Victoria – Page 2 – Simply cycling around

Corio > Aireys Inlet (75km, 4h45)

Today is another interesting day as I met Alex and Dirk who guided me from where I slept last night until the city of Geelong. They described on the way through the industrial area which was the refinery (the biggest in Victoria), the fertiliser place which chemicals from Canada or North Africa, the Wood mill, and an old Whisky brewery . They wrote for me different places that I should visit on my way which is very nice and helpful. Then Alex turned off to go home and I continued cycling with Dirk to his home and we had a tea at his house. And to sum up the whole experience they even give some money to enjoy even more the rest of my trip. I will use this money carefully, I promise. Thanks guys!

Melbourne > Corio (70km, 4h)

Back on the road after two days of in Melbourne. I wish I could stay a bit longer but I’ve a fair distance to cover and I don’t want to be late. Actually, I won’t :-) The last two days were very interesting and I thank Wendy and Peter again for they warm invitation. I’m now heading to the great ocean road which I will reach tomorrow if everything goes in place. So let’s go!

Melbourne, second day off with Wendy and Peter

What is that? Today I’m working again but differently :-) Peter’s job is Printer. But he uses a very old technique called Lithography which not much person use today. He is the only one who does that in Victoria and they might be 5 maximum in the whole Australia. Using that technique, you can print from a stone or from a metal plate. So, what I’m doing today is I’m graining a stone to get rid of the old drawing. Then someone, certainly an artist, will be able to draw on that stone again. I’m going to explain the process of gaining only because I did not see peter printing unfortunately.

Melbourne, day off with Wendy and Peter

After 10 days of cycling, I allowed myself to have two days off! And in the same time, I’m visiting Wendy and Peter at their place in Brooklyn. They proposed me the guest which is a caravan. That’s cool, I like that :-) Today Wendy is working, Peter as well so I’m working too! I’m working on the content of my blog. I’ve finished all the “Step by step” maps since New Zealand and the New Zealand page as well. I’m working on the Australia page which I will finished soon. And I’ve complete the “Gear” page. I’ve added the menu onto the top when the window is big enough. Finally I’ve corrected few graphic elements here and there. Lots of work done!

Step, Sydney > melbourne (1350km, 18days)

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Here is the first part of my trip from Sydney to Melbourne in 18 days. I’ve really enjoyed that trip: The departure with Robin, Stan, Daniel Jose Marie, the champagne (haha), meeting Wendy twice in Wollongong and Melbourne, Tim and his family in Cooma, Alain and Jean the crazy cyclists, Akihiko with who I’ve been cycling to the top of Australia! Wow! So many things :-) The weather were really pleasant and not too cold apart two days with rain and few days with a light headwind. I can say, I’m very lucky :-)

Pakenham > Melbourne (81km, 4h25)

The first part of my trip is done! I arrived in Melbourne today and with the sun. The weather got better and better along the way which was great because I could dry my clothes and enjoy that day. Last time I’ve been closed to the sea was when I was cycling from Sydney to Nowra. Then I’ve headed inland to discover different landscapes. I’m back on the coast until Adelaide now :-)

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.