A short-ish ride today… just down to Cape Jervis and then back up to Adelaide as I’ll be staying with our great family friends Derek & Julia… starting of course with the obligatory quick ride around town before departing… just a refresher really as I remember my visit in 2013 quite vividly now. Victor Harbor (spelling correct now) is a very nice & clean town and it’s little wonder one of the go-to places for holidays from Adelaide.
Continue reading “Day 59 – Victor Harbor To Adelaide (168 km)”
This was just a run through the SA countryside, with stops along the way in some interesting towns. Everything has turned brown now that I’m in warmer climates and what appears to be harvesting seasons (if the hayfever is anything to go by).
After some late night rain, the tent was very wet, again. So, I took my time to pack up – I had plenty of time (too much perhaps).
Probably the last to leave, I completed the twisty roads in and around Halls Gap, then headed west towards Horsham but then turned south to run down along the western side of the Grampions towards Casterton, through Coloraine, Casterton, Penola (Coonawarra country), and then eventually settling into Naracoorte for the day.
Continue reading “Day 57 – Halls Gap To Naracoorte (333 km)”
Early start? Nope. It was still around 8:30 before I managed to leave the park… it’s coffee and muesli with the news on the phone that’s doing me in. Oh well…
Traffic was still fairly light, but there’s always one bugger who does half the posted speed limit and refuses to let others through. No wonder there’s road rage! Grrrr. It was still better than yesterday though.
The Great Ocean Road is great (duh). No need to go into details. Although, what I didn’t know is that the Otway National Park through which it passes is yet another rainforest. Before I left on the trip I thought we only had the Daintree. No wonder I sucked at geography.
Continue reading “Day 56 – Apollo Bay To Halls Gap (317 km)”
I kept flip-flopping with regards to what I would do. Last night I thought I’d stay an extra night to have a good look around Ballarat. However, after sleeping on it I figured that would be a waste of a day… I have spent a fair bit of time in Ballarat (early 2000s for work) so I’d seen a fair bit. Plus, I know Ellie & I will be back this way.
Since “doing” the Great Ocean Rd was a must, it was unlikely that I’d be able to attend the SA/Vic meet at Halls Gap tonight. However, I could still make the lunch tomorrow. Since this trip was about the ride, and the Club, I figured that was the real goal. So, off I went… after a ride around town for one last peek.
I must be back on the mainland… it’s furkin pouring with rain again. Unbelievable!
It’s a sad day – I have to leave this beautiful island… but not until this evening as I’m on another overnight ferry. So, Diesel will show me around again.
However, before heading out I changed the oil & filter – 10,000 km since the last one in Cairns. I unhitched the trailer first (we’d come back to get it before heading to the ferry), refueled, and we were off.
It was pretty much just follow-the-leader (a lot more than 52 km). We made use of our intercoms again and Diesel was providing a great narration for the trip as tour guide, as well as providing warnings about gravel, cars, tractors, etc. This mean I could have a little bit more of a look around.
We started with a ride up the Central Palteau to see the Great Lakes (camera/operator malfunction – no piccie of the lakes):
What a crap night. It was the windiest of the trip yet. The tent more than survived, but I barely slept. The wind on the tent was non-stop and loud. Then, I know subconsciously I was worried about the bike from being blown over again. I’d parked it into the wind on hard gravel so it was likely to be OK, but that didn’t stop the worry. I was also suffering from the Cradle Mountain walk again. I’ve always maintained (for me at least) that “exercise day +2” is the worst. My knees an hips were giving me hell all night, even after fistfuls of painkillers.
Cape Grim was on the menu today. I’d wanted to go there ever since I’d read that is was named as having the cleanest air in the world. I’m not sure if this is true (surely Antarctica has that?). I was aware, though, that it was on private land. There were certainly organized tours that could get me there (not paying the $$ for that) but I wanted to get there on the bike. So, taking a chance – I headed west.
The road headed through some lush green farmlands:
No rush today – there would be a little riding and sightseeing along the way, but plenty of time to do it. Ultimately, the intent was to get to Arthur River for camp. It meant the main road across the north west of Tassie would need to be done twice.
So, I tried to “ignore” some of the scenery and not visit the towns along that way while heading west so I’d have them “to do” on the way back.
The north north from Cradle Mountain was as usual – sunny sky, boring roads with horrible bends in them, up and down mountains – quite monotonous really 😉 .
Continue reading “Day 51 – Cradle Mountain To Smithton (325 km)”
Today was great. Up early, charge the camera, breaky, coffee, and then got ready for the walks. It was hard to know what to take. Firstly, I really wish I’d packed that backpack of mine. Instead, I used the tank-bag with shoulder strap. It clearly wasn’t ideal, but it was OK. The forecast was clear with a possible light shower. Shorts it was though – I can layer up on the top half if necessary – and I’d wear my army-GP like motorcycle boots: nice & comfy with lots of protection. I’m the first to admit that I wasn’t properly prepared for a genuine hike, so I decided to just wing it. I had water, snacks, sunscreen, warm layers, and a rain coat (from the bike).