Cyclists clock six years, 69,000km
MANY in Mackay would get puffed just riding to the shop and back.
But the kilometre counters on two bikes that have rolled into town have the staggering numbers of 69,000 across their screens.
Six years ago, Bruno and Isabelle Frebourg decided to rent out their home in rural France, buy a couple of bikes and go for a ride.
Every continent, a handful of punctures and almost two laps of Earth later, they are now in Mackay.
Hailing from Normandy, the couple loves life on the road and plans to spend at least another six years in their saddles.
When the Frebourgs list the countries they have visited, it reads more like the index of a world atlas.
"We have been to China, Korea, Borneo, Iceland, Russia, North Africa, Syria, Lebanon, Romania, Siberia," he said, listing just a few.
"But we have many more places to see."
Camping at rest areas and staying with the many friends they meet along the way, the couple rarely has to worry about a bed.
"Here in Mackay we are staying with a cyclist we met in France," Mr Frebourg said.
Having arrived in Darwin three months ago, the cyclists are now slowly heading toward Tasmania, planning to arrive there in January.
But not before a few days of sightseeing in Mackay.
"We like it here, we want to see Artspace," Mr Frebourg said. "We read about Artspace in a book, it looks very interesting.
Describing Mackay as "a big city", Mrs Frebourg said the couple would be pointing their pushies west.
"We are cycling to the Pioneer Valley then Eungella and then Sarina," she said.
