Day 7 Blogging about Logging
Eildon to Melbourne
Total riding: supposed to be 155km closer to 170, ascent 1,600m
I was lucky to be in the first group out yesterday even if I didn’t think that when the alarm went off at 5am again but after riding over 200km, arriving wet in near darkness and accommodated in multiple locations, we were the lucky ones. The final group did not arrive until well after 7pm which with dinner planned for 630 this was a little embarrassing for the local guests who had come out to support us. I think we finally began the proceedings around 8pm but did not get to bed until close to midnight. We stayed in a rather tired looking lakeside motel but anywhere with a comfy bed is pretty good after 8 hours on a bike. It just changed hands and yesterday the new owners discovered that they did not have a liquor licence as that had apparently stayed with the vendor. 100 weary riders and support crew in need of alcoholic reward were not impressed but after sending out for supplies we were allowed a drink in the courtyard. As we filed into dinner a few smuggled their drinks in in paper cups then a couple arrived beer in hand with the new proprietor offering to turn a blind eye and by the end of the night there were beer and wine bottles everywhere – there’s a reason I have not named the venue- as you never know…
We presented our $5000 cheque to the Alexandra District Hospital, but to be honest I was a bit too exhausted to pay attention to how they plan to spend it, but I’m sure it will be put to great use.
I was lucky this am to get a sleep in until 630 which was a treat and we rolled down to the park by Lake Eildon for breakfast where we helped with the TV coverage and watched the first two groups depart whilst we had a leisurely breakfast and did a presentation to the local school children who had come down.
After a fairly flat 40km from Eildon past Cathedral Spires range until we reached the base of the Black Spur range. Linking the Yarra Valley with the mountain areas around Marysville the Black Spur pass is a beautiful road winding up through spectacular tall forests of immense mountain ash trees that allow filtered sunlight to make its way down to the mass of lush bright green ferns and rainforest foliage.
It was a fabulous road to ride in a group with vehicle escorts as would be terrifying otherwise with logging trucks in both directions and no shoulder. We rolled into the pretty town of Healesville for lunch at the primary school and then on to Melbourne. We took a scenic route past many wineries and vineyards that looked very Tuscan but by now the legs were starting to feel the effects of the long effort yesterday and I was looking forward to getting in to Melbourne. Once we hit the outskirts however we v soon missed the quiet country roads and even the logging trucks as we hit endless red lights & had some confusion about the route in and the last 30km took a very long time. Entering Melbourne from the Dandenong side is very bumpy and the multiple hill starts due to the lights was extremely wearing. Then it began to rain – Welcome to Melbourne! Finally the sight of the water was very welcome as we turned into Beach road and enjoyed a fast run along the waterfront with a tail wind, the Spirit of Tasmania getting closer and accompanied by the Channel 7 News chopper.
We rode up the steep ramp onto the ship which got a bit hairy when James Tobin was in the wrong gear and fell off just in front of me but I managed to get around and was very happy to get onto the ship. Then we were sent around to do it again for the TV cameras! Finally it was very nice to get on board and into a cabin for a hot shower and relaxing evening – the first without any formalities. Heading to the bar….
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