Day 5 to Hat Head (85km – 518 so far): Dirt roads and headwinds

A late start due to coffee and bacon and egg rolls, meant that the warmth of the day had begun too.

A couple of kms west of Port Macquarie is the ferry that leaves you near the start of the Maria River Road. We had 20kms or so of corrugated and sometimes gravelly road to make it to the sealed section for the run into Crescent Head. About half of the drivers were great as they slowed down to minimise the dust when passing us, but the rest simply roared past and made life a little uncomfortable for a short time.

 

I was pleased to make it to Crescent Head which is a legendary surf spot, and even more pleased that the surf was rubbish. In the past, whenever I have been here without my board, it’s been perfect, and vice versa.

Barnett’s Bakery at Crescent is fantastic and I have to admit I overindulged, but simply couldn’t resist their cream filled àpple turnover. I’m dribbling just thinking about it.

We spent too long there too, so by the time we left, it was hotter and the headwind much stronger for the next leg to South West Rocks.

We made it the 27kms to Gladstone for a break at the Riverside Cafe, but still the headwind was getting stronger. We knew the next 20 or so kms would be hell and after about 10kms of riding with a full on head wind, we decided to turn off and go to Hat Head instead. We even had a tailwind for part of the way – pure bliss.

As is the habit now, we pitched the tents and headed to the beach for a swim.

The local Bowls Club does the perfect sized meals for hungry cyclists and we struggled to finish the massive chicken parmys.