Tuesday Sept 17.

Day 48.     Bathurst to Katoomba.

Distance: 112 km in 6hrs 57min at 16 km/hr.

Distance so far: 4797 km.

Climbed: 6051 ft.

Elevation tonight: 3226 ft ASL.

AHR: 106 bpm.

Punctures so far: 6

Out at 6.45am.    In at 3.00pm.

 

The heavy rain ceased at a late hour last night with 40mm on the ground. Some local parks showed the effect but I was glad that things had cleared up. Still a very overcast sky as I slipped onto the early morning traffic. Good news was that a westerly wind was forecast and I was heading east generally. Late morning there was one very heavy shower but I happened to be in McDonalds at the time for morning tea.

Today was another day of climbing, more climbing than yesterday. Yesterday and today I gave the big ring the day off. Also I reverted to the 20 km strategy that Paul and I utilised on the way across the Nullarbor....stop for a short rest every 20 km. Long climbs with steep gradient kept appearing around each corner. Early on, there was one climb of 8 km with an average of 6% gradient (varying from 3% to 13%.) and on that one I was just progressing at 8km/hr.

On one crest, I was at 3990 ft ASL and in poor visibility for a short period. The descents were very cold and I would have loved to have a few newspapers on my chest.

I passed through Glanmire (one house) and not a red flag to be seen. Also passed near Lithgow Correctional Centre and all was quiet there.

Morning tea was in Lithgow (68km) while some very dark clouds moved up from behind. Here I departed from the main road (Mid Western Highway)and turned off to the left up through the Main St. I knew that the Highway descended a lot out of Lithgow resulting in a very very long climb up into Mount Victoria. 

My chosen route, though 5 km longer didn’t descend at all but gained ground straight away. It was announced as a ’2 km Scenic Drive’, which it was, but that lift directly out of Lithgow was torturous; gradient in double figures as it snaked up around turn after turn. At least, I knew that I wouldn't be giving those gained feet back. (Just before this climb I was swooped persistently by the most aggressive magpie yet.)

This route followed closely by the Zig Zag railway which originally snaked up the hill to gain altitude. Closed for commercial use in 1910 but still a tourist attraction and a novelty. The present busy line uses a series of tunnels and cuttings to do its business.

Once I had gained altitude I still was on a bit of a roller coaster of a road with the occasional view out over the Blue Mountains.

I rejoined the Highway and the busy traffic at Mount Victoria and was now only 18 km from Katoomba.

For the first 25 years after settlement Europeans felt locked in by these Blue Mountains. Many efforts to break through failed till the three explorers, Blaxand, Wentworth and Lawson found a way. According to tradition they inscribed their initials on a tree, the Explorers Tree, and efforts have been made to preserve it. With the bike I could just stop on the spot and investigate.

Mid afternoon I finally slipped off the busy Highway, down through the centre of town and located the Cecil Guest House that I had booked last May. When I saw the room and the cut of the place I had second thoughts and cancelled there and then. I just couldn’t stay there for two nights. 

I moved on and located a smashing motel, Echo Point Motel, right beside the most visited spot in Katoomba....The Three Sisters.

I dropped down to that spot for a quick glance (more time tomorrow) and had a magnificent view all around. Not many people around because of the bitter cold and the strong wind.

So, a chance to rest tomorrow and enjoy the scenery around here. Forecast is for a sunny day although a very strong wind is blowing outside. Only one day’s cycling left in this adventure. I'll miss it.

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