Oz97-101 s4-8 15-19/12 700nm Hobart-Sydney

Left Hobart 0030 Wednesday.   Inner forestay broke in rough weather of Tasman Island.
Sailed back to Port Arthur and repaired it
Set off again, motoring into 40knot headwinds.    Stern gland started leaking, so bailed frequently until in calm waters in the lee of Maria Island where we could fix the leak.
Set off again, sailing.   Put in at Eden to top up the diesel fuel.  

Arrived Sydney 0200 Sunday.

Oz88 c- 6/12 Hobart

Next week will be helping get Helsal3 ready for the race

Oz92 s3 10/12 Hobart

Helped crew Helsal 4 for an evening's charter sailing with14 passengers round the Derwent.

Oz91 s2 9/12 Hobart

Helped crew the winning boat in an evening race on the Derwent.

Later, helped move Helsal 3 from the workshop berth to the yacht club marina for finishing and stocking.   The plan is to set off for Sydney on Tuesday 14/12, weather permitting.

http://rolexsydneyhobart.com/yacht_details.asp?raceEntryID=12542

Oz87 c- 5/12 cycling summary

place	arrival	miles          kms
Cape York	Sep 15
Cairns	Sep 20	vehicle
Rockhampton	Oct 4	704		1132
Brisbane	Oct 17	1218		1960
most eastern cape	Oct 21	1364		2271
Sydney	Oct 29	1887		3036
South point	Nov 15	2520		4056
Melbourne	Nov 19	2658		4278
N Tasmania	Nov 22	ferry
Hobart	Nov 29	3001		4832

For northern hemisphere people:
equivalent latitudes:  
Cape York to South Point = Addis Ababa to Athens or Costa Rica to Denver
cycling distance:  
Cairns to Hobart = Paris-Moscow-Paris or Halifax Nova Scotia to San Diego

10 punctures, 5 non-serious spills, 3 broken wheels, 9 tubs (large) of Vaseline, 48 pies and probably as many bananas, a million acts of helpfullness from local people, 7 gloves, getting on for a bottle of Oz wine an evening (and 1 Rioja), 6 good glasses of beer, an average of 50miles or 80kms a day, 3 time zones/changes, 3 sets of reading glasses, 4 drivers towing caravans which almost knocked me off the road, hundreds of truckers who didn't come close, 1 motel with cold showers, 99% of bridges with expansion gaps more than 1cm, the wettest spring since records began, joyful arrivals in Sydney, Blackburn (Melbourne), and especially Hobart.

Oz83 s1 1/12 Hobart

Got back on the water  - -  short comfortable first sailing race in the Hobart twilight series, on board Helsal4,  with the skipper and some of the crew for the S-H race on Helsal3.

Oz81 c59 29/11 89k4832 Orford-HOBART

10k into the final leg and the front wheel loses a spoke.   Didn't want a wheel collapse so nursed the bike home  - -  slowly down hills, carefull with rough surfaces, pot holes avoided.  

MADE IT and did a tourist lap to bring up the magic 3000miles since Cairns.

Oz80 c58.2 28/11 57k4744 Swansea-Orford

Delayed the start to see if the weather would clear.   The half day ride would have yielded excellent coastal views but for the sea mist and drizzle (and headwinds).  

Oz79 c58.1 27/11 44k4687 Bicheno-Swansea

Half day ride.   Calm.   Few hills.   Then beautiful Swansea Bay.

Our boat for the Sydney-Hobart is at
http://rolexsydneyhobart.com/yacht_details.asp?raceEntryID=12542

Oz78 c57 26/11 77k4643 St Helens-Bicheno

On local advice, chose the coastal route.   Rewarded with sea views, and not hit by climbs over headlands.   Hurried to complete before the forecast afternoon showers.

