Hello dear followers,

Day 12 of the Brisbane to Melbourne expedition began a little differently than most days on the road. After the minor issue with the trike the previous day, which continued on from my chain breaking, it felt that something was not quite right in the rear axle. Michael from Trike Bike drove down early in the morning to make sure everything was checked properly before the journey continued.

Arriving around 7:00 AM, we immediately removed the wheel to investigate the problem. The cause turned out to be something very small but important — a tiny bolt inside the axle had worked loose. Because this CHILL expedition trike is one of the early handmade prototype models, it appears that during assembly the bolt had been installed without Loctite, which can sometimes allow it to slowly loosen over time. Michael suspects this may also have contributed to my chain breaking.

The fix was simple but essential. We applied Loctite, carefully reassembled the wheel, and then I went for a short test ride. The difference was immediately obvious — the trike felt perfect again. Just to be completely safe, Michael decided to check the right-hand wheel as well, and interestingly it showed the same issue starting to develop, with the bolt slowly coming loose. That wheel was also secured with Loctite, ensuring both sides were properly locked in place for the rest of the expedition.

With the mechanical checks complete and the CHILL running perfectly again, it was time to continue the journey south.

I started the ride after saying goodbye to the wonderful family who had hosted me over the previous two days. From there I continued along the A1 coastal highway, enjoying clear blue skies and warm sunshine as I followed the beautiful coastline.

By the afternoon I reached Tuncurry, where I took some time to enjoy the day properly. One of the things I really appreciate about riding the Trike Bike CHILL is that the electric assist means I am not completely exhausted at the end of each day's ride. Instead of finishing the day drained, I still have energy to explore.

So after arriving I went for a swim and a short run, did some grocery shopping, and then continued along the coast toward my campsite for the evening.

Tonight I am staying near the beach at Blueys Beach, where I pitched my tent beside the ocean. With a cool sea breeze coming in and a sky full of stars above, it was the perfect way to end another day of the adventure.

If you would like to see more footage and updates from the journey, you can follow the adventure on Instagram at @beyond.nils.

Key Takeaway: A small mechanical issue was quickly fixed with a simple adjustment, allowing the Trike Bike CHILL expedition to continue smoothly while showcasing how reliable and enjoyable long-distance touring on an electric recumbent trike can be.