Karl travelled from Mackay to Bowen, arriving on Sunday, June 30. From there, he wrote a letter to his sister Mattie. At first glance, his route cycling inland to Charters Towers before heading to Townsville might seem like an odd detour. But in fact, it was a smart move: the North Coast railway connected Bowen to Charters Towers, making the journey more efficient for a cyclist able to follow the tracks.