Remote birthday trail bike ride

A St Hubert's Island resident celebrated his 50th birthday by riding a motorbike from Cairns to Cape York recently.

Mr Wayne Lynch was joined by his childhood friend Mr Doug Lamb of Hamlyn Terrace to ride the 1500 kilometres.

Both men celebrated their 50th birthdays earlier this year and decided to remember the milestone in a unique way.

Mr Lynch owns and operates Lynchy's Barber Shop in Ettalong Beach and said neither he nor Mr Lamb had ridden trail bikes since their school days in Temora, near the Riverina, more than 25 years ago.

"Our journey of over 1500 kilometres explored some of the roughest and remote territory in Australia with our aim to reach the top of the Australian continent," Mr Lynch said.

"The trip started on the demanding Cairns Regional Electricity Board track, where we faced steep descents over narrow rocky roads and deep water crossings.

"We then continued north through the tropical Daintree Rainforest before arriving at the scenic Cape Tribulation.

"A long day followed of 12 hours and covered just 150 kilometres where we travelled through Nifold Plains, Lillyvale Station and some Aboriginal communities before stopping at the Sexchange Hotel.

"The last 60 kilometres ride through unknown territory in the night was indeed challenging and it was great to arrive at the campsite, have a swim, dinner cooked on the open fire and enjoy a beer and good company with no phones, TVs or computers.

"We also visited the Lion's Den Hotel (oldest in Queensland) and the Torres Hotel (the most northern in Australia) on the trip as well.

"Days five and six were spent riding the world famous Old Telegraph Track which included sand, bull dust, creeks, anthills, difficult river crossings, severely weathered and washed out roads where there were numerous snakes, goannas, wild pigs and the occasional croc thatn made this 360 kilometres a pure adventure.

"At the end of the day, we played golf on Loyaty Beach while the sunset was memorable.

"The next day we rode to Cape York, otherwise known as Pajinka, and stood at the top of the Australian continent.

"We both felt great pride and a sense of achievement having survived one of the hardest rides through some of the least accessible wilderness areas in the world, but the reward of making it justified the enormous effort.

"It was a fantastic way to celebrate our 50th birthdays."

Email, 20 Aug 2010 Wayne Lynch, St Hubert's Island