Great Southern Bike Ride
Day 1 - Monday 20/9/04
Left home at about 9.00 and headed for Leongatha, arriving there at about 11.00.
Hit the trail at 11:15. The track is crushed stone and pretty smooth. A gentle downhill run out of town then fairly easy undulations to Koonwarra.
The section betwen Meeniyan and Koonwarra is closed but I thought I would give it a try anyway. The track is formed for a few hundred metres then peters out to a narrow track before coming to a trestle bridge. There are signs saying do not walk or climb on bridge - but that would mean back tracking a fair way. There is a layer of ballast on the sleeper deck, with the odd sleeper broken with a view of the river below. I did this over two more bridges that were worse. Soon I came on to a formed trail again (at Minns Rd). Followed this to another bridge, but this one had 6 foot barriers on the end. Luckily the higway was next to the track. Rode on the highway bridge and then back onto the track not far before Meeniyan. Had lunch in town at a road-side cafe. I was soon on my way again. Up a hill then traversed a long, undulating straight after Stoney Creek through Buffalo. After even more undulating straight, a few twists and hills lead into Fish Creek. Not much here so continued on.
Now comes the longest hill so far. Not very steep but just keeps on going. Passed under the highway and rose some more. Eventually came to the top. Great views across to Toora and across Corner Inlet to Wilsons Prom. Downhill all the way to Foster.
Visited the museum then booked into the Foster Motel. Had a spa then walked to the golf club for tea but it was chef's night off. Went the pub instead.
55 km for the day. About 23
, fine and clear. A few cylists and some
walkers near Buffalo, then I had the trail to myself.
Day 2 - Tuesday 21/9/04
Woke to find my rear tyre flat. Did someone let it down? Pumped it up and let's see what happens.
Back on the track at about 8:50 a.m. A long climb up to the overhead highway bridge, which is just before the site of Hoddle Rail Station. Once again, great views from this point towards Toora and Wilsons Prom. From there it was generally down hill to Fish Creek. The tyre was getting a little soft again so I pumped it up.
From Fish Creek is was another climb for a while until the long straight to Stony Creek through Buffalo. This is open country but the rail reservation itself is lined with thick scrub so there is not much to see other than the track itself. From Stony Creek it is not far to Meeniyan after crossing the Highway. At Meeniyan I decided to change tubes on the rear tyre as it was getting low again. I found three thorns embedded in the tyre. Must have picked them up on the closed section of track yesterday.
After my experiences yesterday, I decided to not go on the closed part of the trail today which means that I have to ride on the highway to Koonwarra, about 7.5 km. The road is a lot hillier than the rail track but less rolling resistance. Soon arrived at Koonwarra then back on the trail to Leongatha. This section is undulating to about 3 km before Leongatha, then it is uphill all the way in to town. Arrived at about 12:10 so had luch.
After lunch drove to Wonthaggi. Got back on the bike and found my backside was getting a little tender. Anyway, rode towards Kilcunda. This track is not as smooth a finish as the Great Southern trail. On top of that, I had a fairly stiff head wind. There are only a couple of hills on this track and they are between Powlett River and Kilcunda. This is where the track climbs to the top of the sand dunes and the view is special. Had a little rest in Kilcunda at Shelley Beach car park before heading back to Wonthaggi. At least I had the wind on my tail now. Arrived back in Wonthaggi at about 3:15 p.m.
Got a little sunburnt today. About 25 with a north westerly
wind. 80.1 km for the day which makes 135 km over the last two days!