Day 121 - Live and let live

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Bogantungan - Alpha 73km

Before we head for the big hill across the Drummond Range, we inhale the chilly morning air and the simplicity of living on the road. Not that this town needs any reminder that a life lived simply is a good life, someone had stuck this motto (picture) onto the picnic table that sits in the middle of town. Compared to "Live free or die" which we once learned is New Hampshire's State motto (US), I personally prefer this one. We are within earshot of every over the fence conversation that there can be at this time of the day. They include a few swear words and things like "the bloody coppers". But strangely enough, we feel quite safe in this place. 


Just a couple of miles out of town, we meet the bird of all things free and liberated, in real life action. A mindblowingly huge example of a Wedge Tail Eagle takes off from the road just ahead of us and makes the dead gum tree in which he lands in look like a bonsai. By this time I think we are set for the day. "Bring it on" I say to myself.

The climb to the top of the range, is first gentle and roller-coaster like, but for the final 3km pretty straight forward. We won't have this hill be one for the statistics of "hills we couldn't ride" and even manage to add another few hundred metres to get to the Drummond Range scenic lookout. 

The mountain jersey goes to Louise

The reward for conquering the range, aside from a nice view and the proud sweat rolling down our backs, comes in the shape of a generous fruit donation (home grown oranges and two bananas). The sponsors are two classy couples in an equally classy 1972 Mercedes Benz 600DL - looking in remarkably good shape. We exchange an uplifting chat about our travels so far. When they leave the lookout carpark we wave them farewell like friends, thinking that these people really had an aura of authenticity to them. No pretentious "we are wild and free and have been everywhere" caravan warriors. But travellers with style and purpose.

The problem with having achieved a major stepping stone so early in a day's stage is that we still have a bit of riding ahead of us, 60km to be exact. The Capricorn Highway keeps us alert. From nice shoulder to no shoulder, from rough bits to roadworks, there's no time for us to fall for rider's fatigue. Whereas the warning signs for driver's fatigue are starting to appear. It is an awful lot of straight ahead but we don't find it overly boring. Crossing the range brought a change in scenery that is a step closer to the imagery of Outback Queensland but it still is remarkably green and diverse in vegetation. Anyway, back to managing driver's/rider's boredom. The QLD road authority thought of something quite creative to keep your concentration awake and alert. They recommend playing Trivia! And they don't leave at that. There is a sign with a question, then a sign with a hint, and a few kms down the highway is a sign with the answer! How very original! The bonus for us cyclists is that we have more time to debate the correct answer.

On road entertainment 

We roll into the town of Alpha just in time for a quick run to the local general store. In the canned vegetables aisle an unfamiliar voice is asking us "how is the riding going?". We look around and see the smiling face of a police officer. He had passed us on the highway into town and his professional curiosity with a "safe travels!" wish had us reassured that we are a respected part of the travelling community sharing the highway heading west. 

Some easy small talk with some fellow campers from all walks of life, over a camp fire at the caravan park, brought back the thought that started the day: live and let live. Sometimes there is nothing wrong with leaving it at that.








Location: Alpha QLD 4724, Australia

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