I was psyched to see this sign along the scenic route I rode toward Beerwah. Beerwah is the home of Steve Erwin's Australia Zoo.

Journal and photos by Nancy Olson

I got up at 0730 and went for a 25/30-minute run, figuring today's ride would be a short one. on easy days, I want to start running, because I'll need to start a running program when we form up as a team again. I don't want to lose all my fitness gains when I put the bike away!

The run was pleasant, but it was raining by the time I was leaving on my bike. The ride was nice, and I was getting excited about arriving at the Australia Zoo, home of Steve Erwin, the Crocodile Hunter! I had made up my mind a few days ago that I will try to arrange a tour of the zoo for the team and, hopefully, a meeting with Steve Erwin. The zoo is off of the Bruce Highway, on a scenic route. From the Sunshine Coast on, the Bruce Highway is too busy for cyclists, and I'll have to find alternate routes into Brisbane.

I rode to the zoo and asked the employees who I would need to talk to about a Drive Around the World visit. I got a pamphlet and a phone number and checked in to a nearby hotel.

The owner of the hotel was very nice, but he was quite chatty and he hurled two veiled insults at me, probably without even realizing it:

Insult #1:

Him: Isn't your seat uncomfortable?
Me: No.
Him: I rode a bike for the first time since I was a kid, and I couldn't believe how much it hurt my bum.
Me: My seat is comfortable.
Him: Yeah, I guess either your seat or the bike seat is big.
Me: (inner monologue) Thanks, guy.

Insult #2:
Him: How are you going to get to Brisbane? What road? Cyclists aren't allowed on the highway.
Me: Yeah, I'm not sure. I have to get a more detailed map and figure it out.
Him: Nothing like planning ahead.

Planning ahead? Whatever. I told him it isn't rocket science and that I'll figure it out. I mean, lots of other cyclists have done it, so there is definitely a way. Solving this sort of problem is part of the adventure!

I called the zoo and reached their marketing guy, Peter Lang. He stepped out of a meeting to talk to me! He said the team can come on out, and I told him Nick or I would send him details about the team via e-mail. Cool! Now, how to get Steve Erwin to greet us...

I had a big, delicious salad for dinner and watched tv until bed time.

Mileage:
Weather: Nice
Final Location: Beerwah

I found it. The Australia Zoo. Home of the Crocodile Hunter!

Help support our cause: The LONGITUDE Expedition is the longest journey ever attempted with a focus on Parkinson's Disease. The Drive Around the World team aims to raise money for Parkinson’s Disease research by driving four Certified Pre-Owned Land Rover Discoverys around the globe following lines of longitude. Readers are encouraged to pledge small amounts of money per expedition-kilometer via a pledge form that can be found on our Parkinson’s page by clicking here. 100% of donations received go directly to Parkinson's research and all who donate $10 or more will be entered into a raffle to win an expedition-equipped Land Rover Discovery.