North Day 2

Yesterday, I continued on my trip north. Starting at Sutherland's Creek tennis club it was a shortish trip up to Maude. The ride started with a pinch up to the top of the plain between the Moorabool River to the west and Sutherlands Creek to the east. The further north I progress the less options of crossing the Moorabool become. I am heading towards Sharpes Crossing beyond Sheoaks as I think this is the gentler of my options. Even so there will be a few climbs to tackle on the way.

The autumn weather is truly here today with a chilly cross wind present. The ride is pleasant passing a vineyard that is yet to drop its leaves for winter and the odd hereford calf who stop to stare at me. My legs are threatening to cramp today, maybe I started too hard on the first uphill pinch, but I stretch and continue on. Soon I can see the rise where a BBQ tea is waiting for me so I push on.

A short ride of only 9.5km today, but a convenient place to stop. The next stage promises some real hills.

Cheers

North Day 1

Long time no blog. Been busy doing things that don’t really fit this blog. One of the projects is another “adventure” vehicle restoration but more of that later. Also a trip to Hong Kong was adventurous but not along this blog’s line of thought.

Today was the start of what may become a long term goal. Living in the southern part of the state I have an idea of travelling north. The goal will be left open and we will see how far I get by the end of the year. The idea is to travel by various means, bike, walk, paddle, sail (whatever).

I am currently on night shift so rather than morph into a nocturnal dweller; I’ve decided to make an effort to stay a little active. Some small walks over the last couple of days have loosened up the legs and today the bike comes out of the shed.

 I left home a little after 1600 and headed towards my daughter who would be leaving Ballarat about 1730. An easy trip to the edge of the suburbs and then the first challenge. I know it’s hardly a hill but this is the blog of a big blokes small adventures. I made it to the top of Anakie Road hill in low gear and stopped to take in the view and farewell Geelong. (Truth be known I stopped because I was stuffed.) Then across to Moorabool  through Lovely Banks.  I had ridden the return of this trip but that was predominantly downhill. My hill climbing has to start somewhere.  Then across some flats before dropping into Sutherland’s Creek valley. Sure enough 50kmh+ is exhilarating going down but the 6kmh grind up the other side takes the fun out of it.

Once up on the flat again it was an easy decision to set today’s goal as the Sutherland’s Creek Tennis Club. So before too long I had pulled up a chair and was basking in some beautiful autumn afternoon sun beside the clubhouse.

 My efforts today had been assisted by a tailwind so I sat back and waited for my ride home to arrive.  Today’s distance was 16.3km with a couple of hills.