The Cairns and Far North Environment Centre : All proceeds of this ride will go to the Cairns and Far North Environment Centre. This year the Centre turns over 26 years of community service. It is a community-based group and is comprised of a volunteer board of management. It employs 3 part-time staff and serves the area from Cardwell north to the tip of the Peninsula and west to the Gulf. It relies on fundraising events like this bike tour to survive.

Aboriginal history of the bike route : The land we travel through in the area of the Herbert River region is the county of traditional aboriginal owners who still have close links to this land. The organisers of the tour recognize the stewardship of this area by the traditional owners over countless generations, so that we can enjoy the high conservation values of this land today. Likewise, we thank the aboriginal people of the Ravenshoe and Kuranda areas for sharing the best of their country with us.

Start and Finish points: Start and finish points are about 4 kilometres apart. For unsupported riders, the starting point is the Cairns Railway station, which is centrally located behind the Cairns Central Shopping complex. A relaxing train journey gets you and luggage down to Cardwell, with bikes going down on our trailers. After some lunch, riders make their way to Kennedy School (25km). Riders with car-support need to be at Kennedy School for the pre-ride briefing by 4.30pm Saturday. Finish point is The Cairns and Far North Environment Centre, about 4 kms north of the railway station.

Overnight before or after the tour: We recommend a caravan park which is in the middle between the start and finish points. Ask organisers for information to be sent to you. We'll do a luggage pick up from there at 6.30 am on the day of leaving.

Your car can be left at Cairns Central car park above Railway station : By arrangement with Cairns Central management we can park cars together, for the week, at the very southern end of the car parking area on the top uncovered deck. There is a security presence around the complex, but neither the Environment Centre nor Cairns Central can accept any liability for damage to, or theft from vehicles.

Book Early: Reserve your place with a deposit - in 2007 this was $250, and will be announced for 2009.

• The tour is during the Queensland school holiday period (1^st week).
• Early registration and confirmation allows us to confirm the group booking for the train travel.
• The ride is limited to 55 adult riders in total.
• Contact the above addresses for registration forms.

Payment of balance of fare: Full payment is required no later than the 24th August. The organisers have the right to refuse participation by any person who has not paid the fare in full by this date, if other prospective riders are willing to fully pay for that place. In this event the deposit amount will be returned, less a small administration fee. For cancellations after 24^th August, reimbursement of the fare will be at the discretion of the tour organisers.

Surcharge for credit card payments : Due to the high bank charges on credit card transactions, the tour is forced to introduce a 2.0% surcharge on payments made by credit cards. That means about an extra $15 on an adult fare. This amount will go straight to the banks. See registration form for details.

The tour provides:

• Forward transport of bikes for riders going to Cardwell by train.
• Luggage support : The tour will carry all luggage within the limitations set below : "Each passenger is allowed two suitcases per person weighing no more than 25 kg per case. Also, riders are allowed one piece of hand luggage".
• The above means no bulky items like the roll-up swags and matrasses, as they just take up too much room. The above allocation is generous considering many other tours only allow 2 x 20kg cases. But notwithstanding, we would appreciate it if you packed as light as you can.
• Rider support: For the difficult sections there are vehicles and trailers available to give lifts as necessary. People can hop in support vehicles anytime. Maps, day sheets and safety briefings will be part of each day's preparation.
• Meals: Evening meal only on Saturday 23^rd. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner [BLD] on all other days, including farewell dinner Saturday evening 30^th. Please advise of vegetarian or special dietary requirements. (see also "sustenance" below)
• Accommodation : We camp out each night, and we do so in environment centres, camp grounds, schools and adjacent to streams in the bush. These facilities vary from excellent to basic. There will be toilets at every stop - built or mobile. We provide temporary hot showers where necessary, however, on three evenings we will embrace the greater luxury of a delightful swim in the remote rivers that we camp at. And no soap is allowed in those rivers.

Riders need to provide :

• A helmet in good condition.
• A well-serviced bike : Half the tour is dirt which is sometimes corrugated for long sections, so we recommend a bike with front suspension. Also the smoother of our dirt roads are on granite-country with a pebbly surface so we also recommend a bike with semi-knobbly tyres. The above usually means a mountain bike, but touring bikes or hybrids with the widest tyres are OK, but you will need to be aware of your limitations. Also touring bikes with only two front cogs might need a smaller lower ring for the hills.
• A rear view mirror is also highly recommended - as it is in cars. Riders just can't rely on hearing, as wind rush in the ears from downhill speed or head winds will blank out noise. A mirror will help the safe passing of support vehicles and trailers on the narrow dirt roads. Mirrors will also make the highway sections safer as you will see any semi-trailers in the distance and be ready.
• You'll also need two water bottles on your bike. Also check your water bottle brackets.
• Other fairly essential on-bike items would include: A bike pump, a basic repair kit, a spare tube, sun protection creams, a couple of first-aid items and perhaps some toilet paper.
• Bike items in the luggage would include:
  • A spare tyre, 2 more tubes, patches and glue, some spare spokes and spoke spanner.
  • Some electrical tape, plastic zip ties, bubble wrap for the bike if it goes on the trailer.
  • A pocket knife and additional tools to fit your bike.

