**note: the last 20-25km before hitting the Newell Highway was just hard work with little enjoyment. alternative route research recommended** What a day. 3 totally knackered gravelling geriatrics, after a morning and early arvo of pushing the bikes through the soft sandy roads of the Bibblewindi State Forest. A bit of lunch and slogged again the few k's to the Newell Highway, then things turned around remarkably. Rather than the graded roads made for mine vehicles, we had Pilliga Forest 4WD tracks, and our bikes sailed through them. Some dry watercourses were still a bit of a challenge, but our moods had improved 200%. Rode into Salt Caves campground absolutely spent, but had the choice of plenty of sandy camp sites. What visitors there were to the caves and the fire tower soon left, leaving us to the privacy of our bush bidon showers. Hit the sack probably earlier than any of our grandkids.