Monday Sept 2.

Day 37.            Dromana to Mentone.

Distance: 50 km in 2 hr 02 min at  22 km/ min

Distance so far: 3727 km.

Climbed: 975 ft

AHR: 90 bpm.

Punctures so far:  0

Out at 7.30am.        In at 11.00am.

Well, this was the last day of the ride to Melbourne. It wasn’t a day of distance; more of a ceremonial ending. And, some will like to hear, I succeeded in uploading photos to the iPad again.

The weather was springlike all day, as is expected here on September. No rain gear, no cold gear.

Our route kept to the coast as we moved north. Plenty of people out walking dogs, jogging and exercising horses. The Esplanade was quiet at this hour although cyclists were regularly notified to ride in single file.

From the high road of Mount Martha there were great views out over Port Philip Bay (or Melbourne Bay if you wish). It needs a very clear day to see all the way across. Here tea trees lined the road and gave off a wonderful aroma.

There was one sharp steep climb in Mornington before we joined the heavy traffic on the Nepean Highway. But a cycle path made it all the safer.

Morning tea was at McDonalds in Frankston and there we got further navigation instructions. At this stage, all food boxes had been emptied and returned.

Nearer to Mentone we regrouped again and some local cyclists led us on those final kms.

Finally at 11 am we all pulled into Collis and Kathy’s house and exchanged congratulations with each other on a job well done. One photo was taken of the 6 cyclists who had gone all the way around Australia and another of the full group.

Group lunch followed on La Porchetta, an Italian establishment in the locality. Kathy ceremonially ticked the relevant boxes on our jersies. For entertainment, I provided another few yarns about the education of Tadhg the Kerryman followed by a bit of a song. Immediately afterwards the group sadly began to go their separate ways.

Thomas called for me around 2 pm and we loaded up. I was so glad that I had finished in Mentone rather than opting out in Queenscliff as I had earlier envisaged.

We continued on to Clonbourne as he needed to check out a number of things at the new place. It has impressive space, facilities and potential. The house is progressing nicely....work will need to be done around in the short and in the long term.

As evening came we returned through Melbourne and down towards Geelong in the evening traffic arriving in Lara around 6.30. Thomas put up glorious steaks as attended to the washing of self and the cycling gear.

No cycling tomorrow, but I expect it to be eventful anyhow.

Thank God for the health and for the energy.