Monday 15 December 2014

Trans Oceania 2014 - Apollo Bay to Torquay | Thursday, December 4 - 92km






The plan for today was for me to van to lunch and then cycle to Torquay, wait for John and then head home! So at breakfast I said goodbye to the gang in the hope I might see them at Torquay or in Melbourne on Saturday night.

It was a very pleasant 38km ride along the Great Ocean Road into Torquay. After showering, changing and sorting out my bag and bike, I headed across the road for a hamburger with the lot and waited for John to arrive.






We left our bikes and main bags with the crew and walked across the road with a small bag to catch the bus to Geelong and then the train to Melbourne. Out of Southern Cross Station, we went to Sbriga for a decent coffee and snack and then bussed to my Apartment for the night.

Tomorrow I'll drive with John to the caravan park in Braybrook to collect my bike and our bags and officially end the Tour.

It has been an interesting ride. Thanks for following the blog for the last 6 weeks and stay tuned for details of the next upcoming exciting adventure!!

Wednesday 3 December 2014

Trans Oceania 2014 - Apollo Bay Rest Day | Wednesday, December 3 - 0km

It rained on and off all night and all day so it turned out to be a rest day spent mostly in the cabin.

John had purchased supplies for breakfast and got some more for lunch so all that was left was for us to walk down to the Apollo Bay Hotel for dinner!





That is all for today.
 

Tuesday 2 December 2014

Trans Oceania 2014 - Port Campbell to Apollo Bay | Tuesday, December 2 - 96km

This morning's conditions were very similar to yesterday - overcast but not cold - but we were heading for 1500m of climbing, not my favourite activity. First stop was Loch Ard Gorge.
 
 
Next, arguably the highlight of the Great Ocean Road, The Twelve Apostles.
 
 
 
 


















The climbing was getting to my back and I was glad to see the first sign to Melbourne and then a great cafe at Lavers Hill for a mocha and raspberry muffin. And then the light drizzle turned to rain and mist...




































I arrived at the lunch van at 62km having climbed 1100m. That was enough for me for today and I rode the van into camp where John had already checked into our cabin.
 
I cycled into town and had 2 sausage rolls with tomato sauce and a mocha for lunch. Then to the supermarket for some drinks and back to the cabin for the night. John bought supplies for breakfast tomorrow so toast with marmalade for dinner tonight while I rest my back!


Monday 1 December 2014

Trans Oceania 2014 - Port Fairy to Port Campbell | Monday, December 1 - 98km

It was an overcast, but not cold, morning as we cycled out of Port Fairy and I felt confident that I would get 100km on the clock today, which I did! A tail wind for a lot of the day was a welcome change.

Our route took us past Tower Hill into residential Warrnambool onto a bike path by the ocean and then inland for a while.First drink stop was across the road from the Cheese and Butter Factory.



 

Lunch was at around 59km and then the signs to the much anticipated Great Ocean Road!


 


 








  

And that completed the scenic lookouts for today as I arrived in Port Campbell and checked into a cabin for the night! My first 100km ride in quite some time..
                         
                                                       
I was quite hungry by now so I cycled the short distance into "town" for a juice and then a mocha and butterscotch muffin at the quirky cafe.


















Shower, nap, computer time and dinner at 6pm.Chops, barley and wheat kernel mushroom risotto and vegetables..


The seagull will learn that the Frenchmen leave no leftovers!!