Simply cycling around – Page 54 – Simply cycling around

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 :-)

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!