Thursday, Sept 5.

Day 38 (of cycling).       Lara to Kyneton.

Distance: 111 km in 5 hrs 20 min at 20.7 km/hr.

Distance so far: 3838 km.

Climbed:3053 ft.

Elevation tonight: 1730 ft ASL.

AHR: 108 bpm.

Punctures so far: 0

Out at 7.45am.          In at 3.30pm.

Last night there was a very strong north wind blowing.....that wouldn't suit me for today. But, it had exhausted itself by morning and all was calm as I headed out at 7.45.

But weather changed during the day. Fortunately, there was no wind but a heavy mist moved in and from mid-day on there was light rain that forced me to don the rain gear for a period from 70 to 90 km. for the last 15 km or so, that light rain returned but I just carried on knowing that a hot shower, a change and room was awaiting.

Thomas saw me off safely just as he was heading off to do the dogs. I’m now cycling solo with no back-up team and I carry all in the panniers. I found the first 10 km a bit strange with the load behind. After that, I got into the groove and motored on as I have been for the last few weeks.

Carrying the panniers has its advantage. If I get soaked during the day, I can change into something drier. I couldn’t do that when the van carried the luggage to the next stop. So, you win some and you lose some.

I left Lara on Keys Road heading north-west. It’s a narrow carriageway, the narrowest that I met all day. The sky ahead looked clear and promising.

When I turned onto the Bacchus-Marsh Road it was much much busier but I had a hard shoulder to work on. Along here I passed Barwon Prison and Marngareet Correctional Centre. Plenty of cars outside, but I wouldn’t care to be inside either.

The road today was undulating (like the road from Cashel to New Inn) and on one occasion as I crossed the Dividing Range I was at 1900 ft ASL. The valleys before Gosborne were heavily wooded and deep. With the load behind, it was just a matter of going down to a lower gear. To end the day with an average speed of over 20 km/hr satisfied me.

The condition of the road surface was very good throughout. On the freeway (cyclists are allowed to cycle on the non-urban parts) the condition and width of the shoulder was excellent. At one point I noticed the dry stone walls beside me. A Blast of the West.

Sheep and canola seemed to be the predominant agricultural activity although I did spot a large grain facility along the route. Near to Kyneton (pronounced COIN-TON.....I have been corrected) horses and ponies appeared and this evening I noticed many relevant businesses in the town itself.

I had to organise my own morning-tea and McDonalds suited me just fine with a scone and cappuccino. At this point I also covered up the panniers and trunk bag as a few scattered drops had started to fall.

I had to organise my own navigation also. I didn’t use a map but a cue-sheet.(eg 'When the speedo shows 79.1 km, take the first exit off the roundabout, onto Gisborne Main Road..C705, and stay on it for 1.5 km' and so on)

It worked perfectly and my distances to various turns at Bacchus Marsh and Gisborne were spot-on. I felt very pleased with my preparation. Let’s hope the rest goes as smoothly.

 

Between Bacchus Marsh and Gisborne were a large number of what-looked-like gravel pits, and the attendant heavy traffic. Also came across a no-through road but with people about with a certain amount of class, apparently.

I spent the last 35 km on the freeway and passed the turn off for Hanging Rock (I didn’t go over for a picnic). Apparently, it’s a very popular leisure spot and I see on the local paper that a local authority decision has been made to construct accommodation and restaurants there.

I joined the freeway at Gisborne and I’ve been told that it was in that general area that the body of Gill Meagher was hidden for a short while. I could see that there was plenty of scrub land about.

At 3.30, as students were leaving the Sacred Heart Convent School, I pulled into Kyneton. Made a quick stop at the Information Office to gather a few maps and then checked in to the motel. I was glad of the hot shower and shelter. With the rain still coming down steadily, I couldn’t really go about town to visit some of the older establishments. Kyneton grew up with the Victoria gold rush and has some classic stone buildings from that period. I may see some of them as I leave tomorrow morning.

So, my first day solo on this adventure and it went according to plan, except for the rain. But, at lest the wind wasn’t in my face.

Thank God for the health and thank God for the energy.