We've ridden 335km so far, through beautiful country.
Highlights:
* the overnight stops so far: Yackandah, Bright, Moyhu - & now Mansfield. We'd never heard of Moyhu! 500 people live there. The town had organised a great street party with stalls & activities.
* weather! We've had hot cycling days mostly. Lots of rain in Bright. The tent stayed dry
* Tawonga Gap! We made it. A steep, challenging climb in the heat, jelly beans given out at the top, a steep descent - controlled by the police - so not too fast. 1.5cm hailstones started on the way down & then the rain.
* we're getting fitter & stronger! No major injuries, but aching muscles. We've joined a stretching class the last 2 days, which has been great.
* we enjoyed the option of riding on part of the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail. It's an excellent trail, sealed & through lovely country. We'd love to come back & ride some more.
* the food has been good, & we're into a lunchtime routine: Tim collects the lunch & I get the coffee. We have panniers on our bikes & carry our mugs. (Also useful for transporting snacks). We need to eat & drink a lot, to keep the energy levels up. The lunchtime coffee is a real highlight for me, not least because it's the same family business at each stop, same as least year. I never cease to be amazed at how they're so friendly, & interested in everyone's riding experiences.
* the queues for everything (meals, toilet, showers, coffee) can be long- but people are very chatty.
* the organisation of the event is amazing - the set up, coordination, logistics, the volunteers - it's a well-oiled machine, & very relaxed & friendly.
* it was so much fun to go to a show last night - combination of music, magic tricks, a theme of local Mansfield lore - linking Simon Gerrans, Ned Kelly & the bicycle. So talented & funny!
However. Yesterday there was a tragedy. A cyclist was killed by a collision with another cyclist ("clipped" - knocked off balance by another's wheel making contact), falling & then run over by a passing truck. This has put a somber feeling over everything, and we feel for his family & friends. Life is so vulnerable and can change so dramatically, so quickly.
Today is our rest day. Clothes washing, explore Mansfield, not too much bike riding, a swim maybe; lunch out - it's not provided today. Hoping it doesn't rain too much. It rained overnight, after we were all tucked in for the night.
Haven't taken many photos! Here we are at the Hume Weir, day 1
& at a rest stop - people & bikes everywhere, reasonably chaotic.
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