Beginning to think of a future leg of this adventure.   You can find our boat at
http://rolexsydneyhobart.com/yacht_details.asp?raceEntryID=12542

Oz77 c56 25/11 100k4565 Scottsdale-St Helens

Forested highlands and glens, 2 'mountain' passes to climb, a lot of the time in cloud or drizzle, hard work at times.   After 70k the front inner tube valve gave up, rapidly deflating the tyre.   Luckily I had just stopped, part way through another long descent, to give the brakes, rims and tyres a chance to cool.   It could have been dangerous: 30kph, winding road on the side of steep hills, no retaining barrier.   Finally, 5k to go, round a sharp bend, suddenly out of the forest, and there's the calm blue Tasman Sea.

Oz76 c55 24/11 73k4465 Rutherglen-Scottsdale

Chose a very hilly route.  Showers at hill tops.   10k from destination, following 5k steep downhill, with continuous braking and so the rims fighting the hubs, the rear wheel hub flange eventually cracked releasing several spokes.   Limped to Scottsdale with a buckling wheel, which CycleWorx efficiently replaced with one that hopefully should last to Hobart.

Oz75 c54 23/11 85k4392 Bass Straits-Devonport-Rutherglen

Smooth crossing  - -  hope it's the same to and for the race.   Moored 0630, on the road by 0715, heading E eventually for the coast.

Oz74 c53.2 22/11 28k4306 Blackburn-Melbourne pier-Bass Straits

Chain wheel gear selector jammed in 1st, but after much fiddling managed to free it.   Would not have liked to cycle across Tassie hampered by that.   At the ferry, met an Austrian couple who'd cycled down the W coast than across the Nullabor.   Boarded the 'Spirit of Tasmania'.   Left Melbourne.

Oz73 c- 21/11 Melbourne

Given a tour by Dave, a prior Ford colleague, of some of the Melbourne sights: Docklands, the F1 track, MCG

Oz72 c- 20/11 3k3278 Blackburn

Rest day.    2 months after starting cycling from Cairns.   Local sightseeing cycling.

Oz71 c53.1 19/11 37k4275 Cranbourne-Blackburn

Short ride into the Melbourne suburbs to Debbie & Rob's

Oz70 c52 18/11 72k4235 Korumburra-Cranbourne

Started out under glowering skies cycling through rolling farmland.
At halfway, having descended onto the plain, a headwind picked up and it rained.
The roads are converging towards Melbourne, the traffic is getting heavier, and so too the spray.

Oz69 c51 17/11 71k4164 Yanakie-Korumburra

Cycled NW, at times into the sun for the first time on the trip.  
Had 10k relaxing ride on a rail trail.

Name this wildlife.

Oz68 c50.2 16/11 36k4084 SE lighthouse-Yanakie

Walked a shorter way back (20k) mainly on forest vehicle tracks, then after 1k downhill on a public road, just as the first signs of blistering began, I was given a lift by 4 kiwis for the 3k to Tidal River.
Turns out where I'd stored the bike was in the police station, but both were still there when I returned.
Met a Dutch couple who'd cycled to Rome.   I cycled the 36k to my lodgings for the night.

Oz67 c- 15/11 Tidal River-SE point lighthouse

Walked 30k along cliff paths, deserted beaches, forest vehicle tracks.

MADE IT to the S point of Oz 2 months to the day since the N point.
Difficult balancing the camera in a gale

Spent the night in the lighthouse cottage

The lighthouse keeper on hearing my story gave me a bottle of beer and a glass of wine to celebrate with.

Oz66 c50.1 14/11 62k4058 Foster-Tidal River

Pedalled into Wilsons Promontory state park.
Clocked 4000k and 2500miles cycled.
Made arrrangements for storing the bike, and  picked up supplies for the 2 day hike to the S tip of the Australian mainland and back.

Oz65 c49 13/11 52k3996 Yarram-Foster

Decided front wheel was beginning to collapse.   This was the wheel that had had 5 spokes replaced in Sydney.   Local bike shop 'Sport Store' didn't have a replacement but drove me 50k to nearest shop that did, enabling me to get new wheel, then returned me to the bike.
Set off at 12:15, 5hrs later than my average, under leaden skies, then through drizzle and showers.   Happy to arrive.

