THESE days, more and more people take their bicycles with them on their travels. It’s a great option. It means you can get some exercise when staying in a town and you don’t have to unhook your van just to go to the shop for a few supplies.

One thing that people do notice, though, is that they can start going through tyre tubes pretty quickly while cycling in western Queensland.

The solution, according to Ian Tigell at the Barcaldine Motel, is to use thorn-resistant tubes. That’s one of the accessories available from the bike section of the complex’s fuel and convenience shop. You can also buy a Redline bicycle, other accessories and even, if you’re game enough to try, a unicycle.

So while you may drop in to book a motel room for the night, fuel up the car, buy a burger or pick up some auto accessories, don’t forget that you can get your bike supplies there too.

The pushbike gear is situated in a second room at the shop, along with a display of crystals, stones and gifts called Triple 8. For Ian and his wife Ros, it’s a reminder of the “other” part of their life - when they go off to rock swaps and gem shows or go on a fossicking holiday. It all started more than 30 years ago when Ian took part in a lunch-time lapidary interest group in high school, and the interest has endured ever since.

And because not everyone is interested in rocks, they have branched out into exquisite but affordable gift lines from various places in the world, including India, China, Brazil and Pakistan.

There are semi-precious stones carved into animal shapes, natural crystal points, a big range of tumbled stones, wind chimes, suncatchers, soapstone articles, sea fossils, healing stones and hematite jewellery (polished iron ore) from Western Australia.

See the range of gold chains, rings, sapphires and silver jewellery and buy a few souvenirs, like stubby coolers, magnets and bottle openers. Another gorgeous line is Australian animals - cement ornaments painted to look like the real thing. Fall in love with one of these little fellows and take him home!

While you’re in town, drop into Gidyea Gear, a clothing store that also has footwear, some sporting goods, manchester and linen. It’s in the main street straight across from the train station.