along.
Day 1 - Disembarked the train at Winchelsea, then discovered my tent bag left on the train
. So the route was changed to take in Birregurra and the bag was collected off the return
service at 1.05pm. Lunch in Birre then we rode to Forrest (very hot) and we visited the
brewery (maybe a mistake). Hard 7 kms ride to Lake Elizabeth for camp - beer caused the
legs to lag.
Day 2 - We stayed put at Lake Elizabeth reducing our exertions on this horrible 41C
day. Morning walk to the lake and around it. Afternoon was spent staying as cool as
possible, mostly sitting in or near the creek.
Day 3 - Glenno decided to go back to Birregurra and home. The heat had gotten to him
(and I don't think the Alfine 11 is a good choice for summer mountain tours). We
continued over Mt Sabine, down the Wild Dog Ck Rd to Apollo Bay. The town was extremely
busy with a market and it being Saturday. After lunch we rode on to Bimbi Park at Cape
Otway via the Parker Spur Track. Nice campsite, lots of koalas about.
Day 4 - We returned to the Great Ocean Road and followed it to Glenaire, took the Old
Ocean Rd then went in to Johanna Beach and rode up the Old Coach Rd and Hider Access
back the the GOR. Hard work, many steep pinches. We continued to Princetown and camped
here.
Day 5 - Did the tourist thing, 12 Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge then stopped in at Port
Campbell for morning tea. Jon headed off to Camperdown here. Matthew and I relaxed
about town, then had a pleasant lunch under the Norfolk Pines. We rode on via London
Arch to Peterborugh. Great tailwinds.
Day 6 - We rode out past the Bay of Islands then inland to Nirranda punching into a
cross/headwind. We then turned east to Curdie Vale and Timboon with a tailwind. Enjoyed
lunch here and a visit to the Timboon Railway Shed Distillery. Bought a couple of nice
bottles. We rode along the Timboon Railtrail (slow going) to Cobden, then in rainy
conditions took to the road for a fast run to Camperdown to catch the train.
This was our route for the tour.
Overall a great tour, and it has me thinking about a club weekend tour out of
Camperdown to Timboon and beyond to the coast some time soon.
More photos here as well.