Oz64 c48 12/11 73k3994 Sale-Yarram

Back in the coastal forest again after 10k but that gradually that gave way to cleared areas of cattle ranching.   A strong headwind developed slowing me down to 12kph.
One roadhouse in 70k  - -  a welcome break.
10k to go I heard a front wheel spoke break, presssed on. 

Oz63 c47 11/11 73k3871 Bairnsdale-Sale

Last night's, at the Commercial Hotel gastro pub, was the best pub/restaurant dinner of the trip so far.
Today almost flat open countryside and straight roads, the first being 45km.   Thankfully no headwind.

Oz62 c46 10/11 103k3798 Orbost-Bairnsdale

Followed up on a suggestion to cycle a converted rail track.   Found it after 2km, tried it for a km but it was too rough for my touring bike wheels and tyres, so I restarted.
Rode the Princes Highway via Lakes Entrance with its arresting display of islands and narrow channels.  
Then 6km short of my destination, just as the narrow highway was becoming thunderingly uncomfortable up popped the rail trail again, this stage paved  - -  a more comfortable and safe ride into town.

Oz61 c45 9/11 76k3695 Cann River-Orbost

Finally emerged from the Wilderness Rainforest 20k before Orbost.   These have been the best three days cycling of the trip.   I was enjoying the scenery and the sounds so much, I could ignore the hills.   Apart from the places I lodged overnight there have been just three other roadside cafes in three days.   Almost no traffic until close to Orbost.
The landlord at my pub lodgings was a helicopter winch man during the 1998 Sydney-Hobart tragedy race, rescued several, and knows the boat we'll be sailing and its skipper  - -  small world!

Oz60 c44 8/11 48k3619 Genoa-Cann River

Didn't want to be struck by lightning on a bike, so waited until a storm had cleared.   Then another wonderful (but short) morning ride continuing through the Wilderness Rainforest.

Oz59 c43 7/11 68k3571 Eden-Genoa Victoria

Glorious morning ride, headlands and inlets. Entered the Wilderness Coastal Rainforest, dappled sunshine, gentle hills, hardly any traffic.   Leg improving.   Crossed into Victoria and stopped at a single tap single pub hamlet.

Oz58 c- 6/11 Eden

Dr diagnosed tendonitis caused by infection in the lower leg, and prescribed antibiotics and anti-inflammatories.   Interestingly he'd started practising in S Africa, emmigrated to practice in Vancouver, and is now here.
Resting today and replanning shorter journeys for the next few days.

Oz57 c42 5/11 54k3504 Bega-Eden

After 20k my nether regions were hurting.   I realised I hadn't vaselined, so a quick application out of sight of passing traffic fixed that problem.
Met a lady cycling N.   She'd just cycled from Perth across the Nullabor to Melbourne and was now heading home to Sydney.
A pain, which had started yesterday, in my left shin got steadily worse and the lower shin beacame swollen.   Worried it might be structural.   Realising I might not be near medical help for the next 180k I got a doctor's appointment for tomorrow.

Oz56 c41 4/11 81k3450 Narooma-Bega

Got replacement pump  - -  cycled through the preserved Tilba Tilba.
This is a really hilly ride  - -  like cycling in Wales but with no sunshine  - -  slowest journey speed yet. 

Oz55 c40 3/11 69k3369 Batemans Bay-Narooma

Started with a 5k uphill, then at the top, a puncture.   Replaced the tube, but HELP! couldn't inflate it because my pump had disappeared from the bike.   After 15mins (~30 vehicles) standing by the road brandishing the limp old tube, a van driver stopped and gave me and the bike a lift to the next servo, whose airpump I could use.   Resumed pedalling.
This route S crosses frequent river valleys running from the Dividing Range E to the Tasman Sea so is steeply up and down, nothing flat, therefore SLOW.   The rewards: beautiful views and varied greenery.   The penalty: revise expectations of progress.
Met a S African who's cycled Cape Town-Cairo-Iran-Pakistan-India-SE Asia-Darwin-Melbourne and is on his way via Sydney airport to Santiago-Tierro del Fuego then up through S America.   Been on the road for 3 years. Google ernestonbike.blogspot.com

