Tuesday, Sept 10.

Day 40   (of cycling).     Bendigo to Shepparton.

Distance: 127 km in 4hrs 49min at 26 km/hr.

Distance so far: 4053 km.

Climbed: 813 ft.

Elevation tonight: 381 ft ASL.

AHR: 120 bpm.

Punctures so far:   3.

Out at 8.30am.         In at 2.30pm.

Back on the long trek again after a few interesting and moving days with Nicholas in Bendigo.

I was up at 7 and after breakfast Nicholas saw me off and accompanied me down to the road. I must say that I felt it strange pulling out into the morning traffic on McIvor Road.

I first had to go back into the city to pick up the A300 for Shepparton. It was a fine morning (a relief after the very strong winds since 5pm yesterday evening). Just a light wind was blowing; it helped me a bit for the first 50 km, but helped me a lot from then till Shepparton. Not a drop of rain all day.

Shortly outside Bendigo, I veered off to the right up by the golf club in order to cut off a corner and to get on a quiet road. Around here there were still a few hills as it passed through the woods of Bendigo Regional Park.

Once I rejoined the A300 at Bagshot the landscape had levelled out. From my research I knew that this road followed the railway, so it had to be pretty level. This stretch to Elmore was busy with heavy trucks travelling up to Echuca.

I came across a most interesting name on a premises as I cycled through Goornong. The proprietor, Ian Webb, is a sign writer so he can put up what he wishes.

Should've gone to ODS.

Some very flat fields around here stretched away growing wheat and supporting sheep. At one point it was vast spreads of canola. More farm buildings caught my eye.

I had my morning tea after 50 km in Elmore in a quiet cafe/bakery. I had this distance covered in 2 hours and felt that I had the day under control.

As I came closer to Shepparton the amount of irrigation channels increased. The level land allows for such irrigation. Around Mooropna it was all fruit especially peaches, apricots and pears although I came across a large glasshouse of tomatoes. On the local paper, I read that the growers are faced with melt-down with some multi national stores now sourcing their canned fruit especially from overseas markets because of the exchange rates. All sounds familiar? I wonder are the tomatoes as ripe as our ones at home?

In Mooropna I came on the first mosque of my trip - mosque and Turkish cultural centre and across the road Kelly's Place doing business. The main thoroughfare ran through a corridor of spring blossoms.

I had two punctures in Bendigo, one developed as I came through Spring Gully on the outskirts on Friday. Another happened at the Golden Dragon Museum on Monday. Today, from Elmore on, I had to pump the back wheel every 15 or 20 km. It got me in. I did a thorough investigation of the tyre and discovered a microscopic piece of radial wire embedded at one point. Off to the pharmacy for a tweezers and magnifying glass to remove it. Now, I'm fixed up for tomorrow. Should have a break now.....punctures come in threes anyhow, don’t they!

I crossed the Goulburn River into Shepparton shortly after 2pm and located my motel for tonight. Shepparton isn’t like Bendigo at all. No gold here and no empire buildings. It is large but with a modern feel and modern practical buildings.

With the repairing of the bike, I didn't have an opportunity to scout around. Anyhow, the guest booklet in the motel is very sparse in dealing with the attractions of the locality.

Tonight, I dined in the nearby RSL (Returned and Services League), an Australian association of ex-servicemen for the welfare of their comrades. Most large towns have a branch and their restaurant is open to the public.

I really made progress along the road today averaging 26 km/hr in spite of the panniers and the periodically soft back tyre. The helpful tailwind did contribute. Hope it’s the same tomorrow.

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