We did it again – The FNQ 2023 saw two teams complete the 24 hour Fleche Opperman All-Day Trial and four groups did a Fl-Oppy. Everyone rolled into Wharf One in Cairns on Sunday morning for breakfast and the traditional ride debrief. Thanks to everyone who took part and to those wonderful volunteers who followed us around, fed us, encouraged us and lost sleep because of us along the way. We couldn’t do it without you.
The Tropical Troupers (Chris U, Rikki A, Kim N, Grahame A, Melanie B) started in Townsville and blasted their way north to Cairns. They were treated to Chris’s typical “more is better” philosophy, completing 426km along their way and even having time to catch a few hours shut-eye in Cairns before rolling in for breakfast.
JUGS (aka Just Us Girls – Mark, Nola, Mary Ann, Gayle) started in Atherton and did some hilly stuff before heading via Mareeba and Mossman to Cairns. Mark, Nola and Mary Ann completed the course, including a heroic effort along the Cook Highway late at night into a howling headwind and horizontal rain.
In Mareeba, Fl-Oppy team “Are We There Yet” completed a Little TrOppy (Alison, Pam, Akemi, Kellie). The team cycled the 180km throughout the day, sensibly avoiding the heat of the midday hours and stopping for leisurely breaks and yummies. They joined us for breakfast in Cairns on Sunday after a big day on the bike and ready for more.
Chris H, in his ongoing quest for dirt riding, role a solo Fl-Oppy starting on the rail trail at the top of Herberton Range. He followed the rail trail north past Tolga, before heading towards Tinaroo and around the dam. He finished around Gordonvale, went home to bed, and returned to Cairns for brekkie on Sunday.
Roy W did a solo Fl-Oppy as part of his training for some crazy 1000km gravel race later this year. He rode 217km with 2800m of climbing, including a lap of Tinaroo, a visit to Millaa Millaa and a return trip to Walkamin.
(10 April 2023)