Oz54 c39 2/11 61k3300 Milton-Bateman's Bay

Raining all night, waited until 09:00 to see if it would ease  - -  it didn't.   Set off.
10k before Bateman's Bay it stopped, so with airflow and body heat my clothes almost dried on me by arrival  - -  trainers take longer.
Oz stops for the Melbourne Cup  - -  watched it in the local RSL club in the company of, amongst others, a 78year old Mancunian, City supporting, 1968 emigre.

Oz53 c38 1/11 132k3239 Shellharbour Village-Milton

Clocked 2000miles since Cairns.   The drizzle became rain through the day.   No to camping.
Left the hwy to pedal via Jervis Bay to Sussex Inlet for the night, only to find Google Maps assumed I wanted to stop on the N shore, rather than crossing the NONexistant bridge to the S shore village/pub/accomodation/tucker.
Had to retrace some way, adding 20k, then head S until first accomodation  - -  eventually a motel in Milton.   
Rain became more persistant, pub cosier, locals more advisory.  

Oz52 c37 31/10 66k3102 Fairlight Sydney - Shellharbour Village

I was guided, and for the first 3 stages, accompanied, by Tim and Siobhan, thus cycled to Manly terminal, took the ferry to Sydney harbour, walked (Sunday Sydney city) the bike to the train station, skipped the S Sydney suburbs by taking a train to Waterfall, a few k S of (the) Botany Bay, then, back on the road, pedalled S.

Got off the freeway and was rewarded by stunning scenery on the coast road between Stanwell Park and Thirroul.

Oz51 c- 30/10 Sydney

Cared for and entertained by Tim, Siobhan and Daisy.
Swam in the surf at Manly beach.
Got bike repaired
- front wheel had been deforming  - -  got five spokes replaced and wheel straightened  - -  otherwise a front wheel collapse at speed could have caused a serious crash (buisy highway ...)
- clamped braces to a snapped rod in the front pannier frame  - -  caused in Queensland by the rough roads but jury-rigged until now.

Oz50 c36 29/10 92k3036 Gosford-Fairlight Sydney

First 5k uphill out of Gosford at 7:00 set the theme for the day -- -  hilliest yet.
Used the old pacific hwy through forrested hills  - -  spectacular sights and bird(?) calls  - -  many other cyclists  - -  refreshed at the 'Pie in the Sky'.
Clocked 3kk.
Last 20k across N Sydney's hills was hard work in suburban traffic.
Made it to Tim & Siobhan's.

Oz49 c35 28/10 92k2944 Newcastle-Gosford

Varied coastal scenery, many attractive inlets and peninsulas.
Passed through SWANSEA

Oz48 c34 27/10 100k2852 Buladelah-Newcastle

Seems this area was settled by Geordies  - -  place names include Hexham, Stockton, Wallsend.   So the palm trees provide something of a contrast.

Oz47 c33 26/10 119k2752 Kew-Buladelah

Best road conditions so far for cycling:
- smoothest surface so far minimising rolling resistance
- shallow uphill slopes meant I could cycle most of them
- shallow downhill slopes assisted me for long stretches.

Two laps of Wales done.

Oz46 c32 25/10 70k2633 Kempsey-Kew

Alternating heavy showers and drizzle, plus truck spray  - -  on the averagepomonabike scale Oz is wetter than Wales

Oz45 c31 24/10 112k2563 Coffs Harbour-Kempsey

Used the Pacific Hwy, wanted a shorter day, but no motels until K

Oz44 c30 23/10 83k2451 Grafton-Coffs Harbour

Avoided the Pacific hwy  - -  went the scenic (hilly) route  - -  wonderful bird songs.
Stayed at a town centre hotel where they warned me there would be live entertainment until 2am  - -  slept from 9pm through it all.

