bikes shoorams

This morning I headed to the car park (bike park for me) to do the walk to the Wineglass Bay Lookout. It’s the shortest of the walks in Freycinet NP. I don’t exactly have hiking shoes. Surprisingly, my Five 10 shoes were okay. They’ve got a good grippy sole.   Anyway, I wanted to get an early start as there are lots of people here for the Easter holiday (Easter is very big here as holidays go). I was on the path shortly after 9:00. The path up to the lookout does exactly that—it goes up...and up...and up some more. There are lots of stairs. My quads seem to be in pretty good shape by now, so I didn’t find it too taxing.  Looking back at Coles Bay     The view of Wineglass Bay from the lookout was quite spectacular. After the lookout, I decided I would continue down to the beach itself. It was only another 1000 steps down. The sign said 1.5 hours return. Down down down I went. The quads were beginning to feel it. But, I made it to the bea...

If I had started from Triabunna, which I had planned, today’s ride would have been about 110 km, maybe more. Instead, it was 91 km. Still, a long day.   I left Gumleaves earlier than I have so far, at 8:30. I didn’t see Graham and Jenny this morning. Just as well, I suppose. It was good to get going. Sunrise through the trees at Gumleaves     There were no major climbs, but the wind was definitely a factor. Often a very strong crosswind, but on occasion a headwind.    I passed Mayfield Bay, a place I had possibly planned to stay. There was a campsite there. The Bay was very nice. Mayfield Bay     At about 32 kms, I arrived in Swansea. I resupplied some groceries, and used the WiFi at the Visitor Center. I also had a snack overlooking the park and bay. With another glorious day of sunshine, it was enjoyable.   From Swansea, I just kept pedaling. The wind was still blowing and now, to add to the fun, there were these clouds of flies. I...

Part 1: Maria Island Riding Adventure   Since I kind of did all the close short rides yesterday, and I didn’t catch the ferry until 3:30, I decided to ride to Frenchs Farm. It was only 22 km roundtrip. I left about 9:00. The going was pretty easy for the first 6 or so kilometers, even though they were doing some roadwork where I had been yesterday (I just went around on the walking path). When I got to where I had turned around yesterday, it was muddy (it rained last night), then very very sandy. They were also working on that part of the road. I had to push through a bunch of sand. I could ride between most of the sand dips (see photo), but then would have to get off and push. Once I got past where they were working, things were better, and I could ride. I just kept thinking it was good practice for Munda Biddi, even though I didn’t have any of my gear (except my handlebar bag). Tilmann did quite well considering the terrain.  Deep sand     It took me ab...

I’ve been in Tassie now for almost two weeks (seems like longer somehow), and I had yet to see a wombat. They told me at Cradle Mountain I’d see wombats...nope. There were signs at Lake St. Clair to watch for wombats. I watched...no wombats. Well, I’ve have more than made up for the lack of wombat sightings today. In fact, there are so many wombats that I don’t even get too excited now.   I took the ferry this morning to Maria Island. I was only able to fit my rear panniers and tent in the bag Dorothy gave me. I just carried on my front panniers, helmet, and handlebar bag. They didn’t say anything. The ferry ride was about an hour. It was not the usual ferry (that one is having some problems), but one of the boats from Hobart. They just took the bikes (there were three of us) and tied them to the railing at the back of the boat. Ready for the ferry     I loaded everything back on Tilmann on the pier, then headed over to Darlington, which is t...

I got some sad news via text message this morning. My mother-in-law passed away from influenza. At least she was not ill for too long. It feels like the end of an era.    So, it was with a heavy heart that I left Hobart this morning. The rain seemed to fit my mood. I said goodbye to Dorothy and Greg. I absolutely know my stay in Hobart would not have been nearly as fun without these two wonderful people. I’m so glad to have made two new friends, and to also have met so many of their friends and fellow cyclists.    I made my way back to the Intercity Cycle Path. I would ride this path to the Bowen Bridge, instead of going across the Tasman Bridge. It was a good option. The Tasman Bridge would have been quite the climb. The Bowen Bridge was much easier. Intercity Bike path     The bridge I didn’t have to go over   Today I followed the suggestions of Greg, Dorothy, and Bob. The first major climb was Grass Tree Hill. While it was pretty long, I...

It felt awfully nice sleeping in a bed last night! There was supposed to be a bike ride to the Taste of the World Festival, but it was “pissing down” rain, as they say here. Just when Dorothy started fixing some lunch, the skies cleared, and the sun came out. We decided we would go to the festival after all.    The three of us hopped on our bikes and rode down to the Intercity Cycleway, and made our way to the festival. Here comes Greg on his Brompton A Taste of the World was, as one might guess, a multicultural event featuring food stalls from all over the world, and entertainment as well. Since we had eaten lunch, we only sampled a couple of things. I had these World’s Smallest Pancakes. Quite honestly, I’m not sure which country or cultural group they were representing, but they were tasty. Yum!     Greg headed out ahead of Dorothy and I, then we took an awesome sly dog way along the waterfront, stopping in at an aboriginal art gallery that...