Final Day Ararat - Home

We started off our last day with a sleep in and a delicious breakfast.  2 from 2 great meals in Ararat.

We made it to the train station with plenty of time to spare, especially since the train was over an hour late.  This meant that we didn't get into Keswick station until 7pm.
The train trip was pleasant.  We read our books and watched  movies whilst rolling through a lot of the country side we have ridden over.

Just to remind us that it is not all smooth sailing from there, we were graced with another flat tyre 5km from home (in close proximity to the Sussex).  Luckily, we had 2 spares left, so there was no need for alarm, just another short delay.

We finally stepped into our own shower at about 8:30pm and breathed a sigh of relief.

We have ridden across 871.55km, with a total of 38hrs and 47min in the saddle and burnt a total of 46,594 calories. 

Hardest day by far was the hilly first day, followed closely by day 5 riding in the rain drained of energy backing up after the 150km day. 

Easiest day was day 3 (Crap Creek to Kingston) as it was less than 100km and a tail wind.

Lowlight: Tie between the freezing room and raw food (both in Salt Creek)

Highlight: Rolling through countryside on a perfect day in no hurry to Ararat after a big rest in Maryborough and spending time with family at Easter

Now onto research for France...

Day 8 Maryborough - Ararat

Jake couldn't be happier right now. Tigers won last night, 850+ km in the bank, full of yummy indian and beer and a sleep-in tomorrow before heading home on the train.

Today's 90km was the most pleasurable one yet. We left Maryborough after breakfast and family farewells at around 8:30am. We were in no rush to get to our final destination, so we took it relatively easy to prolong the great conditions and awesome scenery.

A little bit sad that our adventure is nearly over but keen to test our legs up the Corkscrew soon after getting home. Surely, the miles in our legs will have a positive effect on our performance...

Ararat is a pretty spot but people here seem to lack some personality... Having said that the Indian food at the Royal Saffron was probably the best indian we had!

Final post and photos to sum up our trip when we get home.

Day 7 St Arnaud - Maryborough

Got up early again with the aim to beat the rain and wind and the Easter traffic. We wanted to get to Maryborough in good time to see Marcus race at 1pm. Took a longer but more scenic route where traffic was minimal.
With about 15km to go, we both started to feel really tired and sore and also hating the developing cross wind. It started to spit as we approached the town, but with great relief we made Maryborough dry and in one piece. Even though we still need to ride to Ararat on Monday to catch the train home Tuesday, certainly the most challenging part of our trip was over.

Jake with mum and dad

Jake and Fi

Family dinner in our MASSIVE dorm

Greeted by Fi with loads of food and awesome cabin in caravan park, and got a shower in time to watch the road race - Marcus came in 7th with the stinking cross getting worse all the time.

More racing tomorrow with the 300m sprint-offs and the TT.

Couple of days off the bike looking really sweet....

Thanks for all the messages of support.

Day 6 Horsham - St Arnaud

We ended yesterday with an amazing meal of pasta, salad and bruschetta. We ordered takeaway Margharita pizza to have for breakfast the next morning.

Due to heavy fog, we set off later than hoped this morning, but still managed to smash out 118km before 1:30pm. The weather behaved itself, sun was shining, birds were chirping, the road was flat and tail wind accompanied us most of the way. In sections we reached speeds of over 40km/hr without even trying.

Murtoa, Rupanyap and Marnoo didn't have much to offer in terms of food stuffs or scenery but we managed to find a yummy sausage roll to keep us going. On the contrary, St Arnaud is a gorgeous little town rich in autumn colourings, several pubs and good coffee.

St Arnaud himself

We are feeling the effects of fatigue tonight, but tomorrow is the shortest of all our days and the last before we reach our final destination.

Can't wait to catch up with family and cheer Marcus on as he competes over the weekend.

Day 5 Edenhope - Horsham

The only way to sum up today; it was like a fun ride at Wet'n'Wild theme park without the fun part.

It rained for 99.8 out of 99.9km for the day. The pools of water on the road came up at us like the wave when a fat kid jumps in a plunge pool with every passing car and truck.

We were both really hurting early as a result of the massive day before so the 100km today seemed like much more.

Washing and drying cycling gear with limited resources is becoming a specialty and the novelty of that part is well and truly over.

Called in to bike shop in Horsham and bought a gel seat cover and also used their pump to get tyres to proper pressure as this is a bit tough with little hand pumps on the road.

Taxi coming to get us to take us into Horsham for a big feed of pasta in a little while.

Trying to get on the road early tomorrow to beat some more bad weather and get through Murtoa, Rapanyup and to St Arnaud at a decent time tomorrow.

Touch under 590km ridden in five days, and just over 25.5 hours in the saddle. According to a bike computer between us we have burned 30,420 calories, but that's probably a bit of an understatement.

Day 4 Kingston - Edenhope

Massive day today, and we are both really happy to be past it.
Total of 155km in about 6 hours of actual riding time, with a good deal of it in the rain!

On the upside it stayed calm all day so we kept the pace up pretty well.

Pub meal in Kingston was pretty ordinary last night, but we managed to get to bed early and slept heaps better with a heater! Kingston Caravan park was really good facility, and tonight's in Edenhope is probably even better.

Today was really well broken up with Lucindale at 50km, Naracoorte at 100km and the destination at 150km. Absolutely pumped when we made Naracoorte by just after midday, so we knew we would make it okay even if we had to take it easier in the afternoon.





