Day three of the Brisbane to Melbourne expedition began under challenging conditions. Overnight rain turned into heavy morning downpours, forcing me to remain under shelter for several hours before it was safe to continue.

Once the weather eased, I resumed the journey south toward Byron Bay. Persistent rain and some road closures meant I briefly had to ride along a short section of the M1 highway towards the end of the day — not an ideal situation, as traffic moves quickly and drivers are not always expecting cyclists in really bad weather. Fortunately, the shoulder was wide enough to ride safely, and I was able to leave the main road after a short distance and return to quieter secondary roads. I was forced to shelter a few times during the ride to avoid the heaviest rain.

By late afternoon, I reached Byron Bay, where I will remain for the next two nights. This pause will allow time for the weather to clear — and perhaps a perfect opportunity to practice my surfing skills on my gifted surfboard while waiting out the rain to clear.

Key takeaway: I completed the northern section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail. It was really scenic and an enjoyable ride. I saw many other riders and walkers on the trail even though the weather was not very nice. I rode to the end of the northern section and could see the old rails leading off into the bush which has completely reclaimed the old disused rail line. I have been told that this section will eventually be completed and make this rail trail one of the longest in Australia.