Day: |
012 |
Date: |
Friday, 19 November 2004 |
Start: |
30km west of Woods Point |
Finish: |
Melbourne |
Daily
Kilometres: |
150 |
Total
Kilometres: |
1424 |
Weather: |
|
Accommodation: |
Relative's home |
Nutrition: |
Breakfast: Cookies and juice
Lunch: Pies Dinner: Cooked meal |
Aches: |
|
Animals Seen: |
Kangaroos |
Pictures: |
Here |
GPS Track: |
|
Journal: |
I got up at about 5:45am to the sound of
light rain which turned out to be fog. It had rained during
the night. I decided to leave breakfast until I reached a town
and was on the road by 6:45am. I made good speed, attacking
the hills, on a road which basically followed a ridge which was
gradually losing elevation. The only drawback was the loose
gravel road which slowed the roll and made steering bends tricky.
At about 8:30am I finally reached sealed road and the Warburton
turn-off. It was then quite a fast descent to the Yarra Valley
and then a flatter section through Reefton and McMahons Creek.
I was hoping for a store for breakfast, but there wasn't anything
until Warburton which I reached at 10:00am. By this time I was
feeling quite tired. I stopped at a small supermarket in what
I though was the main street and bought some cookies and juice for
breakfast. I was disappointed to find around the next bend
that there was a range of cafes where I could have dined. Too
late!
From Warburton, feeling quite tired and dealing with a
strong headwind I found the Warburton Rail Trail and set off for Mt
Evelyn. Despite the wind, it was a pleasant and scenic trail
and I made quite reasonable speed. At Mt Evelyn I stopped for
a big lunch in a bakery and then headed for Melbourne on main roads.
I called the in-laws to see if they would be around for afternoon
tea and arrived there at 3:30pm having dealt with the busy traffic.
It was nice to get there and be greeted by Kath, Geoff and Robyn,
but it didn't have the same degree of relief as finishing the
Appalachian Trail. From there I rode to Glen Iris arriving
about 5:00pm to be greeted by Dad.
I felt a sense of
accomplishment, especially having dealt with the challenges of the
Tom Groggin and Billy Goat Bluff Tracks, which I think were as
physically demanding as anything I have done. The trip met my
expectations re small towns, bush country and adventures (snow,
etc.). I was pleased I had done it and was thinking what next. |
|
ADVENTURE LIST
Round Ireland
(2016)
Hume & Hovell Walking Track
(2013)
Via Alpina
(2012)
Australian Alps Walking
Track (2011)
Land's End to John O'Groats
(2010)
Round Oz Bike Record Attempt
(2009)
Round Oz Bike Record Attempt
(2008)
Round Oz Bike Record Attempt
(2007)
Australia Tip to Top MTB
(2006)
Adelaide to Darwin MTB
(2005)
Sydney to Melbourne MTB
(2004)
Three Peaks Race
(2004)
Appalachian Trail
(1986)
Alpine Track
(1983)
|