Day 2 - Deloraine

Woke up slowly as today I decided to hang out here, get a bit more organised. Plus one of my brothers friend had told me it's a great place with a good vibe and that I should check out. Got up to 27c today, so just before lunch I headed into town. First stop was at the Picture Framing shop where I popped it to see if they needed anyone. Alas no but had a nice chat with the chap. That meandered threw town checking out the art galleries and craft shops. Stocked up on food got some nuts and my favourite riding snack of banana chips. Spent the afternoon reading my cycle Australia book. At around 3 the wind picked up and the smoke from the bushfire blanketed the sky. The fire is south west of here. Later while I was in the camp kitchen talking about routes with Courtney and Misti little bits of ash were falling. You can also smell that fire smell. Got a link from Courtney so I can track the fires, which makes me feel better. Tomorrow I head to Launceston. Hopefully the air will have cleared as I don't fair well in smokey environments. 

Day 1 - Devonport to Deloraine 45.51km

Overnight the wind picked up which meant the smoke from the wild fires blew over Devonport. For me was very unpleasant I woke up with a soar dry throat. Apart from that all was well. Got up at 6.30 and pottered around for too long, ended up leaving at 9. Think it's going to take a while to get in a routine again. The road out followed the river and was very pleasant and relatively flat. Started getting hilly about the 15km mark but more undulating which was fine. At the moment Iam following the route in my Cycle Australia book so it has the gradients in it. When I got to Kimberly I knew there was a pretty tough climb of 2.1km. Before I took it on I had a bit of a rest in the shade. The book described it as a very steep climb. It was! I had to walk up some of it, it was a relief to get to the top. I was making good time although getting concerned as I had almost drunk all of my water and didn't really have the right snacks to keep me going. When just the other side of Dunorlan the screw that holds my seat onto the stem snapped!!! I stood there looking at it for a while to see if I could fix it myself. Two options, ride the remaining 18km with no seat or ask someone for help. So I knocked on the door of the house just 10m from where it happened. Luckily Gordon was able to help me out. He welded a bolt onto a screw to make a fixing that worked pretty well. Also gave me a nice cold drink and then offered me a lift into town to see if we couldn't find a replacement part. I thought about it for a while and decided to accept the offer as it was getting late and smokey again. So got another screw at the hardware shop and then Gordon gave me a guided tour around town and dropped me at the campsite. So happy he was behind the door I knocked on, a great bloke. Got my tent up as quickly as I could so I could get on and eat something didn't even have a shower first. Then met Bec and Jenny who's blog I had been following since they left Hobart last week. Thebicyclepedlar.wordpress.com which was pretty exciting. Later hung out with Misty and Cortney an American couple and Tim from Australia and Ena from Germany one couple heading to the east coast the other down  the Central Plateau. Tomorrow I will check out Deloraine. 

Tina does Tassie my second cycle tour. To the start line.

So I set of from Melbourne this morning at 1.50am on The Spirit of Tasmania 1. Gary and John kindly drove down to the wharf with all my panniers. I cycled the 6.5km from South Yarra. We sat at the London Pub on the Esplanade and had dinner. Sat outside, thankfully protected from the wind behind glass. We got there at 7 and stayed there till 9.30. It had been 37c today but by 10 it was getting chilly. Gary told me that the Bass Strait could be one of the roughest crossings in the world. Let's hope it wouldn't be tonight. Tasmania is the only state in Australia I haven't visited so I am excited to see what it has to show me. (Whoops small update on that, I have one to go as I haven't been to ACT yet!) Also excited to get back on my bike and back on the road. Although of course I am apprehensive about the hills! The only decision I have made about my route is that I will do the east coast first, as it's suppose to be less hilly and there are shorter distances between towns. I don't really have a time frame so will be taking it easy. I have bought my good camera so will be spending some time taking photographs and enjoying my surroundings. There is a lot to see here and the scenery is suppose to be stunning. On boarding I met 3 French cyclist, Loic and Melanie who are travelling together and Delphine who is travelling alone. They also seem to be making it up as they go along. But Loic and Melanie have decided to do the west coast first. Which is impressive. The crossing was smooth and flat which was great. I even managed to sleep well in my recliner chair. Woke up at 9am still with a couple of hours to go. So met up with Loic and Melanie and talked about routes and free camping etc. Which was great. We arrived at 11.45 seemed to be a bit smoggy in Devonport, turned out to be smoke from bush fires. My bike arrived safely too, they only charge AU$5 to carry a bike which is very reasonable. By the time I got of the ferry and picked up my little LPG canister it was 12.30 so decided to find a camp site in town and head for Deloraine first thing tomorrow.After I finished my last trip I threw away my hi-vis jacket as it was covered in oil. On my ride to the campsite I passed a vinnies charity shop so popped in and got a beautiful orange hi-vis jacket for AU$4. Well actually it's not really beautiful, but I will definitely be seen on my bike when Iam wearing it. Now Iam relaxing in the wind it's overcast but the smoke has dissipated now, I hope they have it under control. Itching to get going tomorrow morning. I wonder if I will be woken by a chorus of birds at dawn?

