Roads Closed

We had calculated the day at 74kms - predominantly on dirt, so wanted to make an early start. It was just after 7:30 when we were packed and ready to go.  The owner of the AirBnb came out to check we had a good night and seek our thoughts on the room, and was definitely in for a chat. Simon was happy to oblige but I was keen to get going as I anticipated it was going to be a long slow day. 

With a few subtle signals to Simon to stop talking, we were finally on our way and heading back up the hill to the turnoff to the Workers Club that we had missed visiting the night before.  We were soon on dirt roads and stopped to chat to a farmer as he was heading out for the day.  It was a beautiful morning and the riding was easy as we skirted the edge of farmland.  We made reasonable, if slow,  progress until our morning tea stop.  We had a quick coffee and a few snacks by the edge of a not very pretty stream.  We wanted to keep moving, so we didn’t even get out the chairs.  As we were about to leave, a couple stopped for a quick chat.  They had tried to find accommodation in Northcliffe and ended up camping.  They were heading for the Yirra Kartta hut for the night. 

Soon after morning tea, we found the pea gravel which was to be our regular companion over the rest of the day.  We also hit more hills.  Sometimes the combination of pea gravel and steep ascents or descents was too much for me and I would get off and push.  The riding was challenging and not very scenic but we pushed on till we reached the highway.  With a promise of 8kms of sealed road, we had a quick lunch stop, enjoying the rolls we had made that morning, together with the company of hundreds of flies.  We didn’t linger and made quick time along the highway despite the headwind which had picked up.

We reached the Beardmore Road turnoff to find that the road was closed. There was no way we could cycle round and enter via North Walpole Road as directed so we ignored the sign and hoped that we would be able to push the bikes through.  The road was wide and open, with lots of little ponds visible through the underbrush, including one with an island in the middle. 

The road was definitely impassable for cars, with big logs strategically placed.  However, with a bit of effort, we were able to push the bikes around the natural barriers and were soon back on the road again.  We stopped briefly to admire Fernhook Falls and Rowells pool.  There was a lot of foam around the pool, which is the result of organic compounds released by decaying plant matter.  Part of the walkway was closed, but we were able to see more of the falls as we cycled over the bridge with its view of Deep River winding its way over the rocks.

More hills and more pea gravel and we reached the turnoff that would take us to our accommodation at Billa Billa Cottages.  Again the path was closed, but we were only following it for a short while, so we took our chances, and passed under the tape.  The path took us through land that was regenerating after a proscribed burn, with startling green shoots emerging in grassy tufts whilst the rest of the landscape remained black. 

We reached the next intersection and more hills and pea gravel.  Simon had plotted a back route to the Cottages, but the road was impassable. We turned back and my bike computer rerouted and advised that we were 119kms from our destination.  Simon assured me that there was an alternate route, and after more hills and pea gravel, my computer read 3.6kms to go.  It seemed a long time before the cottages finally came into sight.  After a quick chat to the owner, and a meet and greet with some of our neighbours, we were able to settle in, shower and get the fire going.  We had a nice Pinot noir to enjoy with our pasta for dinner.  Definitely well earnt!

Prev entry - Home - Next entry