Glorious Gippsland Day

Sydney to Melbourne Stage 13 – Sat 18th March 2017 – Orbost to Bairnsdale (94 Km)

Weather: 16⁰C min – 25⁰C max, sunny

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“When my legs hurt, I say: “Shut up legs! Do what I tell you to do!” ~ Jens Voigt

Perfect sunshine, safe roads, smooth riding surface, awesome scenery, good food, friendly and interesting people, a vintage car show, 1950’s rock and roll … today we experienced the best that Gippsland has to offer. Since we set off from Sydney two weeks ago the Australian landscape has not ceased to amaze us.

We had set ourselves the challenge of riding 100 Km along the entire length of the East Gippsland Rail Trail from Orbost to Bairnsdale, so we were packed up and cycling by 9 am. Once we began riding on the trail it soon became apparent that the course gravel surface was more suited to horse riders, walkers and trail bike riders than touring bikes carrying heavily loaded pannier bags. Scenic though the trail may be, we took the first opportunity to revert to our old friend the highway. A good decision it turned out to be because the hard shoulder was wide and smooth enabling us to make good time … and we trimmed 6 Km off our journey.

Towns were few and far between, in fact there were only two (Nowa Nowa and Bruthen) so were glad that we had enough water to last us on such a hot sunny day. Our experience at both towns was incredible. When we rounded the bend into Nowa Nowa we found the CBD consisted of a single general store, in front of which were about half a dozen locals (almost half the population) sitting around in the sunshine enjoying a free sausage sizzle organised by the local fire brigade. What a lovely group …and how good did those sausage sandwiches taste!

Our next delight was Bruthen, about 25 Km further on. Entering the town we were greeted by the sound of 1950’s rock and roll music blaring out of speakers at the Bruthen Inn. When we rounded the bend we were dazzled by the sight of well-polished vintage cars and motor bikes glistening in the bright sunshine. Eventually we dragged ourselves away, but a couple of hundred metres down the road we found an irresistible café called Blue Bees where we were tempted by the biggest and best thick shakes we have ever tasted.

By this time the hot sun was beating down, so the 200 m climb we encountered shortly afterwards was quite a struggle. It was a matter of just putting our head down, eyes fixed a couple of metres ahead, steadily powering away with our aching legs until the summit was eventually reached. At the top we lay our bikes and ourselves down on a grassy knoll and savoured the gentle breeze blowing the sweat off our faces.

And we said to each other, “remind me why we are doing this”. But the truth is that on such a beautiful Gippsland day there is nothing else we would rather be doing or any other place we would rather be. Our legs have obeyed us today and they will be rewarded with a day’s rest in Bairnsdale tomorrow.

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4 Responses

  1. Rolf says:

    This was probably a decent piece of work today. All respect ?

  2. Melveta Ellwood says:

    Well done both of you for climbing such a hill you both endure to the end.
    As for sunshine we have not been so lucky in Sydney rain all day yesterday.
    Today well the sun blessed us with an amazing sunshine.
    Good luck and safe ride for tomorrow.!

    • Thank you my dear. Unfortunately I fear the sunny weather is about to come to an end down here in Gippsland. Never mind, only six more days riding before we arrive in Melbourne.

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