Day 76 San Remo to Melbourne (South Yarra)

Awake at 4 and out of bed by 5. Was all packed up and ready to go at 6.30. Needed to get to Cowes to catch the ferry at 8.30 so was important for me to get there early as the next one wouldn't be until 12.30. Turns out was lucky that the first ferry ran as the forecast was for 25knot winds so would have been too rough. Luckily it was only 10 so the journey went ahead. Was joined on the ferry by some tandem riders who I met yesterday on the rail trail. Told them I planned to get the train to Brighton to join a cycle path into town. He said that there was a cycle path all the way in from Frankston a 40km ride. So I decided to do that instead. Just about caught the connecting train and was in Frankston by 10.30. Popped to the tourist info to find out about the cycle path but unable to help. So after a snack off I set. Couldn't find it so ended up cycling on a two lane highway with no shoulder for a while. When it became obvious that it was too dangerous I switched to the pavement. The other thing that was hindering me was the strong head wind, sometimes gusting up to 85km/h not a pleasant experience. It was very tempting to hop on a train as it followed the line of the highway, but decided it was worth making the effort. Then 20km out turned onto Beach Road and the cycle path appeared. By this time the temp was up to 30, no sun though just clouds and still a big head wind. Was thinking about what it would feel like to not have to cycle and whether I would do another trip. Where I would go etc. I wish the wind hadn't been so strong would have made the ride in so much more enjoyable. Maybe I will do the cycle path again when the weather is better. I cycled onto St Kilda road just after 4 and met my brother outside the royal botanical gardens. I cried, with joy and relief. I know I didn't cycle the whole way, but I did cycle a total of 2467km or 1442miles. So I am pretty proud of myself. There are a few things I may have done differently but on the whole Iam proud of what I achieved. I met some amazing people and made some great friendships. I had a blast and learnt a lot about myself and a lot about human nature. So to all the kind people I met along the way, thank you. To those who chatted with me, gave me drinks and food. Who invited me to hang out with them and enjoy their company, thank you. To everyone who gave me a lift when I was tired or bored of the road, thank you. To all the awesome people who let me stay in their homes, thank you. Lastly to all the friends and family who offered support and encouragement you have been awesome. The people made it the trip it turned out to be. Oh and I can do anything if I put my mind to it, except cycle up too many hills!

Day 75 Leongatha to San Remo (Phillip Island)

All packed up and on the road by 7.30 Was a cold and windy start, so long sleeves and a buff around my neck. The road to Wonthaggi was undulating but I guess the gradient was ok. Sometimes there was no shoulder so had to be super aware of traffic. Got to Wonthaggi at 10.30 and treated myself to a baked potato and coffee. Was a bit early for lunch but I was hungry so went for it. Then I got on the Bass Coast Rail Trail so no need to worry about traffic. It was pretty windy so going was slow. When I reached the end of the trail at Anderson I was covered in flies so did a dance to try and get rid of them. After 64km of cycling I arrived at San Remo on Phillip Island. Thought about going to see the penguin parade but that would be an approximate 50km round trip. So will do it when my sister comes or later in the year. Tomorrow I will get the ferry across to the Mornington peninsula, one day closer to Melbourne! Was thinking a bit about that today and got emotional. It's going to be amazing to get to the goal.

Day 74 Sale to Leongatha

Up super early the plan to catch the 6.59 train to Traralgon take a bit of boring road  of the ride. Sandra and Keith got up early as well to see me off. I'ave had a great time with them, they have been super to hang out with and we plan to meet up again before I go back to the UK. Cycled to the station and Sandra saw me off. When I reached Traralgon I tried to find a service station with air I could use to pump up my tyres but they all seemed to be the fixing that doesn't work for me. Ended up using my pump which was hard work. Headed out of traralgon and it started to rain it was pretty cold. Not used to chilly. Also windy and cloudy, not ideal weather and not what was forecast. Today's destination was a free camp at a pub in Boolarra. But when I arrived there it was too exposed and the toilets would be shut from 8pm to 8am so I decided to carry on to what would have been my Tuesday stop. So much for taking it easy! I stopped in Boolarra for a pot of tea and a kitkat then at around 1 started the Boolarra to Mirboo North Rail Trail. Only a 13km trail but very pleasant. The sun even came out for a while. When I got to Mirboo North managed to find a servo (petrol station) that could pump up my tyres. Then the undulating hills began! Got to the camp ground in Leongatha at around 4.30 pretty tired after my first 80km ride in a while. I might make it to Melbourne by the weekend!

Day 73 Sale - change my mind day!

Up at 8, decided last night to keep going. Seems silly now to get on a train so close to the end when I have time to take it easy and actually ride into Melbourne. So first thing popped into town with Sandra to get a few things from the supermarket as would be cooking my vegetarian spag bog for tea tonight. Then had a walk round the botanical gardens. Also popped into the information centre to get some info on bike trails and the best route to Phillip Island. Back at the house did some online research and came up with a route. Going to get the train early to Traralgon then cycle from there. Mapped out a 7 day route averaging about 40-50km a day. Keeping it relaxed and enjoyable with a couple more rail trails on the way. In the afternoon helped do a little bit of gardening then made tea. Watched tele in the evening and sorted my stuff out a bit. Ready for departure tomorrow morning.