Oz43 c29 22/10 97k2368 Woodburn-Grafton

Fastest speed for a day yet.   Saw first Sydney sign  - -  743k.                                                          

                                                          

Jacaranda in Grafton

In Grafton met David who'd sailed the Sydney-Hobart, cycled Alp d'Huez and Ventoux and ski'ed Whistler  - -  small world.

Oz42 c28 21/10 75k2271 Cape Byron-Woodburn

Celebrated my birthday at 07:30 at the most Eastern point of the Australian mainland.

then headed south

Oz41 c27 20/10 117k2196 Runaway Bay-Byron Bay

Villages and servos becoming more frequent, so managed to avoid the heavy showers.
Another long day.

Oz40 c26 19/10 119k2079 Brisbane-Runaway Bay

Due to bad nav, missed turnings, out of date map not showing latest highway upgrades to motorways, hilly cross country roads to get back on track, cycled 30% further than planned to get there.
Clocked up 2000k.

Oz39 c- 18/10 Brisbane

Bike fixes: front panier frame, new chain & 8speed cassette, new gloves.
Staying at Wooloongabba <1k from the stadium.

Oz38 c25 17/10 16k1960 Carseldyne-Brisbane

Short ride into Brisbane
Took a ferry ride for the full loop up & down the river

city centre

                                  party boats

                          river bank houses

Oz37 c24 16/10 88k1945 Caloundra-Carseldine

Gettung close to Brisbane so having to avoid 'no cyclists' routes.
Difficult finding a place for the night because Metallica concert fans got in first..
Rescued by the Strathpine i-visitor fellahs.

Oz36 c23 15/10 66k1856 Noosa Heads-Caloundra

1st half: surf sound and views from the coast road.  Convoluted and hilly route because of
a) the coastline
b) backtracking after being confronted by an unexpected motorway ie no cyclists
2nd half: more direct, built up like Costa del Sol 15 years ago, but with sane drivers

Oz35 c22 14/10 95k1790 Gunalda-Noosa Heads

Left the Bruce maybe for the last time.
NH: an upmarket area of homes with access to engineered sea inlets

Oz34 c21 13/10 84k1695 Howard-Gunalda

Oz33 c20 12/10 88k1611 Bundaburg-Howard

Back on the Bruce at Childers
Clocked 1000miles since Cairns
Stayed at a van park with a courtesy bus to the pub in Howard

Oz33 Queensland hotels

Tether your 4WD outside
Downstairs: XXXX, tucker, pokies, keno
Upstairs: dorms, rooms with shared facilities

Oz32 c19 11/10 61k1523 Rosedale-Bundeburg

Set off anxious that I was down to my last inner tube, because my attempts at fixing the punctured tube had failed.   Worked out OK.
For the second half of the ride I cycled into the strongest headwinds so far, combined with a downpour.   Arrrived like a drowned rat, at a pleasant friendly helpful motel.
Got two new tubes.

Oz31 c18 10/10 68k1462 Seventeen Seventy-Rosedale

Three punctures in short succession  - -  walked the last 2k to Rosedale.
Found a place for the night  - -  the tackiest so far.
Found the cause of the punctures  - -  a spike which had pierced the tyre and stayed there. 

Oz30 c- 9/10 22k1395 Seventeen Seventy

Explored Seventeen Seventy and Agnes Waters

Oz29 c17 8/10 77k1381 Bororen-Seventeen Seventy

First day cycling off the Bruce Highway  - -  relief after 1300k
Now done the same distance as my 09/2009 lap of Wales
Pleasant run through to Agnes Water / Seventeen Seventy
Day off tomorrow to explore.

Oz28 c16 7/10 93k1303 Mount Larcom-Bororen

Section of the highway heavily used by truckers, many double artics.
Lots of road kill to avoid.
Glad to finish safely.

Oz27 c15 6/10 78k1210 Rocky-Mount Larcom

Crossed the tropic of Capricorn.
My punk helmet worked  - -  there were many occasions when magpies swooped but each time failed to attack because of the helmet spikes, even though I shouted "Bring it on !"

