Today's ride was sedate and mostly pleasant.
Started out in Townsville at 24 °C but still high humidity on a heavily overcast day. The cloud cover remained all day.
I'd turned on the fuel monitor app in the Garmin, and from the start or nagged me to find somewhere to refuel as the distance was too far for one tank (distance set for a conservative 350 km to 26 litre tank). I'd always planned on refueling at Bowen, so I wasn't worried, but did find what should have been a useful tool, very annoying, because it sometimes took 3 to 4 attempts to clear the message.
On and off for the whole trip there were light misty showers, not enough to stop for wets, and it felt like only the windscreen and visor were getting wet.
As I approached Bowen the temperature dropped quickly to 22 and then 20, with very strong wind gusts.
As I pulled into Bowen, I'd missed the turn off to MacDonalds and I waved down a Postie and asked for directions. Of course, in the middle of the road we had to discuss the Spyder for 5 or 10 minutes before continuing to lunch.
Just after I ordered my meal, I received a message from Kate letting me know the C/NQ OzSTOC flag was out front and the shed door open. That made finding the place easy when I arrived.
During a very relaxed feed at McDonald's and a refuel at the Caltex next door, the thermal liner went in. I'm glad I did, as the temperature quickly dropped again, to 18 °C and in spots 17 °C.
The ride to John and Kate was uneventful and I was pleasantly surprised when Kate was walking up the driveway to greet me as I arrived, and guided me and the Spyder to the Shed.
After a pleasant afternoon chatting to Kate, John returned from work and we all took a look at the Spyder (I've got to come up with a name) and John and Kate tried it for size and comfort. An offer of taking it for a ride was made but respectfully declined. Maybe when they head south later in the year.
Kate had prepared a beautiful pasta and sauce, so we elected to stay in and eat. This allowed for more chin wagging and catching up.
As John has to head off to work in the micro wee hours, we said farewell before bed.
Next stop tomorrow is Rocky at my Brother's place, except he'll be coaching Basketball until midnight. With a maximum predicted of 19 °C in Rocky tomorrow, I think I'm going to appreciate the handlebar warmers.
Thanks John and Kate for the wonderful warm and welcoming hospitality. :kissblow
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