Almost There
Sydney to Melbourne Stage 18 – Sat 25th March 2017 – Inverloch to Cowes (74 Km)
Weather: 18⁰C min – 25⁰C max, partly sunny
“Live each day as if your life had just begun” ~ Johan Wolfgang Von Goethe
Ominous dark grey clouds greeted us when we awoke this morning, but by the time we set off had passed northward, revealing a pastel blue sky in the south-westerly direction we were headed. By the time we reached Phillip Island it had turned into a beautiful warm autumn day.
Our penultimate ride was as good as it gets, particularly the first 12 Km along spectacular coastline down to Cape Paterson. Our cameras went into overdrive as we kept trying to get yet another angle shot of the rugged cliffs and awesome seas below. Riding was easy as we sped along through Bunurong Coastal Reserve on a quiet, flat, smooth-surfaced road.
After stopping for refreshments at Wonthaggi we made the mistake of diverting onto 5 Km of unsealed road, but at the 27 Km mark we turned onto the Bass Highway which provided us with good safe riding on a broad hard-shoulder until we reached Kilcunda. There we picked up the fantastic Bass Coast Rail Trail which took us to the bridge between San Remo to Phillip Island. After crossing the bridge we cruised along the perfect Phillip Island Cycleway almost all the way to Cowes across the other side of the island.
It was with a twinge of sadness when we reached Cowes and realised that we are now almost there, having only a day to go before we reach Melbourne.
Shared,
You will be very happy as the end of this trip nears. Well done! Guess you will be dreaming of the next cycling adventure now. Maybe Ursula could join you??
Amazing Kevin! Fit as ever, have you lost weight?
“It’s an incredible feat for someone to ride from Fremantle to Adelaide and to average up to 500 kilometres a day, which is quite extraordinary. I understand (Belgian cyclist) Kristof Allegaert is cycling for something like 20 hours a day,” Adelaide Lord Mayor Martin Haese commenting on the Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Kevin, isn’t it pathetic the way some cyclists go to extremes once they heard of your Sydney-Melbourne marathon? Tall cyclist syndrome? Anyway, I’m sure you and Sharad will finish your event before Allegaert finishes his. Or perhaps not! 🙂
Not far now! Good riding!
Wow! We thought our daily average of 61 Km was a pass!
Almost there!! What a journey what a trip what an adventure for you both?
There will be relief as well as joy as well as sadness at the end of your journey.
You both have to prepare for those mixed emotions on your return to Sydney.
Good luck on the final ” leg” of your riding trip.
Sublime scenery Kevin. This must be difficult to leave. It’s great to have a record of your journey so hopefully those who are keen enough to follow your example and cycle along the east coast to Melbourne can see where the best vantage points and food/accommodation are located.
It is a bit sad that the trip has finished, it just went much too fast. I would encourage others to follow in our footsteps.
Glad to see the sun, as I’ll bet you were, too! Gorgeous photos – love the rolly-pollies, the cows, and especially that tractor-trailer.
Unfortunately sun was a rare commodity on this trip, but we appreciated it all the more when we got a glimpse. Yesterday in Melbourne was just perfect.