Bellingen to Bellimbopinni - 90km
During our tour to date we have all grown to appreciate the freedom that our bicycles offer. Not just freedom in a transportation sense but freedom from guilt associated with congesting roads, polluting the atmosphere and directly consuming oil - the shortage of which most certainly has and will lead to international conflict.
Today though, we were reminded of our own vulnerability against cars, trucks, asphalt and occy straps.

After 3 days of relaxation, reflection and recharge in beautiful Bellingen, we left for Bellimbopinni (10km north of Kempsey.) It was looking to be a pleasant riding day with overcast conditions and slight drizzle. The first three groups left our campsite seemingly without mishap; however, 5 minutes after the third group left we had a call from the second, asking us to come and check the road as the had heard a "bang and crash" behind them. After 10 minutes of confusion - and everyone asking each other what had happened - we finally got the whole story. Rhiannon had got the speed 'wobbles' going down the hill (due to attached trailer) and had come off her bike.
The news was that she had received much help and love from team members and was back on her bike enroute for a nerve-settling fair trade coffee in Bellingen. When we finally reached Rhi in Bellingen, she was amazingly calm and together, both emotionally and physically. Not to say that she wasn't missing skin - she certainly was - but she was still walking, coherent and even cracked a smile. What a tribute to Rhi's courage and support from her team mates.
The occy strap incident occurred around the same time. Nic (that's me) was adjusting his sleeping bag etc - which were strapped to the bike rack - leaning over his bike. All of a sudden there were little gravelling things in his mouth which turned out to be pieces of tooth. On reflection, the occy strap had let go in the wrong place (and wrong time) resulting in a missing portion of his front tooth.
The last major scare of the day (apart from broken spokes and numerous flat tyres) was another trailer induced stack - this time while crossing a bridge on the Pacific Highway. Thankfully Sherida walked away from the stack with only a bruise and grazed lower leg for evidence. The thought occurred to us all that, had the crash been 10 seconds earlier or later, our precious team mate may have gone under the semi-trailer - or the caravan, or the car - that was passing at the time.
After all the mishaps of the day, we all arrived at Bellimbopinni Primary School, reminded of our own fragility and the importance of looking after one another.
To our readers, please be aware that bicycles - especially lowers - are inherently unstable and could veer onto the road to dodge glass or compensate for a wobble at any time! Please be careful with us!
- Nic.