Got some interesting comments at refreshment stations.

Oz26 c- 5/10 Rocky

Rest day after the "gap".
Not exactly T E Lawrence crossing the empty quarter to take Aqaba
but I'm enjoying a real lemonade
Attractive town, colonial architecture.
Fitted spikes to my helmet to deter magpie strikes.

Oz25 c14 4/10 105k1132 Marlborough-Rockhampton (Rocky)

Getting fitter, fastest average speed, good supplies and refreshment points.
Hot.

Oz24 c13 3/10 106k1023 Clairview-Marlborough

Passed the 1000k point.
Countryside now dry forrest, a change from the endless cane sugar fields of prior days
Vital refreshment point closed "due to illness"  - -  none in final 70k
Had to conserve water so rationed to 3 mouthfulls at 10k stops.  Arrived very thirsty.

Oz23 c12 2/10 94k917 Sarina-Clairiew

Hilly route slowing average speed
Ended up at a beach front caravan park celebrating Sat evening with locals.
Knowing the ride ahead, it was an early night for me.

Oz22 c11 1/10 39k823 Mackay-Sarina

Short journey but slowest to date because of up to 30k headwinds.
Sarina the jumping off point for the 300k "gap" to Rockhampton

Oz21 c- 30/09 Mackay fix bike day

Getting rear tyre replaced with one more suitable for the Queensland roads,
and other minor fixes:   new padded gloves, toe straps, speedo battery.
The next challenge will be the >300k to Rockhampton with very little in between.

Oz20 c10 29/09 59k785 Calen-Mackay

Again, magpie attacks.
Got into Mackay just before tropical downpour.   Weather pattern emerging.   Dry mornings, wet afternoons.

Oz19 c9 28/09 73k726 Proserpine-Calen

More attacks by magpies.
Puncture #6.   Decided to take shortest route to Mackay to get tyre replaced, so cot out detour to Airlie Baech.

Oz18 c8 27/09 73k652 Bowen-Proserpine

Bought small tent, added to load.
First fall, minor abrasions.
Attacked by magpies, diving and hitting/pecking at helmet.

Oz17 c7 26/09 121k580 Ayr-Bowen

Longest ride yet.
Intended destination no accomodation, pushed on for an extra 45k.   Must get a tent.
Punctures #4&5.   Must replace tyre or wheel.

Oz16 c6 25/09 94k459 Townsville-Ayr

Met a young couple from Cardigan working in Ayr.
Stayed at a backpackers hostel

Oz15 c5 24/09 71k365 Mutarnee-Townsville

day long drizzle
ended up at a beach side resort with super facilities out of season

Oz14 c4 23/09 97k294 Cardwell-Mutarnee via Ingham

1st long run, helped by cooling breeze off the sea. 
Missed intended village, parked at next.
Camper site: for = swimming pool, against = no alcohol for sale

Oz13 c3 22/09 64k197 Diggers Creek - Cardwell

Puncture #3, got bike shop to check tyre OK.
Lucky with the weather: showers, then the heavens opened 30mins after I checked in to my hostel
64k

Oz12 c2 21/09 72k133 Babinda - Diggers Creek

Continuous rain but mild sunburn (how's that happen?), strong headwinds, intended destination Silkwood only hotel closed, continued to Diggers Creek, 72k

Oz11 Cycleday1 60k 20/09 Cairns - Babinda

Fcast: many showers 28C 81% 9kph SSE

Actual: many showers, strong headwind, 2 punctures, 60k

Oz9 18/09 Cape York to Cairns

Aboriginal rock art

Oz8 17/09 termites no crocs

termites
millions of them

but no crocs

Oz7 16/09 Cape York to Cairns

Our transport

Oz6 15/09 Cape York

At the top

looking west with other travellers

Oz2 11/09 Sydney

Sydney Heads

and with Siobhan, Daisy and Tim