Bicycle Touring – Page 33 – Simply cycling around

Yarragon > Pakenham (66km, 3h50)

Baaah! Such a bad day… I feel I will never arrive to Melbourne. This morning, a thick layer of clouds was covering the sky but no rain. I was finishing my breakfast in my tent when few drops appeared. Oups! It’s time to pack as fast as possible. 15 minutes later I was ready to go but the rain intensified itself until I was soaking wet. My shoes add two swimming pool filled with cold rainwater and my waterproof gear (Jacket + pant) doesn’t last long under the rain… After 30 minutes cycling I could fill the water coming through. Then I’m stuck in Yarragon and hope the weather to get better…
Finally around 5pm, the rain stopped or at least reduced and I hit the road again expecting to do as much as possible and avoid to have 100km to cycle tomorrow! I’m ready to cycle at night for a bit.

Heyfield > Yarragon (100km, 5h45)

As I’m getting closer to Melbourne the roads to reach my goal are not the most interesting. There is always the Major highway which cut everything apart and which I can’t use. All the other tiny road are twice as long and I feel slow. But I don’t have much options and I don’t want to take 3 days to arrive. So I’m trusting my GPS (not every time) and try to find some nice road away from the Princess Highway. My friend Wendy lives on the west side of Melbourne. At the beginning I wanted pass down the “Port Phillip” bay but it would be one more day again. I’m not in hurry, not yet. I want to make sure I can cover those 5000km from Sydney to Melbourne in 3 months without rushing at the end. On the other side, I expect to have enough time to visit friends and interesting places.

Bairnsdale > Heyfield (92km, 5h10)

I’ve discovered that from Stratford to Melbourne (thanks Google maps) there is cycle paths all the way. It seems that’s a rail trail and it certainly had a useful utility few decades ago. Now the council or somebody else transformed it as a cycle path. It’s mainly flat with gradual slopes and it goes through lands and across roads. I’m not sure yet if I will do all but at least half of it I think. Let’s start from the beginning :-)

Orbost > Bairnsdale (96km, 5h30)

Okay, this is one more day added to my trip to Darwin. Everytime I meet someone and that person ask me where I’m going he/she repeats after me: Darwin!? Yes Darwin, the one on the top :-) At this time I feel I did not start yet but since few days I’m closer to Melbourne than Sydney and I can call this progress! Normally, I’m done with the hilly part of Australia, the rest of the road should be generally flat all the way. But we never know!

Victoria border > Orbost (114km, 6h16)

Today is a crazy day where I’ve done 114km and join Orbost which I did not expect. After spending almost a week in the countryside, a side of myself desired to come back next the ocean which pushed me beyond my limits. I’ve started at 750m high and knew I would ended at sea level which helped a lot to pass the 100km in a day. Let’s start the day.

Monaro Highway > Victoria border (70km, 5h)

Looks like the rain is coming back for today. Plus, the wind might not be on my favor anymore. Well, I’ve chose this road now I will ride on it ar any price. It’s bloody cold as well as the wind comes from the south (Antarctica). I’d love being able to ride 90km like yesterday so I could reach the coast in a bit more than 3 days but it’s a tough challenge. As well as I said to Wendy that I will do my best to join her and Peter for Easter. Wow! I don’t think I will be one time… I will try!

Jindabyne > Monaro highway (89km, 5h50)

Today is a windy day and fortunately on my side. I let Akihiko in Jindabyne, he was taking his bus to Canberra this morning. On my side, the trip is far to be finished and I’ve got a lot to see.