BK1
Day 109 - Tynong to Seaford - 61km
With little sleep I set off and road few new housing estates being built one with a dragon play area. Past fields and old suburbs and approaching the coast.
It was a weird feeling that I was getting close to my final destination after 109 days on the road with me and the bike.
I turned into my sisters place and gave her a hug, I was back in Melbourne with my family.
Back to a warm home, a shower and a rest.
Day 108 - Side of freeway to Tynong - 84km
Last camp
It was my penultimate day on the road and I was getting close to Melbourne, I could tell as the traffic was getting worse. I slept well last night but my shoes were still wet.
The riding wasn't too exciting being on a big freeway full of traffic and I was just trying to get the kilometres up. Luckily the rain held off.
At my camp I tried to use my camp stove to dry out my socks and shoes but it didn't really work.
I didn't sleep well as my feet were cold and it was a cold night but it was okay as it was my last night on the road.
Day 107 - Providence Ponds to side of Freeway - 91km
I had found another rail trail from Stratford to Traralgon. It's been nice to get away from the roads and I saw many blue tongues and echidna on the track. It's great they do railtrails and it seems a lot are popping up these days.
The clouds were forming up ahead and then a flash and the crack of thunder rang out and on cue the rain started to fall. Riding along the rail trail on my metal bike I felt like I was a prime target for a strike. After sitting under a tree for a while and the rain continuing to pour, I made the mad dash to the try and get ahead of the storm, I was already soaking wet.
The rain slowed and I got back onto the freeway and got some kilometres in, the clouds were forming again and I decided to pull over the next good spot I found.
By the time I had my tent up the rain was back and I dived into my tent.
Day 106 - Lakes Entrance to Providence Ponds - 80km
My childhood
The motel owner bid me farewell and gave me his card and said he could pick me up if my wheel doesn't hold out Lakes Entrance has been a very friendly place.
I connected up to the East Gippsland Rail Trail and I was a lovely ride, I do enjoy rail trails they seem like a perfect idea, turning an old rail line into a bike track just makes sense. I passed many other cyclists and made my way into Bairnsdale.
I met up with a family friend who runs a British Cafe in Bairnsdale and got some English lollies and chips, free of charge too! Thank you Simon.
The road onwards was straight and flat a nice reprieve from the hills I had endured since Camberra. Full of sugar I flew along until I found a nice spot to pitch my tent for the night.
Day 105 - Lakes Entrance
I had holidayed here as a kid once and I remember driving a car for the first time here just down to the beach. I again visited about 5 years ago and always enjoyed the place. It seems like it’s been developed a bit since my last visit, I guess covid has brought many people out here.
The main drag is filled with motels of varying eras, fish and chip, surf and icecream shops. It’s a small seaside town, big fishing presence and laid back feel.
I switched motels and the new place told me where the bike shop was, I got a new tyre, repair kit, tubes and tyre levers. They also told me about a rail trail I can take to Bairnsdale. Everyone is so friendly here. I explored the op shops and wandered the town before getting some fish and chips and heading back to the motel.
I set up my new tyre and my bike was all ready and I couldn’t wait to get on it tomorrow morning and ride.
