It’s 7.30 pm, and I’m hoping for a call.

Considering his back-aching progress today, I could lie and say the last call 20+ km out of Biggenden town was rosy and high-spirited.

But poor ole Willy’s at the end of his RTTR tether.

Bonus though!

There were free pies for all last night at a little house at Jimna.

Shout out to the fantastic owner who looked after a bunch of hungry, blurry-eyed riders last night.

An old open house was sitting there as vacant as my dot-watching eyes were at 10 p.m. last night.

No owner there. Just wide open to all for food and drink and snoozing.

Even BBQ sauce. Definitely worth all today’s pain now.

After a quick ‘didn’t sleep much’ snooze, the day’s ride started around 2:30 a.m. – an attempt to make some ground.

Instead, he received a broken back bike carrier and maybe a slightly broken spirit.

Fairy Floss is Sweet!

Gee, it sounds hard out there.

Punishing hills for miles and the jarring on the body – with a loaded bike, no less. Sheesh.

I attempted a little pep talk: “You’re doing soOOOO well…” and I got back a drowsy mumble “.. It’s just about surviving it all now”.

He better have a beer tonight.

He was upbeat enough to share some gorgeous piccies of some of the ride today. I think the Peachester one was from yesterday? Betty Makesit will like that one.

I’m loving the final fight to Rockhampton between Captain Slaying It and a rather Chady character on his tail.

Both are RTTR veterans, and I can’t imagine how it is even possible they’re right up there, away from the mid-pack. I bet they’ll be in Rockhampton tonight, which will be the Entree part of this crazy ride all hoovered up.

Then, the “full meal” segment begins toward Uluru.

I am wondering about Willy now.

Will that man go west?

Or will the Entree have his stomach turning and full to the brim?

He’s staying at the Biggenden motel tonight.

A musty must.

Without any cleansing since Friday night, I have it from good sources there is a cheese factory maturing the finest of lycra cheeses in the region.

EDIT 5.30 am (Tuesday Start of Day 4): First up – CONGRATULATIONS TO DrsLane and Chady for winning/coming second on the Entree.

How incredible they are! Little to no sleep! How?!

Brisbane to Rockhampton – 3 Days.

I don’t think I could even drive it in three days.

Ok, so I spoke to Willy around 9.0 last night. Much better spirits after food at Biggenden.

Some parts of yesterday’s ride were just downright eerie, he said.

Forests of pure spooky nothingness that went on forever.

He felt like he was in a maze and was never going to get out. Help!

Thinking like IPWR, it’s the ‘day 3’ syndrome.

Back still a worry, and now the blisters on the bottom.

Physical and mental pain.

But I know in my heart of hearts this is what makes him stronger every day.

Kick on Willy!

He HAS to make Ubobo today and preferably before the general store closes.

Because after Ubobo – over a massive mountain to the next spot – ZILCH SUPPLIES.

All the riders know this, so everyone will scramble for Ubobo today, trying to get supplies and bunker in or tackle the mountain at night after refuelling.

If any friendly people are in Ubobo, please look out for the riders coming through!

If he gets stuck after hours at Ubobo, he’ll have to bunker in until morning. Not ideal time-wise. And he might even have to wait until Thursday if the general store decides not to open Wednesdays (Google says closed – eeeeek.)

But I see now he’s on the move with a start time around 3.30 a.m. this morning.

Go Willy!  You’ve got this!