Luggage items usually provided by well-prepared explorers :

• A tent, blow up mattress or sleeping mat, and a sleeping bag. (all good quality)
• Good quality clothing for on and off road. Remember, nights can be cold, days can be hot, rain is possible. (In 2004 the tour experienced cold and rain).
• A plastic plate, mug and bowl, cutlery, tea towel. (A small drawstring bag, marked with your name, is also essential to keep this together and to put in support cars for lunch, as required.)
• A good torch with new batteries and a spare globe.
• A small camping stool (the small scissor type with canvas on top won't take up much room)
• Toiletries, toilet paper, towels, sunscreen, lip cream, something to protect your neck, sunglasses, personal medical kit.
• Swimmers and towel.
• Binoculars? Note-book? Diary? Camera?
• Spending-money on tour (see food and drink item below)

Other issues regarding luggage :

• Do not bring bulky items like swags or very big roll up mattresses. They take up huge areas of space on trailers and also can't be taken on the train.
• Pack light: Lighter bags are easier to load and unload.
• Luggage and dust: Luggage will be going in a covered-in large trailer. This will keep out water if it rains but it is unlikely to keep out fine dust. Therefore, it is advisable to wrap essential items in a plastic bag.
• Luggage Drop off and pick up : Luggage may be dropped at the Environment Centre prior to the start of the event. Contact the Centre on 40 321746 on Wednesdays or Thursdays or ring myself, Jon Metcalfe, on 40 521019 to arrange a mutually suitable time. On the last day luggage will be available for pick up from 4.00pm at the Environment Centre, Greenslopes st.

Ambulance membership and medical issues : Interstate riders need to know that from 1^st July 2003 ambulance services are provided "free" to all people. This is funded from a levy on Queensland electricity subscribers. If a rider is non-seriously injured, but still requires attention, organisers will transport the rider to the nearest clinic. The clinic may, or may not, have bulk-billing facilities. If not, a fix-up may be quite expensive. Organisers may also ask for a contribution to the petrol cost involved in transportation.

Bikes and scratching : Bikes will be forwarded to Cardwell by trailer, and so arises the possibility of scratching. Riders should bring along their own tape and bubble-wrap to avoid this. All care will be taken by organisers, but riders who are seriously worried about their bikes should make arrangements to make their own way to start the tour in Cardwell.

Climate : September is the Far North's driest month so there is a good chance that it won't rain. Days will be mild but getting quite hot in the afternoons depending on how far away from the coast we are. Nights however, could still be quite cool. For most of the trip the altitude would be from 500 to 900 metres.

Fitness level: One can't just hop on a bike and do this ride without preparation. You will need at least one month's solid training to gain some aerobic capacity. The biggest problem for those who don't do much cycling is that your body (especially backside) needs to be bike hardened - that is it needs to have the ability to stay in the saddle for up to six hours. Unfortunately, you only get bike hardened by riding bikes.

The organisers of this tour want to cater for a range of fitness levels and riding ability. For the fit there are ranges and hills that will take you to your limit if you want to attack them and ride them all. For those who want more moderate exercise we can ferry you up the harder sections. People can jump in support vehicles any time, but remember - this is not a bus trip!

Do at least a month constant preparation. Your training should include rides of varying distances which should build up to the longest ride closer to the event. Try to ride two to three times per week. Shorter rides through the working week, with a longer one over the weekend where you push yourself a bit. Definitely include some hill work. Unfortunately, this tour has many hills.

Riding on main highways: We must ride in packs or groups on main highways and in single file. An escort vehicle with a flashing light and signs will accompany each group of riders. This arrangement is a condition of our police permit and cannot be avoided.

Riding on back roads: We can relax a little on roads where traffic is very low. But as cyclists on a friendly tour we should be prepared to stay back and give encouragement, advice and support to less experienced riders. On dirt roads don't ride too close. Give your fellow riders ample space to judge their route and to take evasive action if needed.

Cyclists and camp crew vehicles: Camp crew vehicles will be pulling a number of heavy trailers. They endeavour to take different routes to get ahead of the cyclists where possible. However, on a number of days this is not possible. It is inevitable that on some days camp vehicles will have to overtake every rider. On narrow dirt roads this is stressful for the drivers, and dusty and unpleasant for riders. Your rear vision mirror is essential on these occasions to identify the slow, and usually quiet, approach of friendly camp vehicles. Allow them to pass by waiving them through at the first opportunity. Riders should be in single file and to the left as far as possible and may dismount on occasions before it is safe for camp vehicles to pass. A procedure on passing will be discussed at the pre-tour briefing.

Daily routine : Riding starts at between 7.30 and 9.00 am depending on distance. We have a daily briefing on road conditions, safety and itinerary. Faster riders may be asked to say back 30 minutes some days in order that the bunch can be together later on.

Camp routine : Tour organisers, and a compulsory roster of riders, will prepare and clean up after breakfast and evening meals. Once your one-off roster requirement is fulfilled you no longer have to feel guilty that you should be helping.

Sustenance : Food will be healthy, hearty & heaps of it! Dried fruit & nuts will be dispensed into individual bags each morning so riders have some fuel en route. Water containers will be placed at stop points. There will also be a range of fruit and snacks laid out after each day's riding. Coffee will be the real stuff in plungers. Let us know of any dietary needs (vegetarian, milk intolerant etc).

Drinks : will be available at reasonable prices from the Bikers Bar every evening (beer, wine, cider and soft drinks). By popular demand we also provide for sale, "fuel" items like snakes and lollies. If you need power drinks please bring your own powder to mix with our filtered water.

Recycling: Our tour will recycle as much as possible, so be prepared to separate food scraps, tins, glass and general waste.