About to head up to the pub for a feed, and the bakery opens at 6.30 in the morning so we can have breakfast before we head off to Horsham tomorrow - Edenhope looking after us.

In total we are now over half way through our 850km in both time and distance, and although we are both sore, we are really no worse than we where Sunday. About an hour of stretching each night is a must, as well as some reciprocal massage helping us recover.

Only real concern now are hills into Maryborough, but we are definitely relaxing a bit more now.

Rest stop in Lucindale

Lucindale at the moment. 55km done and a little under 100 to go for the day.

Left Kingston at an hour i would rather be getting home than getting up, but warmed up after about 10km and really haven't felt too bad save a very sore backside. Bucketed down for the first 40 but stopped now.

Dead calm and dead quiet in Lucindale. We said last night that we would love to be in Naracoorte by 1 so we have all arvo to do the final 50km, and I think if my bacon and egg sanga gets here soon we will be on track for that.

Day 3 Salt (crap) Creek - Kingston

If every day was like today, we would probably consider doing this again.

A flat tyre to start with, couldn't dampen what turned out to be an awesome day. We knocked off the 93km to Kingston at average 28km/hr and arrived at our destination before midday.
Coincidently, this was the exact time we thawed out from our freezing cabin in Crap Creek.

Two short stops to shed some clothes and have a sandwich, but other than that we made the most of the tail wind.

Traffic picked up closer to Kingston, but we have felt pretty safe the whole time. Drivers have been good to us.

Feel spoilt to be in such a nice town as Kingston with great seafood and plenty of facilities.

Again, sea view from our caravan park cabin - sweet!

Getting a courtesy bus from caravan park to pub for dinner and a pint, then early night.
Planning to head off very early tomorrow as we have a BIG day ahead. Hoping to make Narracorte (100km) by early afternoon and then to Edenhope before dark.

Polar morning

I don't think I have ever been this cold. No heating in cabin and ceased up in a big way. Goin to head off early in hope of warming up.

Day 2 Tailem Bend - Salt (crap) Creek

 
Okay, so today was a day of highs and lows...

High: weather was ripper and no wind to speak of, and riding along the coast for most of the day, that was a real bonus.

Low: last 40km of road surface was enough to shake the the gold fillings out of a mobsters teeth. Seriously, our water was carbonated by the time we got here

High: awesome lunch at Meningie. Gosia had a chicken and chips feast, and I had a nice roll and a chat to some grey nomads.

Now you see it

Now you don't

Low: if lunch was champagne, dinner was Stones ginger wine. Firstly, there is nothing to eat near the Gemini Downs "holiday park" (somewhat overstated name). Secondly, park document indicated 1.3km to Salt Creek roadhouse. Being disgusted at the thought of turning the pedals, we decided to walk. Turns out it was in the order of 3 times that far, and when we did arrive it was a mixture of Chevy Chase Funny Farm, but at Parsian airport prices.




High: despite Gosia only eating 9% of her raw chicken schnitzel, owner of said hole in ground near Coorong drove us back to "holiday park". Note: people who own stinky roadhouses, also own stinky utes.

Low: 60 minutes so bad on small 1970's TV that we are already in bed.

High: big sleep coming, with early start and shorter distance.

Low: Gosia still hungry and may eat my breakfast while I am sleeping.

High: it will probably make her sick

Salt Creek not on 'places to come again' list.

Day 1 Adelaide - Tailem Bend

 You wouldn't believe our luck! Tube change number 1 at 0.00km! So, after a slightly delayed start we headed up the familiar slopes of Norton, Ashton and Uraidla. What was unfamiliar ( and torturous) was the extra 7.5kg on each of our backs. We used every one of the teeth of our new cassettes and managed a personal worst time.

 On the upside, it was a ripper of a morning weather wise. Unfortunately, after lunch in Balhanna tube change number 2 and a slipped chain cost us a little more time.

As the terain flattened out, we started to feel a bit better and pushed on to Murray Bridge.
It's a pity, that after Murray Bridge and with only 25km to go, we hit a wall and also a wall of cross wind. Average speed plummeted and it was the longest 25km in our lives!

The sight of the ferry at Jervois as the moon rose in the sky was a welcome relief.

We made it across the river to Tailem and to our caravan park in daylight, but only just.

View from our river facing cabin at dawn

Got a feed and watching the Footy, but just about ready to hit the sac.

Same distance tomorrow (115km) but minus the hills, so time should be better.

Chicken pie in Balhanna for lunch. First of many this week I'm thinking

Day 0

10 hours till take off.
A little bit of nervous energy around.  Managed to pack 2 weeks of living into 2x 7.5kg backpacks.  Not bad...minimalism at it's best.  Out toiletries consist of travel size toothbrushes/toothpaste, compact travel hair brush, cake of soap (Dove so it serves a dual purpose: - soap and moisturizer in one), tiny shampoo, a deodorant and a mini floss.  Had to settle on Wet Ones and leave a tiny bottle of Dettol instant hand sanitizer behind (Flick will be proud!) 

The First Aid Kit also took a beating - 1 roll of bandage, 3 bandaids, 2 alcohol swabs and a strip of fixomul...surely a paramedic would have something to say about that!

Final effort at hydration, then some beauty sleep and GAME ON!

See you in Tailem Bend.  (and no...the cat is not coming).

Countdown - 5 days until departure

It's Monday the 11th of April and we have four more days of work before the grande departe on Saturday.

Bikes are ready, legs are not....