oozy banana. Yummy. I left around 9:30 and the road: I thought it would be better once on my way to Gladstone, but if possible, it was worse! So sandy. So corrugated. Funny that I was listening to Beach Boy's "Good Vibrations" this morning while packing up my stuff. I stopped at 24k to food up and the Anderson's came by. They slowed and Calum shouted, "want some cake?" Me? Cake? They gave me the rest of what they had, told me to have a good ride and be careful. As I left, I stood there grinning, taking a giant bite of fruit cake. Yet another amazing set of people. The road continued to suck and several times I had to get off my bike and walk since the sand was so deep. Big hills or corrugated hell? Tough choice. At least its something different. Wow, I really don't want to cycle anymore today.
6:35pm. Blackmans Lagoon Camping Area
Wow, I am tired! But glad to be camping for free even if I'm a little on the scared side. "Think brave." Every thing will be okay. There are so many noises in the Australian bush. Banded Lapwings yapping their heads off. Kookaburras. Swans. Crows. Parrots. Wallabies hopping/thudding around my tent. I like having them around. And who knows what else. That's all okay, as long as there are no scary, bad people. And no pine cones/branches falling on me or the tent (or Goat). Once I got started after Gladstone, (which was hard to do! I sat on the swings for a while before getting enough momentum to get up.) I zipped along. I don't know where all that energy came from (cake?), but I was powering down then up the rolling hills, and when the road turned into dirt, that didn't stop me - 20-25 k/hr. It was awesome. I missed the turn-off for the camping area I was intending to go to, but its good cause it was a dozen or so more Ks out there and this one is only 2 ks from the main road to Bridport. Which is where I will head tomorrow. Even though my body can physically cycle day after day, it gets a little pooped. And I am in need of many long massages after what these dirt roads have put me through!
Deep Creek to Blackmans Lagoon
Total K's: 79.51
Avg Spd: 15.8 k/hr
Max Spd: 52.6 k/hr
Hours on bike: 5:01
KM Scary Hill Rating: 2/7
Crap Road Rating: 5/7